Selections: Giulia Tess

Giulia Tess’ new EP is a dream. Released in December by LG105, it’s full of the kind of wiggly melodies and heartwarming synths that memorable nights getting lost in the dance are made of. Titled ‘Serie A’ after the top football league in the producer’s native Italy, there’s a footie theme throughout the track titles/imagery, but the music is pure UK club euphoria (fans of Bicep, Overmono and Four Tet will be more than pleased). Lead track ‘Gloves’ — inspired by a summer spent gardening in goalie mitts — is nothing short of anthemic, all wistful vocals, huge fuzzy arpeggios and brassy bass, while ‘I Want To Know’ is similarly emotive, if on a less grand scale. ‘Elastico’ and ‘Never’ are heavier tools, the former pairing some gloriously erratic resonance tweaking with gnarly wubs, just as the latter delivers percussive thumps and enveloping low-end. 

Even the most standalone track — the acidic, drum & bass-backed ‘4-4-2’ with vocals from Tampa rap duo They Hate Change — offers the kind of hedonistic rush that conjures up classic imagery of night-time drives through the city. It takes some of the ideas explored on her ‘Vista Mare Forever’ EP, released earlier in 2023 on Ross From Friends’ Scarlet Tiger label, and elevates them to ‘sound of the summer’ (or in this case, winter) level epicness.

Tess has been a crucial part of the London underground for half a decade at least, with a Rinse FM residency that sees her spinning an array of chunky house and other club-focused sounds, and sets at all the capital’s most discerning venues, but ‘Serie A’ feels like a sign she’s gunning for the big leagues. Here, she shares some current faves from her sets.