Hello you and hello to 2021.

In the first of a series of mixes marking the year that was I’d like to present two hours of downtempo, downbeat, ambient and drone tracks compiled from some of the best releases I heard in 2020. For the last few weeks I’ve been going back through all the music I have that was released in 2020, earmarking standout tracks from nearly 600 releases. As with all the mixes I record and share with you my hope is that some of the tracks intrigue and delight you as much if not more than they have me.

In addition to this mix, a further two are inbound. Another, longer, downtempo and beats focused one, and an abrasive metal and industrial one. I’ll also be recording an end of year Mantis Radio special covering some of the spots that this trilogy of mixes doesn’t, and a list of my 50 favourite releases from 2020.

We’d love to hear about your favourite releases from last year. Get in touch on Twitter and Instagram, or use our contact page.

I’d like to thank you for support and for your ears. Mantis Radio is returning to its usual fortnightly schedule from Friday.

Here’s to 2021 being the year we all need it to be.

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Shawn Rudiman – The Best Scene in Film [Pittsburgh Tracks]
Ezuri – Lose Your Shadow [Darkfloor Sound]
Racine – Quelque Chose Tombe II [Danse Noire]
DJ Python – Te Conoci´ [Incienso]
Sunken Foal – Cream Soda [Countersunk]
Chas & Jessie – II [Equal Recordings]
Regis – Eros in Tangiers [Downwards]
nthng – 50 Flower [Lobster Theremin]
Herd – Tigbr [Darkfloor Sound]
Si Begg – Jades Theme (remix) [Darkfloor Sound]
Zamilska – Fragile [Zamilska]
Thomas Köner – Substance (Suicide) [Mille Plateaux]
Mike Nylons – Stick N Snake [Farbwechsel]
Krust – Only God Can Tell [Crosstown Rebels]
Whirling Hall of Knives – Vooidtexxture [Fort Evil Fruit]
Salford Electronics – Drift [Salford Electronics]
Oathbreaker – Ease Me (Wife remix) [Deathwish Inc.]
Michal Jablonski – Rain [Binary Cells]
Krikor – Master Of Darkness [Krikor]
Ploy – Gulch [L.I.E.S. Records]
Ploy – Throb [L.I.E.S. Records]
Baby T – We Could Disappear [Central Processing Unit]
Bochum Welt – Color Me (Telefon Tel Aviv remix) [Central Processing Unit]
FFT – Month [Bruk Records]
Death Qualia – On Contradiction [Ohm Resistance]
Armand Hammer – Solarium [Backwoodz Studioz]
God Is War – Sadness Will Prevail Over All [Deathbed Tapes]
Ursa – 21st August [Ping Disc]
Sam Lee – Soul Cake [Cooking Vinyl]