The Truth (feat Bella Hardcover - acappella) (3:41)
Review: The Kwench label is back with more tasteful and timeless house and techno fusions here as Ad & The Persuader link up for The Truth EP. The title cut opens up with some lazy, wavy, dubby grooves with heady pads and then a dub version makes it even more fleshy and horizontal. 'Strolling' keeps things classy and deep cut with pillowy kicks toped with starry-eyed melodies and some glitchy perc. An cappella closes out the EP for DJ use. This is a quietly excellent 12" that oozes quality.
Review: Amorphic and Tensal hook back in to the machine to dialyse their crafts once more, with 'Highland Frequencies' offering up four, machine-numbered atoning lambs to our mech overlords, following up the equally arrayed 'Distant Landscapes' EP (2024) on Blueprint. Now bringing their distinctive cataloguing system to the discographic vanitas Mord, four more 'AT' tracks make for an irresistibly well-layered, synthetically one-of-a-kind release. Only 'AT4' gets a subtitle, 'The Sleepwalker', where a sandman's slumbrous, lollygaggling beats somehow, at the same time, betray a subconscious, paradoxical restlessness.
Review: Amorphic and Tendal's latest release on Blueprint Records is a masterclass in cutting-edge techno. 'AT1' opens the EP with a heavy sci-fi banger, combining dark, industrial energy with a driving beat that instantly grabs attention. 'AT2' follows with crisp production and a fine-tuned techno loop that brings a big, commanding sound, building on the intensity with a precise, polished rhythm. On the flip side, 'AT7' takes things darker and edgier, with pulsating, minimal beats that maintain a restrained elegance while growing more aggressive as the track progresses. It's a perfect balance of tension and sophistication. Closing out the EP, AT8 strips things down even further, embracing a more minimal approach that complements the earlier tracks while adding a touch of subtlety. The release showcases Amorphic and Tendal's talent for creating forward-thinking techno, with each track offering a unique blend of aggression, elegance and innovation.
Review: Emerald's 25th outing takes the form of another superb compilation with four artists who have already released on the label and plenty of new names making an equally good impression. ANNE kicks off with the deep, thudding kicks of 'Coral Reefs' complete with lush hits to smooth the groove. There is more weight and intensity to the oversized hi-hats ringlets on Mike Konstantinidis's 'Apocalypse', DJ Plant Texture layers in plenty of gritty and grime to his gritty 'Swingers' and Jarrod Yeates goes for a twisted after-party vibe on his intense and unrelenting 'Sesh Gremlin', with many more highlights besides.
Review: Berlin's Sinxergy label has got a diverse EP on its hands here thanks to Spain's Manuel Ibanez, aka Atonism, who is well known to heads for his work on Freddy K's Key label. This release features four distinctive tracks all designed for the dancefloor, starting with '2020' which combines atmospheric soundscapes with finely tuned percussion and nods to Atonism's skill in drum & bass. In 'Enigma,' he demonstrates masterful arrangement skills while the EP also includes 'Action et Reaction,' a collaboration with label head Tehotu. Their track strikes a perfect balance between powerful four-four beats and airy, innovative sound design, all finished with a vocal fit for a warehouse setting.
Review: After the success of their last outing, A New Chapter, from this label, Balders Audio offers up a second various artists 12" with some punchy techno for loud sound systems. Audio Units opens up with the thrilling drum programming and intense synth textures of 'Transmodality.' Linear System then keeps up the pace with '0724am' which is a sleek, linear, heady techno roller marbled with eerie little cosmic details. Tangram's 'Variant Trials' shuts down with what is a deep, dark, moody acid-laced techno mind melter. Perfect 5 am tackle if you ask us.
Review: Fearsome techni-techno through the Swiss futurists ENMODA, whose modus operandi is to actively promote and advocate for the local Swiss scene. With chilling textures and an ear for material, sonic grit, a cloister of ten producers are heard going full Eski-mode here, for the first instalment in their yearly compilation, Alpine Express Volume 1. Aptly described as a set of "dancefloor hurters", this is a record that proves the mid-European enclave still have their ears to the ground: pree the classic trance-techno of Marcism's 'Echo' or Ermatik's 'Funk Alt Delight', The Chronics' restlessly fight-or-flight revenant, 'Sonic Memory', and/or TIS' closing jit-tech piano weapon 'I Don't Mind'.
Review: Transmigration return with more brilliantly psychedelic techno sounds which have been carefully dug out from the rich archives of cult UK label Hollistic Recordings. As always, those originals have been remastered and restored and this one features a devastating a-side from Iestyn Polson and Steve Dungey of Projective Vision. Their mind melting and 13 plus minute 'Elevate' is a brilliantly involving mental trip and then on the flip side comes the gurgling and acid laced widescreen prog techno trip of 'Golden Eyed' by Thunderhead aka Polson joining forces with Jason Meherin. Plenty of retro future magic to tap into here.
Review: Drei Vinyl launched back in 2023 and has slowly but surely amassed a respectable catalogue of various artists' releases. This sixth outing is the most straight-up techno offering yet and it opens with one of Spain's finest in Eduardo De La Calle. 'Deva5Vyasa' is heady and otherworld loop techno perfection with synth daubs and conscious vocals peppering the rubbery kicks. DJ Shufflemaster brings more texture to the raw, percussive madness of 'Axiom' and Tensal layers up unsettling and anxious synth murmurs with rising drum tension on 'Thermal Cycler.' Pergo's 'Lume' is a brash, industrial closer full of urgency.
Review: Hard techno is very much back in vogue right now, all across Europe and beyond. Sacred Court taps into that demand with various artists EP that is edgy, raw and effective. It is Dexphase that kicks off with 'Stay True To Yourself' layering up wooden hits, icy hi hats and slamming drums. KOZLOV's 'Darkness' has real dystopian menace to it with the wiry pads that bring unsettling energy to the distorted basslines and hammering drums. Raxeller's 'Corrupted' is hyperderiven with kicks stacked up almost on top of each other as moody trance pads light up the backdrop. Tham's 'Never The Right Time' is a fourth and final highly destructive weapon to keep the rave kids marching.
DJ Shufflemaster & Go Hiyama - "Salasa Geometric" (5:20)
Bartig Move - "Asistencia" (5:12)
Tensal - "Esbar" (6:54)
Aocram - "Dreams In NYC" (6:41)
Review: Mord has put together a bumper collection of 17 searing techno cuts as part of its Herdersmat compilation but is also seeing up four at a time on individual 12"s. There is no messing with Part 41 which opens with DJ Shufflemaster & Go Hiyama's ear-splitting, brain frazzling 'Salasa Geometric'. Bartig Move opts for a much more minimal and roomy sound on the rolling 'Asistencia' then Tensal picks up the pace once more with the rusty loops and broken beats of 'Esbar'. Aocram's 'Dreams In NYC' is a swamp, depraved closer for late night mischief.
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: Robert Drewek vs Tomie Nevada's 'Time 4 More' EP was originally released on Unleash Records in 2005. Nine years on and Rawax are reissuing it on black wax and the tunes sound as good as ever. 'While He's Away' is a slick blend of garage-infused house drums and warm synth pulses with catchy vocal samples that bring a hint of old school. On the flip is 'Down With the Bass' which flips the script with a stripped back and militant but silky groove, dubby pads and a head's down vibe that really hypnotises.
Review: Astonishingly, 18 years has now passed since Gilles Aiken - probably more celebrated these days for his work under the alternate Desert Sky alias - first offered up off-kilter tech-house tracks as Edward. Last year, he impressed with a wonderfully deep and unctuous EP on deep house imprint Smallville; here, he makes his bow on another must-check label, Kalahari Oyster Cult. In keeping with the imprint's love of all things trippy and otherworldly, opener 'Tentacle' sees him wrap chiming lead lines, psychedelic synth motifs, weird noises and layers of percussion to a chunky, locked-in house groove. Aiken then goes off piste via a skewed, druggy and at times dreamy tech-house remix of Trybet's 'Moodsetter'. Arguably best of all though is impossible-to-pigeonhole flip-side 'Dr Octo', which is immersive, unsettling, tactile and eccentric in equal measure.
Review: Lost in Music: Post Industrial Dreamscape is a powerful film made by British artist Jermaine Francis. This is its soundtrack and it is a collaboration between Tony Bontana and Francis himself. The soundscape mirrors the film's moody and smoky dissonance as it delves into Post-Industrial Britain's social and political landscape through Francis's life. After being inspired by seeing the film, Full Circle saw potential in the track and remixed it into a loose yet mechanical sound with trippy synths and churning bass, while Ukrainian artist Shjva added her own interpretation that is a much more heady and dee bit of techno with cosmic synth overtones and an otherworldly feel.
Laurent Garnier - "Back Where I Belong" (Solaris mix) (12:38)
Tal Fussman - "Waiting" (4:59)
Loloman - "The Wall" (Laurent Garnier rework) (7:42)
The Lost Souldancer - "No More Voices" (7:34)
Review: This compilation brings together a diverse array of electronic music talent, showcasing a range of styles and moods. Laurent Garnier's 'Back Where I Belong (Solaris Mix)' kicks things off with a hypnotic and atmospheric journey, its pulsating rhythms and ethereal melodies setting the stage for a sonic adventure. Tal Fussman's 'Waiting' takes a more introspective approach, its delicate textures and subtle grooves creating a sense of anticipation and intrigue. Loloman's 'The Wall (Laurent Garnier Rework)' injects a dose of energy, with Garnier's reinterpretation adding a driving intensity to the original track. The Lost Souldancer's 'No More Voices' closes the compilation with a deep and hypnotic exploration, its atmospheric textures and pulsating rhythms creating a mesmerising soundscape. This is a release that will appeal to a wide range of electronic music enthusiasts, offering something for those who appreciate both the introspective and the energetic sides of the genre.
DJ Polywog - "Frogs In The Fog" (Eternal Injections Spiral Swamp dub) (6:40)
Review: Transmigration marks its fifth release with a focus on overlooked psychedelic dance music from around the world, all of which blends acid, techno and rave. Ghoti's 'Rubble' gets things underway with rolling bass and menacing synth energy. Third Eye then ups the ante with molten acid lines and sleek deep techno drums on 'Ancient Future' which is an apt title. DJ Polywog then takes care of the B-side with 'Frogs In The Fog', a swampy and menacing cut with wispy synths lacerating a deep and dubby groove then Eternal Injections Spiral Swamp dub is even more heady and otherworldly.
Review: Layton Giordani reigns as one of the thing-pins of "techno's new school", and his latest collab with Tiga and Audion is a neat testament to this fact. 'Let's Go Dancing' indeed does make clever use of breathy effects and rising reeses, but the track's main message - its exhortation to go dancing with us - is best conveyed by its vocal message, which, by the sheer power of repetitiousness alone, grabs us by the arm and corrals us into the dance whether we like it or not. A rabble-rousing, slick new techno rumpus, you won't be allowed out of the nightclub for as long as this one plays back.
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: Berlin's Caedite Eos presents its newest V/A EP, 'Neque Deditionem', building on its horrific Medieval blockbook aesthetic - a look that has worked surprisingly well for them when considered in combination with their sonic predisposition towards hard techno. Welcoming producers Hurtado, Neurite, SlugoS and TKNS to the roster, one can tell from the jump that these aren't any told techno anybodies. Verging on schranz and IDM in places, each artist's name reads like an illicitly-made chemical compound; Hurtado's 'No Surrender' bursts onto the A as the pitiless breakbeat factoryscape from hell, while Neurite's 'Black Eyes' thrusts us further into its lower mechanic echelons, proving there was more to the machine than first met the eye. Increasingly 'techno' but also noisy as it progresses, the EP verges on insanity by the time it has reached the monovalent movements of SlugoS' 'Self-Inflicted', and catastrophe by the time it makes it to the heinous clank-fest that is Tkns 'Cacharreo Y Dinamita'.
Review: Berlin's Exit Strategy began their 12"s game releasing EPs in browned sleeves, shortly before branching out into digital-vinyl combo releases with original artwork in the 2020s. Now with over ten years of experience under their belts, they welcome five new artists for a playful bricolage in deep and minimal techno, privileging elite, razor-sharp additive sound design and future-soulful vocal tasters. Ivory's opener 'Rain' epitomises this, while Jimi Jules squelchifies the same formula, and Aera's 'Future Holdings' rolls out the same logic to its ultimate conclusion, veering towards complex, 3D-graphic melodic techno composed entirely of climbing saws.
Review: The 222470 06 release on 22Recording offers a diverse range of techno tracks, each bringing a unique influence. Dani Labb's 'Stabber' kicks things off with a heavy techno and electroclash sound, delivering sleazy and sexy vibes. Fisherman's 'Extasiado' follows, characterised by its heavy robotic, analog techno infused with an electro tinge. Marlon's 'Loose My Mind' adds an 80s vibe, mixing fun electro sounds with techno elements. Two Opposites close the EP with 'Super Fly,' a melodic track flavoured with Italo house, ensuring a playful and engaging finish. This collection offers a compelling exploration of techno's various stylistic possibilities.
Review: Short Attention Records makes a welcome return here with a new drop of wax that fits the label head into its roots in deep techno sound worlds. This one takes the form of a various artists' EP crafted with an intake feel for cosy floors and who better to kick off in that vibe than the revered Lawrence whose 'Hawser' is a groovy and melodious track. Next, New Jersey don Joey Anderson sets a slow and deep tone with 'Human Kind' which has moody vocals and Japanese artist Takuya Matsumoto follows with 'Three Flowers', a more potent and driving cut with a fine acid bassline. Rounding off the EP is 'Desired Spring' by R/K, a loop-driven deep house gem designed for both listening and dancing.
Review: Sequel Records kicks off their journey with a bang, unleashing First Sequence, a four-track release that plunges deep into the realms of late 90s techno nostalgia. Each track boasts its own distinct flavour while collectively paying homage to the era's pioneering sounds. 'Large Room' by Linear System opens the gates with unrelenting force, channeling the spirit of techno luminaries like Surgeon and Bryan Zentz. Its hard-hitting beats and hypnotic loops make it a formidable dancefloor weapon, sure to keep the energy pulsating. Following suit, Mariano DC's 'The Rising' injects industrial percussion elements into the mix, creating a relentless groove that's tailor-made for peak-time DJ sets. Its pulsating rhythms and driving force ensure its place as a secret weapon in any DJ's arsenal. Flipping over to Side 2, Linear Phase takes listeners on a journey through the cosmos with 'Weak Signal.' Laden with sci-fi vibes and a heavy, ominous beat, this track immerses listeners in a dystopian sonic landscape that is sinister. Closing out the release, Translate transports us to the outer reaches of the universe with 'Plasma.' Drawing inspiration from the iconic sounds of Jeff Mills' Axis label, this track delivers a spacey, futuristic atmosphere layered atop a foundation of relentless techno rhythms. With its diverse array of tracks, this release sets a strong precedent for what's to come from this exciting new label.
Review: Leeds' legendary 20/20 Vision Recordings marks 30 years at the forefront with this new project, 'Full Circle', which takes the form of a series of records and events celebrating a fine legacy. Founded by Ralph Lawson and Carl Finlow in a Leeds farmhouse, 20/20 has since put out nearly 500 releases and 2,000 tracks in all. This latest features rare gems, remixes and unreleased tracks and kicks off with a showcase of classics reintroduced for a new generation. Highlights include Christian Loffler's melancholic 'York', Tuccillo's evocative 'Sabotage', Art of Tones' 'Praise', which is already a bonafide anthem for DJs like Honey Dijon, Wulf n Bear's debut 'Space Groover'. Great stuff.
Review: Griffe launches its own new split series here with Mama and Torrent kicking things off. Mama goes first with a pair of potent techno cuts. 'Electric Pjack' opens up with some acidic lines spraying about a tightly assembled groove with sliding hi-hats and well-syncopated beats. 'Cyber Pjack' then gets a little darker with a more menacing low end and snappy drums keeping the beats upright. Torrent's two cuts keep the future feels alive with the mechanical grooves and malfunctioning sounds of 'Stay In The Loop' and 'Ex Machina' shuts down with some frazzled synths adding texture to the metallic drum sounds.
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