
You tie in the past work of the artist and talk about their progression and high and low points in their career. Or in this case, you talk about the individual who configured the tracks, what you get out of the album, and whether it was a worthwhile project.
There’s certainly no doubt that Annie Mac Presents 2014 – the latest of the annual electronic albums from the wonderful Radio One host – is a purchase worth making. This album is jam-packed with unbelievable tunes.
Annie commands a certain presence when it comes to this scene of course. She’s the one to look to when you want the freshest tunes, want to hear something other than mainstream generics or want to see where the scene is heading in the next couple of years.
The Irish music mogul has been responsible for introducing us and millions of others to some of the biggest anthems of the past years before they meet the public eye, and because of this, when she puts out an album, it’s worth taking your time to have a couple of listens.
In fact, not only is this a great complication album from Annie, it’s one that has some massive tracks exclusive to the record. Hannah Wants and Chris Lorenzo’s mahoosicve anthem ‘Rhymes’ is the first track on the release, and it’s the only place you can actually get the summer-smasher right now.
Likewise, Tiga’s mad new track ‘Bugatti’ is available only through AMP14, and it’s new tracks like this alongside older anthems from throughout the year that make this release one you can’t miss out on.
The AMP series manages to sum up the electronic dance scene in one two-disc collection year after year. It features the influential names that have taken EDM in a new direction since the previous release – in this case Duke Dumont, Gorgon City, MK, Disclosure, Skream and more – and the smaller names that have come out with some of the biggest recent tunes you won’t be forgetting – Ten Walls, Oliver Heldens, Route 94 and Kiesza for example.
It lets you know who’s on top of the scene and reminds you who to look out for in the future.
It also features the artists that you’ve probably never heard of that will be providing the soundtrack for the next twelve months, and this is where AMP always comes into its own.
As well as the classics, and some new remixes of songs you’ve lost your shit to time and time again, the likes of Nao vs. A.K. Paul, Caribou, Nautic and Lapsley. Genres are no limits as long as it fits into the electronic bracket. This is an album for musical education and for the people who want to be the guy at the party that knows more than everyone else.
From the best of deep house to chilled electronics, the freshest drum and bass rhythms and the fattest basslines, Annie Mac is always going to be the queen. Trust in Annie, and you will be guided to a wonderful place.
It’s our musical motto over at the JFC HQ.
Stuart Kenny