New releases last four weeks: Trance

Review: Canadian-born, German-based producer Ash Luk is best known for his work in Minimal Violence, a band that used electronics to create raucous, vivid punk-rock style live experiences, as well as his role as one half of 'doom electronic' duo S.A.T.I.N. alongside Ireen Amnes. Under the Infinity Division moniker he's created more impressively dystopian sonic adventures that channel a suitably wide array of extreme music styles, from isolationist ambience at the start of 'No Reason' - which then twists into industrial junglist madness - to breakbeaty Sisters of Mercy-style coldwave on 'Weather Prophets'. Fans of Alec Empire's notorious Digital Hardcore Recordings label and its output should find this entertainingly terrifying and twisted up musical vision very much up their street.

Review: London DJ and producer Jules Von Daniken sets his phasers to fun, returning under his Phase O'Matic alias for another fresh EP-label inauguration (Blur Detection Program). His third release for 2025 (it's only May, god damnit), 'Behind The Glass' smashes through two-way mirror with gloomy glom-on acid, sparky redux design, slithery melodies and claspy 909 snareology, all of which together increment in intensity over a four-step dance inductor, seconding with the speak n' spelt post-new wave pranger 'Retroflex' and ending on the Robo-voiced 'Finetune (Darkest Day)'.

Review: Sancra's Echoes of the Infinitive is a standout second release of 2025, showing the producer's versatile and emotive sounds as he heads through techno's many shades. Opening track 'Oblivion' sets the tone with driving dancefloor energy and celestial melodies, while 'Androgena' dives into deeper, darker acid-techno terrain, which is refined yet intense. On the B-side, 'Exodus' blends neo-trance and electro with uplifting, spiritual pads for something that works the mind and body and closing track 'Until We Arrive' shifts the pace with a meditative live jam that feels introspective and serene. From peak-time power to after-hours reflection, Sancra delivers on all fronts here.

Review: They say that everything goes in 20-year cycles, from music to fashion to film. The reissue of this trance-dance classic just about chimes with that - it was a huge crossover club and radio hit at the dawn of the new millennium and embodied the Ibiza superclub era with its shiny beats and euphoric melodic overtones. It is one of a few that Sash! turned out back then but remains his most iconic. The more youthful end of the dance spectrum is very much into these sounds at the moment, as well as hard dance and trance, so it is likely to be huge all over again this summer, no matter which of the different times you pick from.

Review: Talla 2XLC and German composer, producer and songwriter Torsten Stenzel (who is still best known for his work as YORK) revive the 1997 trance classic 'The Wave' by Sosa with a big new remake that realigns it with contemporary sounds. Landing on bright coloured vinyl via Technoclub Retro it has two extended mixes that reignite the energy of the original with brilliantly euphoric flair. On Side A, York's 'Back to the Roots Extended Mix' has already been getting heavy plays in clubs and on festival stages around the world with its high-octane melodic rush an utter thrill when played nice and loud. Side B brings an exclusive new remix by Talla 2XLC that is only available on this pressing.