4 SoundCloud Mixes You Never Knew You Needed To Listen To

If you’re like me, you get nervous and feel uncomfortable when a song ends, even if you’re playing a full album. The three-second pause makes you think about life in ways you wish you hadn’t. If you’re throwing a party, that pause might make people realize how much they’ve drank or regret everything they’ve said, so I’m fighting the good fight by smoothing out those awkward moments with some of my favorite SoundCloud mixes. I am a modern-day hero.

1. The Magician Tape 44

Genre: House/Deep House
Ideal Setting: House Party, Aerobic Exercise
Intensity Level: 7
Time: 54’

I hate to start things off with a negative statement, but I generally dislike House music. The hard crescendos and drops typically only make sense when you’re on Molly, which is why The Magician Tape 44 gets my vote as a quintessentially perfect, lower-key, sometimes funky house mix that’s more groove-oriented than fist-pumping. It’s lyrical and lovable, the kind of music your party drinks and dances to while losing themselves in intimate moments of whatever life is. If you’re throwing a housewarming party or need something to keep the bodies moving after the guests have arrived, this mix is the next best thing to a live DJ.

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2. Vanderboom: Sundream Mixtape May 2014

Genre: Deep House
Ideal Setting: Kick back, day party, driving
Intensity Level: 5
Time: 69’

I don’t know where this crazy Dutchman came from but he’s been nothing but fire since he scorched SoundCloud with his summer mixes. He’s mixing Kelvin Jones, Sam Smith, London Grammar, Glass Animals, Rufus, Kylie Minogue — what else do you want? He’s a perfect mix for a mellow pre-game or kick back; in fact, I’ve gotten multiple “Who is this?” from people who don’t typically enjoy electronic music, which makes me feel awesome and will ultimately make you look like you know your shit.

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3. Above and Beyond BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix

Genre: Trance
Ideal Setting: Meditation, Studying, Doing Drugs
Intensity Level: 4
Time: 120’

The first time I utilized trance music, it was to study for my Geology 101 class with a website called Trance Around the World. [link: http://www.trancearoundtheworld.com/ ] . It’s a difficult genre to define without using the word ‘trance,’ but it’s a melodic, hypnotic, soft rise and fall that engenders a relaxation or escapism. To me, the mix pulls you in and shoots you out only when you hit pause or take off your headphones. In my opinion, this isn’t a mix for a party, but it’s certainly one you should lay on your back and listen to in a dark room.

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4. RL Grime

Genre: Trap/House/Hip-Hop
Ideal Setting: Rager, Weight Lifting
Intensity Level: 10
Time: 60’

I can’t say enough about RL Grime. He continues to pioneer the boundary between Rap/Hip-Hop and Trap to such a degree that it’s downright disgusting. He mashes Clipse, Pusha T, Rick Ross, Lil’ Wayne, Vince Staples, Danny Brown, Wocka Flocka, and any other dirty-ass beat he can complement with his war-cry drums. This is the music blasting through your chariot as you ride into war, the music that vibrates your pituitary gland releasing some animalistic combination of chemicals that’ll have you confused as to whether you’re gulping vodka, saliva, or nasal drips of cocaine. It’s just that ass-shaking, dangerous, sinful music you normally don’t find in electronic music.

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