Dancing Astronaut’s Soundtrack to The BPM Festival 2015BPM 2015 5

Dancing Astronaut’s Soundtrack to The BPM Festival 2015

Dancing Astronaut's Soundtrack to The BPM Festival 2015


What makes The BPM Festival special? Imagine taking the magic of a summer in Ibiza and cramming it into ten straight days of house and techno in Mexico and you start to get an idea. Set in beautiful Playa del Carmen along the Caribbean sea, the festival is a little slice of paradise for underground dance music enthusiasts. This year boasted countless important parties and performances to speak of, and beyond those, a myriad of memorable tracks. While we could have easily created a list of 20 essential selections from this year’s festival, we’ve narrowed it down to just ten.

Photo Credit: Danilo Lewis for The BPM Festival

10. Cowboy Rhythmbox - Rattle (Original Mix)


Cowboy Rhythmbox’s “Rattle” was inescapable at BPM. The spanish chants and acid vibe made it a weapon of choice for everyone from Solomun to Seth Troxler, the latter of which employed it at his performance from Circoloco at Mamita’s Beach Club. Industrial and minorly anxiety-inducing, the Phatansy Sound-signed track hits right at the techno nerve.

Photo Credit: Doug Van Sant for The BPM Festival


9. Fiberroot - Space Localizer (Original Mix)


This snaking tune is a Nicole Moudaber favorite and for good reason: it’s eerie sound design will send shivers down your spine.The techno queen unleashed it upon BPM at her five-hour set from La Santanera, and you can imagine the resuts. With its dark appeal and cinematic architecture, the track found a fitting home on Maceo Plex’s Ellum back in May, but continues to be favorite among techno and tech house disciples.

Photo Credit: Doug Van Sant for The BPM Festival





8. Deetron - Photon (Original Mix)


It doesn’t get much classier than Deetron’s “Photon.” The Swiss producer’s November single was a BPM favorite thanks to its comfortable groove and understated atmosphere. By the time the piano medley comes in, it’s all smiles on the dancefloor. “Photon” proved a highlight from Carl Cox’s Intec Digital set from the Blue Parrot, providing an early treat in his multi-hour performance.

Photo Credit: Anthony Djuren for The BPM Festival


7. Robert Dietz - Famas (Original Mix)


German producer Robert Dietz is a master of hypnotic house and techno. Back in May, he brought “Famas” to Steve Lawler’s Viva Music, creating an acidy slow-roller perfect for maintaining energy mid-set without blowing things over into peak-time territory. Danny Daze’s predilection for these kind of wonky tunes is well-known, and “Famas” thus made a perfect addition to his BPM set from the ANTS party at Blue Parrot.

Photo Credit: Doug Van Sant for The BPM Festival





6. Oscar L - Bad (Original Mix)


Oscar L’s “Bad” has Ibiza written all over it. Aside from being a staple on the island all summer long, it translated just as well to the sandy shores of Playa del Carmen. The effect of the track was perhaps best epitomized by  Prok & Fitch. The duo’s set from Toolroom Live at the Blue Parrot was filled with bombs, but Oscar L’s “Bad” may have proved the biggest weapon of all.

Photo Credit: Doug Van Sant for The BPM Festival





5. Lana Del Rey - West Coast (Solomun Dub Remix)


If there’s one thing Solomun knows how to do, it’s instill emotion into his work. From his DJ sets to his productions, he brings a certain sentimentality to his art that is instantly recognizable. People are still talking about his performance from the Blue Parrot. If there’s one song of his that never fails to  blow the roof of the place, it’s his dub remix of Lana Del Rey’s “West Coast.”

Photo Credit: Danilo Lewis for The BPM Festival


4. Hunter/Game - Squares (Original Mix)


Forthcoming on Guy Gerber’s Rumors label, Hunter/Game’s newest is a blissful bit of house. Filled with rapturous sound design and a grooving bassline, “Squares” made for the perfect mid-set selection during Gerber’s performance at the Rumors party from Canibal Royal.

Photo Credit: Danilo Lewis for The BPM Festival








3. Rone - Parade (Dominik Eulberg Remix)


Daniel Eulberg’s beloved remix of Rone’s “Parade” may be two years old at this point, but that never stopped its toy box-like melody from enrapturing dancefloors. The track was a highlight of DJ Tennis’s set from Fusion Beach Bar & Grill and will continue to be a staple for years to come.

Photo Credit: Chris Lazzaro for The BPM Festival


2. Hundreds - Please Rewind (The/Das Remix)


Adriatique bring a near-apocalyptic air to their DJ performances. Their set from Solomun’s Diynamic showcase was widely hailed as one of the best of BPM (as was the party in general). Perhaps encapsulating their sound best is The/Das’ remix of Hundreds’ “Please Rewind.” The song pushes forward with a harrowing beat while strange pads float in and out of the mix, ultimately making for a perfect addition to any late-night set.

Photo Credit: Nathan Navarro for The BPM Festival








1. Maceo Plex and Gabriel Ananda - Solitary Daze (Original Mix)


If we had to choose just one track to highlight The BPM Festival, Maceo Plex and Gabriel Ananda’s recent Ellum collaboration would be it. The relentless groove and shifting flanger give the song its drive, but it’s ultimately the strings that send “Solitary Daze” to the next level. From sunset to sunrise, this track never failed to perfectly capture the mood, most notably taking effect at the climax of Sasha’s set from Last Night on Earth.

Photo Credit: Pearcey Proper for The BPM Festival

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