Downtempo Revival – A Selection of Recently Released Low Key Music

While Chill Out mixes were a CD collection staple through the second half of the nineties and slightly beyond, the style fell out of favor fast due largely to the saccharine Ibiza vibe that beset that era of electronic music, and also due to the rise of coffee shop culture that all but claimed the sound as its soundtrack.

The origins of this aesthetic came from the rave inspired inclination to offer a “chill out” room as a refuge from the sometimes unrelenting dance music in the main room, aware that some people are in different stages of their trip. In these dimly lit rooms, trip hop, ambient, and gentle dance music would score heightened conversations, endless backrubs, and sweaty hugs that felt right at the time.

After a decade or so in exile, the stigma of this sound slowly faded and a new generation of artists could appreciate trip hop without stigma. This selection finds me assembling a selection that captures a similar spirit to the chill out mixes of yesteryear, featuring songs released in the last few months.

Track List

Bella Boo - Alom

Jayda G – Renewal (Hyla Mix)

Weval – Heartbreak Television

Jordon Alexander – This Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

Dreamcast & ZDBT – Time For You

Khotin – Alla’s Scans

People Plus – Jungle Room

CFCF – Closed Space

Sky Civilian – If I Had

Mitch Murder – Palmer-s Arcade

The Mole – Laughy Dumb Dumb

Glass Candy – Good Time

Carla dal Forno – Fever Walk

Deadbeat & Camara – Sweet Jane

Apparat – Brandenburg

Kelsey Lu – I'm Not In Love

Tycho – Skate

Blood Orange – Something to Do

Nilufer Yanya – -Sparkle - God Help Me

FKA Twigs – Cellophane

Nils Frahm – A Walking Embrace