Five summer tracks that hit the brief in five different ways. From a Birmingham reggae project reimagining Robert Calvert to a cinematic Afrobeats single rooted in Nigerian folklore, this week’s picks all find a different angle on warmth.
The Starfaders – Ejection
The Starfaders’ Ejection reimagines Robert Calvert’s writing through Birmingham roots-and-dub production, to stunning effect
Ejection is a homage to the lyrical brilliance of Robert Calvert, the Hawkwind frontman whose writing The Starfaders reinterpret through intricate roots and dub production. The track blends advanced AI-driven vocal production with classic analogue programming, engineering and mixing, taking a hazy retro atmosphere and pushing it into modern shapes. The result is something familiar and curious at the same time, less interested in nostalgia than in showing how good lyrics survive new sonic frames. A late-evening kind of summer banger.
The Starfaders originate from Birmingham, UK, coordinated by seasoned reggae producer Neil Harvey, who’s worked across the reggae and drum and bass scenes. The project is designed to explore the fusion of computer-generated vocal performances with traditional studio-based production techniques, providing a creative and contemporary reworking of Calvert’s original material. It’s an unusual brief executed with real care and quality, and Ejection is a fair calling card for what the project can do when the experiment lands. Great stuff.
DJ Cards – Grab That Fall Feeling
DJ Cards’ Grab That Fall Feeling is melodic house from a Philadelphia attorney by day, producer by night, with festival-ready punch and headphone-walk intimacy in the same bar
Despite the title, Grab That Fall Feeling carries a warmth that fits straight into summer rotation. DJ Cards leans into melodic house energy, keeping things light, uplifting and easy to move with, the rhythm effortless while the melodic layers bring just enough emotion to stop it from feeling purely functional. It’s polished and festival-ready, but holds onto a sense of intimacy: equally good in a big open crowd or in headphones on a solo walk. Built to lift moods without overcomplicating things.
DJ Cards is an internationally featured EDM producer known for crafting uplifting, high-energy tracks that blend melodic depth with festival-ready intensity. His music has gained traction across global media outlets and radio platforms, building a rapidly growing international audience. Outside the studio, he brings a unique perspective as a Philadelphia-based attorney, earning him the nickname ‘The Lawyer Who Drops Beats’. The dual identity fuels a disciplined, detail-driven approach to production while keeping a bold, creative edge. We love this.
Ladymakavelli – Selena Tested
Ladymakavelli’s Selena Tested is a wonderfully cinematic Afrobeats track inspired by a real-life story of a man who got shot and kept walking, rooted in Southern Nigerian folklore.
Selena Tested is a bold, cinematic release rooted in Southern Nigerian folklore and inspired by a real-life moment, the kind of moment where a man gets shot and keeps walking. Ladymakavelli builds the track around storytelling as much as sound, with a striking identity and a hook designed to grab instantly. There’s a balance here between narrative and rhythm that keeps things accessible, intense in places but never overcooked. It’s a track that stands out in literally any summer playlist by being more layered, more intentional.
Ladymakavelli is a London-based Nigerian artist known for her distinctive sound and electrifying, out-of-this-world stage performances. She has headlined iconic venues including Koko Camden, Legacy Live Lounge, and BBC Introducing showcases. Beyond music, she’s currently exploring neuroscience, researching the impact of musical nostalgia on people in comas, blending artistry with purpose and innovation. Selena Tested is the most cinematic version of that creative energy yet, the kind of track that announces an artist who isn’t doing this by halves. Essential stuff.
Geo San Music – StrobeGeo San Music – Strobe
Geo San Music is the moniker of NYC multi-hyphenate George Sanchez, and Strobe is his fully self-produced answer to the festival culture of Ibiza.
Strobe is built for movement, blending driving rhythms with layered synth textures into a track that captures the visceral feeling of being surrounded by sound and light. Born from a pure creative impulse following Sanchez’s firsthand experiences in the EDM scene, the single is fully self-produced, with every element reflecting a single creative voice. The track is designed for both club appeal and emotional depth, balancing peak festival energy with atmospheric nuance, less a club tool than a fully realised artistic statement. It’s a real head nodder this one.
Geo San Music is the artist moniker of NYC-based multi-hyphenate George Sanchez, working from a home studio in the heart of New York and handling every facet of his releases himself, from writing to producing to shaping the sonic identity. He draws influence from the global electronic scene, particularly Ibiza’s festival culture, channeling that collective energy through a deeply personal lens. His philosophy is unfussy: live for today, trust your instincts, and create while the inspiration is real. It’s genuinely huge.
SHENI – Shuga
SHENI’s Shuga makes the case for joy as a serious creative choice: irresistibly catchy, rooted in a real love story, and built fast because it had to be.
Shuga was born from a Saturday morning tea session that was missing one crucial ingredient: sugar. The track evolved from a spontaneous studio session with friends Shine and Fizzy into a fully realised production within hours. Co-produced during the COVID-19 lockdown, it captures a moment of creative freedom and romantic inspiration, with SHENI’s then-girlfriend in the studio influencing 80% of the lyrics. The result is irresistibly catchy and danceable, built on simple but effective production from snare to kick, with lyrics that come from a genuine place of love.
SHENI is a Bristol-based artist carving out a distinctive space in the UK music scene with a sound that’s as universal as it is personal. Known for creating what he calls ‘feel good moments’, his work is rooted in emotional connection and infectious energy that translates seamlessly from studio recordings to sold-out performances across Bristol’s thriving festival circuit. Currently in an experimental phase of his journey, SHENI works between his home studio in Bristol and professional facilities in London.