Hyperdub’s Loraine James picks out artists discovered during lockdown on an eclectic Fact Mix.
In 2019, Loraine James established herself as one of the UK’s most exciting new musical talents with For You & I, an outstanding album that explored the complexities of being a Black queer woman in London through tracks inspired by jazz, club music, grime and UK drill.
As 2020 started, James was poised to tour the album around the world, but as the pandemic took hold, her plans were curtailed. Despite this setback, James used the time to work on a number of projects: in October, she released the Nothing EP (featuring collaborations with Uruguayan producer Lila Tirando a Violeta, Farsi rapper Tardast and HTRK’s Jonnine Standish) and at the start of 2021 she worked with Dominican choreographer and dancer Isabel Lewis on a remote collaboration for CTM’s 2021 online edition.
James also used the extensive lockdown period of the past year to write her exceptional second album, Reflection. Featuring collaborations with Xzavier Stone, Iceboy Violet, Baths and Le3 bLACK, the 11-track LP sees James confidently build on the abstracted, introspective nature of her debut with a set of productions that add pop and R&B elements to her signature.
On her Fact Mix, James picks out tracks from artists that she’s discovered during lockdown, as well as the many musical styles that are currently inspiring her, with music from Slikback, LYZZA, Erika de Casier and Mr. Mitch sitting alongside productions from Florentino, iLL BLU, Otik and Karen Nyame KG.
Reflection is available now on Hyperdub. You can follow Loraine James on Instagram and SoundCloud, and find more of her music at Bandcamp.
Tracklist:
Karen Nyame KG – ‘Nzinga feat Toya Delazy’
Black Rave Culture – ‘Homies Dub’ (DJ NativeSun x JamesBangura)
Splash Pattern – ‘Hammervand’
DigDat – ‘8 Style II’
Erika de Casier – ‘Good Time’
Florentino – ‘BONES’
iLL BLU – ‘Dumpa’ ft. M24, Unknown T
Slikback – ‘Shogai’
LYZZA – ‘Rifle’
Saint Cardona – ‘Drill On Me’
Mariano Sibilia – ‘Lights Down’
Mr. Mitch – ‘I’ll be 20 when I’m 40’
Otik – ‘Clairvoyant’
Listen next: Fact Mix 813: Tom Boogizm
