Barcelona-based producer Mack Loenz, the new alias of electro artist Larry McCormick aka Exzakt, is set to release his debut album From The Heart on Maceo Plex’s Lone Romantic imprint on 4 September.
The 10-track record combines electro with melodic, pop-influenced vocals, analogue synths and 80s-inspired sounds – as Loenz puts it, “n a time where there is a lot of darkness, this album is about bringing light, spreading positive energy, and creating moments that people can feel both on the dancefloor and within themselves.”
We can all agree with that! For this week’s #MyRecordBag, Mack Loenz serves up ten tracks that influenced his sound.
“For this selection, I chose ten records that have stayed with me throughout my life, both personally and musically,” he explains. “Some had a direct influence on my production, while others simply became part of my life through different moments, memories, and experiences. Together, they represent some of the music that helped shape the way I hear and ultimately the sound I create as Exzakt and Mack Loenz.”
Egyptian Lover – Egypt Egypt
“Egypt Egypt was the first record I ever bought, after hearing it at the skating rink and tracking it down at the record store. That moment locked something in: the 808s, the melodies, the mood, the mix of street and fantasy. It became a foundation for how I hear and build tracks, from Exzakt all the way through to Mack Loenz.”
Twilight 22 – Electric Kingdom
“This is probably my favourite record of all time. It feels like the perfect track; the beat, the melodies, the vocals, the rap, the chorus, everything hits and evolves in just the right way. It has personality, emotion, and feeling, and that sense of a track being its own world influenced how I think about putting personality and emotion into my own productions.”
Kraftwerk – Tour de France
“Kraftwerk’s Tour de France is tied in my mind forever to that broom dance scene from Breakin’. Watching Turbo bring that track to life made it more than just a song. It was an early blueprint for electronic music, and that moment turned it into one of my most powerful childhood memories and a huge part of why this record runs so deep for me.”
Wicked Wipe – 10:59 P.M.
“Years after those early electro records, hearing this track transform a club night and pull everyone into a breakdance circle hit me on a gut level. I didn’t even know what it was at the time. But I ran to the DJ booth, obsessed with finding it, and that moment planted the seed. This was the record that made me want to produce, to create my own electronic tracks. It flipped the switch from dancing to wanting to build.”
Fred 4 (Cari Lekebusch) – Do It From The Back (Electro Mix)
“It’s probably one of the records I’ve played the most in my DJ sets, as well as one of the best electro records of all time. It took me a long time to acquire because it was so rare, and it’s still easily in my top five all-time electro records, not only to listen to, but to play in a DJ set.”
RAC – Nine
“This was a huge record for me when I started producing and DJing. I used to start a lot of my sets with it. It has these deep, atmospheric melodies and spacious sounds, but underneath that there’s a really solid 808 beat with almost a Miami Bass feel. That combination of atmosphere and low-end became a big part of what I was drawn to.”
Charlie – Spacer Woman
“This record was way ahead of its time and probably had more influence on the Mack Loenz sound than any other single record on this list. It has an incredible beat, beautiful melodic and hypnotic elements, and those sexy vocals, but what really gets me is the way everything changes throughout the track. In a lot of ways, it feels like a Mack Loenz format that somehow existed back in 1983.”
Claro Intelecto – Peace Of Mind (Electrosoul)
“This is a huge electro bomb! It combines a heavy beat and heavy melodies with something much deeper underneath. That same energy is a big part of the Mack Loenz sound, music that has enough low-end to physically move you, but also reaches into those higher frequencies and keeps changing throughout the track. It’s also been a staple in my DJ sets throughout the years.”
Sefton – Stranded In Passion (Maceo Plex Remix)
“I decided to take things in a different direction and focus on developing a sound that could eventually lead to working more with Lone Romantic. After the first Mack Loenz track, Dance With Me, it became clear that we were going to be doing more music together, and this had a huge influence on the vibe and energy I wanted to represent. This is my favourite Maceo Plex electro production and a major influence on the Mack Loenz sound, coming directly from the person who created Lone Romantic and helped shape the direction I wanted to take the project.”
System 360 – Machines
“I picked this as my final record because it’s one of my personal favourite electro records. It’s also a rarity, and not too many people know it. To me, this is the pinnacle of what electro can be: deep, emotional, and constantly progressing, building a journey that eventually reaches a very dramatic conclusion. It’s almost like a mini novel, a journey told through sound. I would suggest that any electro fan who doesn’t know this record listen to it very closely all the way through.”
Thanks to Mack Loenz for his selections. You can pre-save From The Heart here.
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