Over the last few years, Samantha Poulter, aka Logic1000, has continued her rapid ascent into the upper echelons of the electronic music scene. After a milestone year in 2024 for the multi-faceted artist—marked by the release of her debut album Mother and remixes for the likes of ShyGirl and Dua Lipa—2025 is already shaping up to match those achievements, with the announcement that Logic1000 will be the first to take the reins in this year’s iconic DJ-Kicks mix series. Promising a mix of exclusive tracks from Quendresa, Big Ever, DJ Plead and two brand new Logic1000 tracks, we caught up with the Berlin-based artist to chat more about the release and her thought process behind the inclusion of certain tracks…
What was your initial inspiration behind curating a DJ-Kicks album, and how does it differ from your previous projects?
I knew straight away that I was going to do a very downtempo, melodic and vocal mix. My listening habits have changed pretty dramatically over the years and it felt very intuitive and natural to be doing something that reflects this new type of consumption. Everything I’ve done up until now has been super dancefloor- oriented. I guess I’ve previously made house records. So this is quite a stark shift away from that type of sound. Although I think texturally there’s some crossover.
How did you approach the track selection process for this compilation? Were there any specific themes or moods you aimed to create throughout the mix?
I basically put together a massive playlist of songs I adore and whittled it down to smaller and smaller playlists. The most distilled playlist was a selection of tracks that felt very fitting to my theme of the “morning”. I listened to these tracks over and over again during my early mornings and it became pretty clear to me that they were the right mood for this album. There’s a good balance of serene, uplifting, mysterious and this kind of energy which gets your creativity flowing because the music is so inspiring.
Were there any specific challenges or surprises during the creative process of putting this album together?
It felt like a huge undertaking because it’s not a dance mix, which is what I’m used to. So we had to be creative with the way we made the transitions. We extended songs and dropped in some extra bits which helped with the continuity of the mix. Overall it was definitely a challenge. I think mostly because it was uncharted territory.
What do you hope listeners take away from your DJ-Kicks album, both in terms of sound and overall experience?
I want them to see this as looking through a lens that shows my passion for down tempo, vocal, non dance music. These are all artists who I deeply admire and look up to. I hope the audience feels uplifted when they listen to this. It’s a really nice mix to put on at the start of your day, when you’re getting ready for work or whatever and you want something on in the background that will subtly inspire you to take on your day with energy and enthusiasm.
Track Explanations
Oklou, Case MQ – “Lurk”
Logic1000: “I’m a super fan of Oklou. And recently I’ve been watching her perform with a baby in her belly and she seems so full of life and love. She is an artist who I truly admire because not only is she an extremely cool person, but her music has had such a huge impact on me too.”
Moon Holiday – “Definitely”
Logic1000: “This song is so ethereal and full of beauty. It gives me this sense of wonder and curiosity which was the perfect mood for my mix. Alex’s subtle vocals really add to the soothing nature of it.”
downstairs J – “Three Times”
Logic1000: “This downstairs J tune brings a slightly more complex emotion to the mix. I like how you can’t tell if it’s super dark or just complicated. I love this moment in the mix so much.”
Purelink (feat. J) – “4k Murmurs”
Logic1000: “It’s a totally immersive experience to listen to this track. It’s so bold in its beauty and subtle complexity. It feels like a soft rainfall is pouring over you when you listen to it.”
James K & Hoodie – “Scorpio”
Logic1000: “This is a really cool moment which is super reflective of the type of music I listened to growing up. It feels so 90s to me. It’s an indulgent emo moment. But not emo in a typical way, it’s kind of melancholic. I love it!”
Blood Orange, Yves Tumor (feat. Ian Isiah) – “Smoke”
Logic1000: This is the freaky deaky moment of the mix which had to be there. I love music which pushes boundaries and informs. The song is so dynamic and pushes and pulls you while you’re so engaged in listening to it. Super cool and I’m still so shook this one is on here – what an honour to have it approved!”
Big Ever – “Dab Heretic”
Logic1000: “This song by Big Ever showcases a side of his production which is so soft and beautiful. It’s warm, luxurious and life affirming. He’s usually releasing dance floor heaters or he’s collaborating with artists to make pop hits, so it’s a major privilege (for us all) to hear this very unique and sweet side of him. Thanks, Tom!”