Back catalogue: Progressive House

Review: You might have caught onto German label Synq with their release of John Dimas' Rave Wave back in 2020, and now the label finally kicks back into action with a various artists release which widens the scope of the label. DJ Gus leads the way on the A-side with 'Toxic Dementor', a throbbing workout taking cues from Italo and Hi-NRG while retaining the cool demeanour of a modern day club track. Lis Sarroca throws down a dreamy electro beat on 'Solstice' and Voodoos & Taboos brings the heat to 'Press One' before Cosmic JD cleans up with the trancified wig-out 'Soft R@ve'.

Review: Voodoos & Taboos return with a captivating sonic adventure, fusing Mediterranean influences, tribal grooves, and seductive vocals into a hypnotic blend. This release sees the duo exploring new sonic territory, incorporating house-inspired beats, Balearic vibes and electro textures into their signature sound. 'Estetica Cibernetica' opens with a mesmerisng collaboration with Brazilian vocalist Lourene, her sultry vocals adding another layer of intrigue to the already captivating soundscape. Limited edition, this is destined to become a collector's item.

Review: The latest edition to top up Belfast's Duality Trax label is the quixotically quality 'Time Out' EP by Voodoos & Taboos, a dream pair of underground stalwarts whose efforts are heard here alongside rising talent Bertie. Following the tried, tested and proven formula of pairing both established and upcoming artists on the same discographies, Voodoos & Taboos qualify for the latter category; the pair have released several EPs in the latter half of the 2020s so far, though this is their first to appear on Holly Lester's label. Though the title track urges time to stop, it hardly does; 'Time Out' and 'Endless Game' nail that sweet mixture of rubbery sound design and gurgly audio alienage, both so prevalent in today's sonic zeitgeist. Bertie's B-side version is phatter and brasher though no less technical and it brings a nifty breakdown with it too, making for an almost Ibizan isthmus between two forward groovier sections, just in time for some closing 'Action'.

Review: Global Underground present the next release from the nextmost DJ to grace their City Series. ANNA's dynamic sound encompasses multiple styles and genres, from ambient through house to techno, and encapsulates the effortless chic and vibrant nightlife of one of the coolest cities in Europe - Lisbon. This modish Portuguese metropolis has always enjoyed a certain notoriety, but this has perhaps not been felt so intently more than in the last five years or so. ANNA now fleshes out Lisbon's essence, capturing its descending narrow streets, castellated jetties and glorious sunsets with a progressive house, trance and techno mix that satisfies all possible ends of a newfangled tourist's dream.

Review: To mark the label's eighth birthday, the crew behind Paris's Pont Neuf Records has put together a fifth Hexagonal Club compilation. The series is rooted in the imprint's desire to showcase the best French dance and electronic music has got to offer, hence a line-up containing a mix of rising stars, scene stalwarts and heavy hitters. There's naturally plenty of high-grade material stretched across the two slabs of wax, including the sun-splashed, piano-sporting Mediterranean house heaviness of Maison Blanche's 'The Best of Times', the heady deep house smoothness of Tour-Maubourg's 'No Purpose Groove', the spacey synths and chunky low-end pressure of 'You Can't Understand' by THEOS, the breakbeat-powered dreaminess of Dylan Dylan's 'On My Mind' and the head-nodding beauty of DJ Psychiatre's 'Mister Rhodes'.

Review: A comprehensive snapshot of the GU label's penchant for expertly curated mixes that blend deep electronic textures with driving rhythms. The opening track, 'Pulse of the City,' moves with a slow, deliberate groove, gradually building momentum as layers of percussion and synths draw you in. As the compilation unfolds, it transitions smoothly between moments of hypnotic, bass-heavy depth and bursts of euphoric melody, encapsulating the energy of a live set. Every track feels intentional, each shift in mood purposefulithere's an undercurrent of excitement throughout, but it's never forced. A polished, immersive journey that reinforces Global Underground's reputation for precision and style.