Review: There's lots to get your teeth stuck into on this new and blistering collection of electro from Adepta Editions. And don't let the title fool you - it's not all accessible summer festival fare, in fact none of it is. It is all head down and serious tackle. 7053M4R14's '4 N3W HUM4N' is a driving, dark, visceral sound with raw breakbeats powering through the cosmos. Rec_Overflow offers a moment to catch your breath with some slower, dubby rhythms on 'Pocket Dial' and Pauk explores twitchy future synths capes and post-human transmissions on 'Shiawasena Fukushu'. Promising/Youngster shuts down with a sense of optimism and hope with the airy melodies and slithering electro drum patterns of 'Arbey.'
Review: Bristol's cultured Innate label is back with a first outing of the year and it returns to their various artists format with a mix of talents all making their mark. UK veteran Tom Churchill opens up with 'Unknown Unknowns (Edit)', which brings plenty of fuzzy and lo-fi aesthetic to jacked up drums and spaced-out pads. Rai Scott then shows her class with 'Suasion' that sinks down deep into immersive drums and is subtly lit up with simmering strings. Innate co-founders Owain K and Gilbert then hook-up under their brand new alias Curved Space and showcase their love of electro with 'Reverie,' a dreamy cut that glows with nice celestial melodies and will have dance floors in a zoned-out state. Last of all it's Lisbon mainstay Jorge Caiado who debuts with the chord-laced 'Floating Without Lifting,' a sophisticated and serene jazz-techno cut that takes you to the stars.
Review: High-octane experimental trance via freetek via hardcore from Hamburg collective Phantasia, with an absolutely flooring, walloping debut release. The fact that four different artists might each bring their own mood to the table and yet hear their respective sounds unified bespeaks the brilliant mastering job held down here: Dolomea's 'Augural' and Rupert Marnie's 'Elastic Thoughts' commit to a mutual sonic trustfall, one seeming to writhe about in rhythmically unpredictable fashion through pressure-cooked, rubber-ballistic acids, and the other rootling its 4x4 kick snout into floors down under. The B-side goes electro, culminating on the brilliant brainwash by Finona Rider, 'The Impact', a track haunted by the voice in its own head.
Review: Yay Recordings closes out another solid 12 months with a various artists' EP that showcases right where the label is at. Heavy Mental kicks off with 'Dabro', a colourful and loopy house jaunt for sunny days. Twowi's 'Metaverse' takes off to the cosmos on lithe electro rhythms with ice-cold beats and widescreen pads. Parchi Pubblici & Lucretio's 'Aladdin Sane' brings some wonky deep tech vibes with of-balance drums and muffled spoken words and Rinaldo Makaj closes down with a fresh party sound perfect for cosy floors. There's plenty of variety here, which makes this a great addition to your bag.
Review: 'BOOOoo! VA2' delivers a four-track EP packed with otherworldly techno that's as imaginative as it is intense. Krijka kicks off with 'Kronos', a high-energy, sci-fi-infused techno journey that's both lively and atmospheric. Next, Lamalice's 'Ti Tac Trip Trap!' plunges into darker territory, with its creative vocal manipulation, growling bassline, and menacing vibesiperfect for late-night, sinister sets. On Side-2, Ludovic's 'Qosqo Time' brings a nostalgic 90s flair, mixing catchy techno rhythms with acid trance elements for an infectious groove. Rambal Cochet's 'Hot Chills', featuring Marzipan, closes the EP with addictive space techno, offering a blend of cosmic soundscapes and driving beats that pull you into another dimension. Altogether, this EP is a stellar example of futuristic, experimental techno.
Review: Killowat Hour is a collection of 90s-inspired gems that seamlessly blend new and old influences. On Side-1, LP Rhythm's 'Want Your Love' kicks things off with a nostalgic nod to prog and euro house, delivering a distinctly 90s vibe. Aida's title track, 'Killowat Hour,' ventures into futuristic techno territory, incorporating elements of new beat for a modern twist. Mance's 'Cross Reference' follows with bouncy techno rhythms, smooth melodies, and trance influences that keep the energy flowing. Other highlights include Hottpretty's 'Make Me Yours,' which takes listeners on a trancey, heady journey through early 90s techno, offering a vibrant and energetic experience. Mad Again's 'The Night' closes the collection with deep euro house vibes, adding a layer of sophistication to the nostalgic set. This compilation is idea for those who like deep house and those who appreciate the balance of classic and contemporary sounds.
Richard Rozen - "The Legend Of The Son Of The Perlman" (7:07)
Review: Carnedd Llewelyn (Llewelyn's Cairn) by Luis Luchetti and Richard Rozen is a compelling 12" release on translucent violet vinyl that offers a refined blend of techno with a late-night appeal. Side-1 begins with Luis Luchetti's 'Jeilalou,' a deep late-night groove that gradually introduces soft, beautiful chords, adding a layer of warmth to the track's atmosphere. 'Encantado En Conocerlas' follows with a smooth and airy techno vibe, characterised by its atmospheric and flighty blend. On Side-2, Richard Rozen delivers 'Spell Two Fifty Four,' a track that combines melodic tones with a high-tech rhythm, creating a hypnotic and engaging sound. The EP concludes with 'The Legend Of The Son Of The Perlman,' a catchy, late-night house track that merges subtle energy with an alluring groove. Carnedd Llewelyn is a another excellent record out from this strong label.
Review: The Berlin-based 432HERTZ crew kicks on here with a new various artists 12" packed with electro heat. Rinaldo Makaj gets things underway with the serene grooves of 'Computational Universe', which has some of the nicest snares we've heard in some time. Rickie's 'Mesosphere' is a nice off balance sound with thumping kicks and melodic bass, then it's time to get sleazy and more than a little ghetto with the raw Electric City jam 'Escape From Reality.' Pumio Space brings a little colour and playfulness to closer 'Mario's Juice'.
Review: London label Fourier Transform welcome back Rekab (James Baker) and label debuter Mre for 'Ace High'. 'Armadillos' rolls up its chassis for a serious exercise in minimal weight, reconstituting tuned percussions as it trundles along, while Rekab's 'Always Having Fun' posits an ideal life-mode: a steady, direct current of enjoyment, set to hedonically calculated beats. 'Climbing High' rebates the percussions for a subtle lark's ascent in deep acid, while 'Ace' complementarily descends across cross-rhythmic breaks and harmonies.
Review: Kumquat returns with their second release, his time a various artists' EP packed with sleek tracks perfect for all sorts of movers and shakers. Four standout artists from the legendary French party scene deliver an irresistible blend of wonk and bounce across four groovy cuts. Noiro keeps it slinky and minimal on 'Yougoslash' then Belic & Mani get more stark and twisted with their tech sounds on 'The Flow.' Rancel's sound is laden with a libidinous sax line over clipped and crisp beats and Paradise City Breakers close down with the future tech of 'Mentalist.'
Review: SIKU's various artists offerings always result in a nice and varied sound across two sides of vinyl and the sixth such drop is another one worth of attention for techno heads. Onoffon opens with 'Matter What' which rides on raw drums with slapping hits and stark synths, while Sebastian's 'Dreams Metaphors' has a ghoulish energy and dark, twisted synth menace. Rufo brings some cosmic wonder and bleeping melodic sequences to 'Mr Wonderful' and Brian Topham's 'Expressive Dimension' is a straight up tool with burrowing leads.
Review: Rain & White Transit Van kick off a new collaborative project with this first EP on Damo B's Emotec label, and what an inspired cosmic trip it is. 'Cliffdive' is a subtle opener with thinking cosmic leads and lazy mid-tempo groves sweeping you up and depositing you amongst the stars. 'Castaway' then puts crunchy drum breaks front and centre, waiting around the edges with mystic chords and melancholic emotions. There is high-speed electro slickness to 'Park' complete with flashes of acid and 'Sin' closes with a mix of muted synth modulations, warped metal surfaces and bumping electro beats.
Review: Kulture Galerie is back with more wax and the third time proves a charm here with Doc Sleep, Rambal Cochet, The Jaffa Kid, Mesmerist, Jack Bags and Undsidedly all coming correct under the stewardship of label head Filippo MSM of Metropolitan Soul Museum. Cochet kicks off with some trance-infused prog techno, Doc Sleep offers jacked-up and analogue house, there is lithe cosmic tech from The Jaffa Kid and twisted machine sounds from Jack Bags, while Undsidedly's dreamy electro and The Mesmerist's peak time synth techno close down in style.
Review: If you've ever wondered what Breakfast In Mars might sound like, wonder no more. This excellently entitled label has another soundtrack to your fantasy morning eats, this time courtesy of Random Alias, which is a moniker so post-modern it hurts. The sounds are electro-based and uncompromising from the off: 'Keep Me High' hits harder than a quadruple espresso with its thumping kicks and squirreling synths. 'Fast Rate' is another slamming, tightly programmed electro workout and 'Solo In Space' will twist your mind inside out with its warped bass before 'Restless' is a glitchy and expressive monster.
Review: London underground night train riders Deadbeat Records prioritise techno-breaks handmade for late night and early morning dancefloors, times when both the best and worst comes emerges from each of us. Their inaugural Deadbeat Breaks compilation hears six out of ten full digital curations brought to a shadowy, space-invaded black vinyl truncation, with modern talking synth vomits from Olly Rant, booty bass hups from Hunter Starkings, hackney parroting hurtles from Rnbws, and a closing breakstep broil from Hooverian Blur.
Review: This electrifying release offers a compelling journey through futuristic and otherworldly soundscapes. Side-1 opens with 'Yeli Mtkiva', a demented, sci-fi-inspired blend of techno and electro, pulsating with eerie textures and mechanical rhythms. It's a track that feels ripped from a cyberpunk dystopia. Following it, 'Triponfish' shifts the tone with celestial melodies and shimmering chimes, underpinned by an acid-tinged groove reminiscent of The Exaltics' atmospheric craftsmanship. On Side-2, 'Derealize' introduces crisp production with subtle trance elements, creating a hypnotic flow that's both driving and ethereal. The closing track, 'Story About The Murderer', stands out with its narrative-like progression. It's a dark, cinematic piece, evoking the tension of a sci-fi thriller. Each track offers a unique layer to the record's overarching futuristic vibe, making this an enjoyable trek into outerspace.
Review: Tel Aviv twosome Red Axes can always be relied upon to deliver trippy, mind-altering and left-of-centre music, regardless of what stylistic or rhythmic framework they're operating in at any given time. That assessment rings as true as ever on the duo's first Shall Not Fade outing. Opener 'The Electric', for example, mixes druggy and hallucinogenic electronic motifs with a throbbing, retro-futurist house groove, sci-fi synths and the creepiest of lead lines, while 'Next One Is Bill' is a twisted, brain-melting jack-track propelled forwards by a filthy TB-303 bassline. Turn to the B-side for 'The Bee', a buzzing, foreboding chunk of punk funk/dub-disco/dark house fusion, and the intoxicating mixture of music box melodies, restless Chicago house drums and clandestine sounds that is 'Axes in the Sky'.
Review: Middlesborough musician Rees impressed with his last outing on the Bordello A Parigi label: 'Three Eyes' was a real dancefloor gem which he now follows up with three more gems that showcase the artist's eclectic style and versatile skills. 'Dream Wave' is a bright, busy, intense cut with glistening synths front and centre, dancing about a crunchy and rigid rhythm while 'The New Beat' ups the ante with eerie arps leading the way as more metallic drum sounds clatter away below. Last of all is 'Electric Body' which is awash with more incisive synths and guitar lines, all with a hypotonic lead synth and new wave techno drums powering it along.
Review: The Reflektor is a lesser known alias of U.S. based producer Gabriel Reyes-Whittaker, aka The Abstract Eye/Gifted & Blessed. Some of you may have heard his release under this moniker on Kyle Hall's Wild Oats label a little while back. Technoindigenous Studies serves as a platform for his many alter egos and side projects with this new EP titled Taino, a tribute to his own indigenous Caribbean ancestors. Whether it's the heady electro sounds of opening cut 'Bajacu' (Morning Light) on the A side, or the mesmerising deep techno cut 'Mucaro' (Night Owl) on side B, or the introverted late night computer funk of 'Karaya' (Moon) - this is what makes Gifted & Blessed what it is
Review: Sydney producer Will Regan has the task of serving up Xadenx Records's first ever vinyl release, and he doesn't fall short. His blend of storytelling electro and techno is both packed with detail to occupy your mind as well as coming with some fine, floor-ready rhythms for your feet. 'Haunted Quest' is a spacious one with searching pads to get things going, then 'Malevolent' has a frost synth texture and plunging bass that locks you into a steady rhythm. 'Overdrive' off-sets more pixelated synths and raw machine rhythms and last of all, 'Reverie' has a sense of impending doom that keeps you very much locked in.
Review: BeAvantGarde Records have been away for a while but now makes an always-welcome return with the underground favourite that is Riccardo. He does his usual do of serving up four tracks of spaced-out invention. 'In Space' opens up with nice warped bass and insistent synth stabs with jacked-up drums and perc. 'Frequency' then has a more bright and cosmic sense of mood as the drums slow down and lull you into their hypnotic patterns. There is plenty of snap and crispy bass to 'Timeout' with its searching lead synths and gritty baseline while last of all is 'Kalapas' which cuts are loose and has ragged rhythms and textures for a more arresting vibe.
Life In Acid Harmony (DJ Sotofett Acid Clash remix) (4:55)
A Life In Acid Harmony (DJ Sotofett Acid Shake remix) (5:10)
Review: Richard Lamb's second album under this alias, Salt Lick, is also most likely going to be his last. It is a special one though, as you would expect from the man born Ricard Wenger. The title tune opens with tribal hand drums and smeared synths next to twanging guitar riffs then 'A Life In Harmony' takes off on glassy melodies and celestial electro rhythms. Further deep space explorations follow as does the downbeat dreamscape 'May I Dance With You.' On the flip side are two tunes from one the most cult remixers in the game - DJ Sotofett, who twist sounds in his usual fashion into a pair of trippy electro skankers.
Review: Rick 8 is the techno alias of Italy's Riccardo Falsini, and here he revives the pioneering spirit of his iconic Interactive Test label with this early gem, which offers an essential slice of trance, techno and progressive house history. Known for reshaping genre boundaries, the label was a beacon of innovation, as this EP shows. Each track is a potent club tool, designed for transcendental dancefloor moments and sonic ascension from the chunky tribalism of 'Hypernotes Velocity' to the standout remix of 'C'Mon' by Sound Metaphors affiliate Trent, who injects progressive firepower. 'Born To Sinthetize' is a deeper, spiritual sound with flashy synth work married to loose drum loops.
Review: Overground label co-founder Rickie is next up with four classy outings that operate in the worlds of minimal and tech house. First out of the blocks is the nice and futurist 'Foreknowledge' with its beeps and pulses colouring steely tech grooves. 'Controversial Sequence' is more zoned out with balmy pads bringing some far-sighted cosmic ambiance and 'Experiment X' on the flip does as all B1 cuts should - gets more loose and weirder for the late-night crew with wispy melodies and panning synth drones. 'Revolution' shuts down with a nice rueful and melancholic feel in the pads.
Review: Highly curious, difficult-to-pin-down techno/Italo-ish stuff from Prince Of Takicardia and Rifeno, who here jointly assist Backward Futura in its mission to explore the sounds of 1980s and 1990s through the lens of the new Millennium. We find this aim to be something of red herring, since these tracks sound almost entirely new in their composition, and not necessarily of those times, not least since they were made in the 2020s; while taking obvious cues from those eras, the likes of 'Arte Del Sexo' and 'La Casa Del Ritmo' flesh enough out of their respective influences to sound untied from them. Through cinematic breaks and tropical bleep, Rifeno and the Prince portray their wild but no less at easse imaginations, bringing the sunned and stressless feel of the Balearic Isles to the darker worlds of EBM and industrial, making for a complex sonic flavour.
Review: Rise Black is Maxim Gkikaev, a producer based in southern Spain who also goes under the aliases Mitjun or Ocitin, and is part of the duo Psevdonym. He has released for Fil-Lex, Moustache and locals Another Perspective in recent years, but It is indeed a case of Bad Robot on this new one for Adjacent Possible. From the snarling acid electro bite of opener 'Alania', to the minimal EBM muscle of the title track and the truly dystopian bass dynamics of 'Laser Gun' - Gkikaev is not messing around here. Over on the flip, there are some mighty fine remixes which are equally as worthy of your attention. Benvol's electro-industrial sounding rework of 'Alania' retains that sick 303 squelch throughout, while PX's re-rub of 'Bad Robot' has an utterly majestic style of sonic futurism in the vein of legend Carl Finlow.
Review: Motion Potion Records returns with a second release from the Australian label founded by Jono Xidias, Mehmet Alpdogan, and ritmiq. This collaborative project sees ritmiq teaming up with Lewba and Louis for the 'Signals' EP, a heady exploration of spacey club sounds. Standout track 'Transmitting From Space' (with Lewba) glides through cosmic synths, subtle breaks and hypnotic melodies so is sure to become a certified late-night burner. On the A-side, Louis and ritmiq deliver 'Interplanetary Prisoner' and 'Parallax,' which are both rich in mood and groove. ritmiq's solo cut 'Nebularae' closes the EP with high energy and dancefloor heat. Signals is a stylish, cosmic journey worth taking.
Review: Techno legend Marc Romboy is back to kick out more of his electrifying jams on his own Systematic label, this time with Blake Baxter as his collaborator-in-chief. Their jam 'Freakin' is a playful cut with a rugged, coruscated low end and vocal chops that keep pumping the vibe. It comes alive with some bright, sharp acid liens and then gets a more experimental and distorted SID version. Last of all, German mainstay Robert Babicz remixes and turns everything up to 11 with his intense and irresistible rework.
Review: Six months after their first collaborative outing 'Die Zeit' in May - also on thyme Systematic label - two bonafide German techno titans have been busy in the studio once more. This time they offer up 'Der Rhythmus' on limited edition splattered vinyl and it is another timeless, terrific and peak time cut. The drums and snares are snappy as you like with distorted bass down low and suspensory arps keeping you on edge as a libidinous female vocal adds the final touches. UK duo Dense & Pika remix with a more stripped-back but not less slamming sound.
Review: XXX is back with a steamy 16th EP and it features two original tracks by Anastasia Zems & Radial Gaze on the A-side, with remixes from Chinaski & S.I.R.S. on the B-side. The originals are characterised by dark industrial vibes, sharp kicks, and throbbing yet playful basslines that will persuade any dance floor to get throwing shapes. On the flip side, Chinaski's remix takes an unexpected turn as a trance-like trip that climbs higher and faster with each beat. S.I.R.S. offers a contrasting disco remix with an irresistibly groovy bassline, and just as irresistible is the playful artwork by Gees Voorhees that perfectly captures the eclectic nature of this EP.
Review: The sixth album from Radioactive Man aka former Weatherall collaborator Keith Tenniswood, written amid a whirlwind of international touring,. 'Under The Counter' sets the tone with its soft, gleaming textures and deep bass. From there, the album dives into a vibrant mix of styles, from the slap bass funk of 'See Above' to the dense techno of 'Colourful Language'. But there's more than bangers. 'Sinkhole', for example, a collaboration with Suade Bergemann featuring vocals from Ali Love and Chloe Raunet, provides a poignant counterpoint with its melancholic melody. This triple 12" package, released on Tenniswood's own label, is a journey through UK rave, breakbeat and Detroit techno, all filtered through the lens of a master electro craftsman.
Review: Milan's Radko first appeared a few years back on Enfant Terrible with the Cherno PPP / Brutalista ?(7') and finally resurfaces with this full-length for sublabel Gooiland Elektro titled The Dirt On Caligula. Described as darker, harsher and more daring, the album takes you deeper into their industrial sound. Opener 'Hip Dork' is a contorted kind of techno derivative that lunges straight for the jugular, while the paranoid and dystopian atmosphere created on 'Manfria' sets the scene in dark ambient style before unleashing a barrage of electro beats. Over on the flip, the gloomy vocal cut 'Leper Colony' takes influences from darkwave, ending with the punishing and abrasive grind of 'Volga' which is pitch black.
Review: The Dalmata Daniel label welcomes Rapha for Midnight Dancer, a bold new album of journey electro and electronics. 'U Win I Win' gets things underway with glistening and innocent melodies over steely analogue drums. The CT Kidobo remix) makes it more raw and elsewhere the artist plays with slower tempos for chugging cuts like 'Midnight Dancer' that still shine with bright, pixel-thin pads. Add in gems like 'Lost Star' and 'Galactico' and you have a tastefully intergalactic trip from which you won't want to return.
Review: DSK Records shares the anticipated sophomore album Uswatt by the Barcelona based, Egyptian artist Raxon. Bounding forth and outwards from many an earlier dynamic demo, coming in the form of releases on Cocoon, Kompakt, Ellum and Dynamic, Uswatt manifests as profound demonstration of productive skill blent with an ability to rouse the spirit of the dancefloor. Opener 'Cyber Funk' is the 808-laden, bio-industrial trammeller, but that speaks nothing of the doubletime jaunts that follow: 'This Is The Way', 'Go Computer', 'Still Hypnotic Soundwave' and 'Hi Human Intelligence' moving increasingly computery and alien as the album progresses. Raxon's second album, it represents the culmination of years of evolution and refinement in his music.
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