incl. tranceman2000s, 3kz jungle mix

rare bonzai records mixtape

rove ranger wallows in rave memories.

deep and introspective techno excursions from plants army revolver on 180 gram vinyl.

incl nastia reigel, dold, mark broom, border one, stefan vincent, ribe, pttrn, linkan ray

introspective ambiance from yan hart-lemonnier.

introspective 4-tracker from pvs.

a warm electropical release, showing the introspective electro side of erta ale’s productions.

introspective techno from simone bauer, remixed by refracted.

pleasure zone proudly presents the new album by sons of immigrants aka mario liberti & rafael angel pineda. the boys are the new miami sound machine, delivering a journey between micro house, techno, space funk and athmospheric electro on their way to planeta soi. highly recommeded!

6 cuts of introspective leftfield house from louf for valby rotary.

legendary new york dj, producer and remixer joe claussell launches the new mixtape series for secretsundaze. the 85 minutes mix is a typically spiritual and introspective selection recorded at the cosmic arts center, brooklyn.

rings around saturns debut for voyage delivers four spacious impressions of classy techno & idm. from the swirling melodies of circling architecture to the introspective atmospheres in decompression and the edgelands, ras taps into the obscure-ozone of the outer limits.

deep, introspective synth laden house music from atjazz complete with killer remixes from soulfuledge & peacey.

never underestimate the power of a good bassline. mark du mosch certainly doesn’t. this veteran from the harbor city of rotterdam let’s his vicious bass line creep up on you from behind on 202 ac ra. a dark and jacking club belter with clear chicago roots. the five track ep the heavens may be his debut on sohaso, du mosch has been releasing music for over fourteen years on a variety of respected underground labels, such as moustache, dekmantel and royal oak. his versatile style draws on sounds that evoke strong mental imagery and a sense of eternity, which clearly shows on the introspective resonance delay (she) on the b-side. in which a melancholic melody is supported by muffled slow motion beats. the beautiful artwork on the heavens ep is by joost stokhof, an amsterdam based graphic designer who is known for his love for detail. which makes him perfectly suited for du mosch’ subtle and well crafted dance tunes. in a normal world you would open your ep with the title track. du mosch chooses to close with it. the heavens stays true to it’s name. a harp like melody that washes ashore as foam from a greyblue northsea that calmed down after the storm. heaven indeed

renaissance is the debut release by dead husband, two boston brahmins who stagger from the mausoleum onto an italo-disco dance floor.
building from prior projects in industrial and techno, dead husband meld lacy rhythms with droid emotion, straddling the space between the notre dame and centre pompidou, drowning the melancholy of lingering memory in the vigor of an analog dance floor.
renaissance cuts across dead husband s remodeled influences. the essence of industrial dance, dark techno, and the sweaty pulse of ebm bleed together into a decadent and hedonistic whole. elegant, introspective, and infectiously danceable.

vinyl will feature individual, hand illustrated sleeves. distraction combines thundering bass elements from darker techno with deeper, emotive pads and flourishes to create a meditative yet driving late night groove. best used to hush dance floor chatter in favour of getting heads down and putting a shift in. static and choke also play with juxtapositions of light and dark elements, with choke being the firmer of the two. both offer sounds ideal for creating trippy and introspective dance floor moments, while not allowing those hard fought for energy levels to drop. viber.

the olympos series paused briefly, but now makes a welcome return thanks to the efforts of hermes, the messenger of the gods. whether he produced the tracks himself or they were ghostwritten is unclear, but they re a fantastic addition to the greek mythology focused minimal electronica label. astraia is a twinkling delight of mournful deep techno, while eidolon heads into introspective minimal electro territory with some seriously crafty beat programming. stasis meanwhile strikes a warm, laid back note that harks back to early uk techno might the track title be a tribute? the record closes out on phone, a grainy, sullen jam with some crunchy broken beats and plenty of needlepoint sound design going on.

introducing the fifth release on southern lights, dedicated to releasing hypnotic techno and electronic sounds. alpi is the production duo of gabriel pivaro and daniele alessi. together they present the ‘cerulean flow’ ep, a journey into introspective techno and resonant soundscapes. the a-side features ‘end of matter’, exploring more contemplative structures while the ground loop remix provides both a dark and buoyant interpretation of the original. on the b-side, ‘hidden river’ is opaque, dynamic techno, complete with heavy kicks and calculated pads. ‘chant’ is an ambient passage that completes the introspective journey of the cerulean flow ep.

two of the most refreshing artists in drum & bass today, villem & mcleod deliver their lp vision on spearhead records. having made waves throughout the scene in recent years with releases on a multitude of labels, their musicality mixed with dance floor flare sets the scene for the debut long player. funky, introspective at times, the album travels across v&m’s sound palette to create a beautifully crafted showcase that cements their status in 2018.
-we wrote the lp over a two year period of dramatic changes for us both, girlfriends, marriages, births, and deaths, it was this that fed back into the album. us trying to navigate our way through life, using that as inspiration to complete a dream we’d always talked about. writing an album is a different challenge than writing singles or an ep, it takes you deeper into how we want our sound to be remembered, more thought of the overall aesthetic, and ultimately more satisfying once we had completed it.- villem & mcleod 2018

late night techno, deep house, ambient soundscapes, introspective electro and sci-fi soundtracks with strong influence from the music of detroit and chicago. obscure australian imprint offworld records reactivates after a 21-year hiatus to issue the still tomorrow ep by producer tim jackiw as a label follow-up to the rare science of sound vol 1 touted as one of the best deep techno 12inch singles of the 1990s, reissued in 2016 on the recondite label and now highly sought after by collectors worldwide. a series of archival dat and tape recordings produced in tim’s adelaide-based home studio during the same mid-90’s period as science of sound and the recent memory feedback release on slow life berlin, this 6-track extended play 12inch covers a broad spectrum of electronic sounds including late night techno, deep house, ambient soundscapes, introspective electro and sci-fi soundtracks with strong infl uence from the music of detroit and chicago.

they say we are a product of our environment, you are what you eat and you reap what you sow. but what happens when you can no longer dig the earth and your food is toxic? amselcom has forever been near the forefront of change, exposing new ideas and giving insight through music and creativity. our goal was always to bring the world closer by removing barriers and letting sounds and rhythm demonstrate humanity’s true, loving nature. that is why a transformation has taken place and with this latest release we hope to give back and contribute without the shallow, meaningless compensation that feeds the music industry. geplantes nichtstun demonstrates this concept perfectly, by saying it is time to remove ourselves from the machine and make our own way, in our own time. these tracks look to offer introspective that can only be found after eliminating barriers like money and fame. taking time for idleness lets us forget about the things that try and control our lives, a necessary respite in a time of increasing global noise. tracks like opak offer the perfect accompaniment to a quiet time of soulful reflection and mario wagner’s wonderful control room image brings us the idea of self direction and taking charge of your own destiny… one rest at a time.

*** check b2: !!! *** bath-come-london party purveyors, origins, take to channelling some of their creativity into the creation of their own origins label. at the helm for the debut release is bristolian up-and-comer tommosini. having heard move d unleash the beauty of another dimension at freerotation last year, origins knew they had to find out who the mastermind behind this deep house gem was and the rest, they say, is history. another dimension transports you through the galaxies via a combination of dreamy pads, crisp percussion, full-bodied bass and those sensual deep tinged vocals. future classic in the making. the a2 i dont stop carries on the u.s flavoured deep house with a vocal house track that wouldn t be out of place coming from the shores of chicago masterfully intertwining a bumping bassline, soft organs and those introspective, luscious vocals. flip it over and you re treated to two interpretations of another dimension. first up fellow bristol bass badboy, hodge, serves up a signature remix, chopping the vocals and layering them behind a pounding kick and machine gun percussion to give that bass heavy flavour hes become so well known for. deadbeat steps up to close out the ep with a heavyweight techno rework of the original, complete with hypnotic bleeps, phased hats, and intermittent sub bass goodness, all tied together with a driving kick to give a real industrial feel to the remix.

silicone soul welcome the return of old friend justin robertson as he brings his much loved deadstock 33s project back to darkroom dubs. last spotted on the label only a matter of weeks ago with infinite interchange on the darkroom dubs presents summer love collection, here he builds on the momentum with two more singular missions deep into the timeless analogue abyss. whats more, they come covered with a print of one of justins very own hand-drawn pieces. dr. spectro on the frontier marks the start of this new deadstock trip. celebrating the lesser spotted dc super villain who could control people’s emotions with a brazen line or two of sinewy acid what starts off dark and gnarly gradually unfolds into a much more emotional narrative. watch out for the harmonic riff that rekindles feels of raving fields and a salvo of chords towards the climax that genuinely will control your emotions. the music is madness (to those who cannot hear it), meanwhile, is more than just a poetic title. already a summer anthem at a love from outer space, it s a roomy, cosmic affair that’s laced with layers of trippy textures and chugs at a cool 120. its one of justin’s classic signature smouldering sessions, what ostensibly seems forlorn and introspective is actually coded with deep hope and positivity. youd be mad not to hear it. youd be mad not to stay tuned too. for the first time in darkroom dubs history, this release and all this years vinyl dispatches will be released digitally as part of an end of year compilation, tales from underground vol. 1 and will also feature an exclusive silicone soul remix of rigopolar & cannibal inks thousand years before. and to round the year off? the long-awaited new single from silicone soul themselves.

with an arsenal of releases on labels like ndatl, ppu, black catalogue, 2mr, and harsh riddims, atlanta artist stefan ringer presents the first release on his own imprint fwm entertainment. this contribution contains a fluid spectrum of sounds . “southside-, is a soulful, sexy summer house cut. “great beat” follows up in a similar vein, jazz inspired, introspective, and upbeat. while “wanna be bad” is a freaky skating rink inspired track. “got me 123&#8243,, is a hypnotic 2 step groove, and rounding it out is “fr shawty” a slowed vocal stepper.

bucharest duo vinyl speed adjust return to visionquest. four tracks of the crystal structure/vsa bossmens signatur grooves, back & forth builds on the introspective motion and reputation of their previous visionquest eps retro and carpe diem: off & on is a tight weave of heavy atmospheres and swelling basslines, blue notes takes us up a gear thanks to a bassline that bumps with authority and a maze of rhythmic layers. deeper again we hit two more mystic moments: noek is deep, direct and driving while late shuffle flips the coin for a smouldering farewell. like all vinyl speed adjust eps it leaves you wanting more.

third installment in the bluehourmix series... feat ben sims, bluehour, ctrls, operator, truncate rmxs

afterlife recordings continues its focus on emerging talent with the first solo ep of aether, following his collaboration with mind against on -solaris- and a track on the realm of consciousness compilation. from the textured atmospherics, harmonies and innovative sound design, it’s clear aether has found his voice already. balanced between the powerful, emotive techno afterlife is known for and more introspective experimentation, the three tracks share a tonal richness and patient headspace, lending themselves to the dreamy hours on the dancefloor.

one of our most mysterious and intriguing states of consciousness is the dream. we lose consciousness when we enter the deep waters of sleep, only to regain it as we emerge into a series of uncanny private realities. through the fog of the mind we can get a glimpse of a world beyond our day to day realities that sometimes is able to show us deeper truths than those we face in awake states. roger is one of those lucid pioneers that is able to translate these experiences into sound. let him guide you through these wondrous clouds. were very happy to welcome dutch-born german-raised roger van lunteren on sohaso for the first time. his rosa dos ventos ep is a four-track story that oozes retro vibes and nostalgia for a past that never seems to have existed. utilizing raw 80’s analog synths and humanoid acid lines he sets atmospheres that remind of lynchian dreamscapes. vanish starts out with an emotional chord sequence, as you enter the fluid world of the subconscious. a gnarly bassline welcomes your arrival and lets you know things here aren’t exactly what they seem. journeying on through seemingly dark areas, it ends with a hopeful melody and the bass softens as you start feeling weightless. uncontacted uses choral pads and two intertwining 303 sequences as a way of communicating between the different dimensions. aroy dee remixing vanish is like taking a psychotropic liquid, adding more drive to the original while retaining the emotive synth patterns. sleepless is rogers hardest cut on the record, again providing directly plugged in 303 goodness and stomping beats. it rounds off a balanced ep with plenty of introspective dance material.

scion of the urals this devotee called gedevaan drops a notable classy non-moscow sound. the city where music can be fake, where anyone can lie to you, where anything can be sold and re-sold for a higher price. where constantly you suffer from major vanity and notorious capital speedy manner. moving to that town may change you with no warning. “class compliant” is more about authentic slow-burning undercurrents. smells like rest of russia the noise is out of massive roaring cities and their pre-harsh dummy lives. inclined to withdrawn and introspective synthesis gedevaan offers an original dim-light feel, warm-wet, woody swamps and mossy rocks. a velvet haze makes your vision blurry. just look! is it a baba yaga’s hut? track the music. to don’t forget about your roots. it’s pretty nice to accomplish with old stuff by perc and a brand new one of electric rescue - the pure primal perception with a high impact factor.

when it comes to gritty sample-based house the guy white label series has really been going from strength to strength. for the third in their unrelenting streak dj counselling steps up to offer up a therapy session like no other. sit back, relax and put your mind at ease and you ll soon be taken on a reflective journey for the soul. on one side you have curt s jam an introspective and emotive piano laden, lo-fi house track complete with choice vocal snippets set to sooth those pains. flip it and theres a more bumping groove to the therapy session, qualified by a pensive dialogue that makes way for an oscillating synth jam backed with a killer tom pattern.

berlin based electronic mainstay marquis hawkes has announced details of his second lp the marquis of hawkes. the album will be the producers second lp for us, following his critically acclaimed debut social housing for the label, which was released in 2016. entitled the marquis of hawkes, the new album adheres to a specific sound palette whilst still displaying eclecticism across its eight tracks. opening with the beat-less droning ambience of beton theme, the album takes in a variety of themes from across the house music spectrum, from the deep and dubby meditation of instrument of thought to the body jerking rhythms and retro bass stabs of tough love, the introspective mood of the matrix, to the soulful new jersey styled house grooves with a contemporary twist of sunset building through the optimistic joyousness of ‘hope in our hearts before closing with lidells heartfelt and passionate emotional overload on we should be free. first emerging in 2012, after being sought out by glasgow label dixon avenue basement jams, and having previously been heavily involved with the free festival sound-system culture, the london born artists iconic sound has taken shape with the influence of music from cities like chicago, detroit and new york alongside the uks underground house scene. with both depth and clarity of vision, marquis hawkes second album for houndstooth expertly hones a shining hybrid of classic slamming house and grittily soulful optimism, making for a career-defining piece of work.

“phase” sees a debut outing on vinyl from err rec label head gilles mate’s dialectric project.
impressed by the wealth of wonderfully varied analogue electronic music being released by this small, fiercely independent french label, it was surely a matter of time before py & errs’ likeminded paths crossed- and following a “cold wave” styled small run cassette release, gilles releases a full length on py for august.
“phase” is a timeless, minimal electronic record, heavy on hypnotic, emotional tonal arpeggios and sequences. dreamily crafted introspective pieces, and short “broadcastian” interludes, using a semi-modular system. comprising of various analogue oscillators, effects and sequencers (pittsburgh modular, moog, arturia, yamaha, korg to name a few…).

vast, expansive and introspective works utilising place-specific found sound on this second cremation lily lp for alter. contemplating mortality, illness and the perennial bleakness of british winter in a seaside town we find zen zsigo experimenting with piano, violin, synthesiser and walkman tape players. layering field recordings of the hastings shoreline atop druggy, stretched out 303 basslines and snippets of spoken word there seems to be an overarching thematic of memory and reflection at play. from vignettes of crumbling glass and bittersweet drones through to sprawling, semi-rhythmical pieces (‘as a sea creature...’) it seems as if zsigo is trawling the coast for fragments of its former glory. the end result of his study manages to echo the work of yoran, leyland kirby and even jacob kirkegaard yet the rare moments where he lays bare his own vocal narrative seemingly transforms in england now, underwater into sonic diary territory. mixing salt-water soaked cassette loops with haunting, minimalist piano motifs and warped recordings of crashing waves and bird noise an intense atmosphere of ballards drowned world is evoked through sound.

too smooth christ returns to supergenius records and widens his singular approach to introspective dance music to new musical horizons. infinite fall dmz is a slow house jam built around a hypnotic and endless fm pattern and a strong chorus bass, emphasized by a myriad of shiny bittersweet 101 sparks. pheqs125, originally made for tsc current live act, triggered such keen reactions in clubs that we decided to cut it down. its an acidish banger, elaborated around a 303 pattern, a rave detuned bassline and a b-more breakbeat, tickled by synthetic voices. with its rainforest chords and melodies and its muffled breakbeat, the eponymous track with you in mind is a love declaration between balearic house and old-school jungle / idm. etoile closes the ep with its uk bass vibe, a combination of tribal drum patterns and a grime beat and narrative bassline which will attract you in some mysterious caverns where the magic monsters hide.

inner sunset recordings s homero g. is at it again with another deep house 4-track e.p., only this time serving up an emotionally unique and introspective angle never before heard on the isr imprint. this landmark 10th pressing from isr (entitled the -companionship & solitude e.p.-, cat no.: isr1210), takes listeners on a gentler journey into the realm of house music via soft pads, sentimental keyboard progressions, atmospheric organs, wispy flutes, and delicate vocal and oceanic samples. track a1 s -touch me (mess of emotions mix)- passionately, and intensely ushers listeners upwards towards a flourishing climax and back, via classic house piano chords and organs. while in contrast, track a2 s -touch me (low top dub)- applies all the themes and elements of a1, but in a steady and unwavering manner, to create an evenly sustained sense of well-being throughout. track b1 s -a companion s stroll- exudes happiness with its catchy flute riff, organs, and percussion, while b2 s -polyedrum tide s lament- uses the sounds of swelling ocean shores to entrancingly lull listeners into a hypnotic state of bliss and clam. packed full of emotion, ambiance and aura, this record is a truly unique addition isr s catalog and is not to miss!

inner sunset recordings is at it again with another slammin 4-track 12- vinyl e.p. that showcases the label s distinctively deep sound and classic roots, only this time with a modern twist! scheduled for release in april of 2018, squares there – -contemporary tools e.p.- (isr1209) takes isr s catalog to new territories with a more tech-oriented vocabulary of sounds and an array of modern production techniques never before employed on an isr release. for the classy and deep old-school heads out there, -she s shopping drunk again- (a1) is sure to be an instant pleaser with its jazzy vibraphone solos, soft organ lines, and walking bassline. -my sisters- (a2) meticulously utilizes repetition, major chords, and sub basses to blissfully numb and entrance the floor. side b s two versions of -hard press-, with their chunky beat and heavy bass, are an interesting study in variations on a theme. the -light mix- (b1) serves up radiant pads and swirling synth stabs, and the -dark mix- commits to taking the listener on a brooding, introspective, and psychedelic journey. this e.p. is not to be missed, as an awesome angle on the isr soundprint – one that seamlessly fits in with the rest of the catalog!

attention long-time inner sunset recordings fans, collectors, newcomers, and anyone who might have missed getting their hands on these tracks the first time around! in response to ongoing public interest and demand, inner sunset recordings is proud to announce a special 4-track e.p. that features classic works and underground dance club favorites from the earliest years of the label s existence nearly a decade and a half ago! -i.s.r. classics: a reflection on the s.f. aughts- is a 12- record that fiercely epitomizes the inner sunset recordings sound and showcases some of the most loved and most highly sought after works (all remastered!) from releases: isr1201, isr1202, isr1204, and isr1205. from the dreamy and cosmic atmosphere of the attendant s -star gazing- (a1), to the uplifting and introspective ride that is low top s -hold me (original mix)- (a2), to the bold grassroots garage house sound of homero g. s -shoo be do anna- (b1), to the dark and ominous ambiance of homero g. s -manos lujosos- (b2) – this e.p. is the truest heart and soul of the inner sunset recordings crew, imprint, and sound.

the whiskey pickle crew turn their attention to a new partnership from steve cobby and laurie welton, the former being known for decades of djing, label management and producing alongside the likes of stephen mallinder for throne of blood. here the emphasis, as expected with whiskey pickle, is on disco with a slight leaning to the left. -absolute- is a bubbling jam laden with illustrious threads of melody, cosmic in nature but still rooted thanks to a rock solid rhythm section. -limoncello- is a more introspective affair that works with minor chords and a more intricate set of drums, but don t be fooled the groove is very much still intact. new york duo whatever/whatever bring a tougher dynamic to -absolute,- dialing in some beefy beats and amping up the synth touches for a surefire house heater. played by

sensual and primitive, chante afrique ep is perfectly encloses the most acid house digressions and its deepest roots. a work that well combines past, present and future. all the genius of the legendary paul johnson in three original mixes and the -wild circus mix- of chante afrique track by lello di franco aka l.d.f., an introspective and sophisticated remake. a must have!

breaking into a new century, following last months 100th release on the label, ishan sound collaborates on 2 killer tracks with bristol-based hodge and alex hughes aka muttley.
‘c5’ refers to cold explosives and makes for a perfect title for this stark, cold rhythm. a circling melodic synth line sets a moody context before the floor drops out and an industrial strength sub drives things forward at 130bpm. deep, hard, dark, original. exceptional quality from ishan sound and hodge.
flip for a 140bpm excursion from ishan sound & muttley, melding elements of trap, grime and dubstep meticulously to form an engaging sonic that is both fuel for the dancefloor as well as providing introspective qualities for bass weight meditation. ‘still smoking’ sums it up appropriately.

naura records is proud to be back to present another strong release this time some lost archive material that goes back to the very beginning of his productions. bleak delivers 3 cuts of his custom recipe but somehow adds new unexpected flavours throughout this ep even though staying on his formal path. starting with the a side, dust (mix1) takes off with an introspective journey with detroit and classic techno. a real head turner with a classy ride and functional feeling dust (mix2) more for the deeper realm, accompanied with enchanted melodies as a twist. finally on the flip, element samples the heartbeat of a even deeper state, where one is allowed to lose yourself. get a hold of something solid, for this is a tune that communicates a lot of subtle changes and honesty.

botanic presents camo: a four-part new release from kuala lumpur-based adam kasturi. among adam’s most melodic and thematic work to date, the release comes to you as an introspective 12-minute voyage through tense urban landscapes, punctuated by relieving arpeggios, meticulous percussive details and inescapably laced with the enigmatic producer’s signature industrial undertones.

one carefully crafted floating tool to suspend the rat race, coming from the bucharest based duo live act soundopamine. moment ep is subtly combining warm house grooves with joyful & hypnotic minimal beats. let yourself be carried away with ease towards a sunny introspective of a soul mirror with a gentle emotion uplifter. take a moment for your inner self!

the new born label lavibe offer a very strong artist combination on his very first release. italian deep techno master marco shuttle deliver with “tablharmonium” an introspective and shamanic trip, that will captivated and hypnotized every fan of mental music. on the flipside, french talent bambounou, known for his albums and ep’s on now defunkt modeselecktor’s label 50weapons, put down a fast, percussive and trippy piece of voodoo music, made to set up the vibe, and rise up the groove.

dutch label field records is back with another special album project, this time from japanese producer ena aka yu asaeda. bridge is an introspective soundtrack for a documentary also called bridge - out this spring - which is about the dejima bridge, a reconstructed symbol of the dutch-japanese trading history in nagasaki, japan. the album finds the producer stepping outside of his usual remit of dark ambient and experimental music, and instead comprises ten shorter tracks that touch on abstract and rhythmic sounds that define the essence of japanese culture. although he has worked with the director before, this is ena s first original sound track and finds him freely inspired by the movie and heading in exciting and unknown directions. hugely atmospheric throughout, there is hypnotic repetition of sounds, strange audio design and a mixture of melancholic moods with more dreamy synths. sometimes gloopy rhythms gently ripple beneath soothing harmonies and at others times a micro-rhythm appears through the constantly shifting and evolving found sound loops. it s a compelling and unusual album that seamlessly mixes human emotions with a mechanical sense of industry.

zuli’s new offering trigger finger is a game of shadowy atmospheres and unquiet spirits. it functions as a spacial and temporal compactor, using sampling and field recordings to reconstruct reality’s dissonance, while at the same time reverse its own introspective character into bass weight and outworked tension. a kind of extremization of zuli’s own roots as a beatmaker for the cairo rap scene, tinged with the clandestine and delirious urbanism of grime and jungle, and fronted by the necessity to face its own dark side. but the dark and crusty sonic palette does not limit the possibility for the tracks to display various layers of emotional content.

western australia s red ember records is back from another archive diving adventure. -embers only : swan songs- presents four previously-unreleased, deeply emotive cuts by ewan jansen written between 1999-2000. the lead track swan marks the dance-floor tone in the collection with a hypnotic pseudo-electro groove sky lined by cathedral-like chords. following on, sea for yourself reaches into deep minimal house territory with a powerfully gentle, piano topped, 4/4 approach. on the flipside, the earnest and leafy love machine is drawn down the proverbial path, dropping broken beats and inhibitions along the way. the collection is signed off with the ambient chordal wash of afterlude ... an introspective repeater equally on call for any early morning after party or your final few waking moments.

“struggle artist” is the new album from justin c. meyers, the minneapolis-based composer, artist, and head of the sympathy ltd. label. meyers is a unique, underappreciated talent in contemporary electronic music. his greatest strengths are twofold: his compositions have a meticulous structural logic, revealing a hermetic and austere formalism, concurrently, his compositions have a deep, introspective narrativity grounded in his lived experience, evoked with a mature clarity. together, they make meyers one of the most interesting electronic musicians working with cutting-edge sonics today, unlocking their latent powers of metaphor and figuration. his previous album, 2016’s “negative space (1981–2014)”, deals with the onset of chronic illness and near-death experience. its careful, anechoic meditations on the failing body are a resounding achievement, and the album remains a high watermark of acousmatic music in the 21st century. “struggle artist” portrays meyers’ expectations and disappointments arising from making art in his free time. created initially during lunch breaks and in hospital waiting rooms, and finished after being laid off from his job, it catalogues the despondency of the precarious life. if “negative space” was about the fallible body, “struggle artist” is its violent collision with late capitalism.