Rihanna, Interplanetary Criminal, Grace Jones: Shivani Day shares the tracks that she has On Repeat.
Leicester-born, London-based Shivani Day has entered the next phase of her musical journey with recent singles “Know When You Call” and “Too Well”. Her ethereal soundscape is filled with glitchy textures and introspective lyrics fuelled by her expansive musical encyclopedia.
Wonderland ask Shivani what she has On Repeat at the moment to inspire her new music.
Listen to “Too Well”..
Shivani’s On Repeat…
Enigma – “The Eyes Of Truth”
I grew up listening to Enigma thanks to my Dad, it was one of my earliest memories of music that was a bit left field, I remember I would ask other kids if they knew about Enigma and no one did lol. I still listen to a lot of music that I grew up listening to and since I began making music my appreciation for those albums or tracks deepened. “The Eyes Of Truth” embodies complexity, the profound vocal and drum build up feels cinematic and spiritual. I love music that makes me imagine other realms or a specific scene, I feel this track really takes me on a journey and I envision a whole film playing out in my head when listening. The use of samples is genius, including them using a Vangelis sample, s/o Vangelis. Creating something that feels ancient and invigorating is something I am studying in depth.
Alice in Chains – “Would?”
Cantrell and Staley’s eerie and husky vocals are everything on this track. This song embodies a lot of the emotions you go through when questioning things, I like how the lyrics are quite open but create strong imagery especially the line ‘into the flood again’. The rising and falling of the drums and guitar have a trance like quality and to me convey the heightened emotional state when you are questioning things.
Grace Jones – “Corporate Cannibal“
Again one from my childhood, my Dad is a big Grace Jones fan which means I am too. I love her delivery on this song, the integrity and enunciation make the lyrics hit harder. You could call it dystopian but I think it’s reflective of our reality and state of the world. I really like how she draws a comparison between the abuse of technology and our primal instincts and intertwined have created this corporate cannibal. The storytelling of this album is incredible and as her first self-produced album I strongly recommend people to take a listen, it tells much of her life and stories.
Éric Serra – “Timecrash“
Éric Serra composed the soundtrack from the sci-fi film The Fifth Element, I’m massively inspired by film scores and soundtracks. This track especially, fuses industrial drums and apocalyptic vocals and ancient orchestral textures, transporting me to the fifth element world immediately.
Youssou N’Dour & Neneh Cherry – “Undecided Deep Radio Mix“
This used to be on a CD my dad would keep in the car and listening back over the years each time I find a new found love for it. This version features the influential Neneh Cherry and was reworked by Deep Forest (who made Sweet Lullaby another childhood anthem) the trip-hop rolling drums paired with his yearning vocals always amazes me. I love the way his vocals sound smooth but the intonations are kind of glitchy.
Rihanna – “Phresh out the Runway“
I mean to me this song is iconic, it just feels very Rihanna, the bounce and swing. I really love how the claps sound too, they scratch a part of my brain. I love how playful she sounds on it but still keeps her cool, unbothered persona. It’s just a tough song and makes me feel like I can conquer the world.
Evanescence – “Going Under“
Another one from my childhood, the eerie haunting vocals and glitchy/ tremolo vocals in parts of it really stand out to me. I love the whispery sections, it always feels more personal and helps in balancing the eerie and ethereal vibes.
Interplanetary Criminal ft. Killa P – “Gangster Time“
I can’t lie this has been on repeat for me since it came out in 2022 haha. Killa P always delivers as a feature and his gritty vocal with the electronic digital textures was something I hadn’t heard for a long time. Unfortunately, I had kind of stopped DJing when this came out so I’m still waiting to spin this out. This is a real timeless track for me, it’s gritty and nonchalant at the same time but still gets you two stepping.
The Prodigy – “Smack My Bitch Up“
I mean I think this one is self explanatory haha. Legendary first track from the album, as I’ve gotten older my appreciation for the use of Indian vocals and how they really created a whole new world has grown. I like music that makes me really feel something instantly and it’s something I’m still learning how to pour into my own craft. I really enjoy songs that mix hard industrial textures with hypnotic ethereal vocals and this is, in my opinion, one of the greatest songs to ever do it
Tia Maria Produções – “Muito Calcio“
Tia Maria Produções are one of my favourite collectives. Their kuduro, batida, rhythmic tracks always get me moving and are always a go to when I’m DJing. I love how experimental they are, taking elements of genres they love and fusing it to their sound, there is always an eerie darker vibe to their music which is why I gravitate towards it. The spooky heavy synths paired with the tribal drums and industrial textures make me want to mooooove! I would love to create with them one day.
African Head Charge – “Healing Father’s Dub“
I found about them a few years ago and have used some of their songs in my mixes, Churchical Chant Of The Iyabinghi is one I keep going back to. The distorted, psychedelic, dub vibes of this track have me in a trance. The electronic elements I find to be refreshing and innovative.
Justin Timberlake & Timbaland – “Sexyback“
I couldn’t not include a Timbaland production, this song just makes you feel good. Everyone feels themselves when they hear this, the vocals are hypnotic and I find the call and response really fun. I also love the vocal manipulation throughout the track. I miss this era of music.
