Back in stock: House

Review: The mysterious Creature is back with the seventh release on the blazing hot self-titled label. We have a clue who is behind this label but we aren't 100% sure who is making these impressive slabs of house music. For this edition, 'Singing' cleverly picks out a few lines from Moloko's 'Sing It Back' and turns it into dancefloor devastation. On the second side is the exceptionally dirty and sleezy grinder called 'Freaking'. Both, when used properly, should wreak havoc on the floor and make serious waves in the minimal techno world.

Review: Anthony Georges Patrice's Ausblick label has trod a fine path over the course of its first five releases and the good work continues on its sixth outing which is a new various artists affair. It is Berlin based Ephem who kicks off with 'Dizzy' and all its bumpy beast and raw perc, then Koln's Hidden Sequence follows with 'Optical Drive' that is more stripped back and powered by warming sub bass. Anthony Georges Patrice himself then completes the hat trick with 'Easy To Love' (Tunnel Vision Mix) which over ten sublime minutes brings some more airy, double doit flavoured and has already been getting plays from Mosaic boss Steve O'Sullivan.

Review: Federsen's Robot Says R EP is an atmospheric journey of deep techno, showcasing his prowess with minimal soundscapes. 'High Pressure' opens the 12' with its captivating crystalline textures and mid-tempo groove, capturing a nocturnal essence. 'Sono' takes a melodic turn, evoking the classic styling of Detroit techno, hypnotic and mesmerizing. On the B-side, 'Fazed' delivers an addictive bassline-heavy groove, while the minimalist approach creates a driving momentum. Closing the EP, 'Quadrata' incorporates elements of house music, developing gradually into a deep and evolving soundscape. With its multifaceted tracks, Federsen invites listeners to immerse themselves in its late-night techno ambiance. You can always count on Federsen for an excellent combination of blending a classic sound, well-produced techno, yet still being danceable and emotion provoking.

Review: Munir Nadir has been breaking through in the past few years with essential releases on 4Plae, Nuts On Board and Outcast Planet. Now he's minting a new label called Odd One Tape out of Italy, and bringing his playful, synth-rich sound with him. There's a nod to Italo and 80s electro in the sampling and throbbing, analogue groove of 'Rhythmistic', while 'Bass Jam' tips more towards the early 00s electro house boom a la Tiefschwarz and Tomas Andersson. 'Urban Whispers' has a more jackin' flavour with some low down sub freakiness thrown in for good measure, and 'Binary Technologies' brings the heat on the B2 with a powerful arpeggio and hard-slapping drums.

Review: Ohm and Kvadrant return to their spiritual home of Kontakt with more of that grandiose dub techno immersion they do so well, plumbing epic depths both within and beyond the functional demands of the dancefloor. 'Precious Little Diamond' kicks the record off in a steady-cruising form, guided by a smooth minimal tech house beat as the engine for some choice dub techno chords and mechanical hiccups. Deadbeat then takes the helm for a version which plunges into abstract echo chamber sonics he's spent decades perfecting before Levon Vincent completes the picture with a remix which heads into the outer limits of deep techno immersion.

Review: Soon as you drop the needle on PH Project's opener 'Blue Yellow Twist' here we guarantee you will be twisting your face in mock disc guts. The bassline is a filthy and old-school gem with organ chord stabs and spoken word snippets adding the irresistible sense of naughty house funk. DMA then bangs the box with cosmic synths and hints of 90s post-rave, Pilot System cruise on a chunky bit of bass-driven house and Frozilla & TJ go deep on far-sighted chords and bubbly bass. This is unpretentious, functional but fun house music from a small but already well-formed label.

Review: We are always excited to see a new release by S.O.N., as you can be sure to expect some quality techno. This new release is jam-packed with beautiful late night ambient techno. 'Distance Problems' is the title track for the EP and definitely stands out. The deep ambient acid that gives way for a brisk dancefloor knockout is pure sublime producing. 'Fade To Green' is a stunning atmospheric jam that verges on a beautiful acid trance sunset. On Side-2, 'Vanessa' is a floaty ambient techno track that you we just can't get enough of listening here at HQ. Just when we thought we couldn't be any happier, Romanian producer adds his Midas touch to the remix. If you like spacey techno, then suit up.

Review: Novi Orbis is a label that has said before it is on a journey into outer space and that sonic mission continues here with a new EP from Elias Sternin. He is a fresh new school soundsmith with who impresses with this one from the off: 'Musica Interminable' is all bendy bass and driving, swampy synths with thudding kicks that sound like a future rave in the stars. 'Magnetismo Inexplicable' is another nice and elastic mix of drums and bass with bright progressive chords and 'Three O'clock' (rework) then gets loose and tripped out. 'Portamento' closes down with a gurgling baseline and snappy drums to get you marching.

Review: If you love the sound of Get Physical and similarly anthemic German techno labels, you're going to love this release on new label Didschn. The label nods to a track Super Flu released back in 2010, which was remixed to great effect by Monkey Safari a couple of years back. Now Super Flu open proceedings on this new release in partnership with Ivan Mas on the epic, infectious 'It's A House Day'. Monkey Safari then hop on the B-side for 'Malmedy', which hits a sweet spot near the mid-00s melodic minimal you'd hear from the likes of Gabriel Ananda. Then Super Flu and Mar+Mer link up for 'AMA', a sensual, emotive hands-in-the-air moment to move the masses.

Review: Frame Of Mind has been one of the best techno and house labels in the past couple years hailing from the Netherlands. This is the second appearance for Synaptic Voyager on the label in total. 'Epoch Ten' exhibits a premier example of the quality ambient techno the label has released in recent years. Fans of As One, FBA, Stasis and Sensurreal are sure to gravitate toward this track in particular. The 90s Detroit vibe is here in many respects. 'Ne Plus Ultra' and 'Reverie' are perfect tributes to the lineage there. The robot funk in 'Milestone' is particularly exciting with this early 90s styled foray into UK techno while 'Parallax' gives off a heavy Innovator and early Warp label impressions. If you are a fan of ambient techno then this is a quick and easy pickup.