Santonio Echols - "Piano In The Light" (Emanuell Echols mix)
Brian Kage - "This Saturday Night"
Ryan Sadorus - "Down Below"
Review: Upstairs Asylum is kicking off the year in some style with a couple of killer new EPs. This one is the first in what is presumably a new series to showcase the talents of the Motor City. Mike Clark & Marcus Harris get things underway with 'Hey' which has a subtly uplifting feel thanks to the bright, sustained chords and cuddly drums. Santonio Echols's 'Piano In The Light' (DJ Emanuell Echols mix) is laidback, playful deep house with magical chord work and Brian Kage brings his classy depths to the smooth grooves of 'This Saturday Night.' Ryan Sadorus brings things to a close with the smoky 'Down Below.'
Review: The well-regarded Key Vinyl label unlocks another dancefloor assault here, this time with The Lady Machine in charge. These are unabashed weapons for the discerning dancer as 'Precursor' plays with percussive drums and loopy synths that seem to speed up and slow down before your very ears. 'Motto' taps into some timeless Jeff Mills-style mind-fuckery and 'Mantra' then gets more extroverted with a wild lead synth spraying about over crashing hits and thudding drums. 'Abracadabra' is a lithe blend of rippling synths and drums for some late-night magic moments.
Review: In line with the timely reappraisal of all things R&S related, the resurgent Apollo have seen the opportunity to bring one of their most celebrated records back for another round. Aphex Twin's ambient recordings mature magnificently with age, sounding ever richer and more emotive as the rest of electronic music continues to play catch up all around. From the gentle breakbeats of "Xtal" to the aquatic techno lure of "Tha", the airy rave of "Pulsewidth" to the heartwrenching composition of "Ageispolis", every track is a perennial example of how far ambient techno could reach even back then. It's just that no-one quite had the arm-span of Richard D. James.
Review: Matt White and Paul Baines make a welcome studio return, dusting off their collection of synths and drum machines to resume their previously fruitful and, until recently, paused Synaptic Voyager collaboration. The Sheffield-based duo's work draws upon the Steel City's vast electronic music heritage, and their latest effort, arriving on the always-reliable Cyphon Recordings, is a masterclass of emotive electro futurism. The title track sets the EP off on the strongest possible footing, with lush pads and gorgeously evocative melodies looped over crisp drums and thick analogue bass. The growling funk bass of 'Lonely Promontory' combines with blissed-out synths and jagged rhythms, while the alien bleeps and driving kick of 'Stellar Engine' power through hypnotic harmonics and rolling bass. 'Once Exposed' adds a layer of Motor City grit to the sonic palette, before the 4/4 thrust and arpeggiated bass of 'Cognitive Network' drives smoke machines and strobes for a nocturnal warehouse workout.
Review: A four-track journey that taps into the timeless energy of underground techno while paying homage to its 90s roots. As always, Perez's meticulous craftsmanship shines, offering a seamless blend of ambient textures, acid flourishes and hypnotic rhythms. 'Voloka' opens with a pulsating groove, its atmospheric layers creating a meditative yet driving start. 'I Stand Alone' follows with an acid-tinged edge, capturing the raw, unfiltered essence of vintage techno. On the flip side, 'Ansia Viva' balances tension and release, weaving immersive textures with a captivating rhythm. Closing the EP, 'Soulfound' is a standout, blending dreamy ambiance with subtle acid lines, evoking a sense of introspection amidst its danceable pulse. Fathers & Sons Productions continues its tradition of presenting music that bridges eras while innovating for the future. Perez's ability to craft tracks that are deep and balanced vintage-infused techno.
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: On Synchrophone Records comes Conforce for with second edition in the Commuting series, bringing stygian control room techno to already chapped ears. Sometimes, to feel good on the floor, warmth isn't what you need; and these further four fan-greasers are perfect complements for said latter kind of mood, the cold and unattached unjamming of inner vibes. With coolly bureaucratic track titles like 'Recuperation' , 'Self Assessment' and 'Stable Velocity', Conforce's series has succeeded in portraying the secret joys of humanity's greyer modern face; the tracks here of course continue to fit us in sleek uniform, now deploying such neo-futuristic cyphered titles as 'SCC-ML' and 'RTM-Zuid', the meanings of whose acronyms you'll just have to deduce from the zapping, emissive sound design yourself.
Review: Overthink Records marks its 10th release milestone with Waveratio 618's blend of techno and EBM. Following his standout contribution to the label's Split Series, the Italian producer delivers an intense collection crafted entirely from live jam sessions that capture the raw energy and spontaneity of such an approach as he translates hardware explorations into dynamic grooves filled with tension and drive. With a mix of analogue warmth and digital waveforms, this one is perfect for both dark dancefloors and more introspective moments.
Review: Pretty much does what it says on the tin this one - a lovely slab of vinyl packed with high-octane, main room club bangers. Torpedo is a master of that form and has proven it repeatedly over the last 30 years. He kicks off here with the steamy, sizzling and low-slung house of 'Red Killer', 'Fascinating' then has a chunky Kerri Chandler style bounce to it and 'Bonkaz' brings warm and silky deep house depths to a classic Dizzie sample. 'Renegade' is the raved-up closer that will get hands thrown skywards.
Review: Blawan is not only the most notable electronic producer to have ever come out of Barnsley (as far as we know, anyway_ but is also one of techno's most relentless innovators. He's done it all from heft, swinging bass to the most caustic and experimental techno. For this one on XL he aims at the club once more. 'Fires' is our pick - an unrelenting, tightly stacked rhythm with alluring vocal hooks swirling up top and weird synth sounds adding even more unusualness.
Review: An EP packed with eight innovative, rhythm-driven tracks that push the boundaries of the genre. This release shows Broom's decades of expertise, blending raw energy with precision-engineered grooves to create a dynamic and forward-thinking collection. Opening tune 'Romance' is a colossal banger that sets the tone with its relentless drive and pulsating beats. 'Dated' is a contrasting minimal approach, anchored by a heavy, hypnotic rhythm. 'Movement' shifts into alien sci-fi territory, its propulsive energy and otherworldly sound design creating a cinematic atmosphere. Other highlights include 'Post' with Broom's ability to craft inventive drum patterns - a truly unique rhythmic experience. The EP closes with 'Ranger', a tribal powerhouse that's the most intense cut on the record, combining heavy beats and primal energy for a track destined to ignite dancefloors.
Review: The Black Dog's Foucauldian 2009 CD opus hears an honorific remaster and reissue through Dust Science on vinyl, extending the trio's concern with Orwellian surveillance and state-capitalist intrusions into the present. "From billion-dollar corporate entities openly mishandling our data for profit to highly targeted and manipulative political propaganda campaigns, the misuse of our data and communications is far more sophisticated and devious than originally envisaged," says tBd's Martin Dust of the sinister side of today's sociopolitical climate. The tracks therein still elicit much emotion, with 'Northern Electronic Soul' especially charging our intensities despite moods of data scouring and electromagnetic hoarding and 'Skin Clock' co-opting even the more glamorous ends of modern techno-life.
Review: Tasteful techno crew Clergy are marking their decade in sound with a series of red hot 12"s that show exactly what they are all about. This one kicks off in menacing fashion with the scruffy, driving kicks of Obscure Shape's 'Don't Leave Me' while Hadone then gets a little more trippy with the loose synth lines and occult machine sounds of 'Empathy Under Review.' Elsewhere Bailey Ibbs rolls deep and dark on 'Break Theory' and Kameliia's 'Investigator' is a tight, pent up and funky techno sound with some dramatic synth stabs adding a classical edge.
Review: Spaniard Eduardo De La Calle is one of those producers who have spent their whole musical life exploring a fairly well-defined techno sound yet always managed to find nuance within it. Here he lands on Key Germany with more of his signature belts of heady synths and physical drums. 'Kardama' is a rather edgy one to start then 'Khatvanga' slips into more smooth techno hypnosis. There are alien in his machines and they want you to know about it on 'Kankas' before 'Kala' closes with a peak time, strobe-lit energy that will send hands in the air.
Review: Phat bottomed Drumcode techno of grander proportions by way of festival favourite Massano. Following his stellar three-track EP 'Telepathic', the Simulate label head and future-thinker now offers us a stark mix of choppy leads and spitting, pressure-release snares here, in the form of 'The Lights'. His signature use of momentary 32nd notes, and a lasery lead line, functions as a nod to adjacent "big room" techno styles, while a modal swirling about a suspensory tonal centre offers much towards the way of a faintly Middle Eastern melody. As its many multilayered lead lines grow increasingly twinging and chaotic, so too does an atmoss of shocking tension grow in the rave-hangar.
Review: Two techno forces join for a striking foray into the depths of otherwordly techno with a collaborative affair that bridges Rodhad's seasoned expertise with UVALL's fresh perspective. Side-1 sets off with 'KINVA 01 [240209.2]', a subterranean journey driven by pulsating rhythms that build an intense, propulsive energy. Following is 'KINVA 02 [240206]' which ventures into haunting, alien territory, layering sinister sounds that evoke eerie, cinematic atmospheres. On the B-side, 'KINVA 03 [240209.1', is a crisp, precise production with a depth that pulls listeners into its hypnotic groove. Closing the release, 'KINVA 04 [240207]' delves into darker, brooding techno, balancing shadowy textures with a commanding intensity that lingers. A great example of the synergy between two generations of techno talent, blending Rodhad's mastery with UVALL's fresh creativity, it's highly recommended.
Review: JS Zeiter returns with another masterclass in dub techno, proving why he has remained a staple in the genre for nearly three decades. The first track, Momentum, delivers the atmospheric, deep dub techno that has long defined Zeiter's sound, with swirling textures and a hypnotic groove that pulls you into its immersive world. On the second side, Exodus takes a more melodic turn, layering emotive synths over a deep techno foundation, creating a track that feels both expansive and introspective. Closing the release is Resolve, a more reserved offering, moody and subtle in its approach. While understated, it serves as a subliminal peak, building tension without overt intensity, showcasing Zeiter's ability to create depth with minimalism. This release is yet another testament to Zeiter's skill in crafting refined, atmospheric techno that remains both timeless and forward-thinking.
Radical Chic - "In Da Shadows" (Terry Francis remix) (7:31)
Space Bunny - "The Key" (Wax Trax remix) (6:37)
Review: Gems, a new label with a nose for unearthing dusty relics of the UK tech-house scene, kicks off with a double shot of pure 90s dynamite. Label boss Paul Still, Croydon luminary and veteran crate-digger, has dusted off these two bangers, ready to reignite dancefloors. First up, Terry Francis unleashes a remix of Radical Chic's 'In Da Shadows' that'll have you reaching for the lasers and sweating buckets. This ain't no polite shuffle - it's a full-on assault of pulsating basslines, swirling synths and big energy. Francis, a master of his craft, layers textures and effects like a sonic sorcerer, conjuring a tapestry of sound that's both intricate and exhilarating. Flip the wax and Space Bunny's 'The Key' unlocks a different kind of chaos. This infectious groove, built on chunky drums and a hypnotic bassline, is pure, unadulterated dancefloor hedonism. But it's the vocal snippets and playful synth stabs that truly elevate it to legendary status. The Wax Trax remix adds a contemporary twist, injecting a fresh dose of energy while retaining the original's undeniable swagger. If you're craving the authentic sounds of early tech-house, Gems is your new dealer. These aren't just reissues; they're sonic time capsules, transporting you back to a time when the dancefloor was a sweaty, euphoric escape from reality.
Review: Primal percussions mix with burring, masc voices and telecom synths on Luke Alessi's 'After Five', a wonderful debut 12" by the Melbourne native. Going in, we're asked by the artist to picture a riotous cocktail party gone a little roguer than polite society usually may ordain, and while, of course, Barry White sultrily hoarsens in hushed baritones down below. In fact, the opener of this record samples Love Unlimited Orchestra's 'After Five', a star track from the side project which White led. Much like White's symbolic identification with sensual, smooth lovin' in the West, 'After Five' follows white's tip that 5AM is the threshold between day and night, and that, after having crossed it, any given raver should expect no less from their fellow revellers than behavioural alterity. Two remixes from Pablo Bozzi and Aldonna go on to "en-trance" the first track, implying baggy-eyed comedowns, while the wild A2 hears us emerge on the sands of a tropical atoll, where coconut castanets and foreshore marimba await to greet us.
Review: We're always happy to be in the orbit of Planet Rhythm and this time Stipp and Genex lure us in for a dancefloor collision with their macho techno tools. 'Last To Act' is a big old wall of drums and percussive loops with a funky rhythm and 'Overcall' is pure mind music with its twisted, silken synths and ever-present drum pressure. 'Places' keeps things upright and punchy with cantering kicks and whirring machine sounds and 'All In; shuts down with a jacked-up mix of analogue drums and deep-sonar pulses. It makes for quite the thrill.
Review: Dynamic Forces are indeed on show in this slamming new slab from Arts. There is a real sense of control to the opener 'Lyra' despite its forward motion and punchy kicks, while 'Vaulting' gets much wilder and looser with its manic synth lead and raw onset of percussive pressure. Switching up things once more, 'Parallel' is a dubby techno tool and 'Shimmer' reverts to the careful tweaking of a deft lead synth over incendiary beats. 'Radiant' and 'Meraki' bring more raved-up and bouncy peak-time techno fun. This is a very useful and varied 12".
Review: The Spanish producer returns to Kompakt's and its iconic Speicher series with the 134th edition. Delivering two distinct and different tracks highlight the artists versatility in electronic music. Known for his full-length release on the label in 2021, Raxon continues to impress, contributing to the legacy of a series that has defined techno for over 25 years under Wolfgang Voigt's visionary guidance. Side -1 'Acid Call' is a quirky, minimalist delight, its driving, heavy beat underpinning a dynamic bassline that twists and turns with crisp, intricate production. The track's playful, acid-tinged elements keep it engaging without sacrificing its grooveia perfect fit for both peak-time sets and deeper exploration. On Side-2, 'Don't Cry Pluto' ventures into cinematic territory with melodic, analogue textures. Ethereal layers and fairytale-like tones combine with a powerful undercurrent, creating a dynamic contrast between weight and whimsy. Speicher 134 reaffirms Kompakt's status as a techno tastemaker and Raxon's role as an innovative, always engaging artist.
Review: The Non Series is pure bait for those of a deep techno persuasion and the 64th outing from the team is another tasty one to pick off the New Year. It finds Vardae and BLNDR combining their skills with one side each. Vardae goes first and brings deep, pulsing drums and wiry electronics to occupy the mind on 'Lost In Alhambra' and then 'The Red Citadel' sinks into even more deep waters with snaking baselines and occult sound designs. BLNDR brings some lightness with 'Nova' which is an airy, organic soundtrack to a new day on the swamp, then 'Santal' is more dark and menacing.
Review: The Groove Access label kicks on to a third release here and it comes in the form of a split EP between Rob Threezy and Maddjazz. Threezy kicsk off on the a-side with 'Threezy', a panel beating techno workout with leggy drums and elastic bass that will spangled any crowd. His second cut, 'Liquid Metal' is another masterclass in bendy bass and chunky drum funk, this time with vocal stabs layered in for extra spice. Maddjazz then steps up to kick off the flipside in frantic acid laced fashion with all sorts of OG Chicago house ranges over booming techno grooves. 'TR DrumTool' is a final weapon for dance floor destruction.
Review: This first album from Sons proves them adept at a range of techno soundscapes, It was written as the soundtrack to a movie that does not exists and it plays out with a great sense of narrative because of that. It tells the story of Anna and her escape from earth to a new planet, Seylanide. The record features well-received singles such as 'Identity' (ft. Sun) and 'Eternity' (ft. OCB), complete with plenty of rich layers of emotive pads, deep basslines and melodic vibes that have your mind cast adrift in a cosmic abyss.
Review: The late, great Mike Huckaby is one a clutch of artists who helped to define the Detroit house sound of the last 20 years. The DJ and producer was also keen to give back and during his life held various workshops to pass on his skills, as well as releasing esteemed sample packs for producers all over the world. He only released a small selection of records himself, but every single one is a killer. Take this one for example - an ode to one of his chosen synths and an EP priming with grainy, lovely, deep and dubby house atmospheres, marbled with deft synth lines that bring them alive and still sounding future now many years after the first release.
Review: Following their successful Get Closer club nights in Nuremberg, Homebase and Jurgen Kirsch are launching a music label under the same name. The label's mission is clear: to release timeless electronic music on vinyl while returning to the essence of what truly mattersipure, straightforward quality. For their debut release, they've signed two tracks by renowned Pokerflat and 8Bit artist Markus Homm, with remixes crafted by the label founders themselves. All four of these are stripped back and floor-ready minimal and tech fusions with robust low ends and plenty of craft in the sound designs to elevate them above mere fodder.
Review: JSPRV35 returns for the second release on V35 with four herpetological freezers, titled after the mythical basilisk. Where the basilisk is said to have been able to petrify any onlooker, merely by sight of its steely scales, so too might JSPRV35 elicit frantic dance action when we chance upon their new EP's rough, mesozoic, nigh locked grooves. 'Varya' and 'Molecular' bring this vibe as much, serving what sounds like the techno equivalent of two draconic, winged, gritty, parthenogenic, self-replicating reptiles; the title track and 'Psycho' spawn two further monstrosities, closing on a bleepy alarmist note.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Burnski's Constant Black label puts out constantly good sounds for all those of a minimal and tech house persuasion. This 33rd such outing comes from Per Hammar who offers a trio of irresistible grooves. 'Everybody hz' kicks off with rubbery drums and bass intertwining with each other while wonky synths up top add some tripped-out feels. A Varhat adds a little extra bounce and urgency to this silky late-night hypnotiser and then it's back to Hammar for 'The Danish URL'. It's a hooky groove with warped pads rippling up top while closer 'Arkivo' is a more textural and abstract affair with a nice dubby undercurrent.
Review: Deas shows he has plenty of ideas (no? sorry) on this stark and futuristic techno missive from Bau Muzik. 'Red' drops you right into the heart of the dance floor at 4 am with wide eyes, flashy strobes and sweat everywhere. 'Yellow' is another hurried, hunched over, fizzy techno bomb that wrestles you along for the ride whether you like it or not and then things slow touch with the more paired back sounds of 'Black'. It's a wispy and airy blend of loops that move at pace but invite you in rather than pushing you away. 'Blue' is a lithe, funky number that exudes a sense of cool.
Review: Navigare Audio proudly presents the long awaited remix-bundle of Ness' classic LP, released two years ago in 2023. Now, with a bang, comes an equally compelling atmospheric techno remix bundle from favourites and friends of the Swedish label. Five trance truncators of fantastic capability come our way from Hydrous, Dino Sabatini, Vladw, Kalumet and Mikkel Rev, all of whom revel in a sweet, Baltic-oceanic feeling, lent coldly and bracingly to Ness' already cryogenic, outdoorsy sound.
Review: Deadbeat, the Montreal-based dub techno maestro, returns to Echocord with a trio of immersive and hypnotic tracks. 'Pressure Double Down' showcases Deadbeat's signature sound, a blend of dub-infused techno and minimal aesthetics that has captivated listeners for over two decades. 'Too Much Pressure' is a 15-minute odyssey through intricate percussion, dubbed-out stabs and psychedelic vocals, its subtly unfurling layers and nuanced dynamism creating a captivating sonic experience. 'Double Bubble' follows with a delicate interplay of chord melodies, sub-bass tones and a crunchy analogue rhythm section, its hypnotic groove drawing the listener into a world of sonic exploration. 'Rattle The Roof Down' closes out the EP with a heavy dose of dub reggae bass, its spacey delays and murky swells adding a layer of hypnotic depth.
Review: Marco Faraone and Deetron finally release their long-awaited single, 'The Answer,' from the iconic Pyramid party at Ibiza's Amnesia. This collaboration blends piano-led melodies with driving techno grooves, creating a rich and immersive soundscape already making waves on global dancefloors. Faraone's dynamic energy pairs perfectly with Deetron's genre-blurring mastery, delivering a track that's both powerful and delicate. 'The Answer' showcases their combined talent for crafting standout moments, whether at a club or festival. This debut release on the Pyramid label sets a high bar for its future output.
Review: Damon Wild steps up to Synewave with 'The Mood Machine', a thrilling exploration of some sleek and stylish techno. 'Make Believe' opens with a dancing line of hi-hats over pulsing sonar-like blips and driving bass. It's a future take on Detroit techno that leads into the mystic sounds of swirling pads of 'Reflection'. 'Elevate' slows things down with a more moody blend of pads and glitchy beats over rolling drums and 'Starliner' then melts theming with intricately woven layers of sheet metal snares and linear kicks. All four of these are timeless and high-quality techno tools.
Review: Ricardo Villalobos wasn't always the cult figure he is today. At the start of his career he was an underground producer still finding his feet and fomenting his own sound. It was in the first decade of his career that he cooked up this tune and had what is about as close as he will ever get to a techno anthem. 'Heike' rides on big drums with detuned synth lines layered up next to female vocal coos, pixelated synth modulations and prying bass. Its a mental workout as much as a physical one and still bags today, which his why it gets this reissue on Rawax alongside the Mood Mix on the flip which is more dubby and dialled back into to deeper beats.
Review: A captivating exploration of Finland's underground electro scene from the late 90s to the early 00s, showcasing 12 rare and previously unreleased tracks. It unveils a fiercely DIY-driven movement that blossomed far from Europe's electronic centers with its raw, innovative energy that has since been overlooked. The collection opens with two tracks from the early 90s, including B-Rock and the collaboration between Mika Vainio and Jaakko Salovaara, setting the tone for the album's eclectic journey. Highlights include the unreleased early work of Mr. Velcro Fastener, brimming with robotic charm, and dark electro cuts from Decepticons and Dr. Robotnik, whose minimal wave influences stand out. Another gem is the extended track by Jori Hulkkonen, originally a promo-only release, alongside Markus & Kristian's cult-classic take on Kraftwerk's 'The Model'. Industrial beats from Feng Shui feat. Monsieur and gritty bass-driven anthems from Imatran Voima pay tribute to the era's diverse sounds. The compilation also delves into Finland's demoscene roots with primitive synth explorations from Spektor and Tero that revel in the early days of digital hardware. Liner notes from curator Erkko Lehtinen and artwork by Ed Cheverton complete the package, preserving the raw underground energy of a vital moment in electronic music.
Review: Sideral, a new resident roster member of Habitat Recordings, returns with a two-track EP flaunting his status as a future facing pop-dance artist. 'I Give You' and its avaricious B-side 'Need More' qualify as floor-flattening heaters primed for the modern listener and dancer, and yet both also push the boat out in terms of daringness and experimentation within the remit of reason allowed by said dancefloor hive mind. 'I Give You' prefers exceptional brightness and pan design, while our highlight 'Need More' recalls the more experimental ends of complextro, lent a futurally fidgeting and detune-tastic twist.
The next instalment in the Disco Pogo Tribute series is the legendary electronic artist Aphex Twin.
Notes: The next instalment in the Disco Pogo Tribute series is the legendary electronic artist Aphex Twin. This follows the hugely successful Disco Pogo Tribute to Daft Punk. Like Daft Punk, the people behind Disco Pogo have had a long-standing relationship with Richard D. James for over 30 years via their 90s magazine Jockey Slut. The book is edited by Disco Pogo editor Jim Butler and features interviews, essays and features from the best music journalists working today - including contributions from Juno Daily's own Ben Willmott and Matt Anniss. It features an iconic cover portrait of Aphex by seminal photographer Wolfgang Tillmans, plus a huge amount of great photography of Richard since the very beginning from some of the best music photographers in the world. The also features extensive contributions from the designer of Aphex's logo Paul Nicholson - also his onstage dance for his early years - who has opened up his archives to us and also the assistance and support from the label homes of Aphex - Warp, R&S and Rephlex. Aphex fan website Lanner Chronicle is also involved in the book, which is hardback, 250 plus pages and beautifully designed and printed (of course).
Review: A certain Dutch progressive techno label likens their output to a kind of zoo or menagerie, in which clockwork creatures flit and scurry about a musical enclosure. This image of mechanistic fauna - the shuffling of metal feathers, the shaking down of synthetic fur coats - works well to complement welcomee producer Vince Watson's 'Spirals' EP. The Scottish artist has been churning out the progressive stuff for at least two decades, and his achievements so far sound to culminate on 'Gliding' and 'Spirals', two softly incandescent wick-depleters, both of whose amphitheatrical chords and spacious layerings help each track reach a peak animalistic sublimity.
Review: Italian label Suoni Incisi launched in 2020 with a mission to offer up hugely emotional electronic music that fuses experimentation with multi-genre explorations. The boss that gave their name to the label takes charge of this third transmission and it is a deep techno journey into sustained chords, mysterious pads and the sort of muttered vocals that add real atmosphere. 'Track 2' on the flipside is similar in make-up with liquid rhythms, cavernous and dubby bass and subtle musings, this time with some eerie flute melodies drifting up top.
Review: The next level beat maker and sound designer that is Skee Mask returns to long-time home label Ilian Tape with another bold and brilliant album, Resort. It's an album that expands on the artist's usual sound with fusions of celestial ambient, IDM sound design and lithe, rhythmic techno drums. There are breakbeats on 'Reminiscrmx' backlit by heavenly pads, 'Schneiders Paradox' is marbled with zippy pads and raw drum hits, 'BB Care' glistens with a futuristic glow and 'Holzl Was A Dancer' slips into a shuffling, UKG tinged dub house pumper. It's a wild, wonderful ride that reaches all new levels for this already accomplished producer.
Review: DJ 1985's We Trippin' on Emotional Especial Records offers a unique blend of styles across four tracks, each showcasing an original sound palette hitting many subgenres under the electronic music umbrella. Possibly helping invent a few too. Side-1 opens with 'We Trippin',' evoking early AFX with its analog beats and whimsical, melancholic melodies. The track's modular bassline and subtle acid elements create a rich, nostalgic atmosphere. Following this is 'Dolphins & Sirens,' which blends Balearic influences into a smooth, laid-back groove that feels effortlessly cool. Is Balearic electro a style yet? On Side-2, 'Catland' presents a cinematic, acid wave-inspired experience. Its spatial effects, echoing sounds, and beachy undertones make it feel like a trip through a surreal movie soundtrack. Is Acid Wave a genre yet? The final track, 'The Last One,' features smooth synth washes and a futuristic, melodic vibe paired with an urban beat, rounding out the EP with a forward-thinking, sophisticated touch. We Trippin' is a standout release for those who appreciate a diverse, genre-blending approach to electronic music, offering a journey through various sonic landscapes.
Review: Trauma Collective go out all guns blazing with a fierce offering by ascendant Italian producer Sciahriar Tavakoli aka Sciahri (Sublunar Records/Unknot). The Trauma EP is at once an obviously loyal tribute to the imprint platforming him, while being a visceral soundtrack to the gradual setting in of early morning lights. Wasting no time in exercising his sonic assault, opening cut 'Hypnotism' will affect you much like its name suggests on this punishing, splintered- beat body basher, before pummelling you into submission on the strobed-out warehouse techno epic 'Plastic Rain'. He then ventures into the more abrasive shades of texture and gradient on the experimentally minded 'Ava' until getting off-the-grid once more with a descent even deeper into the void, on the knackered closer 'Dead Waves'.
Review: A limited edition 12" vinyl with two extension cuts of Obergman's new album on Pariter! Vinyl only - No repress! Dreamy synths wash over the listener, analogue bubbles heading for the surface - imagine Drexciya in 'Wavejumper' or 'Sea Snake' mode, only with its restless electro foundations replaced by something more regular and reassuringly solid in the beats department. All in all, oozing melodic techno class.
Review: German producer Sidney Charles likes his beats chunky and his grooves heavy. He heads up the Heavy House Society which is named in reference to that fact and that is where he steps up now with a new 12", Reso Riddim. The lithe title cut gets things underway then 'Objection' offers up super smooth and irresistible rhythms run through with deft synth work and nice swirling cosmic overtones. 'Rawline 98' taps into a throwback house sound for all passion and sweatiness and last of all 'Charles List' is an all our jacker with snappy snares, yelping vocals and Boo Williams-style house heat that will get any floor going.
Review: This record delivers a single-track statement with the formidable 'Colossal', a dark and dramatic techno anthem tailored for peak-time festival moments. The track lives up to its name with heavy, pounding rhythms that ripple with an epic intensity, drawing listeners into its brooding atmosphere. Layered with cinematic tension, 'Colossal' balances a relentless driving drive with intricate textures, creating a hypnotic interplay between shadowy undertones and electrifying crescendos. The meticulous production ensures every beat lands with seismic impact, making it a great weapon for use on large scale sound systems.
Review: First of all, wow, how did this one already turn a quarter of a century old? It still sounds as wildly inventive now as it did back then and is fully deserving of this reissue. '808 The Bassqueen' is a truly mesmerising sonic journey that pushes the boundaries of electronic music with Villalobos's trademark blend of minimal techno and experimental soundscapes. He crafts a hypnotic and immersive mix of intricate rhythms, pulsating basslines, and deft synth textures that defy categorization and showcase Villalobos's mastery of groove and his ability to captivate listeners with subtle yet powerful sonic manipulations. This is the sound of a true visionary at work.
Review: A four-track exploration of darker, vintage late-90s-inspired techno. The title track, 'Voyage', opens with sci-fi-infused melodies and an epic atmosphere, setting the tone for an immersive journey. 'Stygious Night' follows, offering crisp subterranean techno with an edge that feels both modern and timeless. On the flip side, 'Venus Ballroom' channels an otherworldly energy, reminiscent of Surgeon's intricate and industrial soundscapes. Closing the EP, 'Psychosphere' dives into tribal territory with percussive grooves and alien textures, creating a hypnotic, dancefloor-ready vibe. A unique blend of melodic, tribal, and industrial influences, not to mention a masterclass in contemporary techno sounds.
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