Die Antwoord’s Yolandi Visser demonstrates proper late night party form.
7. “I Fink U Freeky” by Die Antwoord
Things tend to get weird around this time of night. It’s not that nothing good happens after 2 am, it’s just that you have to adjust your senses slightly to appreciate the experience. So adjust accordingly with the unabashed weirdness of Die Antwoord. The South African rap-rave duo’s latest single blends hip-hop and dancehall electronica into an odd, infectious and completely appealing package that’s right at home on an after-party playlist.
8. “Shuffle a Dream” by Little Dragon
After Die Antwoord, cool off with a dose of Little Dragon. Singer Yukimi Nagano’s smooth vocals play off sparse instrumentals to create a sound that’s just right for a brief lull in the festivities.
9. “Higher Ground” by TNGHT
Of course that lull shouldn’t last too long, and TNGHT is here to throw you right back into go-mode. “Higher Ground” is trap-rave in its latest and greatest incarnation, a series of looped vocal shards and rolling snares overlaid with gut-throbbing bass and a deep synth horn that seems to yell “get up, the night is young” with every blast.
10. “Peso” by A$AP Rocky
The fast-rising rapper just released his debut album, but it’s this track off his blogger-adored 2011 mixtape that we recommend for your after-party purposes. The slow beat lets Rocky’s smooth flow shine, and the R&B-influenced chorus lends a chill vibe to the entire production.
11. “Celebrate + Finale” by Lifesavas
It has the word “celebrate” right in the title, which is exactly what you’ll want to keep doing once you hit play on this track from underground Portland hip-hop outfit Lifesavas.
12. “Young Blood” by The Naked and the Famous
Thanks to the pervasive power of pop music, you and your friends have heard this catchy indie-electro track more times than you can count. That makes it the perfect end point for this playlist, because the crew can rally around a familiar song that still elicits a rousing, feel-good response two years after its initial release.
Honorary Mention: “Delancey” by TiDUS
If it was available on Spotify, this track would’ve topped this list. Alas, it’s still only on YouTube. Enjoy anyway:
