For over 15 years, Crack Magazine has served to shine a light on contemporary culture around the world. This is especially felt in their celebrated mixes, where some of the best global musicians and DJs have taken us on many sonic journeys. Everyone from Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy to Prettybwoy have been in the mix for the publication. Thus, allowing music lovers to get a glimpse of the shapes music has taken over the last half decade.
“As an independent platform for contemporary culture, we have been tracking the most exciting developments across music, and the wider landscape in which it lives and breathes, since 2009,” Hollie Hilton, Crack’s Head of Content, tells Mixcloud. “From the beginning, the aim with our mix series was always to extend the Crack Magazine universe beyond the printed page. To showcase boundary-pushing sounds across all genres, champion underground talent, and give a platform to the trailblazers shaping the future of music.
Our curation reflects the full spectrum of what we cover. Exclusive mixes from emerging selectors, audio companions to our cover stories and print features, and high-impact live recordings from the festivals and dancefloors that define our scene. Whether it’s a debut transmission from an artist on the cusp or a headline set from one of our long-time favourites, the series is driven by curiosity, community and a belief in music’s power to move culture forward.”
We asked the Crack Magazine team to share some of the very best mixes from their catalogue. Scroll down to hear more.
Crack Mix 200: Helena Hauff
German DJ and producer Helena Hauff is famed for making music solely through analog gear. As a result, she crafts a raw, emotive mix steeped in electronic flavours. She travels through Techno, Acid and EBM to produce a real soul soother that leaves you a moreish appetite.
Crack Mix 241: Deena Abdelwahed
Hailing from Tunisia, Deena Abdelwahed’s music lies in the intersection between Industrial and Electro. With an eye on home, she borrows sonic motifs from her Arabic upbringing to inform her unique sound. Back in 2018, Crack Magazine named her one of the 25 artists shaping the future of music. The proof of which is in her mix. It’s an intimate into Abdelwahed’s musical worldview, with jittery bass and metallic clanks fully on display.
Crack Mix 300: Call Super
Call Super’s music is for the dancefloor. Through releases with the likes of Dekmantel, Peach Discs and fabric, he has cemented himself as a tour de force for Electronic music of all kinds. His Crack Mix starts off mellow with a slice of Ambient tones, slowly building into a crescendo of danceable club sounds that will make your feet itch.
Crack Mix 400: DJ Python
DJ Python is a veteran at this point. He has guided the course of modern dance music with amazing projects such as Mas Amable and i was put on this earth. In his Crack mix, the Ecuador-born, USA-based producer reconstructs the dancefloor in his image, blending Techno, Dembow and more eclectic club sounds.
Crack Mix 529: M1OnTheBeat
When it comes to UK Rap and Drill, M1OnTheBeat is royalty at this point. The producer blessed Crack with a selection of brooding, explosive Drill music that showcases the very best from that scene from the past, present and future. “You’ll hear a number of classic UK drill hits, some of which I’ve had the privilege of producing and being a part of, as well as tracks from artists I believe will really begin to make waves in the scene over the next few years,” he told Crack. Tune in for a journey!
Crack Mix 600: gyrofield
Drum & Bass is gyrofield’s lane. She’s been steeped in the genre since she was a teenager. In that time, she has released projects that have subverted your understanding of the sound. But she surprised us with a Crack Mix brimming with alternative rhythms. The Hong Kong-born producer takes you for a ride through hypnotic D&B, watery basement Rock and airy Folk music. This is a truly eclectic and gripping 60 minutes.
Sunday Mix: a.s.o.
Berlin-based Australian duo a.s.o. – made up of DJ and producer Tornado Wallace (AKA Lewie Day) and singer-songwriter Alias Error (AKA Alia Seror-O’Neill) – crafted dreamscapes with their Sunday mix. Constructed to capture the mood of a rainy Berlin Sunday, the mix is cloudy and ethereal, but also incredibly relaxing. Press play if you want to be taken to another dimension.
Iranian Pop 1950s-1990s – Mixed by Maral
Iran’s Pop music scene in the second half of the 20th century was a transformative era. Thanks to Los Angeles-based DJ and producer Maral, you can enjoy a trip through the sounds and culture of the time. From Beti to Dairush, this mix contains music from the heavyweights of Iranian pop music from the 1950s onwards.
Jean-Luc Godard: Mixed by Soundwalk Collective
In 2022, legendary French new wave cinema director Jean-Luc Godard sadly passed away. Luckily his impact was such that he continues to be honoured to this day. New York-based Soundwalk Collective’s mix for Crack is a tribute to Godard. It takes fragments from a 2018 EP they made What We Leave Behind – itself an exploration of “Godard’s personal collection of shot film, reel-to-reels and historical ephemera.” In addition, they utilise a selection of compositions and remixes. The result is an abstract, avant garde and visceral listen.
Issue 136 Cover Mix: Hessle Audio (Ben UFO, Pearson Sound & Pangaea)
Throughout its near 20-year run, Hessle Audio has left an indelible mark on club music. The record label has released music that will live on, and through artists like Shanti Celeste, Joe and Objekt, they’ve kept their fingers firmly on the pulse of what’s new and fresh. In 2022, they were the subject of a Crack Magazine cover story and provided a mix that showcases their weighty discography. Courtesy of Pearson Sound, Pangaea and the illustrious Ben UFO, the mix brings a new light to what is an infamous catalogue.
Funk Mineiro: Mixed by Anderson do Paraíso
The music of Baile Funk is often uptempo and perfect for a kickabout on the Copacabana beach in Brazil. But there is a darker, more mechanical side to the sound, known as Funk Minieiro. This is a subgenre inspired by vibes such as Drill and Trap, and this mix by Belo Horizonte’s Anderson do Paraíso – an important voice in that scene – is a perfect introduction. Tune in for sparse production, warped vocals and pure bounce.