IN / ROTATION is rolling out the welcome mat to its latest class of up-and-coming artists with the fourth edition of its ever-growing ‘Rotate’ compilation. It’s been roughly one year since the house-driven imprint set out to embark on a personal mission to champion the freshest faces from all across the house music landscape. In the time since they got the inaugural compilation off the ground, the label has managed to place its stamp of approval on nearly 50 bright-eyed and ambitious producers that have shown they know their way around a proper groove. From bombastic bass house to more refined tech house numbers, the ‘Rotate’ series is always curated with the future of the four-on-the-floor movement in mind.
‘Rotate Vol. 4’ is the latest installment to sprout up on the IN/RO catalog, and it is jam-packed with 10 new shakers and movers from a new round of Rotate recruits. The English duo Hollaphonic kick start the proceedings with the lead offering “Together” bolstering a saucy and spunky love note written to the current generation of house heads. Brazil’s MKJAY switches up the speed from his normal zany creations with a slinky UK garage-leaning number. The West Coast wave rider Curt Reynolds pulls things back to explore a deep and melodic expanse on “Wait For You,” enlisting the commanding vocals from Caribbean songstress Chauntae Pink.
Trace comes in with a jolting homebrewed joint called “Morning Coffee,” which stimulates the senses with its stirring synth arrangements bubbling atop graceful string sections. On “Burning Love,” Lost Minds and MadBlind link up to ignite the soul with their moody and melodic roller. Aussie sensation Needs No Sleep teams up with Wildfire on the dark acid-tinged “Love In Control.” Discovery Project alum Arnold & Lane spread the love on “Faith & Family,” a subtle wonk-flavored tune with rubbery basslines and a little beatboxing action.
Joluca taps Dances With White Girls, who uses his gift for gab to bust open the insanely infectious afters-chasing cut “What’s The Move.” Luke Andy takes on a coquettish allure with “Miss Independent,” as it flirts freely with the help of its spacey and hypnotic persuasions. Lastly, Gibson Parker closes out the package by flooding the dome with dopamine via the dizzying delight created on “Circles.”
A few of the featured acts break off a few words to mark the release of the new compilation.
“With the perfect groove and catchy sounds of ‘Faith & Family’ people have no choice but to cherish togetherness and happiness,” explains Arnold & Lane. “We ask the question: ‘Why can’t we just be all family?’ And urge people of the world to love your brothers and sisters—an important reminder that we ALL came from the same ancestry. In these trying times, what we need more than anything is faith, family, and love. Unity among all of our global brothers and sisters is essential to growth and peace. We found that In/Rotation would be the perfect label to represent this global sound, as they stand for the same principles. We are honored and privileged to finally be a part of this label; it’s been a goal of ours ever since we began this journey!”
“Just started making this track trying to bring some UKG vibes but it still sounds like a house track,” says MKJAY. “The result, for me, was awesome and a lot of great artists enjoyed this one, like AC Slater, Flava D, DJ Q, Illusionize and more.”
“I was elated to be part of this huge compilation with Insomniac,” Luke Andy chimes in. “I was lucky enough to play Countdown and Hard Summer in 2020, and also got to perform on the Beyond Wonderland and Nocturnal Wonderland livestreams during quarantine. I am really honored to finally release a track with Insomniac and I’m excited to finally share ‘Miss Independent’ with everyone!”
“Back when COVID was merely a glean in 2020’s eye, we met up with the legendary Dances With White Girls for an unforgettable studio session,” recalls Joluca. “The track is an ode to finding the next party when you’ve already been to a few; something we’re intimately familiar with. We hope the catchy and absurd lyrics resonate with everyone as much as they do with us. We’ve had the hook stuck in our heads all year.”
I am super excited to have teamed up with Chauntae’s powerful and moving energy to create such a dynamic dance song,” says Curt Reynolds. “I think we found the perfect balance of deep, club house progression and no-holds-barred vocal action to really push the envelope on what is possible in an electronic production. Thanks to Insomniac and IN / ROTATION for giving this exciting song a home and opportunity. I can’t wait to see this song fall into the ears of current and new audiences around the world.”
“I love dancehall and have a huge passion and respect for it,” adds Chauntae Pink. “Fusing this highly influential genre I grew up with and house music was such an incredible way to push the creativity of both genres and make a unique, dance sound even more enticing to an international audience.”
With these 10 new records starting to gain some solid traction from likeminded artists from around the globe, keep eye on this latest group of game-changers as IN / ROTATION continues to throw much-deserved shine at the lot.
