Lockdown Sounds: an isolation playlist by Coldabank
The Bristol-born DJ & producer's lockdown playlist features tracks by Disclosure, Radiohead and Frank Ocean.
Date published: 15th May 2020
Producing, working and remixing for the likes of Tinie Tempah, Rudimental, Charli XCX and Labryinth, Bristol-born, London-based Coldabank (real name Joachim Walker) has been honing his skills and carving out a name for himself for several years now.
He first came to our attention in 2017 with the irresistible 'Lovin' You', which surpassed nine million streams and featured on mega Netflix hit Sex Education.
Coldabank followed that with slick, pop-infused track 'Los Angeles' in 2018, and the feel-good, marimba-infused 'Take Me Back' on Warner Records in 2019.
This year he's back with another release, 'Afterlife', a 'garage-tinged house cut combining an infectious synthesised organ riff with a steady drum groove'... that's what it says here anyway. We like it.
We asked Coldabank to share his Lockdown Sounds with us, featuring some of the tracks and artists that have been pulling him through isolation.
Caribou - Never Come Back (Morgan Geist Remix)
"This has to be one of my fave songs of the year so far. There’s so much emotion yet it’s such a simple composition. This remix adds a little more tension to the original parts, and is extra DJ friendly."
Michael Calfan & Martin Solveig - No Lie
"This is a lovely slice of vocal dance music. The vocals sound fantastic and the drop felt really fresh to me. It’s one that's on my running playlist right now."
Disclosure - Tondo
"Big fan of these boys, they are total beasts of electronic production. This is kind of a remix, but the groove on this tune is just so uplifting, it simply sounds like sunshine."
Coldabank - Afterlife (Illyus & Barrientos Remix)
"This remix of my latest single has given it some extra weight for DJs. Really chunky production and a tasty groove in there. This Glaswegian duo are killing it right now, so it’s really cool to have them jump in to remix my song."
Four Tet - Baby
"Another of my favourites of 2020 so far. This is just stunning, as is the whole album it’s take from. It also has an awesome video which is beautiful and kinda trippy. Four Tet did a really great Boiler Room set from isolation which is also well worth a watch. Thank me later."
Waze & Odyssey vs Tommy Theo - Always (Official Audio)
"Rework of a classic cover of a classic! Lots of heritage in this song. Played this out a few times before lockdown and reactions were very very strong."
Headie One x Fred Again - Gang
"Big Tune! I’m well into what Fred Again is doing at the moment and this collaborative project really stands out at the moment for me. Headie One is one of my favourite of this generation of UK rappers, alongside Loski. The groove on this is almost old-school hip hop, but the warped vocal hook makes it feel really fresh."
Frank Ocean - Dear April (Side A - Acoustic)
"Like most people, I totally Stan Frank Ocean. The sounds that come out of his mouth are just insane. I also think he’s one of those artists who is really clear about who he is, and is brave enough to be unapologetic which is quite an amazing feat in the modern world."
TSHA - Moon
"I've listened to this loads since it came out last year. This girl is a really amazing DJ and the production on this track seems kinda chilled and hard at the same time - which I love."
Radiohead - True Love Waits
"Lockdown hasn’t always been a laugh a minute. I’ve defo been struggling mentally at times, and when I am, this is the kind of dark, melancholy song I’ll tend to put on. I find so called “depressing” music strangely uplifting when I am feeling low, as it sort of mirrors my mood. I’m sure I’m not the only one. These guys are one of my first and longest musical loves and I am always listening to them."