French producers Dejan Dejado and Andreas Schütz prove that two heads are better than one. After meeting in Prague in 2010, the duo formed a fast musical connection that spawned their dynamic and sprawling electronic act il:lo. While working remotely by exchanging ideas from two different places, il:lo embodies a yin and yang style of complementary forces.
They describe il:lo as “difficult to capture or hold permanently, having wings.” This meaning can be derived from the definition of the word volatile and highlights their proclivity for shape-shifting moods and the uncanny ability to mutate between downtempo, electronica, and deep house. Their influences are as far ranging as their music, citing 90s IDM, trip-hop, and even liquid drum & bass music as playing a role in their compositions.
To celebrate the release of ‘Shifted’, their new collaboration with Australian vocalist Fractures, il:lo select their favorite 10 tracks of the moment:
1. Frameworks – Blue Light
“Frameworks is a friend, but above all, one of the classiest producers we know. He has a unique skill to choose the perfect synth sounds and rhythm placement. ‘Blue Light’ has a sexy groove that we don’t know where it comes from, a little magical.”
2. Branko – SDDS
“We have always been influenced by world music, but not very much by reggeaton rhythms. This track is a nice combination of melancholic downtempo and reggeaton drums. In particular, the mixture of the two melodies at 2:43 is unexpected. It’s rare to see two melodies marrying so well, it’s an incredible find from Branko that immediately makes you want to play this title again.”
3. Four Tet – Mango Feedback
“Four Tet is, with Bonobo, one of our biggest inspirations. He is the only one that can make these catchy melodies. This track is powerful, melancholic, and groovy. I was shocked the first time I heard it.”
4. AK – What Was It Like
“I love these short tracks with a standard start but with a melody that comes in the middle and totally transports you away. This track is currently on loop in my studio.”
5. Wittyboy – My Fear
“We are more and more influenced by the UK Garage. This track is a good example of the kind of British UK we like, intense and melodic.”
6. Jasper Tygner – Kashmer
“Jasper Tygner is a UK producer we recently discovered. I like the way he can create a special kind of UK beat with just a few selected elements, a vocal sample a simple melody, and a nice beat. (I can also recommend his track ‘Blush’).”
7. Weval – Should Be Fine
“We saw Weval in live Berlin last May, and it was for us a really nice experience. The way they use their synth lives was really inspiring. I love this track because it brings me in a special mood, especially the chords from the intro, mellow but also a little bit dark.”
8. Nuage – Occur
“We love Nuage since the beginning, I think we have the same taste regarding melodic elements. In this one, I love how he uses them to create the rhythmic pattern of the track. It’s like a train slowly crossing a landscape.”
9. Odesza – North Garden
“Odesza is a huge name in the electronic music scene, I don’t love everything they released lately, but in their new album, I was surprised about this one. It’s more an old school type of track a fast hip-hop beat, reminds me of what I love about them in their early career.”
10. Four Tet – She Just Likes to Fight
“Four Tet always and forever is a slowly evolving nostalgic track. Just pure class! A perfect way to end a playlist.”
il:lo & Fractures’ ‘Shifted’ is out now via Nettwerk Music Group. Purchase your copy here.
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