Early Hours can mean a few different things: Are you winding down after being up all night, or are you just rising to meet the sun? “I think this is more of a late-night thing,” Kevin Foakes, aka DJ Food, tells Apple Music. “This mix was all about song selection and mood.” More than a decade on from the DJ and producer’s acclaimed 2013 mix O Is for Orange—made in celebration of the release of Boards of Canada’s Tomorrow’s Harvest album—this DJ mix was guided by Foakes’ response to the Scottish duo’s 2026 record Inferno, their first since then. “To me, the album projects themes of religious ecstasy and worship, life and death and rebirth, celestial divinity and possible alien visitation—a higher power or calling,” notes Foakes. “There is also a darkness alongside the revelation and sci-fi elements in terms of samples. I wanted to convey all these by showcasing songs I felt offered similar sentiments, certain artists who I felt share the unique sonic space Boards of Canada have created, as well as giving a nod to a few Scottish artists and labels.” And as he made it, an unexpected theme emerged. “There seems to be a lot of lyrics or spoken word relating to death inherent in this mix, that wasn’t intentional at all,” he says. “I like to think it’s the peaceful, transcendent kind of rebirth into a new life.” He just has one suggestion as you press play. “I’m not sure if this is a ‘background music’ kind of set,” says Foakes. “The listener will get more out of it if they’re focused on the details, connections, and mood shifts.”