Galcher Lustwerk makes the sort of delicate hip-house, subdued techno and beat music that feels tailor-made for the wee hours. And, as his contribution to the Early Hours series of laidback mixes attests, his style of DJing and track selection is equally as vibe-inducing. “In 2016 and 2017, I made these 'Sad Summer’ mixes, which were my homage to quiet storm and college radio,” the NYC-based DJ/producer/vocalist tells Apple Music. “They ended up being popular and encouraged me to be more free-form with genre and blending.” For Early Hours, however, he says, “I didn't want to approach it in a sad way, because I can't help but imagine golden hour, sunset, palm trees and the Mediterranean or Adriatic Sea—or maybe Lake Erie or Lake Michigan. I think the feeling I want to evoke is post-lucid, whether that's waking up in bed from a vivid dream or coming home from a long night out. Imagine an after-party at 9 am—there's people standing and sitting and dancing and sleeping. The rhythms of the club are still there for those who can't stop dancing, but they're not disturbing to people trying to rest either.” Part of his recipe for striking that balance means including New Age and dub techno, “because they have powerful, deep chords that drive the rhythm forward,” he says. “It's easy to imagine a pad of strings acting like an infinite carpet, taking you on an endless journey. I also owe a lot to artists in the mix like Underworld, Future Sound of London and Stereolab for their fusion sound.” He also digs Gigi Masin and Blue States. “It was hard to pick one Gigi Masin track, because I love the gentle mood, and the bits of jazz trumpet give his New Age-ness a more timeless touch. Not to diminish the insane synth work—vivid and driving. It's one of the juiciest synths I've ever heard,” he says of "Tears of Clown”. Of Blue States’ “Heroes’ Elegy”, he adds, “The album and this track encapsulate this late-'90s, early-'00s nostalgia for me. I dreamt of graffiti-covered lofts and skateboarding in San Francisco and a huge CD and vinyl collection. It was a more naive time that carries even more solemn vibes today.”