Each week, FACT trawls through the untamed world of free mixes, radio specials and live blends so you don’t have to.

This week’s there’s something for the Stranger Things fans eagerly awaiting the release of the show’s soundtrack, a Detroit techno history lesson, a snapshot of mid-90s drum and bass and more.

Local Action
Stranger Things special on Radar Radio, August 4

If you’ve seen Netflix hit Stranger Things, you’re probably as eager for the killer soundtrack to drop as we are. This week’s Local Action show on Radar Radio offers the next best thing: two hours of classic synth music and unheard tracks in the vein of the eerie, ‘80s-set show from contemporary producers including FaltyDL, Mumdance, E.M.M.A. and Murlo. Tune in and prepare for a trip to the Upside-Down.

CL
Boccara Mix 05

We hadn’t heard of it until this week, but Boccara looks to be yet another reason to visit Montreal, a night that’s had a stack of quality underground DJs passing through this year according to its SoundCloud page: Fit Siegel, Jayda G and Florian Kupfer to name a few. Toronto’s CL steps up to their mix series with an excellent session of out-there sounds – it’s just the kind of imaginative, considered and ultra-banging set to take you into the weekend, basically.

Nitetrax
Detroit techno special on NTS Radio, August 2

This week a Detroit techno exhibition opened at London’s ICA, and NTS Radio’s Nitetrax show devoted itself to the genre. Featuring wall-to-wall classics from Juan Atkins, Underground Resistance, Carl Craig, Drexciya, Jeff Mills and more, it’s both a killer mix and an ideal crash course if you need to brush up on the Motor City.

DJ Persuasion
‘95-‘96 mix for Tape-Echo

DJ Persuasion isn’t widely known outside of Bristol, but he’s got one of the most comprehensive collections of jungle, hardcore and D&B anywhere. Following recent mixes for Berceuse Heroique and Happy Skull covering the hardcore era, he turns his attention to the early liquid D&B sounds of the mid-‘90s for Tape-Echo. Expect classic Source Direct, Photek, Adam F, Doc Scott and more.

Pure Joy
TTM:024

Truants contributor and Wild Combination resident Pure Joy is one of few selectors whose name accurately reflects their DJ style. His mix for Tobago Tracks is the sound of emotional overload, combining everything from Cosmin TRG and Minor Science to Gaika and Air Max ‘97 across a breathless 53 minutes. More of this kind of thing please.