Wow. Somehow a whole year has passed since we launched Sandy Times Radio, better known as STR. It has been an amazing journey and we are only getting started. One year is basically infancy for a radio station — we can barely walk, but we are already dancing. So to celebrate our elegant stumble into 2026, we prepared the Best of STR: your table-radio book you can always open to discover something new, travel back in time, or find yourself in the middle of an unexpected party. There is no hit-parade order here. Everything follows your daily rhythm, so you can drift along with us naturally.

Touch grass, touch calm: Morning zen for grown children

Start your day the healthy way with TOUCH SOME GRASS, BABY, ZEN ON THE LOOP — a nature-kissed playlist for mornings pretending to be calm.

Be the hero of your commute: Cinematic movement for the chronically delayed

You are surely going somewhere. Dramatically. Explore new directions with the ultimate movie-companion soundtrack.

Brains, activate: Focus like you mean it

After dancing yourself into an emotional masterpiece, let us pretend the workout is done. Now onto mind-work: your daily soundtrack to FOCUS LIKE A PRO.

MENA deep dive: Cultural vitamins for the soul

We love MENA — truly, loudly, permanently. Eternal heritage, modern creativity, and sounds that connect you to roots, realities, and the occasional epiphany.

Sampled secrets: The five-second archaeology club

You adore the tracks, now meet the ancestors. Discover the original pieces chopped into those precious five-second samples. No applause needed — we do this out of love.

B-side treasure hunt: Beatles, biscuits and hidden gold

Imagine hearing a Beatles song you didn't know existed — because it lived its entire life on a B-SIDE. We gathered the gems for you.

The Crowd Test chronicles: November’s wild experiment

Past November, we conducted our delightfully chaotic CROWD TEST, discovering what makes you dance without hesitation. Here is what the floor responded to:

International sofa sessions: Global sounds without leaving the house

Honeycomb Hi-Fi magic: Kenji Takimi takes the decks

A legendary moment from our Sandy Times party one year ago — Japanese icon Kenji Takimi on the Honeycomb Hi-Fi decks.

Presenting SECTA: A love letter to new-generation rave

We love dance culture with our whole heart. Meet SECTA — a new-generation rave force.

The Flip Side chronicles: Our first home, our forever love

STR began at The Flip Side, run by mastermind Shadi Megallaa. Listen to his episodes recorded at the shop. Explore the complete archive of The Shady Shadow Show, starting with ep00 and continuing through all 40 instalments.

Made in Emirates: A Vinyl Souk x 25H Hotel One Central collaboration

A one-hour deep discovery of local talent, featuring original artists’ commentary and celebrating MADE IN EMIRATES vinyl culture.

IMS Dubai: A collaboration worth showing off

Our collab with IMS Dubai gifted us a beautiful Parvané episode — a mix full of character and emotion.

The STR DNA sequence: Jonny5 mix

All radios have DNA. Ours begins with this Jonny5 mix — the origin point of the STR sonic universe.

Time Traveler series: Your ticket back to childhood

What is more important than childhood? It shapes us, prepares us, and comforts us. The Time Traveler series revisits those memories with warmth and curiosity — a definite entry in the Best of STR.