Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of nods to 1990s dance music in contemporary productions, which is why I dug up some tunes from the era for the July edition of the Beatique mix. It has nothing to do with nostalgia- a word that gets thrown around online so often that no one even knows what it means anymore- I’m just drawing connections between the past and the present. The full breakdown of the set is below, but this month’s mix includes new music from Mouse and Mars and Lee “Scratch” Perry, Tomora, Olof Dreijer and Matias Aguayo, throwbacks from De la Soul and The Prodigy and lots more. Oh, and there’s a new Madonna song, way at the end of the mix.
From The Cardigans 1995 album, Life, although it’s more recognizable from the soundtrack of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.
Saint Etienne, Confidence Man “Brand New Me”
Last year, Saint Etienne released their final album, International. It’s a fantastic album, one of my favorites from 2025, and if you ever had any interest in the English trio, you should get it. “Brand New Me” is a collab with the Australian dance-pop outfit Confidence Man, who you’ve probably heard if you’ve been to my DJ gigs post-pandemic. They have a few songs that regularly turn up in my sets, most recently “Gossip.” The video for “Brand New Me” is super cute. Watch it when you have a chance.
From the 1989 album Three Feet High and Rising, one of the best albums ever.
Automatic “Don’t Wanna Dance” (Mario C. Remix)
“Don’t Wanna Dance” is from Automatic’s 2025 album, Is It Now? This remix of the song, which came out in May, is from Mario C., known for producing Beastie Boys’ albums like Ill Communication and Hello Nasty.
The Avalanches, Jamie XX “Every Single Weekend”
The Avalanches and Jamie XX dropped this collab, “Every Single Weekend,” last month. It’s pretty cool and the video is a lot of fun
Lee “Scratch” Perry, Mouse on Mars “Rockcurry”
In 2019, German electronic duo Mouse on Mars recorded with Lee “Scratch” Perry in Berlin. The results of the three days of sessions is the new album, Spatial, No Problem., out on Domino. It’s the last “official” album from Perry, who died in 2021. The album is fantastic. Check it out when you can.
Mekons “War Economy (version)”
Mekons, the long-running punk band, recently released Horroble, a dub version of their 2025 album, Horror. This “version” of “War Economy” is on the dub album. I recently interviewed Jon Langford of Mekons, so read that while you’re listening to the mix.
Like I said earlier, I enjoy making connections. Mekons are from the 1970s wave of leftist English punks. Bob Vylan are from a much more recent wave of politically left English punk. “Hunger Games” is from their 2024 album, Humble As the Sun.
Tomora, the duo of Tom Rowlands (Chemical Brothers) and Aurora, released their first full-length album, Come Closer, a few months back and it’s in the running for my favorite album of 2026. Every song on it slays. “Somewhere Else” is my pick for club sets and it’s been doing very well on the dance floor.
A throwback to 1997 and The Prodigy’s hit album, The Fat of the Land.
Basement Jaxx “Fly Life” (Todd Terry Remix)
When it comes to Y2K dance music, Basement Jaxx are my faves. I saw them a few times and they’re absolutely amazing live.
Olof Dreijer, Diva Cruz “Acuyuye”
Olof Dreijer, best known as half of The Knife, released a solo album called Loud Bloom, in May. The track that immediately caught my ear was this collaboration with Diva Cruz, “Acuyuye.” I don’t play house nights all that often, so I haven’t had a chance to drop it in a set yet, but it’s a banger.
Matias Aguayo “Asuca, Rock, Roll”
Years ago, I saw Matias Aguayo DJ in L.A. a few times, the most memorable of which was on the roof of the old downtown Standard. Like I said, it was a long time ago, back when roof parties at downtown hotels were somewhat novel. So, I’ve been following his music since then and the new album, Anenoa, is really cool. I just got it and still need to listen to it a few more times, but “Asuca, Rock, Roll” is one of the standouts so far.
I really don’t know anything about Fundido, but I like that this song, “Get a Grip,” sounds so similar to early 2000s DFA. It was also released on DFA.
Fatboy Slim “Praise You” (Purple Disco Machine Extended Remix)
A Fatboy Slim classic, remixed for the modern club crowd by Purple Disco Machine.
I’ve spent most of this Fourth of July listening to Confessions II and celebrating Madonna for reasons that should be obvious.
From the Sirât soundtrack. Go see the movie.
Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Follow on Instagram or sign up for the weekly, Beatique newsletter for updates on new stories and gigs.
Keep Reading:
Mekons Reveal “Dark Underbelly” of Horror on New Dub Album, Horroble