LKR Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Electro from down under proudly represents here, courtesy of current scene favourites Jensen Interceptor and Assembler Code. The Sydneysiders deliver yet more of their distinct style of darkly dystopian bass on Melbourne's LKR Records. Proudly wearing their Drexciyan influence on their sleeve for "Geralds Aqua Lessons", more sci-fi futurism is catered for on "DIY Action Cinema" and the electro-funk of "Upper Function" which receives a brilliant rework by another ascendant Aussie: Perth's Roza Terenzi.

Review: In keeping with both her recent output and the releases of Australia's LKR Records, the latest EP from Sophie Sweetland AKA D. Tiffany is drowsy, dreamy, hallucinatory and shot through with references to both vintage ambient techno and the more psychedelic end of the '90s IDM spectrum. There's much to admire across the four tracks, from the spaced-out, mind-altering haziness of melodious, off-kilter opener "Low" - all twisted, acid-inspired synth sounds, LSD-trip electronics and skewed electro rhythms - to the chunky ambient breaks business of "Cruel Trance" and the feverish, strangely-swung quirkiness of gently pulsing IDM number "4leaf".

Review: Melbourne-based imprint LKR Records, formerly known as Lou Karsh Rhythms, return with an impressive various artist compilation here. "Exertion VA II" reaches far and wide to compile the forward thinking sounds of six great local producers, touching on the experimental but functional pocket of electro: as heard on fierce bass-driven sci-fi jams like Hymns' "Out Of The Head Into The Body", A-Sim's "Express Yourself", to rolling breakbeat action courtesy of Sputnik One ("Isolator"), junglist riddims (ANSV's "Rainstorm") and even some experimental fare by Fingers Of God and Percy Silicon.

Review: LKR hits release number 007 with a suitably smooth and stealthy electro offering from Ouxh. This is a new, mysterious artist making their debut, and an impressive one at that: the title track is a thoughtful number thanks to the lingering chords which hang behind muted drums and perc, while "Birdman" has a chirping bird lost in a rather eerie landscape populated by a corrugated bassline and unsettling chords. Last of all is the excellent "Coma Void", with stepping, jungle influenced rhythms and a tense vocal loop that pans about the mix to make for something brilliantly dynamic. On this evidence, Ouxh is one to watch.

Review: Mysterious Australian electro artist Reptant has a lavish, lizard based back story to his debut album that hangs around him getting help from the so-called 'Gecko Force' to protect his home planet, X'trapolis. Other than that, it has always been his searing electro sounds that have done all his talking, and now we get the fullest offering of those yet on this fantastic album which comes on the label he runs, LKR, outta Melbourne. After an atmosphere-setting opener it's a full throttle journey through the cosmos with inventive rhythms, sheet metal snares and a wealth of aline life forms all colouring the grooves.