Music To Die For Presents: Artists To Die For
British label Music To Die For Recordings is launching a new annual compilation album to showcase the exciting fresh talent discovered and developed by the imprint. ‘Music To Die For Presents: Artists To Die For Vol. 1’ features 12 diverse cuts from artists who are all ripping up the rulebook to create forward-thinking, standout tracks.

Curated by label boss Johnny Hudson, the album runs the gamut from lush, dreamy electronica and organic house, through melodic techno and tech-house to dancefloor destroying acid. This reflects the eclectic, genre-defying attitude of the label.

“This is the latest wave of artists we’re supporting and developing,” explained Hudson. “Each track on the album is a glimpse into their unique style and exceptional talent. Through ongoing projects with the label, we will see each artist growing and releasing EPs and eventually albums to become an integral part of the Music To Die For family and much-loved stars of the electronic music scene.”

The new compilation series delivers a fresh approach to formats too. The first drop – on 1 September – features ‘DJ Friendly’ mixes of all the tracks, which will also be put out as single releases on streaming services. Then comes the ‘Edits’ and ‘Radio-friendly’ versions – on 29 September – better suited to streaming and radio play.

But the twist is this. To fuel creativity and collaboration within the Music To Die For family and allow the artists to flex further, each will reinterpret another’s track from the album by creating a special ‘Remix’ edition, due to land late October as a new version of the compilation. “This will drive new creative ideas, help cross-pollinate artist sounds and allow the MTDF family to really get firing and work together through supporting each other’s music,” said Hudson. “We also want to instill a ‘family value’ in the label and our artist community; that by working together, we can grow together.”

Fans of the label will recognize some of the artists involved; Fauxplay and Speakman have already enjoyed successful releases with the imprint. ‘Artists To Die For Vol.1’ sees Speakman team up with New Zealand shoegazing/folk phenomenon French For Rabbits on opening track ‘High’, and Stuart King makes a welcome return to the scene with ‘Aloe Vera’, his first solo outing in three years. Newbie Ryan Martyn makes his mark with the breezy earworm ‘Awakening Skies’, and the artist formerly known as Descent emerges under his exciting new Eyal F alias with a twisted tech-house monster ‘The Boat’.

Elsewhere, Beatport chart-topper Fauxplay delivers solo outing ‘Ascension’ and collaborates with label boss Hudson on ‘Smoke Rings’, and British young gun The.Chain proves he’s one to watch with the hazy, dreamy soundscape of ‘He’s Peaking Sideways’.

Also included are tracks from Ukrainian artists Indie Elephant and magic.made.by.r, who have released on Renaissance, Maccabi House and other leading labels. Hudson has a real passion for supporting artists in the country as war persists in their homeland. “There is so much talent in the Ukraine and I feel compelled to help nurture that talent, particularly through the current dark times there, as art offers escapism and a platform for career generation and artistic growth,” explained the label boss. “We have already licensed Indie Elephant’s ‘Other Side’ track to a new Netflix series coming soon.

“We’re pretty sure this is a first of its kind compilation project,” added Hudson, “where we build on each version of the album to benefit the artists and project in an innovative, progressive way rather than a simple moment-in-time compilation release.”