Midnight in a Perfect World: Baauer

—> Wikipedia —> 2012 —> Harlem Shake —> ! ! !

Talk about your all-time debuts, huh? One of the biggest tracks of the 2010s, or recent memory, or however one remembers hearing “Harlem Shake” seemingly everywhere all the time, Baauer (IRL the now Brooklyn-based moniker of Harry Rodrigues) never stopped producing infectious, mood-elevating cuts of mutant beats, trap ’n’ electronica. From his earthquaking 2012 debut to working with a who’s who of collaborating talent along the way (including Jay-Z, RL Grime, AlunaGeorge, Pusha T, M.I.A. and Future just to name a few), Baauer landed in August with his first single since 2020’s alien-visiting-party party LP Planet’s Mad, “Let Me Love U.”

With an accompanying music video shot, in part, with videographer Leia Jospé of cult series How to With John Wilson acclaim, Baauer described the summer jam as trying to “catch the energy of New York as we start to move again.” And if the single’s other main impetus — “I wanted to make something that’s undeniably happy” — is translated just a joyously onto wax, Baauer’s tease of a new record in 2023 is one to be excited for.

Midnight in a Perfect World, KEXP's weekly hour-long guest DJ show, airs Fridays at midnight. This multi-genre program features eclectic sets by a rotating cast of international and local DJ's, each building upon a party vibe to kick off your weekend. Midnight in a Perfect World  is made possible with support from New Belgium Brewing.