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Recommended Dose: The Best Dance Tracks Of April

One of the hottest tracks we heard all month was the live version of "P.A.R.T.Y." by L.A. producer Seven Davis Jr.
Courtesy of the artist
One of the hottest tracks we heard all month was the live version of "P.A.R.T.Y." by L.A. producer Seven Davis Jr.

Another month means another Recommended Dose from All Songs Considered. We listen to literally hundreds of new electronic music tracks each month, test the standouts on some very loud speakers and highlight the best of the best in a 30-minute mix.

You can stream this month's mix here or on NPR Music's SoundCloud page. If you'd rather just hear each song individually, check out the playlist below.

Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Recommended Dose: The Best Dance Tracks Of April

Fatima Al Qadiri, 'Shanghai Freeway'

Dom Smith
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Courtesy of the artist

From 'Asiatisch'

One of the more complicated albums of 2014 also knows its way around a dancefloor. Fatima Al Qadiri, a Kuwaiti producer based in Brooklyn, will release Asiatisch (the German word for "Asian") on May 6, a record that examines China's influence on the London grime scene. "Shanghai Freeway" is its penultimate juggernaut, but we think the track's signature metallic loop makes for the perfect opener to our set.

Rx Timecode: 0:00-5:25

Person Of Interest, 'Down For'

Courtesy of the artist

From 'L.I.E.S. 20.5'

This is a web premiere, but we'd be shocked if DJs haven't been spinning this track in sets over the past couple weeks. "Down For," the b-side of Person Of Interest's debut 12", is a grainy techno thumper akin to the dark, dramatic output of the Downwards or Sandwell District labels. Another impressive addition to the L.I.E.S. catalog.

Rx Timecode: 5:26-12:40

Seven Davis Jr., 'P.A.R.T.Y. (Live Version)'

Courtesy of the artist

From 'Unreleased'

Everything in Seven Davis Jr's burgeoning catalog has a nasty bit of funk to it. "P.A.R.T.Y.", his latest release for Apron records, sets a queasy, harmonized vocal atop snapping drums. On the live version, those vocals been swapped for synth stabs that shriek out over twanging bass plucks. Later on, those shrieks open up into a sustained wail, bringing the song to climax, all hazy and mad. It's a stripped down take that loses none of its nastiness.

Rx Timecode: 12:41-17:12

DJ Clent, 'Hyper Feet'

Courtesy of the artist

From 'Hyper Feet'

DJ Clent is one of the longest tenured juke/footwork artists in Chicago, debuting on the Dance Mania record label in 1998 alongside the recently departed DJ Rashad. On "Hyper Feet," Clent re-imagines fellow Chi producer Mike Dunn's proto-house hit "Magic Feet," adding asymmetric tenacity via car alarm counterpoint and woozy shifts in tempo.

Rx Timecode: 17:13-20:49

Percussions, 'KHLHI'

Courtesy of the artist

From 'TEXT029'

Four Tet released his latest recordings — two 12" records made to move a room — under his Percussions moniker. Of the four cuts he's put online so far, "KHLHI" swings the hardest. Armed with a sample from Detroit soul singer Syreeta Wright and cut with a techno bassline, the song snaps from drum track to vocal and back before you can say "KHLHI." Slackened drums keep this bob upright and swaying.

Rx Timecode: 20:50-26:15

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Sami Yenigun
Sami Yenigun is the Executive Producer of NPR's All Things Considered and the Consider This podcast. Yenigun works with hosts, editors, and producers to plan and execute the editorial vision of NPR's flagship afternoon newsmagazine and evening podcast. He comes to this role after serving as a Supervising Editor on All Things Considered, where he helped launch Consider This and oversaw the growth of the newsmagazine on new platforms.
Otis Hart