Back in 1518 in the city of Strasbourg, France, a woman stepped out into the street and started to dance. A few days later she was still there, boogieing away. After a week, a hundred of other people, consumed by an irresistible urge to dance, joined her. The provincial authorities were convinced that the afflicted would only recover if they danced day and night, and so took measures to ensure this was possible: guildhalls were erected, bands hired and professional dancers provided motivation. Within days many people died of exhaustion. A month later, 400 people had experienced the dance craze. Those still busting moves were shipped away to a healing shrine somewhere abroad. Only then did the epidemic recede. Historians attribute this bizarre event to either the psychotropic drug ergot, the development of a heretic cult or a poverty-induced outbreak of mass hysteria.
Whatever the explanation, our February playlist featuring the best new releases may well have the same entrancing effect. You have been warned.
Sudanim – Seydou
Deathgrips – Runaway D
Joey Bada$$ – Teach me
Inventions – Springworlds
Putrity Ring – Begin Again
Denzel Aquarius – Certified
Ethereal – Purple
Roland Tings – Pala
Murlo – Jasmine
Panda Bear – Boys Latin
Viet Cong – Silhouettes