KRYSTAL KLEAR Schallplatten & CDs

Review: The Running Back label welcomes that much loved dance floor hit maker Krystal Klear for more of his impossibly catchy house grooves. This latest EP opens with some Ibiza at the turn of the millennium trance chords layered over potent drums. 'Typhoon' is another one that sounds like it could have been made by Chicane with its pure synth waves and driving, uplifting drums. Kevin and Perry themselves would indeed go large to 'Love Is All I Need' with its waves of euphoric piano energy and 'Rampage' then brings things down for when the sun has set and the vibes get more dark and moody.

Review: In recent times, Krystal Klear's EPs have wholeheartedly paid tribute to a variety of (mostly New York-based) historic clubs, artists and dance music sub-genres. While he's officially broken the spell with The Division EP - his first outing on Running Back - for the most part it's still a heart-warming, retro-futurist treat. He kicks things off with the cheery, Italo-disco revivalism of "Neutron Dance", where throbbing synthesizer arpeggio lines and mid-80s melodies are underpinned by a bustling mid-tempo house groove, before slowing things down via the Balearic synth-pop shuffle of "Division Ave". Turn to the flipside and you'll find more muscular, freestyle-meets-acid house fun (wild and mind-altering peak-time highlight "Shockzoid") as well as the baggy, glassy-eyed Balearic house rush of closer "Moonshake Mike".

Review: The collaboration between Public Possession and Running Back has yielded a nostalgic gem with the release of 'Boli Boli', a track that revives the essence of 80s disco-synth-pop infused with Balkan emotionality. This autumn, Krystal Klear and La Raf present a record that melds cultural nostalgia with contemporary sensibilities. 'Boli Boli' stands as a tribute to the bittersweet and evocative soundscapes of the 80s. The track emerged from a spontaneous session between Krystal Klear and La Raf in London, where the Croatian singer channeled personal experiences of heartbreak into the song's lyrics. La Raf's evocative vocals, paired with Krystal Klear's distinctive production, capture the essence of a bygone era while celebrating the emotional complexity of Balkan self-pity. The production is marked by a seamless integration of La Raf's expressive vocal delivery with Krystal Klear's knack for creating melodies that are both reflective and rhythmically engaging. The result is a track that balances introspection with an infectious danceable quality, offering a unique exploration of grief that is both poignant and celebratory. The release of 'Boli Boli' thus not only revisits the golden age of disco-synth-pop but also enriches it with a distinctive Balkan touch, reflecting the artists' ability to infuse personal and cultural narratives into a universally resonant sound.