Disclosure, Kehlani, Syd – Birthday (MJ Cole Mix)

A twenty second snippet of brilliance might seem a flimsy basis for 20 years of idolatry, but that´s what happened. The intro from MJ Cole´s Sincere did it to me, it stopped me in my tracks and converted a pirate radio fling into a proper obsession. Admittedly, he´s dished up a lot of quality since then, concreting the foundations that were laid by Sincere´s instant, wondrous, backwards hook, but all the standout reputational cement in the world won´t stop those 20 seconds making me re-tingle every time.

Adding ´especially for MJ Cole´ to the concept ´2020´s been a weird year´ is bordering on psycho, but for Coleheads like me it´s been tempting. The theory that he´d tired of his knack for combining bass, beats and intricate melodic flourishes (or sometimes just more bass) spread fast, because but this year´s album (Madrugada – Spanish for early morning) went all chilled and orchestral. Yes, he abandoned 2-step, the dancefloor, me, everything. Shocked face emojis practically collapsed hitherto resilient communication channels. Illegal antennas threatened to give it all up and throw themselves off tower blocks. There were even remixes by Sasha (5 shocked faces) and DJ Seinfeld (One shocked face and an Elaine dancing gif).

Lucky for us, Disclosure have stepped in with their new album, and most crucially the track Birthday. It´s a song that asks two important questions – 1. Is it wise to wish your ex a happy birthday? 2. Would such a dilemma be best soundtracked with bass, beats and intricate melodic flourishes (provided by the master himself)? So here we are, with one slice of classic wiggle-inducing 2-step. Call me nostalgic but I´m delighted.

THIS WEEK

Disclosure, Kehlani, Syd – Birthday (MJ Cole Remix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJOsvjY7sMc

15,579 views since 1st September Weekly Average Views – 12,117

LAST WEEK

Arlo Parks – Hurt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qz4cAAwtv0

Weekly Average Views – 18,973 Blog Week Views – 17,657

EXTRAS

Part One – UK (and ROI) Garage 2020

Gemma Dunleavy – Up De Flats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SDWLXzOIqE