Complex Sessions 081: KTmelodies

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Ascendant club producer KTmelodies made his debut in 2023 with opening single “drive safe”, followed by a run of club flips that took him into the following year. Those lo-fi house jams fused with sliced-and-diced vocal loops are essentially ground zero for his current sound, right up to the shimmering, fluid melodies of his latest club groover, “put your hands up”.

It’s also the arterial vein that runs through his exclusive mix for Complex Sessions. Understated but stylish lo-fi house, groovy-heavy rap and R&B edits, it’s all here. Keen ears will notice a laid-back, Stateside influence. As it happens, KT first moved out there in 2021 for a basketball scholarship, but he hasn’t lost his UK influence, especially on the low-end.

Check out the mix below and get to know more about KTmelodies on the flipside.

Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.

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Truthfully, in this mix, I put together most of the tracks that I frequently listen to. Also, a few of my influences that I had growing up such as Daft Punk and Calvin Harris are found in this mix. I wanted to blend the nostalgic feeling of their music with some of my current favourites.

What was the one track you absolutely had to include?

One track I absolutely had to include was KETTAMA’s remix of Calvin Harris and Clementine Douglas’ “Blessings”. In all honesty, the first time I listened to this track, I didn’t really like it that much. But as time went on, I started playing it more and more, and it grew on me. When that synth comes in and layers on top of the piano, I think it sounds so special.

Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?

Yes! Definitely. I wish I could’ve added Ashzone’s “Get Right”, but there were technical issues. We’ll save that one for next time.

What’s the first single or album you ever bought?

If I’m correct, the first ever single I bought was Rihanna and Calvin Harris’ “We Found Love”. I was about nine years old and I bought it on my mum‘s phone.

What’s the last physical record you bought?

I have actually never bought a physical record before, but I actually might need to now that you mention it [laughs]. I would love to buy some old-school R&B records, such as The Stylistics, Chic, The Gap Band.

What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?

What I would love to see is already currently taking place. I’m very appreciative of the fact that everybody is becoming more open to newer and different genres of music. Even myself.

What trend or scene needs to die right now?

Hanging from high places and recording yourself to that TikTok song. I love French music but some of those videos are crazy!

Tracklisting:

0:00. KTmelodies & dBona – gottalottaluv
1:38. Odeal – My Heart
3:37. Sam Gellaitry – Assumptions
6:11. KAYTRANADA – TRACK UNO
9:50. KTmelodies – pack up ya bags
11:30. Calvin Harris & Clementine Douglas – Blessings (KETTAMA Remix)
13:50. KTmelodies & dBona – put ya hands in the ai
15:02. PinkPantheress & Sam Gellaitry – Picture in my mind
17:44. Odeal – Be Easy (feat. Brazy)
20:11. Daft Punk – Digital Love
22:40. Jungle – PROBLEMZ
24:11. Calvin Harris – Thinking About You (feat. Ayah Marar)
25:15. Chris Brown – Beautiful People (feat. Benny Benassi)
26:51. KTmelodies – the world needs you
27:51. Odeal – Sondela
29:40. KAYTRANADA – Intimidated (feat. H.E.R)
30:51. KAYTRANADA – Caution