POPDAR: Active Child - Subtle (ft. Mikky Ekko)

Active Child, the king of white boy R&B, has never really given the uptempo thing a chance before - why would he? Similarly sensitive and loosely urban male acts such as The Weeknd and How To Dress Well were flying high when he released his forlorn debut You Are All I See, and his powerful falsetto-led anti-anthems were a calling card given out almost exclusively by him. 

But on latest single "Subtle", Active Child jumps ship from to a distinctly more dancefloor-friendly vessel and the risk pays off, revealing a whole new area of talent from the melodramatic singer/songwriter.

"Subtle" isn't a word you would have ever associated with Active Child, and even less with the song he eventually names as such. He adopts a surprisingly sparse yet colourful 80s electropop backdrop and suddenly you can drawn distinct lines between Active Child's own voice and that of 80s icon Jimmy Somerville. And when the Blade Runner-esque brass synths drop the 80s transformation is complete. Mikky Ekko's Prince-flecked feature spot manages to add another level of the era to sharpen up proceedings.

"Subtle" is taken from Active Child's upcoming Rapor EP, due for release on October 22.

FOR FANS OF: Goldroom, Tensnake

Tensnake - 58bpm (feat. Fiora)

Tensnake may have made a name for himself with his classic balearic house anthem "Coma Cat", as well as the old school 90s dance of "Mainline", but the German producer is far from your run of the mill European dance producer. Anyone who heard the haunting downtempo electronica of his Little Dragon "Ritual Union" remix knows this, and anyone who hears "58bpm" will realize this too.

A one-minute-twelve-second clip of "58bpm" has been circulating the internet since May - a sensual slice of 80s soul heard through the future bass kaleidoscope... at 58 beats per minute. Frustratingly short but revealing just enough to showcase just how gorgeous the track is, it makes sense as to why Tensnake has made us wait for the full 5 minute clip, now available on iTunes.

Because it's the ultimate comedown anthem - perfect to soundtrack a reluctant end to the sunniest, most joyous summer in memory. The track is so daringly slow (indeed that's the main feature) that it seems suspended in mid-air, as a single warm chord lingers tentatively above a lurching beat, as vocals seem to melt as the chorus hits.

Regular collaborator Fiora carries the beautiful vocal humbly without pretense, and what could be a flat-out sexual delivery becomes somewhat bittersweet and melancholic. Sadly destined to be underrated, the track is nevertheless the most creative and spellbinding piece of music Tensnake has created to date.

FOR FANS OF: Goldroom, Active Child, Royksopp

Jamie Isaac - Softly Draining Seas

In the wake of James Blake's warm, soulful and cautiously vulnerable second record, 18 year old singer/songwriter Jamie Isaac follows eagerly in his footsteps. "Softly Draining Seas" is led by heartbreaking, shimmering piano chords, immersed in distant voiceless wails and gentle pads, as Jamie's milky voice voice soothes and caresses. Whilst James Blake's voice cracks with hidden sorrow and defeated melancholy, the young Jamie Isaac sings with an air of innocence, peacefulness and even a trace of hope. If James Blake is the companion of electronic melancholia, Jamie Isaac is the antidote.

FOR FANS OF: James Blake, London Grammar, Bon Iver

Snakehips - On & On

After a string of silky, effortlessly subdued yet irresistibly sexy remixes for the likes of underground cool elite Bondax and Wild Belle, Snakehips drop an absolute stunner of a solo release. The electronica-flecked R&B of "On & On" has the cool demeanor of a Jessie Ware track, with the subtle, addictive funk that London neighbours Bondax have made a name for themselves in. Australian newcomer George Maple brings the achingly perfect vocal, proving herself here and on her gorgeous single "Fixed". as a serious competitor. Expect to see her popping up on a plethora of brilliant feature spots over the summer.

FOR FANS OF: Jessie Ware, Bondax, AlunaGeorge

IYES - Glow

Brighton based IYES released their debut track "Lighthouse" onto Soundcloud 5 months ago, a gorgeous synth-drenched fusion of the xx and Daughter, but along comes "Glow" this month, and totally ups their game. Taking from their peers The 1975 and Chvrches, the band mix euphoric electronic flourishes with an anthemic indie mindset. The vocals of Josh Christopher and Melis Soyaslanova compliment each other perfectly, Melis' cracked, gentle voice breaking ripples in the water in the verses, before Josh's Chris Martin sized voice causes a full on tidal wave in the exhilarating chorus, where Josh cries "You make me glow" as a wall of synth battles it out with an over-eager drum machine. More please.

FOR FANS OF: Passion Pit, The 1975, Chvrches

James Blake & Brian Eno - Digital Lion

In a year so far tame and occasionally disappointing with decent new releases, James Blake's "Overgrown" is set to be the crowning glory of music in early 2013. "Retrograde" was an instant classic, the sound of Blake's confidence as a singer and songwriter finally shining as bright as his innovation in electronica, and now his collaboration with Brian Eno, "Digital Lion", also from "Overgrown", emerges just as triumphant and impressive as "Retrograde" was. 

Eno can be heard in the shimmering, warm, 70s-flecked pads, but Blake's voice steals the show as it breaks through the fuzzy atmosphere like a ray of sunshine, rather than hiding his gorgeous jazzy croon beneath it. However, once the sub-shattering bass kicks in, and windy percussion begins to eat up the track, you know this is no mere vocal spot. Blake may be more confident in his tunefulness this time around, but he hasn't forgot how to make a dirty noise either.

FOR FANS OF: Boards of Canada, Four Tet, XXYYXX

James Blake - Retrograde

James Blake's "Enough Thunder" EP was a little colder than his debut, a little more unfriendly. There might've been beauty and genius in there, but on tracks like Bon Iver collaboration "Fall Creek Boys Choir", there was a distance and unwillingness to emote. The only real warmth came from "A Case of You"... a Joni Mitchell cover, and the only other track Blake had performed based on piano and voice since breakthrough "Limit To Your Love".

Until Now. New single "Retrograde" is a total relief, a revelation and a triumphant sign that Blake is no mere BBC Sound-of-year flash in the pan. A seemingly complex acrobatic vocal hook becomes somehow unforgettable by the end of the song, and Blake's voice seems confident and utterly heartwarming. An uncharacteristically straight beat carries the song from balladic to euphoric territory, with synths advancing on the song, threatening to swallow it whole, but unlike in the defeatist "Wilhelm Scream", the song and Blake stand their ground and never before has his singer-songwriter persona seemed so foregrounded.

With his sophomore effort "Overgrown" out in April, it is time to welcome a new, improved James Blake with open arms; fitter, happier, more productive and, musically, more arresting than ever.

FOR FANS OF: Radiohead, Bon Iver, Jamie XX