Review: Emerald's 25th outing takes the form of another superb compilation with four artists who have already released on the label and plenty of new names making an equally good impression. ANNE kicks off with the deep, thudding kicks of 'Coral Reefs' complete with lush hits to smooth the groove. There is more weight and intensity to the oversized hi-hats ringlets on Mike Konstantinidis's 'Apocalypse', DJ Plant Texture layers in plenty of gritty and grime to his gritty 'Swingers' and Jarrod Yeates goes for a twisted after-party vibe on his intense and unrelenting 'Sesh Gremlin', with many more highlights besides.
Review: Brooklyn is not often somewhere you think of when it comes to minimal, a sound more usually associated with European artists these days, unless of course, you're talking about early US originators like Dan Bell and Robert Hood. This release suggests that view is wrong with a trio of classy cuts. Mike Berardi's 'Helicopter Ride' is lively and jazzy and rides a nice broken beat. Samuel Padden's 'String Theory' is more icy and paired back to a minimal cosmic trip and Jay Tripwire's 'Floorboards' a wonky late-night charmer.
Review: The well regarded Umwelt introduced Raverbreakerz as a dynamic new series on his label Rave Or Die earlier in summer. This massive compilation shows what it is all about with four hard-hitting tracks from genre specialists Blame The Mono, Jadzia, Ghost In The Machine and Umwelt himself, Seamlessly blending techno, breakbeat and dark, intense sounds design to captivate and energise the floor in equal measure, each artists contributes to what is a versatile arsenal for DJs seeking powerful sounds with a distinct style. On this evidence, Raverbreakerz is going to be a crucial new series.
Review: The Distorsion camp offers up its first sampler as a way of teasing you with the sort of quality sounds and artists it has on its roster. First up is a three-way collab between Citybox, Hankook & Orebeat whose 'Dangerous Changes' is an intense breakbeat workout for the peak time. Orebeat & Alex Clubbers keep the energy levels high and inject early 00s video-game style synths, Orebeat & Citybox keep it dark and raw with 'Gangsta' and Orebeat & JottaFrank laced up their thrilling breaks with acid lines and sleazy vocals on "Noche De Paris.' This is potent stuff for strobe-lit floors.
Chris Coco - "Yawa Ze Asfos" (instrumental) (4:02)
Jake Slazenger - "168B" (3:47)
Global Goon - "Untitled" (4:39)
Ruckus (4:47)
Jodey Kendrik - "Thanx" (5:56)
Gavin Masih - "Unknown Track 1" (6:55)
Monika Subrtova - "Alata" (7:08)
Review: Furthur Electronix's first two Furthur Journeys Into compilations tune plenty of heads and shift plenty of copies. The third one keeps the quality levels high with more explorations around the periphery of underground electronics. Chris Coco opens with a soothing synth sound before Jake Slazenger brings crystalline synths and abstract modulations to the mid-tempo '168B.' There is more pace and twisted acid energy to Global Goon's untitled contribution and then old school jungle comes to the fore on the super stylish and atmospheric Gavin Masih cut. Monika Subrtova's 'Alata' is a serene and widescreen ambient synthscape that brings things to a suitably poignant close.
Review: NeoAcid returns with another EP of uncompromising techno, a sonic assault that's sure to leave a lasting impression. Flkn's 'The Jam' sets the tone, a relentless barrage of distorted kicks and acid lines that feels like a descent into a chaotic, industrial underworld. Collaborations with Jacidorex and Vcl push the boundaries further, their twisted soundscapes and distorted rhythms creating a sense of exhilarating chaos, like a runaway train hurtling through a dystopian landscape. On the flipside, Pisapia takes the reins, offering a slightly different flavour with hypnotic grooves and infectious melodies that add a touch of dark energy to the mix. A headfirst dive into the depths of techno, a sonic thrill ride that will leave you disoriented and exhilarated.
Review: Berlin's Exit Strategy began their 12"s game releasing EPs in browned sleeves, shortly before branching out into digital-vinyl combo releases with original artwork in the 2020s. Now with over ten years of experience under their belts, they welcome five new artists for a playful bricolage in deep and minimal techno, privileging elite, razor-sharp additive sound design and future-soulful vocal tasters. Ivory's opener 'Rain' epitomises this, while Jimi Jules squelchifies the same formula, and Aera's 'Future Holdings' rolls out the same logic to its ultimate conclusion, veering towards complex, 3D-graphic melodic techno composed entirely of climbing saws.
Review: Released only a year on from Jacidorex's Unfaced, an acid techno tumbler of big proportions, now comes a new V/A sourced from many a peer in the upstart Belgian artist's orbit. First, we've the collaborative 'Midnight Express', a cleanly tenebrous slink through twinkling, bubbling, upstream synths and hypotense builds, before the hardcore-informed 'Krazchen' by Acidus serves to harrow dancefloors worldwide with evil banana slip synths and cavernous kicks. A melodic turn is marked thereafter on the call-to-dance 'Into The Floor' by Ansbro, while Mahtal 'All In This' continues this trend into hardstyle techno, with its especially clever use of pitched-up and resampled kicks.
Review: The idea of the 'Dreamworld' has pervaded all dance music since its beginnings, and 2024 proves no exception to this rule, with the latest astral projection of its kind coming by way of producer Jalil. Debuting 'Dreamworld' for his local label Stillwell, this is an acid house EP of carefully lucid exploratory proportions. Jalil builds a jocose yet driven palette from found samples against sombre backings, working a seemingly endless spate of transitional hits and impacts about a central acid line on 'Oberheimer'. He then dashes this intro's sense of withdrawal with an audacious pinch-point in the form of 'Moods Of Madness', a favourite of ours, adding aqueous chord-data to an already osmotic pulse.
Review: Jamie 3:26, the Chicago house luminary, returns with the second instalment of his Danacefloor Damage series, a collection of re-rubbed disco cuts crafted with the dancefloor in mind, but possessing a depth that transcends the club. This time around, he's unearthed three gems, each an ode to his impeccable taste and his uncanny ability to breathe new life into forgotten classics. 'Flyin'' takes flight with a dizzying array of soaring strings and a groove that's as infectious as it is propulsive. 'Funkin' (Hardy Tribute Version)' pays homage to late disco/early house legend Ron Hardy, its driving bassline and soulful vocals a fitting tribute to his enduring influence. 'Jungle DJ Tool' injects a tribal energy into the mix, its percussive rhythms and hypnotic chants guaranteed to induce a state of dancefloor abandon. Jamie 3:26's edits are a masterclass in dancefloor manipulation, expertly balancing euphoric highs with moments of introspective restraint. A potent reminder that the classics never truly die when preserved in the right hands.
Review: Pensive, hangs-in-the-balance techno from Netherlands producer Jansen, whose control over mixes, from source material to final sound, is impressively granular. The second instalment in his 'Inner Labyrinth' series for Figure, the record is indeed a maze of complexity, albeit not one that is impossible to work out; the artist's reticulated brain terrain, redrawn in sonic form, is mapped out well. On 'Dub Dissonance', a central chord crystal resounds from inside a machinic nucleus, as various filters and harmonicisers seem to change the sound's valency after every bar or so. 'F Track' brings a similar balance through muted, dancing leads, while the record's overall uptick reaches its peak by the time of 'Sassafras', a buzzing zenith of apprehension.
Review: Len Faki's Figure label kicks on with more on-point and no-frills tech this time with Jancen at the helm. This 'Inner Labyrinth' EP is the first of a two-parter and it opens up with 'Quintessence' which races out of the blocks on sweeping synths and dusty, driving drums. It's stripped back but high impact for heady 'floors. 'Elusive' then ups the ante with some manic synth flashes that dart about the mix at high speed like headlights on a motorway in the dead of night. 'Diminished (dub)' is indeed more dubby, with grainy chords grinding away over clipped but funky techno drums. 'Unattributed' is the eerie closer.
Review: Kito Jempere delivers a fiery four-track package that will electrify dance floors with his first outing of 2025. A bold departure from today's mainstream dance sounds, his New Life EP blends adventurous beats with a rebellious spirit and the lead track channels New Order's Technique era but is infused with early hip-hop breaks and a mix of acid, happy hardcore and ghetto tech. 'LoveFilter' takes a dreamy, chilled trip across electronic landscapes while 'Killer Line De-Part' combines trance, grunge and '80s analogue vibes for a thrilling climax. Closing with 'Put Love Into Your Heart (Club Mix),' Jempere leaves us with uplifting, feel-good energy.
Review: Four cuts of pure, unfiltered industrial technoidesigned to lock listeners into an almost meditative state. With a dark, bleep-forward aesthetic, each track here feels made for the murky corners of Berlin's underground scene. Tracks A1 through B1 build an intense, pulsating rhythm that channels the raw energy of a warehouse rave. It's the kind of sound that takes over, sharp-edged yet relentless, drawing power from its very monotony. On B2, 'Rabbit Hole' stands out with a high-end, modular edge. Synthy FX cut through the gritty basslines, adding a dancefloor-focused lift that keeps things captivating. The interplay of dark and dynamic in this release makes it feel alive, with each track contributing to the EP's hypnotic pull.
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged, record slightly warped***
Jinje is a solo project from Lee Malcolm, a founding member of the Leeds-based experimental band Vessels. His music in solo mode is just as singer and hard to categorise as with his band and here on Mesh he veers between electronic, synthetic and organic sound worlds with driving breakbeats topped with gorgeous string sounds, hype-real synths and a shimmering sense of sonic futurism that is awash with melody. These are hugely detailed tracks but the overall picture is never confused as his arrangements ebb and flow with great clarity and make both a physical and emotional impact.
Review: Four percussive techno workouts drive this EP, each pushing rhythms and atmosphere alike into forward-thinking territory. Side-1 starts with 'The Cult', a relentless, bass-heavy force built for peak-time energy. The low-end hits hard, while futuristic elements keep it fresh. 'Charm' follows with a rhythmically adventurous approach, weaving breaks and deep bass into the techno frameworkiperfect for DJs looking to push boundaries. On the flip, 'Jungle Curse' layers pounding drums, looping percussion and crisp production into a hypnotic groove. Its weighty bass and driving structure make it an essential tool for deep, rolling sets. Closing out the record, 'Wild Nights' goes full tribal, locking into a hedonistic pulse that feels primal yet otherworldly. If you're looking for different rhythms in techno while still keeping the energy high - plus a heavy dose of futurism - these are well worth checking out.
Review: Mord sublabel Kazerne specialise in hardcore black labels, each record blazoned with but one silhouetted insignia: that of an arched-backed, sinister-looking hyena. With no backing info on this one as ever, the label top up a profligately churner-outer assembly line of 12"s, with over 15 records issued since 2023. Here Alexander Johannson and Mattias Fridell make their debut, all-aboarding the overdrive bus, squishing their pummel kicks to the point of satu-rave. 'Vegitationen' is a suitable title indeed, as its computational synth ascends evoke the frightful infallibility of mass data capture, leaving us all in vegetative states.
Review: Alexander Johansson and Mattias Fridell deliver a stripped-back techno workout across four focused cuts. The A-side leads with a thundering rhythm section that drives forward with a sense of urgency that feels both raw and precise. The second track shifts gears slightly, folding intricate percussion into a rolling groove that keeps the energy simmering. On the reverse, the duo ventures into more atmospheric territory, layering subtle synth textures over a steady, hypnotic pulse. With its tight execution and unrelenting focus, this EP solidifies Johansson and Fridell place as stalwarts of the Swedish techno scene.
Review: Joyhauser's music is back once again on Terminal M for a second instalment of the remix series after the first part proved to be so popular. 'LXR02' is first to get the treatment and it's Alex Stein in control. He brings plenty of frosty, wintry synth textures that cook up a blizzard of techno menace over hard, fast, stomping kicks. On the flip, Balthazar & JackRock remix 'Anamorphic' and bring some subtle hints of trance euphoria to the punishing drum patterns.
Review: JSPRV35 has dug into their studio war chest to unearth Cryptic Files, a new EP of cerebral techno bangers. 'Zeeslag' takes a minimal approach to melody, looping sleek synths into cosmic pulses over percussive drum funk. 'Grapefruit' ups the ante with even more dense layers of bleeps and squeaks over intense and linear rhythms. 'Break Point' then pulls back with a more eerie and sparse atmosphere drawing you in for the ride and 'Clock' then brings macho drums, raw textures and an infectious sense of funk. Four classy and effective weapons.
Review: JSPRV35 delivers a powerhouse of tribal techno, helping to solidify Planet Rhythm's reputation further for percussive excellence. Side-1 opens with 'Pulse', a high-energy tribal track that masterfully blends addictive loops with relentless beats, perfect for igniting a dancefloor. The title track, 'Robotika,' shifts gears with its alien, sci-fi textures, crafting an otherworldly vibe. Side-2 ups the intensity with 'Madafaka', a wickedly hard techno banger that packs a punch with its raw power and unyielding drive. Closing out the EP, 'Practik' channels the loopy brilliance of icons like Ignition Technician, Glenn Wilson and Hardcell with hypnotic rhythms and expertly layered production. A thrilling journey through the darker, tribal side of techno, offering both technical precision and unrelenting energy.
Review: Young Dutch talent JSPRV35 presents the second EP from Global Pulse in the form of the Kyoto EP, a standout exploration of pure and unfiltered techno. Channelling his constant flow of creative energy, JSPRV35 delivers a collection that brings techno back to its roots as he cooks up minimalistic soundscapes with a fast-paced rhythm. Each track on this crucial 12" pulses with raw and edgy drums that showcase JSPRV35's refined yet forward-looking style. This one captures the essence of contemporary techno while honouring its foundations in subtly, crafty ways.
Review: JSPRV35 returns for the second release on V35 with four herpetological freezers, titled after the mythical basilisk. Where the basilisk is said to have been able to petrify any onlooker, merely by sight of its steely scales, so too might JSPRV35 elicit frantic dance action when we chance upon their new EP's rough, mesozoic, nigh locked grooves. 'Varya' and 'Molecular' bring this vibe as much, serving what sounds like the techno equivalent of two draconic, winged, gritty, parthenogenic, self-replicating reptiles; the title track and 'Psycho' spawn two further monstrosities, closing on a bleepy alarmist note.
Review: JSPRV35 and Line-o hook up for this thrilling split EP on the new but impressive label For You out of the Netherlands. JSPRV35 is first out of the blocks with 'Testing' which is some high-octane and classically inclined techno with punchy low ends and scintillating percussion. 'Funktional' is just that but is not devoid of character with its mechanical loops and bleeping synths. Line O's 'Thelle' is bristling, linear and loopy techno for 5 am wig-outs and 'Layer One' shuts down with dubby undercurrents and menacing pads that are constantly on the creep.
Review: The legendary Lagoa club in Menin is a real techno institution that this year marks its 34th anniversary. It does so in part by dropping LAGOA TRAX Vol. 1, an exclusive vinyl compilation featuring four unreleased tracks by its famous resident DJs Manu Kenton, DJ HS, Jamie Dill and Max Walder. These celebrated artists honour Lagoa's spirit with compositions that echo the club's distinctive style-driving beats and electrifying sounds. Each track embodies the energy and legacy of Lagoa's unforgettable nights and gives fans a chance to reconnect with the intense rhythms that have defined the club's reputation.
Review: Koenig Cylinders always kept it hella real with their techno. The pair of John Selway and Oliver Chesler were pioneers of the hard stuff first time around and now that it is back en vogue, why not reissue this classic? 'Untitled' opens with a freaky vocal and eerie synth sound before '99.9' brings a wall of white noise and slamming drum patterns. 'Carousel' is an urgent wall-rattler with cantering drums and rave sires that light up the 'floor and 'Choreomania' shuts down with razor-sharp synths and acid flashes that tickle your brain. Arresting tackle of the highest order.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Reconnect (6:08)
Reconnect (Reboot Outahere rework) (7:48)
This Is My Ticket (7:00)
This Is My Ticket (Johnny D remix) (7:36)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Francesco Mami and Julien Chaptal deliver a compelling deep house experience with their 'Reconnect' release, blending smooth minimalism and melodic tech house grooves. The title track, 'Reconnect', is an addictive mix of fluid rhythms and rich melodies, striking the perfect balance between sleek production and dancefloor appeal. Reboot's 'Outahere Rework' of the same track deepens the vibe, adding a fun, groovy energy that's primed for late-night sets. Side-2 shifts gears with 'This Is My Ticket', a standout deep tech house cut that pairs intricate production with a memorable, catchy drive. The track's hypnotic layers create a textured soundscape, ideal for dancefloor workouts. Johnny D's remix of 'This Is My Ticket' ups the tempo, injecting high-energy beats and an infectious bounce that transforms it into a peak-time anthem. Each version bringing a unique energy while remaining cohesive. It's a well-rounded EP for dance music fans.
Review: Francesco Mami and Julien Chaptal deliver a compelling deep house experience with their 'Reconnect' release, blending smooth minimalism and melodic tech house grooves. The title track, 'Reconnect', is an addictive mix of fluid rhythms and rich melodies, striking the perfect balance between sleek production and dancefloor appeal. Reboot's 'Outahere Rework' of the same track deepens the vibe, adding a fun, groovy energy that's primed for late-night sets. Side-2 shifts gears with 'This Is My Ticket', a standout deep tech house cut that pairs intricate production with a memorable, catchy drive. The track's hypnotic layers create a textured soundscape, ideal for dancefloor workouts. Johnny D's remix of 'This Is My Ticket' ups the tempo, injecting high-energy beats and an infectious bounce that transforms it into a peak-time anthem. Each version bringing a unique energy while remaining cohesive. It's a well-rounded EP for dance music fans.
Review: The Rotterdam label Mort's long-running Herdersmat series was first released in digital compilation form; only now has this round table turned its swords towards a sequential vinyl series, not the first of which you hear here. This 12" marks parts 16 in the series, clocking contributions from producers Rumenige, TAKA, Jokasti, Nek, and NX1. The heads-down producoes so named have delivered a creative, blazing irradiation of broken techno heat here, charting a rumbly and grounded, yet no less interoceptively arresting haul; our fave 'Eka' throws our sense of balance of course with quick, hard autopans and roughly ingrained, kick trods; then the silver medalist 'MRD1' bucks the proceedings off to unploughed courses, frightening the listener with garbled, found-footage EVP voices between horror-techno kicks.
Review: Sasha is back with another standout release on his own label, Last Night On Earth, this time joining forces with Jody Barr. After recent collaborations with Super Flu and Sentre as well as his solo hits like 'Florian Drift' and 'How to Wear Raybans Well', Sasha remains a leading figure in the melodic house and techno world. Jody Barr, with releases on Krankbrother, among others, brings his rugged, hardware-driven sound to the mix. Their track 'Phaxon' is an elegant, emotive affair, while Einmusik's remix adds a darker, club-ready edge.
Review: One Eye Witness rounds up another four acts for their periodic V/A series, spewing forth four breaks-driven whooshers crossing into progressive techno territory. The Hague duo Young Adults nod to a 1997 Loveparade anthem with 'It's Only Temporary', while breaks and kick implants converge on Christopher Ledger's 'Change That', a track which sounds like the starting firings of an interplanetary expedition pod after years of disuse. Joely brings cosmic chug on the cocooning B1 'Transitional', while the Samesame closer 'Novel End' is just that, traversing a noxious atmosphere with a flexoskeletal electro beat.
Zarenzeit - "Soo Smooth" (feat Roger Versey) (6:11)
Melchior Sultana - "Nothing Like It Seems" (5:56)
Jan Kincl - "Sugar" (7:06)
Barce - "Stigma" (6:19)
Review: The young but already well-formed Deep Inspiration Show label continues its dedication to quality deep house with a new EP that comes as part of their international artist series. Zarenzeit from Zurich and Roger Versey from Arkansas open with 'So Smooth', a blend of rich keys, soulful loops and dynamic vocals over a sensual bassline. Melchior Sultana hails from sunny Malta and follows with 'Nothing Like It Seems' which features silky chords and a shuffling rhythm ideal for late-night sets. On the B-side, Jan Kincl from Zagreb delivers 'Sugar,' a fusion of house and cinematic disco with organic drums while Spain's Barce closes with 'Stigma,' a melodic union of deep house and techno.
Clinomania (feat Joy Tyson & Nathan Tugg Curran) (4:25)
My City's On Fire (3:06)
Der Aufstand (3:27)
Too Far (4:45)
Macarena (4:31)
Shakin' (feat Nathan Daisy, Dave Aju & Aquarius Heaven) (3:06)
Read (3:44)
Nothing But My Story (2:36)
Burning (7:33)
Review: Multi-instrumentalist Jimi Jules got plenty of acclaim, and rightly so, for this 2022 album, which now sees a reissue on coloured vinyl. Executively produced by Innervisison label head Dixon, the album includes some of the most hammered tracks of the year it was released in - see 'My City's On Fire,' the superb 'Der Aufstand,' the dancefloor hit 'Burning' and 'Clinomania,' featuring Joy Tyson and renowned drummer Nathan Curran who has worked with the likes of Lily Allen and even Elton John. It's a melodically rich album that works at home as well as in the club and the album's artwork is designed by none other than the legendary Trevor 'Underdog' Jackson.
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