I could go on at length about how Riva Starr’s album If Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade changed my perception of house music, but today we’re going to be talking about his new revitalization of the genre, Hand In Hand. Debuting on Snatch Records June 17th, Hand In Hand continues to expand on the unique Balkan house style that Riva Starr is so loved for. Much like the first single from the album, Absence, the tracks featured in his minimix preview are poppier and more vocal (thanks in part to RSSLL) than his usual fare- two welcome changes that only increase the accessibility and the reach of his music. The stand-out track in this release? Nobody’s Fool, but you’ll have to listen through to 4:52 to hear it. Okay, The Care Song is pretty great too… and No Man’s Land… and Hand In Hand… and it’s so hard to pick a favourite…

Riva Starr on:

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Tracklist:

1) Kill Me (Feat. RSSLL)
2) Absence (Feat. RSSLL)
3) Si e’ Spento Il Sole (Feat. Vinicio Capossela)
4) Upside Down
5) Detox Blues (Feat. RSSLL)
6) Am I Not Alone (Feat. RSSLL)
7) Nobody’s Fool (Feat. RSSLL)
8) Hand In Hand (Feat. RSSLL)
9) We Got This Ting (Feat. Roots Manuva)
10) The Care Song (Feat. Bob Andy)
11) No Man’s Land (Feat. Carmen Consoli)
12) Columbine Sept Heures
13) DubLife (Feat. Horace Andy)
14) Ghosts (Feat. Speech Debelle)

//Ziad Ramley