isolatedmix 127 - David Douglas & Applescal

  As with all my previous ‘Reflection’ year-end mixes, I begin with a collection of albums, EPs, and compilations that resonated with me over the past year. From there, I curate tracks to build the mix—a process that’s as much about omission as inclusion. Inevitably, many of my favorite tracks and albums don’t make the final cut, simply because they don’t fit the flow of the mix or get lost along the way. There are plenty of albums I played on repeat that aren’t included here, but I enjoy this process much more than creating lists. As I remind myself each year, this isn’t meant to be a definitive “best-of” list. Instead, it’s a snapshot of some of my favorite music from the year, distilled into one cohesive and listenable format. Compiling these mixes under self-imposed restrictions is my way of revisiting and celebrating the music I’ve loved critically, while sharing it with you in a way that’s both meaningful and accessible. For me, listening back to these mixes is like flipping through an audio photograph, capturing the essence of my year in music and invoking memories from special moments.I encourage you to use this mix as a jumping-off point—dive into each artist, explore their albums in full, and check out the labels behind the music. You can find a Buy Music Club list linked below to help you dig deeper. If you’re curious about the broader scope of music I’ve supported this year, my Bandcamp collection is always up to date. And for the ASIP year-end label compilation, you can find the feature and mix here.~Starting this year’s mix was no easy task. It’s been a whirlwind of a year, with my family relocating from Los Angeles back to Oregon. For a significant stretch, my ideal listening setup was in flux, and I wasn’t commuting to work as much—two key times I’d normally dive deep into the music I’d collected.That said, I still managed to accumulate a fair share of vinyl this year (probably too much), so that became my starting point. I began shortlisting from my unsorted crate—my go-to spot for new acquisitions—despite knowing the mix would eventually be recorded digitally I always intend on ripping some vinyl-only releases. Since most of my purchases are through Bandcamp, I typically have digital files ready to go, but there are still a few frustrating cases where I’ve had to double-dip and buy the digital files separately (labels, let’s get those Bandcamp download codes in vinyl sleeves—it’s almost 2025!).This year’s shortlist started with over 80 artists/tracks from albums I’ve loved, which I eventually narrowed down to 40 for the final mix. It’s a good representation of what’s been on heavy rotation for me. As always, I stuck to my usual self-imposed rule of no ASIP artist related tracks. I’d easily fill an entire mix with their music if that rule weren’t in place (also that’s what 9128.live is good for). I like to take this time to highlight other incredible, often overlooked releases that haven’t made the rounds in our circles, or through the usual “best of” lists. I intended to rip some of my vinyl-only releases for this mix as a few really stood out this year, but time wasn’t on my side, and no digital was available. On the bright side, nearly all the music included here is readily available on Bandcamp for you to support.A few callouts as you skim through the tracklist. The latest Röyksopp album leans heavily into ambient tropes, but it’s undeniably comforting—a continuous flow reminiscent of the classic Art of Chill mixes, blending atmospheric textures with accessible pop crossovers. It nails that sweet spot, and I’m not one to turn my nose up at that.Isabel Pine, whose demo first landed in my inbox some time ago, continues to impress—her latest release is an absolute gem. Aja’s ‘Lullaby’ is pure sweetness, so addictive I often found myself hitting repeat. C.K. didn’t drop any new ambient projects this year, but he did finally upload his phenomenal catalog to Bandcamp The track I included serves from his only 2024 release as an ambient counterpart to his more techno-focused album from this year.Music From Memory’s Virtual Dreams compilation was a highlight for me—every track on it felt like a guaranteed vibe, no matter the mood (#1 on my HHV list). Casino Versus Japan’s comeback might just be his finest work yet, even if it hasn’t made it onto other lists out there. Its stripped-back, raw quality made it a challenge to incorporate into this mix without it becoming the centerpiece.Minotaur Shock was a standout discovery in 2024, offering a blend of IDM-infused drum-oriented sounds. This track, in particular, is one of his most melodic. Another new find was Civilistjävel!, courtesy of Juan (OKRAA), who introduced me to the record while we were record shopping in New York. Florian T M Zeisig made waves with a ’90s-inspired album, consistently impressing with his inventive approaches (and even debuting a new alias).nthng remains a regular on my year-end mixes, and deservedly so. My favorite track of his this year was ‘Echo Track,’ though it didn’t quite fit into this mix. Synkro returned as Ovïd with a mesmerizing slice of gaseous dub-techno—I even let it run long to max out its hypnotic qualities in the mix. Brian Grainger and his aliases are extremely productive, so it’s hard to cut through sometimes, but I always gravitate to his Coppice Halifax output.Vril delivered an audio-sensory onslaught with his new album. While my favorite track didn’t make this mix, the entire release is excellent. I bent one of my own rules by including two tracks from Daniel[i]—a testament to the quality of that record. Rising Sun also deserves a mention. Even though his uploads this year were from his back catalog, the music is as timeless as ever (and I have a special memory of hearing this amazing track at Public Records, cementing a solid 2024 core memory). Solar Alliance saw me bending another rule, as this is technically from the Ute collective but for anyone into '90s-style trance and downtempo- not to be missed. Xylitol, another new artist on my radar, delivered a release perfectly aligned with its Planet Mu home—think Aphex-inspired IDM with breaks and bass. Metamatics took an unexpected turn, dropping a drum’n’bass album with a '90s vibe featuring vocal samples from the emotional worlds normally assigned to DJ Healer or Rising Sun.Finally, the closer comes from Mortal—a 1997 gem I only discovered in 2024. Though technically from December 2023, it missed last year's mix and felt like the perfect way to wrap up this year’s edition. astrangelyisolatedplace · ASIP - Reflection on 2024 Listen on Soundcloud the ASIP Podcast or the 9128.live iOS and Android appDownloadTracklist:01. Chihei Hatakeyama - Insects Chirping At Night (Field Recs)02. CHANTSSSS - Lose My (Theory Therapy)03. Endless Trains & Taennya - Lifeless Place (Archives)04. Röyksopp (Feat. Alison Goldfrapp) - We Enter (Self Released)05. Merely & Malibu - outlanders intro (Year 0001)06. anthéne - Crimson (Floralia Editions)07. Isabel Pine - Silhouettes (Where The Flowers Grow)08. Old Amica - Klorofyll (Self Released)09. Aja - Absolune (Grand Musique Management)10. Winter Silhouette - Solidarity (Peak)11. C.K - We Share The Skies (Private Recording System)12. Dub Squad - Blown Fruit (Music From Memory)13. Shokunin - Darlands (Bonse1)14. Li Yilei - Yip, Yip, Yip (Métron Records)15. Voyage Futur - Marina Botany (Vill4in)16. Casino Versus Japan - Licht (Self Released)17. Minotaur Shock - With Me? (Bytes)18. Civilistjävel! - XII (Felt)19. Ear To Ear - Live Recordings D (Astral Industries)20. Strategy - Numeros (Community Library)21. Florian T M Zeisig - Wave Guide (Stroom)22. nthng - Dont Be Scared (Self Released)23. Brendon Moeller - Pressure (Quiet Details)24. Lb Honne - Musium (Project Indigo)25. Priori ft. Sabola - Learn To Fly (Naff Recordings)26. Ovïd - Dream Sequence (Fauxpas Musik)27. Coppice Halifax - Ceremonial (Milieu Music)28. pondlicker - orchid media (Naff Recordings)29. Daniel[i] - Jobkas Dom (Muzan Editions)30. Vril - Pneuma (Omnidisc)31. Low End Activist - Airdrop 02 (Yarnton Rd 2 Cassington) (Peak Oil)32. Daniel[i] - Dom Amb (Muzan Editions)33. Wardown - 5 It Is The Mercy (Blu Mar Ten)34. Rising Sun - The Ascend (Original) (Self Released)35. Vera Logdanidi - Euphoria (Semantica)36. Donato Dozzy - Lucrezia (Spazio Disponibile)37. Solar Alliance - Tri-Mind (Self Released)38. Xylitol - Monte Mare (Planet Mu)39. Metamatics - A Second Chance Is Rare (Self Released)40. Mortal - Minus One (Sunny Crypt)Buy Music Club List  

  Handing over a year’s worth of releases to todos and watching the magic unfold is always an exhilarating experience. His ability to craft a narrative from such a rich and varied palette is unparalleled, offering fresh insights into the music and the year behind us. A true specialist in narrative witchcraft, todos continues to redefine DJ mixes with such a limited palette to build from. This year’s selection posed an increasingly complex challenge, with its mix of tempos and styles, but it’s a testament to the incredible work of the ASIP artists in 2024, all tied together under the meticulous eye of our trusted selector.The year began with new label signing Salvatore Mercatante, and his pin-point drum patterns and room-filled IDM. This was followed by an about-turn in style with a new label signing, Lihla, presenting her hypnotizing blend of spoken word and atmospheric multi-instrument talent. Lapsed Pacifist (who happens to be a good friend of todos' in the UK - another full circle moment for the label) presented his debut album, featuring 'rolling waves of lavender synths', which Pop Matters recently listed as one of its best ambient albums of 2024. Keeping things unexpected, we then presented another new artist, Theef, who released a selection of timeless deep techno cuts from a DJ mix he posted online in 2018. It was then a chance for one of ASIPs most cherished sounds to return, as Illuvia continued his monumental exploration into the deep expanse of ethereal ambient drum'n bass. By now, we were approaching the much-celebrated half-century catalog number, and who better than long-time label artist, Markus Guentner to bring it over the line, alongside eight other fantastic talents. Colombian producer OKRAA, evolved his living-and-breathing psychedelic electronics, introducing more breaks and electro to his palette, in a truly unexpected second album. And closing out the year, Hungarian artist swanasa, presented a taster of her sonic capabilities in a short EP, that shone a light on multiple approaches we hope to explore from her very soon. Thank you for all of your support, comments, and encouragement this year. Here's to those who explore the unique, the nostalgic and the new, and those who forge their own way forward.Download on BandcampJoin us on Friday 20th December, 12pm PST for the full mix premiere and Bandcamp listening party. 2024 | Label Compilation (mixed by todos) by A Strangely Isolated Place todos Continuous DJ mix tracklist:1. swanasa - Swan Song (edit)2. Lihla - Resonance3. Markus Guentner - Father Of Waters4. Lapsed Pacifist - Tragic5. Markus Guentner & Arovane - Utopian Fragments (edit) / Illuvia - A New Tomorrow (edit) / swanasa - AHO / Lihla - Becoming Human (edit)6. OKRAA - La Gran Corriente7. Salvatore Mercatante - Love Of Lies8. Illuvia - Tectonic Shift9. Markus Guentner & Abul Mogard - While Hunting Nightmares And Dreaming For Peace10. Theef - Strange Nights11. Salvatore Mercatante - How Many Hands12. OKRAA - Para Desaprender (edit)13. Theef - Odd Entity14. Lapsed Pacifist - Almost RememberedDownload MP3  

  Willem van der Ploeg, hailing from the Netherlands, is a DJ, producer, and co-founder of the label The Something Something, alongside Rutger Paulusse. Willem has been a long-time follower of ASIP, often supporting our mixes and asking for track IDs—something that always piques my curiosity and often leads to unexpected finds. So I was delighted to stumble across another amazing cave of DJ sets through The Something Something’s Red Light Radio show, offering up sessions from recognizable guests such as Alex Albrecht, Wanderwelle and Ario, and then going on to see the fruition of the label in recent years. Inland / Tomorrow, or till the end of time by Will Oirson As part of The Something Something label, Willem has been gaining momentum with his own production work, leaning toward serene, textured ambient, enriched by found sounds and often shimmering, beautiful melodies. This is showcased perfectly by his 2020 EP, Inland / Tomorrow, of till the end of time, and his most recent single, Escapism. Escapism by Will Oirson Will’s DJ sets recently earned him a spot at the prestigious Draaimolen Festival, officiating his keen curatorial ear, which will no doubt lead us all to a world of new artists to explore - a perfect requirement for the isolatedmix series and the mix at hand for #128. "Thank you for the opportunity to create a mix for ASIP, Ryan!Many times in life, music helped me to overcome certain hurdles. It always gives me a feeling of escapism and on many occasions it shined a light on dark days. The same goes with this mix; I feel a sense of lightness after experiencing a big burnout a year and a half ago, in which time I’ve made a lot of music. It had no intention, it was just about frequencies and emotions. Now that I'm feeling better, I’ve started releasing tracks and even performed a dj set at Draaimolen Festival Festival featuring some of this music. This mix for A Strangely Isolated Place is about seeing light again, the overcoming of obstacles, and a rekindling of dreams.It includes some of my favourite tracks from the past few years, such as ‘stasis__relief__’ by 𝚐𝚊𝚋_𝚒 and 'Pillow, Mantra and Trance’ by Li Yilei. And I’m also pleased that I could slip in some amazing music by friends like Bas Dobbelaer, Ramses3000 and Brian Omen. Please take a moment to explore the artists and labels included in this mix. They’ve created truly remarkable work, and many continue to do so.” - Will Oirson  astrangelyisolatedplace · isolatedmix 128 - Will Oirson Listen on Soundcloud the ASIP Podcast or the 9128.live iOS and Android appDownload MP3Tracklist: 01. The Humble Bee - Section V Light [Astral Industries]02. Brian Omen - 430 [The Something Something…]03. Leo Cunningham - Dreaming In Threads [Opal Tapes]04. Azu Tiwaline & Al Wootton - Last Scene [Livity Sound]05. 𝚐𝚊𝚋_𝚒 - stasis__relief__ [self released]06. Li Yilei - Pillow, Mantra and Trance [Métron Records]07. other joe - a cat can look at a king (ft. J) [ost]08. Will Oirson - Doubting the Hardness of the Spider, I eat the Nest [The Something Something…]09. John Beltran - You Internalise Them [Delsin]10. Dettinger - Intershop (7) Remastered 2024 [Kompakt]11. Bas Dobbelaer - Rest [Something Happening Somewhere] 12. Jonny Nash & Lindsay Todd - The Gecko That Wore Its Skin Inside Out [Island Of The Gods]13. Daniel.mp3 - 3 am walk (Slowed & Reverb Version) [self released]14. Igor Dyachenko - Object (feat. Nikolay Kozlov) [self released]15. Illuvia - Afterlife Prism [A Strangely Isolated Place] 16. Zane Trow -haklne [Room40]17. NEXCYIA - hydro [self released]18. The Kyoto Connection - Memories From Japan [Temples Of Jura]19. Luke Elliott - Refractory Cores [AKP Recordings]20. shinetiac - Dodge Viper Lullaby [West Mineral Ltd.]21. Jo Johnson - Orbit [Mysteries of the Deep]21. Ramses3000 - Aphasia [Intercept]~The Something Something Soundcloud | Bandcamp | Instagram  

  Two familiar names step up for our next isolated mix, with a highly conceptual approach that matches their new (and similarly conceptual) collaborative album, ‘Démarrage’. I’m unsure where I would start if I were to create an album based on a love of cycling. Weirdly enough, it wouldn’t be the first electronic album to do so (See Kraftwerk’s, Tour De France, of course), but it’s obviously a big enough inspiration to spur electronic producers David Douglas and Applescal. After listening to t‘Démarrage’, it makes total sense, in more ways than one. The energy, euphoria, drive - even the pop of color and variation in approach - an effervescent continual movement throughout its 10 tracks. Applescal contributed an isolatedmix some twelve (!) years ago now, and it remains one of our most popular in the series. Combining multiple styles across an addictive hour of listening, the session proved Pascal is a master at developing a conceptual narrative in mix form, and now evidently in album form. David Douglas, who has made numerous appearances on Pascal’s Atmonation label, with one highlight for me being 2014’s, Moon Observation’s, is similarly a man of conceptual understanding and many undercurrents, spending time scoring music for films and commercials, while also releasing under a new alias HATY HATY, which combines electronic and indie music tendencies. I imagined a hybrid of styles to appear on their mix submission, and I wasn’t disappointed. But for it to also match the concept of their new album, takes it up a notch. The mix, goes as slow as Chihei, with the euphoric highs of The Paradise, sudden bursts of pace in Eversines, the anguish in Bersarin Quartett, and the comforting (I can see the finish line-vibes) of Ulrich Schnauss, in an unexpecting manner that’s on par with the unexpectedness of Fourtet’s not-so-secret secret side project. Démarrage by David Douglas & Applescal “Just like our album "Démarrage," which is essentially a long mix of interconnected tracks, we aimed to tell a broad story with this mix. We love to approach music as a continuous mix, as you can set a certain different vibe and have tracks complement each other. Our mix for ASIP begins gently, like a warm bath, with the calming sounds of Chihei Hatakeyama's "Calm Sea." Later on, we bring up the pace with the remix from Roman Flugel. We end with a return to tranquility and introspection with work from Bersarin Quartett and Skúli Sverrisson. Just like on our new album, we added a bunch of samples of cyclists to capture the emotion of the race” - David & Pascal astrangelyisolatedplace · isolatedmix 127 - David Dougls & Applescal Listen on Soundcloud the ASIP Podcast or the 9128.live iOS and Android appDownload MP3Tracklist:01. Chihei Hatakeyama - Calm Sea02. Tomaga - Intimate Immensity 03. Kyle Hall, Kero - 19FT 04. Unit Moebius - Dolfinarium 05. Tambo’s House - Jhe Gu Jye06. Dusky - Metropolis07. C.A.R - Idle eyes. (Roman Fluegel Remix) Applescal body Edit08. The Paradise - In Love With You (Alan Braxe Remix)09. Fasme - Sweet Flux10. David Douglas & Applescal - Galibier11. David Douglas & Applescal - Galibier (Gruppetto) 12. ⣎⡇ꉺლ༽இ•̛)ྀ◞ ༎ຶ ༽ৣৢ؞ৢ؞ؖ ꉺლ - ʅ͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡(ƟӨ)ʃ͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡ ꐑ(ཀ ඊູ ఠీੂ೧ູ࿃ूੂ✧✧✧✧✧✧ළඕั࿃ूੂ࿃ूੂ13. Eversines - Vlaag14. Eversines - Vlaag (Beatless Version) 15. Ulrich Schnauss - A Letter from Home 16. Bersarin Quartett - Verflossen ist das Gold der Tage17. Skúli Sverrisson - InstantsApplescal | BandcampDavid Douglas | Website