february 2026
live events
where i've been
February 15: Bailey Ibbs at Para Club
What I love most about the clubbing experience in Belgrade is that there’s always a party happening somewhere. Got into the club on Sunday evening, listened to some proper techno, went home before midnight, had dinner, and went to bed without ruining my sleep cycle. What a dream.
Bailey Ibbs was good, but I’d say the overall vibe of the event was the real highlight.
What I love most about the clubbing experience in Belgrade is that there’s always a party happening somewhere. Got into the club on Sunday evening, listened to some proper techno, went home before midnight, had dinner, and went to bed without ruining my sleep cycle. What a dream.
Bailey Ibbs was good, but I’d say the overall vibe of the event was the real highlight.
February 21: Germano Ventura at MINǓ, Circolo degli Illuminati
Since it was my first time in Rome, I was curious about the city’s nightlife. To my surprise, Resident Advisor listed only two events that caught my attention, one of which was at Circolo degli Illuminati. I’d read some mixed reviews about this place and worried I might not pass face control, but curiosity won over fear, so I went anyway.
Since it was my first time in Rome, I was curious about the city’s nightlife. To my surprise, Resident Advisor listed only two events that caught my attention, one of which was at Circolo degli Illuminati. I’d read some mixed reviews about this place and worried I might not pass face control, but curiosity won over fear, so I went anyway.
The club has four dance floors, although one of them remained a mystery to me for the entire night. They also have a cozy outdoor space where you can get some fresh air without leaving the club’s grounds – something I definitely miss in some clubs in Belgrade.
What rubbed me the wrong way was the... wide variety of music, let’s put it that way. One of the dance floors – the easiest one to find – had top-40 tracks blasting from the speakers, which briefly made me think I’d come to the wrong place. Still, the music across the rooms didn’t clash with each other, so I have to give them kudos for that.
What rubbed me the wrong way was the... wide variety of music, let’s put it that way. One of the dance floors – the easiest one to find – had top-40 tracks blasting from the speakers, which briefly made me think I’d come to the wrong place. Still, the music across the rooms didn’t clash with each other, so I have to give them kudos for that.
When Room 1 finally opened, I was able to catch Germano Ventura, whose set left a good impression. In a short span of time, the previously empty room filled up, and he managed to match the energy of both situations quite well.
I wasn’t comfortable enough to stay for long — not because of the club itself (the crowd and the overall vibe were lovely), but because I was in an unfamiliar city and had gone clubbing alone. So unfortunately I missed Ben UFO’s set, but fingers crossed I’ll catch him somewhere else this year.
I wasn’t comfortable enough to stay for long — not because of the club itself (the crowd and the overall vibe were lovely), but because I was in an unfamiliar city and had gone clubbing alone. So unfortunately I missed Ben UFO’s set, but fingers crossed I’ll catch him somewhere else this year.
sets
what’s been catching my ear lately
Aurora Halal for Room 303 Radio
RA.631 Buttechno
This set had been sitting in my queue for a while, and I finally gave it a listen. Most of the time, I enjoy Buttechno’s stuff, and this one is no exception.
This set had been sitting in my queue for a while, and I finally gave it a listen. Most of the time, I enjoy Buttechno’s stuff, and this one is no exception.
MFM Mix 022: Bianca Lexis
This set brought me so much joy and relief. Perfect soundtrack for brewing your first cup of coffee on a lazy Sunday.
This set brought me so much joy and relief. Perfect soundtrack for brewing your first cup of coffee on a lazy Sunday.
albums and EPs
what made it onto my radar this month
Move 78 – Game Four
Favorite track: Enigmatology
Favorite track: Enigmatology
Jinjé & A. Montane – Neon Garden EP
Favourite track: Velvet People
Favourite track: Velvet People
Two Lone Swordsmen – Stay Down
Favourite track: Alpha School
Favourite track: Alpha School
Susumu Yokota – The Boy and the Tree (Skintone Edition)
Favourite track: Red Swan
Favourite track: Red Swan
tracks
new-to-me sounds
Throwing Snow – Jackals
Rob Clouth – Cicada
Two tracks from Mesh Recordings this month: I’ve found myself pretty hooked on their releases. Can’t wait for Cicada to come out, and the vinyl pressing for this one is absolute eye candy.
Two tracks from Mesh Recordings this month: I’ve found myself pretty hooked on their releases. Can’t wait for Cicada to come out, and the vinyl pressing for this one is absolute eye candy.
LWS – Gubbins
Picasso – take my lead
Kick Chill – Февраль
Bryansk remains the capital of punk.
Bryansk remains the capital of punk.
ear worms
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
Zara Larsson - Pretty Ugly
Happy RuPaul’s Drag Race season! Zara appeared as a guest judge on one of the episodes, and this track was used for the lipsync. Juicy Love Dion and Mia Starr probably had something to do with why it’s now stuck in my head.
Happy RuPaul’s Drag Race season! Zara appeared as a guest judge on one of the episodes, and this track was used for the lipsync. Juicy Love Dion and Mia Starr probably had something to do with why it’s now stuck in my head.
A$AP Rocky - HELICOPTER
Good news: my prayers were heard and A$AP Rocky finally dropped a new album.
Bad news: I got stuck on one track and still haven’t made it through the whole record.
Good news: my prayers were heard and A$AP Rocky finally dropped a new album.
Bad news: I got stuck on one track and still haven’t made it through the whole record.
Aaliyah - We Need A Resolution feat. Timbaland
Can’t remember the last time I enjoyed an R&B song this much.
Can’t remember the last time I enjoyed an R&B song this much.
vinyl finds
dig it up!
Mystic V – Ever Since That Day I Met You
I finally started learning to DJ on vinyl and realised I don’t have enough house records to practise with: my scratching technique isn’t good enough yet for most of the stuff in my collection.
During our trip to Rome, we visited Sounds Familiar, where I managed to find this record. For the first time in my life (okay, maybe the third time), I actually listened to the record before buying it, even though it was the cover that initially caught my eye while digging through their small but mighty collection.
Easy breezy summer beach-bar vibes – exactly what I was looking for.
Favourite track: Fade Into The Sun (it has some Moodymann vibes in it)
I finally started learning to DJ on vinyl and realised I don’t have enough house records to practise with: my scratching technique isn’t good enough yet for most of the stuff in my collection.
During our trip to Rome, we visited Sounds Familiar, where I managed to find this record. For the first time in my life (okay, maybe the third time), I actually listened to the record before buying it, even though it was the cover that initially caught my eye while digging through their small but mighty collection.
Easy breezy summer beach-bar vibes – exactly what I was looking for.
Favourite track: Fade Into The Sun (it has some Moodymann vibes in it)
Yssue – The Laughing Gas
When people say that some releases sound better on vinyl than on digital, I usually don’t believe them. But this one, indeed, hits differently on wax. If you’re in Belgrade, try your luck at Balkan Vinyl and grab a copy for your collection, if they still have any left. Some nice tribal stuff.
Favorite track: Rusty Warped Break
When people say that some releases sound better on vinyl than on digital, I usually don’t believe them. But this one, indeed, hits differently on wax. If you’re in Belgrade, try your luck at Balkan Vinyl and grab a copy for your collection, if they still have any left. Some nice tribal stuff.
Favorite track: Rusty Warped Break
miscellaneous
honourable mentions that don't fit the topics above
Swiftologist – The Pop Girl Hierarchy Nobody Talks About
Recently, I got hooked on Swiftologist’s content. As someone whose second language is English, I’m in awe of how Zack articulates his thoughts. Even if you don’t care about pop music, I’d still suggest watching one of his videos – his style of storytelling might become your new cup of tea. And don’t get spooked by his clickbait-ish thumbnails – the content behind them is absolutely worth your time.
Recently, I got hooked on Swiftologist’s content. As someone whose second language is English, I’m in awe of how Zack articulates his thoughts. Even if you don’t care about pop music, I’d still suggest watching one of his videos – his style of storytelling might become your new cup of tea. And don’t get spooked by his clickbait-ish thumbnails – the content behind them is absolutely worth your time.
Vinyl shops in Rome
If you’re planning a trip to Rome and thinking about bringing some vinyl back home, I can recommend two stores worth checking out – Sounds Familiar and Transition. I know Transition has at least two locations, but I’m referring to the one right across from Sounds Familiar.
Sounds Familiar has a really pleasant vibe, and I spotted at least three records from the dekmantel label there. Their collection leans heavily toward electronic music, which was exactly what I was looking for.
Transition, on the other hand, carries a wider variety of genres. They earn a lot of respect from me for stocking one of my all-time top-10 records: The Other People Place – Lifestyle of the Laptop Café. I also spotted some Brockhampton in the hip-hop section, which was another pleasant surprise.
If you’re planning a trip to Rome and thinking about bringing some vinyl back home, I can recommend two stores worth checking out – Sounds Familiar and Transition. I know Transition has at least two locations, but I’m referring to the one right across from Sounds Familiar.
Sounds Familiar has a really pleasant vibe, and I spotted at least three records from the dekmantel label there. Their collection leans heavily toward electronic music, which was exactly what I was looking for.
Transition, on the other hand, carries a wider variety of genres. They earn a lot of respect from me for stocking one of my all-time top-10 records: The Other People Place – Lifestyle of the Laptop Café. I also spotted some Brockhampton in the hip-hop section, which was another pleasant surprise.