THE JOURNAL
llustration by Jalcalara + Colagene, Creative Clinic
Christmas is over and out, now it’s time to rejoice for the other big day. You may be getting ready to go out, you may be having a few friends over or have no plans whatsoever. Whichever it is, a good mix is paramount to ring in the new year. Now, we know that there’s plenty of great playlists out there. But to celebrate the start of 2023 in true MR PORTER fashion, we’ve asked Mr David Ridings, head of music programming at One Hundred Shoreditch – one of London’s buzziest hotels and party hotspots, where a great roster of DJs selected by Zaf from Haggerston’s legendary Love Vinyl, as well as some picked by Ridings, are on rotation Thursday till Sunday – to create one just for us.
“Putting together the perfect NYE playlist is akin to DJing,” Ridings says. “You can start out with a set all mapped out, and last about three tracks before realising you need to change tack, build more slowly, or up the tempo... both in terms of your audience and your own pivoting predilections. Suffice to say I had to down tools on this after a while. I kept on going back and ‘tweaking’. Perfection proved impossible, there are just too many amazing tracks out there. And still they keep coming.”
Without further ado, it’s time to get your finest dinner jacket on, pour a glass (or two) of bubbles and turn up the volume.
Mr David Ridings’ top five tracks
01. “Blue Kiss” by Shire T, Maribou State
“For its all-out sonic assault, after a short, deceptive start, rave-like synth stabs, rolling bassline, old-school breakbeats and breakdowns, lovely vocals and even some euphoric ‘whoos’, before heading into a stabbing acid-tinged workout,” Ridings says. “Just one of those tracks that came out in the pandemic that both frustrated – due to being kept at home – but also released a lot of tension, dancing around your flat to it.”
02. “I Need You (Grimoose Remix)” by A Place To Bury Strangers
“One of my favourite tunes from a favourite live band, just an incredible take on the track and worlds away from the live version.”
03. “Street Pulse Beat (Boy Harsher Remix)” by Special Interest
“Similar to APTBS, an incredible and complete departure of a remix of a track by a New Orleans punk band by day, from the darkwave leaning Boy Harsher. Such a synth hook, while retaining the incredibly powerful vocals of Alli Logout.”
04. “Have You Ever” by Terr
“A hypnotic, almost menacing hook, which is softened by some beautiful chiming synths and an almost robotised vocal. Now picked up by legend Erol Alkan for his Phantasy label after initial releases on the great Permanent Vacation label – definitely a rising talent on the scene.”
05. “Power” by Pachanga Boys
“Again, a hypnotic, brooding slow-build track, with haunting, almost maudlin synth lines, interspersed with just one vocal – ‘Power’. Ideally to be played over a club with a hefty sound system, or early morning at their Robot Heart set. The standout release from the Kompakt label.”
Honourable mention:
“Dance Hall Days – Psychemagik Remix” by Wang Chung
“Definitely one for NYD morning.”