approaching complexity is tangent’s sophomore album release for n5md, a label that has seen accomplished releases from the likes of near the parenthesis, bvdub, and loess among others. throughout its nine offerings, the record features a gorgeous contemplative piano that hangs in the air amidst static clicks and dense atmospheres. its delicate touch feels both melancholic and stirring, as exemplified on tracks “equilibrium i (ii & ii)” and “awaken.” the latter cut is a fascinating work comprised of nearly inaudible whisper-song vocals and swelling ambience, its waves a thick froth of a toppled surf underneath tickled ivory. like the rise and fall of a heavy chest, this sound leads to the track’s conclusion, an elongated departure of breath.
a similar ending can be heard on the track “redundancy” which is complemented by the official video premiering at igloo magazine. jittering frames of concrete grass animations are edited to the rhythmic snippy percussion. this is juxtaposed by images of ice cascading off a rocket launch in slow motion and vapor in reverse. see below.
at almost an hour in length tangent’s new album is their most complete sonically, never straying from its core essence. a quality release that in its nature is both bound to existence and is otherworldly in its simplistic beauty.
the orange vinyl release features 6 tracks and includes a doanload code for the full 9-track album.

aar is a project by milan-based producer, dj and designer giorgio di salvo. the first grade lp is his first record under this name, self-released in collaboration with haunter records, the first chapter in a new series dedicated to tonal and rhythmic experimentation. advanced audio research is the ironic definition of this new music course of his, a nod to the large amount of esoteric studio gear accumulated and (ab)used during the years. the project itself is the result of years of study and experimentation with generative music matrices, based on the application of a three dimensional array of variables and unknowns to algorithmic pattern creation. the result is punishing, close to the most radical exploits in ear-wrenching breakcore, footwork and jungle, albeit with a sonic and structural finesse that reveals the producer’s manic dedication. track a-4 is produced in collaboration with somec and b-01 in collaboration with heith, channeling abstract and melancholic vibes into the project. vinyl comes in ultra ltd. edition of 100 copies, each one wrapped in a different hand-printed folder.

nova materia’s powerful, hypnotic music incorporates eerie sounds generated by raw and mineral materials (metal, rocks etc) to create tracks that are in turn hyper-rhythmic and dreamy, poised between postpunk rock and electronic dance music. the band’s sound is already making headway in festivals & clubs as well as in the visual arts & performance communities.
nova materia is a duet consisting of caroline chaspoul from france and eduardo henriquez from chile. the band was born three years ago from the ashes of panico, the chilean alternative rock group with which caroline and eduardo toured around the globe and released several albums. after two eps produced a.o. in collaboration with french producer chloé and her kill the dj label, nova materia have joined the likes of acid arab, konono n°1, juana molina, yasmine hamdan and matias aguayo on the crammed discs roster.

index:records is moonstruck to announce the 12” release dorsal, by berlin based artist, vase. dorsal is a genre bending output that combines the carefully layered sound of ambience with rhythmic ingenuity. the tracks aviolet and kinto balance in the eclectic techno realm with a nod to a time when idm was taking form. the organic grooves on the ep suit many settings, from big industrial spaces to soft forest beds.

following up on their acclaimed 2016 album, “pitch black mirror”, the canadian duo return to sonic groove with four new tracks based on their improvised live performances. these are dance floor tracks with an experimental edge and a pervasive sense of dread, emphasizing the project’s decades-long commitment to fusing techno and industrial music in unique ways. elements of ebm, electro, and rhythmic noise blur together as serpentine basslines twist through shifting layers of percussion, and modular dronescapes morph into agonized voices of suffering and defiance. another powerful weapon from the orphx arsenal.

rq’s debut lp for blu mar ten music, ‘solid ground’, occupies a darkly dreamlike hinterland, located somewhere between the retro-futurism of photek and alice coltrane’s jazz psychedelia. fragmented, distant beats, rippling modal patterns and restrained astral basslines provide rhythmic and harmonic anchors to a constellation of timbres and textures.

a much in demand reissue of two of nyc born-and-bred, pal joeys, classics from his joint label with reynald deschamps, loop dloop. first up, party time which harnesses that 90s nyc underground house energy with a rawness that was to emanate through many of pal joeys subsequent productions. scalpel in hand, joey expertly crafted this sample laden groover, his trademark stuttering, off-kilter rhythms, loops and fills keeping listeners on their toes throughout, never knowing how the next phrase might unfold. on the flip, raw love utilises a seminal disco classic as its main sample source, looping it in a way only pal joeys mind knows how, adding percussive hits and extra effects to create an innovative, animated and exhilaratingly rhythmic dancefloor bomb. both tracks are perfect examples of the simplicity and seeming effortlessness that pal joey maintains in his productions, adhering to the mantra that less is more but with a resonating rawness that touches deep down in the soul.

boris brenecki and darko kolar (aka katran) regroup as ontal for a horo ep that combines their instinctual brutality with a deeper probe into their penchant for experimentation. lead track ikari’s flickering storm unfurls a rhythmic rage that rolls over you like a turbo-charged synapse exciter. at its peak ikari feels as if it’s about to explode into shards of jagged, forged synthesis, but pulls itself back from the brink to reignite its hostile oscillation. r-amen bends the famous breakbeat over a concentrated twin-drop, peak-time 130bpm eruption, while vigilante is a punishing machine, built to instil palpable tension. in blinding form, headless horseman takes apart ikari and reconstructs it as a hyper half-step technoid stepper, complete with a guttural drop reminiscent of the more advanced strains of 170bpm music.

boris brenecki and darko kolar (aka katran) regroup as ontal for a horo ep that combines their instinctual brutality with a deeper probe into their penchant for experimentation. lead track ikaris flickering storm unfurls a rhythmic rage that rolls over you like a turbo-charged synapse exciter. at its peak ikari feels as if its about to explode into shards of jagged, forged synthesis, but pulls itself back from the brink to reignite its hostile oscillation. r-amen bends the famous breakbeat over a concentrated twin-drop, peak-time 130bpm eruption, while vigilante is a punishing machine, built to instil palpable tension. in blinding form, headless horseman takes apart ikari and reconstructs it as a hyper half-step technoid stepper, complete with a guttural drop reminiscent of the more advanced strains of 170bpm music.

having recently been remixed by radio slave, ozel ab and fc kahuna on phantasy, james welsh returns to the label with zurich/a65. anoth-er expertly executed two-track primed for the club but infused with detail and sheer personality, it further cements his idiosyncratic and forward-thinking interpretation of techno, industrial and experimental electronic styles. opening the ep, zurich takes an infectious, urgent bassline and gradu-ally expands into a weightless landscape. slowly revealing it’s rhythmic intent, it seamlessly blends a distinct melancholy with intensity, which, like the best of welshs work so far, is both wistful and physical. appropriate to its namesake, a65 sets the scene by sampling the un-mistakable sound of speeding yorkshire traffic, opening up a breathless musical autobahn, driven by luminescent synths that pulse with euphoria and energy.

berlin-based josef gaard hits the golden ratio on -2929,- an immersive big room track with equal appeals to the mind and body. -rumin,- meanwhile, sees gaard uses techno as a gateway to harsh noise and glacial ambient. avancera (the duo of mountain explosion device boss kalawila and dorisburg) cap things off with a stripped-down remix that emphasizes -2929- s subtle rhythmic menace

supported by matrixxman, james ruskin, truncate, cari lekebusch, electric indigo, anthony parasole and many more. teksupport records is excited to unveil our first ep release. featuring one of italy s most exciting exports, marco effe, the >transients< ep is a perfect combination of rolling grooves and rhythmic synergy. offering up three of his latest originals, effe effectively offers listeners a package of journey-esque tunes that properly encapsulate the teksupport records sound. we have invited berlin based dj/producer - patrik skoog - to offer his take on effes >transient<. skoog makes a very impactful debut on the imprint.

nice price deal !!! xglare (all caps), is jessee egan, a brooklyn-based producer, sound designer and multimedia artist. she has released music under multiple aliases since 2011, most notably on ay japan. her latest incarnation, xglare, balances warped sound design, unearthly atmospheres and experimental rhythms that reject genre boundaries. representing brooklyn in full force on the debut record, “morph ep,” xglare yields incredibly heavy atmospheres. this is a mature record showing patience, design and a thoughtfulness sorely lacking in much of the electronic music scene. beats and dance elements take center stage alongside impossibly powerful, almost elemental transitions. track 1, lymph sets the tone with an updated halcyon rave sound. imagine standing in a field in the countryside at an illegal rave at 6 in the morning as the sun is rising, wind blowing in the air. track 2 fossa feat ariadne, an opera trained singer, immediately submits you to whisper shouting, a highlight of the album. in between more dance floor-oriented tracks, spore and plexus, sit two sound design gems, title track morph with its pounding rhythmic charges and vast reverberated rooms, and ganglia, which reminds of early do you know-era squarepusher. a well-rounded ep showing off the many talents of xglare also comes housed in beautiful artwork designed by egan herself.

the latest release on francis harris scissor & thread is another exercise in subtlety and restraint, brought to us by the emerging talents of nadia khan. with little known about the artist, this release lets the sublime music do the talking. title track ‘in gleam is a beautifully evocative drift into ambient textures - rising pads and occasion bass tones combine to set an exquisite scene. ‘local visit is a collaboration with label boss francis harris, and features some of the trademark submerged rhythm and textures the label has become known for, unfolding its deep structures over the course of the track. ‘restless sees label regular alex albrecht aka melquíades (whose previous ep on s&t was received warmly) provide the last bells remix - again muted tones and rhythmic complexity glide under ethereal piano fragments and slowly evolving pad washes. ‘sorting through finds its groove early, a deadened kick unfolds into an urgent percussion creating a thick atmosphere of melancholia. ‘sunburnt rounds out the physical release - ending how it started - with dreamy, smudged tones, and warm pads.

australian group retiree return to rhythm section intl in 2018 with a new record house or home. the musical project of matt crowley, tori holleman and marco vella retiree have steadily congealed their broad influences into a unique emulsion of strongly rhythmic and emotional music. from two releases, theyve been described as pared back 1980s comfort pop for all occasions, having a whole lot of criss-crossing rhythm containing swirling synth flourishes, languid wistful vocals and strutting drum machines. the albums songs explore the theme of house or home and what that means in present day australia for different people. they journey from an aboriginal tent embassy on the south coast of new south wales, a retirement village, a one room flat in ringwood and a sleepless 17 hour stop over in malaysia.

“pillar” is the second release to come from london based duo, abstract man, uniting three original tracks plus one remix from pioneering french producer, von grall. signifying the second stage of the pair’s studio time, “pillar” delves further into a shared love for rhythmic, textured techno and dynamic grooves.

unobenga (louie vega remix) professor featuring ndu shezi & thebe remix produced by louie vega! with the music of south africa conquering it’s way around the world due to afro house leaders, black coffee, culoe de song, anané & her nulu label, shimza, da capo, black motion, mo black records, and more, from the shores of ibiza to bali and back everyone is feeling the emotions coming from such rhythmic and melodic sound.

craig christon and bonar bradberry team up as before christ for this essential slice of brooding party fuel, leading in with the trippy, otherworldly tones of barry s k. from the grinding pulse of the analogue bassline to the mystical keys, it s the consummate astral traveler for djs exploring the outer realms of the dancefloor. mushroom project gently rub more spaced out elements into the original, injecting a little light and letting the hits linger for longer in the ample space of their killer version. tuesday club finds before christ turning to a more sharp-edged rhythmic palette without losing the hypnotic qualities of their sound, before mushroom project return to lay down a rubbery 303 bassline that fits right in amongst the raw drum hits and dense fx processing.

sublee from romania draws an inspiring sonic vision with this colorful debut on meander. he already released a well received longplayer on rareshs respected label metereze in 2016. now, the leading theme track irealis plays tender sound scapes with beautiful melodies reminiscent to john beltrans work on peacefrog from the golden 90s. continuum goes into a deep rhadoo-esque rhythmic mind-space, while electica takes you on an long, intelligent dancefloor journey to other dimensions. ***180 gram vinyl release, full cover artwork.***

preceding the release of his debut album, curses presents gold & silber, a five track ep led by a hypnotic, post-punk leaning roller, as well as four additional remixes from antoni maiovvi, chinaski and fango. for the title track, berlin based artist perel provides cathartic vocals on top of a drowsy rhythmic framework drawing influence from early ebm, synth music and new wave. fango provides a more angular, computerised take on the original, whilst antoni maiovvi raises the heat to a peak time flow. across two interpretations, chinaski provides maximal 80s synth work on the painkiller bonus vmix and trippy dancefloor energy on the tech noir remix.

sydney via melbourne-sider cop envy brings forth two heartbursting, patient and effective tools to mark the return of the cry baby imprint - long silent after their debut exploration with dan white. the anachoic, blistering tones of balanced push the vinyl medium to it’s absolute limits with heavy, heavy bass and incredulously well produced embellishments making this a dj tool for the year 3000. leisure laces the flip with something a little closer to the present day no thanks to barely melodic musical structures peeling away to reveal the rhythmic intricacies and soul rattling subsonics that roll effortlessly through to the bitter end. rewind.

uvb-76 music’s latest offering ushers in new blood to the camp in the form of stave. the chicago resident’s ‘atk’ ep sees the tempo submerge to lower depths and the pressure intensify amidst the harsh dynamics and sonic battery that the label is now synonymous for. a four track rhythmic cavort that plays the urge to dance and the allure of subversive nature.

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.

max is back for his third ep for sonic groove. titled the “art of rage” max returns this time with a heavier syncopated synthesized sound in comparison to his previous two rhythmic industrialized techno releases for sg. twisting and turning the sound of early 90’s ebm , classic rave techno and acid vibes into the perfect modern day sound track. what else can one expect from a 30+ year veteran of the techno scene!

nx1 is the duo consisting of surit and samot, artists both based out of barcelona. formed at the end of 2011, they have devoted themselves to a trademark sonic imprint that moves between heavy memories of classic techno to more mental and psychedelic spaces in contemporary sound design. known globally throughout the club circuit, their live and dj sets meld together disparate styles into a rhythmic and raw, yet emotional performance. nx1 contain futuristic aspects propelling themselves forward, while also taking into consideration and expressing modern challenges. the 3 tracks from their debut ep on bite exemplify this drive.

with the summer season well and truly in full step, mosaic returns with two finely tuned cuts of classic dubbed-out minimalism. a side in the night is a typically understated affair from label boss steve o sullivan under his wise caucasian alias. propelled by a bass-heavy tone and lit by layers of percussion that build on each other you ll find yourself getting lost in the washes of sparse vocals, rhythmic stabs and splashes of delay that reach out over the dance floor. far from providing instant gratification, this requires timely and repeated play to uncover the layers of subtle finesse and craftsmanship: perfect for keeping those feet moving at any hour of the night, or day for that matter. on the b side, steve teams up once again with fellow londoner, frazer campbell on rise which goes straight for the full smile effect as the duo conjure up one of those rare pieces of magic. set to a melee of skippy percussion, high-pitched toms and warmly toned melody, the prophetic voice of maya angelou and her timeless poem still i rise resonates supreme, bringing a touch of thoughtful intelligence thats all too often forgotten. as the track hits it peak, you cant help but feel the deep elation a groove like this brings in the darkest of hours.

mindshift records is proud to present trouble12, homan square, by area featuring remix appearances by murdoc and drmlgcc, culminating in a stellar release pressed on limited-edition vinyl, out of continued respect for the vinyl medium. the release begins with dark days, a strong cut with deep kicks, hard claps, and solid basslines all combined to create a euphoric experience for both listeners and dancers. up next, a remix of alta by murdoc brings us to the next level with pulsating bass, haunting vocals and crafty syth-work, sure to please closing out the a-side very nicely. opening the b-side, we have drmlgccs remix of dark days, a bass-heavy rendition of the original, featuring unique synth pads, great percussion, and rhythmic pauses throughout the progression of the track. concluding the release is the original mix of alta, a unique composition returning us full circle and closing out the ep homan square.

tachyon audio is a vinyl label that’s focused on sounds in the techno realm targeting sweaty, dark dance floors, with large, high-quality sound systems. inhabitants come back strong in mutations volume ii, tachyon audio’s second offering. these two primates are often found inhabiting dark spaces, forging ahead on complex math equations. their distinct, driving, mathematical, and drumming techno is a result. expect more solid work and performances from these two mysterious beings on tachyon audio as the label continues its progression. tachyon audio’s second release follows a similar format to the first, in that, tac002 is a diverse ep that touches on techno sounds that are helping to lead the march forward into the future of sound production and style. the second tachyon audio release also comes from the mysterious dark studio of inhabitants, who build off their first, and display their precise, technical forms of production. the a-side track, mut11 (a1) is a sci-fi exploration that pleases the ear with thick sub and low basses, along with a pitch-twisted melodic element, and the inhabitants distinct sound effects and automation. the track has a strong impact immediately, as you can feel the intensity of elements being added, manipulated, and combined, and a sturdy, grimy feel pervades the piece with an interesting driving rhythmic percussion.

monsieur-du-jour, chevals, graces us with his presence for an ep of exquisitely produced edits. la bouteille opens things up with a rhythmic workout combined with filtered melodies that erupt into a summery piano driven jam. under your command then comes in with the classic golden era disco feel, tied together with a shuffling beat. flip it over and fairy tales takes you into 80s boogie territory with those squelchy synths & irresistible vocals. closing out the ep chevals brings out the peak time, slap bass, disco stomper in croisades, complete with sultry sax licks, sure to do damage to any dancefloor its set before.

rarefied return after a deliciously jazzy release from their sister label. this time label mainstay zygos is at the helm for a release that blends rarefied’s penchant for outer-national sample digging, trap rhythmic formations, and psychedelic soundfields for a three track ep that feels like some other-wordly vhs tape found in the woods.

acclaimed purveyors of magical (classic) world and soulful grooves, diephuis & jephte guillaume, release their colourful summer afro jam, baba m fa njika - featuring the electrifying voice of cameroon’s songbird, barbara gwanmesia. as you’d come to expect from this duo, baba m fa njika’ is a musical feast of earthy afro beats, hypnotic synths, infectious sax and rhythmic vocal chants, which, pirouetting around barbara’s magnetic croon, throbs with the love, hope and gratitude that the lyrics exude. there could be no better expression of positive power than that unleashed on this gem release from the prestigious shelter records.

its a captivating encounter when a producer of relative anonymity bursts onto the scene with an exciting and engaging release, that you re drawn back to again and again, wondering how you ve never heard of them before. porto producer pedro, & washington dc vocalist jenna camille have achieved exactly that with this first release on the mighty wolf music recordings. the influences from jazz though to soul, rnb & broken beat are weaved deep within this record. you re drawn in from the off with an intro of stripped back pianos behind an emotional spoken word monologue from jenna, before it opens up into a beatsy, rnb infused groove. having pulled you in float hits you with a richness of synth textures, layers of broken beats and dreamy chords alongside jennas float mantra hypnotising you deeper and deeper. reaching the last section of the track though you re woken from that hypnotic groove with a switch to a raw and energetic breakbeat sure to get any crowd moving. keep it h 2000 , the final track on the a side, has a real flavour of fatima to it emanating from jenna s blissful vocals - laid over the top of sustained rhodes, weighty synth lines and dynamic drums. flip it over and there s a tougher intensity to future dance (it ll be ok) , coupling rhythmic stabs with jazzy chord progressions, laced behind a groove that wouldn t be out of place lighting up the floor at a co-op night. to close out the e.p. you re given a sensory overload through jenna s staggered, overlaid vocals panned to come at you from every angle its the perfect outro to both stun you and leave you wanting more. and if this extremely well-polished, first key release is a sign of things to come, pedros name will be becoming a lot more familiar in years to come. support from afronaught (bugz in the attic), bradley zero, henry wu, lefto, atjazz & osunlade

generation next returns with his 6th solo ep on the 7 days entertainment label titled phoenix. the ep opens with the song sundance kid, a tune that carries a high-spirited synth and bass throughout mixed in with a simple kick drum, high hat and snare combo. next up on side a is roseland, a cool, smooth house track from gn. a funky baseline accompanied with a warm piano, some complimentary synth and a clean rhythmic drum kit pattern. on the flip side, the first track is jungle 10.10.15. the recording used at the opening is from a voicemail received on the date 10/10/15. this track is pure memorization. the voice of a woman over a frantic high hat pattern and knocking kick drums. the last song of this 4 song ep is gold scorpion. a simple dance tune with high- energy percussion, piano, and kick drum. this dance floor mover will definitely be a favorite.

your new shit. four new faces, four new sounds. artists from edinburgh, glasgow, dundee and london on one record. basically, it s a quadruple a side bbz. j wax provides a classy african vocal laced rhythmic work out, a bold statement in loopy hip movement. ted jasper follows with a beautiful instrumental double bass led playful house experience. think house meets mpc meets nu-jazz (*tip*). on the flip gavinco comes powering through with a deep guitar riff over some strong drums. this has made it into a few sets recently around town and really turns heads. finally, swayed drops a tune that is as exciting as having your bday at wimpy. a new york paradise garage vocal laced with fine horns and a baseline made to shake. these tunes make people not want to go for a fag break.

desroi debuts on avian. shifted s avian label returns to fore with a heady, five track offering from german producer, desroi. in keeping with the label s finely tuned aesthetic concerns, the music draws from a reduced palette – keeping the colours muted & the tone driven and direct, focusing instead on drawing out pleasing textures & subtle rhythmic anomalies via intricate use of delay and reverb, to arrive at a sweet spot between dance-floor potency & the more cerebral posits of the techno genre. tethered at the base by cavernous low end, heady drum machine programming drives the work – often married with a single warping synth motif shifting about the sonic periphery, modulated carefully across the course of the recording s run time to create both moments of heads down introspection & outright hysteria. like much of the best work on the label, the music has a diy quality that belies its complexity, but at the same time lends to its undoubted effectiveness. desroi s ability to harness the full force of such a limited collection of elements is testament to the producer s skill as an artist within the genre, creating a powerful sense of cohesion on his avian debut.

over the course of the last decade, black pepper label boss jose manuel has proved to be one of electronic music s finest contemporary alchemists, conjuring percussive, intoxicating and otherworldly musical treats for such labels as tusk wax, kinfolk, kill the dj, optimo trax and music for dreams. the genius of manuel s productions lies in the italian s ability to conjure cracking cosmic compositions out of a diverse range of global rhythms, instruments and influences. rarely has this been more evident than on his debut release for nunorthernsoul, a four-track serving of dancefloor mysticism that puts mind-altering rhythms and saucer-eyed instrumentation front and centre. track, for example, the light and dreamy wrapped sumptuous balearic synthesizer chords and melodies around gentle hand percussion and drifting zambian vocals on the sublime journey in lusaka followed by the feverish, trance-inducing african rhythms, delay-laden chants, psychedelic acid lines and jangling jew s harp motifs of intense opener journey in lusanda , a ritualistic afro-cosmic onslaught ripe for peak-time plays. if the ep opener is all about being flat on your back and staring skywards, the follow up is all about druggy, heads down sweatiness! manuel s deep love of indian music is explored on journey in mumbai , where exotic sitar lines, fluttering clarinets and echoing, densely layered female vocals rise above a thick, tabla-fired groove. it s naturally hugely evocative and atmospheric - a fine dose of emotion-rich spirituality capable of inducing hallucinations in the straightest of listeners. to complete the ep, our hero travels even further east for journey in osaka , a fittingly percussive exploration of japanese music s past and present that also includes audible nods towards the poly-rhythmic drums of west africa. it s a superb combination of traditional instrumentation, 21st century electronics, heavyweight rhythms and mood-enhancing melodic flourishes. like the rest of the journeys in...ep, it s both hugely alluring and impeccably produced

there is something to be majestic about stalwarts of a certain flock coming together to be creative. the harder side of drum & bass didn’t have its own power formation until today. it’s as of this day that czech producer forbidden society, formed an alliance with two of his most respected peers to create 3rdknd. donny, katharsys and fs all have a strong lean to rhythmic textures, tough drum cuts and experimental fx works. just in time for the european festival season, the thunderous first effort has arrived, and it’s going to turn some heads.

the young dutch dj & producer lewski debuts on darko essers wolfskuil limited series with folkloric human ep presenting four fine electro/techno cuts. the title track opens the ep with a blend of old school electro and distinctly modern techno, featuring rhythmic bouncy beats and a playful built up perfect for the floor, followed by phase mistress, a vintage sounding beauty with captivating bass sequences and plenty of analog flavor. erebus kicks off the b-side with its twisted drive, cyborg samples and sinister attitude that justifies its name been derived from the mythological god of darkness. the atmospheric, detroit flavored decommissioned androids rounds the ep off with tight basslines and relentless analog madness. lewskis debut ep on patron records last year gained support by the likes of ben ufo, dj stingray and umwelt. lewski is part of a select cut of young artists who are absorbing electros legacy, carrying it into the future and with his release on wolfskuil limited we can be sure that the future looks very promising.

british born, berlin based singer songwriter, cameron james laing steps up for an outing on suara. the original, her , is an emotive and enchanting mixture of soulful vocals, acoustic guitars and swelling strings, beautifully produced and expertly executed. roman poncet then flips the original into a bumping, breaksy, glitched out roller, twisting and manipulating cameron s vocals to add a further dimension to the mix. on the b side prins thomas brings his trademark scandanavian touch to her edging the tempo up and anchoring the song to a dynamic bass, alongside echoing out elements of the guitar and strings to create a version that wouldn t be out of place on the balaeric islands. closing out the e.p. peter pardeike takes you back to the club, placing a rhythmic arp and weighty stabs behind a pounding kick and crisp hats, to provide a big room version of cameron s original.

echocord’s colour sub-label returns early june with a four- track ep from eindhoven’s albert van abbe in the shape of ‘klangbilder’. dutch techno artist albert van abbe has nearly two decades of experience under his belt in various forms of musical and visual expression, releasing on his own vanabbe imprint, figure jams, semantica and no comment, as well as playing live and djing at hot spots across the globe such as berghain, tresor, dgtl and awakenings festival. ‘klangbilder 1’ leads with a robust rhythmic drive, employing bumpy toms, shuffled hats and lumpy kicks at its core as vacillating synths, tension building drones and menacing pizzicato strings develop throughout. ‘klangbilder 2’ takes things deeper next, retaining the dusty drums sound of the previous cut whilst stirring in airy ethereal pads and choppy, resonant stab sequences. ‘klangbilder 3’ kicks off the b-side with modulating synth whirrs, emotive organ tones and a muted drum tones throughout before ‘klangbilder 4’ closes the package, taking things beatless and cinematic via emotive synth leads, droning subs and expansive echoes.

the second release on werk is signed by j. manuel. the young producer has been polishing his sound ever since he first started experimenting with electronic music gear as a child. his commitment to following his own instincts rather than conforming to what was being played around him resulted in a very different aesthetic to the one commonly associated with berlin techno. drive fiction ep stands proof of that. all 3 tracks push boundaries in their own style, that being perhaps the strongest link between them. the title track -drive fiction- presents old-school leads over broken beats and electro inspired pads while the a2 -falling in sine circulation- is arguably the most dance floor oriented track, with a pounding 4×4 kick drum and an alarming 3/4 sine wave slaying the high frequencies. closing the ep is b-side -softer-, a melodic track with long, undulating pads that is nonetheless driven by a powerful rave-inspired beat. with its second release, werk comes to confirm the path it seeks to travel through both parties and releases: that of the sounds less rigid. gritty, wild and presenting a wide range of rhythmic patterns, drive fiction ep is a defying record. challenge accepted?

quarion is back on drumpoet with an enchanting new ep that leaves nothing to be desired. cobblestone takes the dancer on a deep sensual journey, builds up continuously and subtly into a truly emotive peak. sunday night pt. 2 tops it by captivating with rhythmic chords, which remind of the early 90ies. jamaican morse is a driven drum track, spiced with dubby sounds and a higly addictive beat. once again, quarion proves his outstanding quality.

support from dj s – hype, goldie, randall, calyx & teebee, marky and many others. *** symmetry is excited to present the first debut e.p. from vocalist and producer kyo. writing and creating the songs in her studio, kyo then developed the ideas of the e.p. further by teaming up with some of her favourite producers, break, total science, mikal and onemind. “who decides” is reminiscent of past break and kyo colab s such as “gave too much”, a soulful, punchy, uplifting and techy roller, weaved around a backdrop of floaty vocals and elevating pads. “murder tonight” with it s jungle backbone was the perfect choice for collaboration with total science. rare groove flavours and weighty bass, melded with cutting vocals and steppy old skool breaks, murder tonight has all the elements of a modern day jungle classic. “where i stand” brings jazzy liquid vibes to the e.p. leading mikal down a recently untrodden path of musical dnb was a fruitful excursion. this journey into a bittersweet and rhythmic production has created a deep and brooding song. “play to lose” is one for the headzy listener, with it s long atmospheric intro, abruptly cutting into a heavy and deep groove. morphed and echoed vocals combined with unsettling stabs, cinematic effects and trademark onemind engineering techniques, takes you on a voyage from beginning to end. released on a full artwork 12” vinyl.

synkro aka joe mcbride teams up with veteran arovane aka uwe zahn for a sublime collaborative ep on apollo. refractive (index) sees the duo exploring their shared love of broken beats and dreamy soundscapes. the pair are also connected through their affection for yamahas venerable handheld sequencer, the qy700 (also a favourite of dutch lo-fi house master legowelt) arovane a long time stalwart of the acclaimed city centre offices imprint explains: everything started with a detail in an interview with joe that grabbed my attention. i spotted a qy700 sequencer from yamaha on one photo. i used this piece of gear for decades to sequence all of my hardware and to produce my music. its part of my trademark sound of rhythm programming. one of the factors that makes the qy700 beloved is its ability to change parameters in realtime to shuffle, shift, expand or compress the timing of each pattern independently. its touch can be felt throughout the oscillating rhythmic figures that wend through the gauzy pads and drifting melodies. we share the same wavelength when it come to breakbeats, musical taste and melodies, arovane continues this ep is the beginning of something special!

the tenth release on miles sagnia s aer, marking the tenth year since the labels inception. this time round, a more hypnotic dancefloor sound encapsulates the artists mindset. with previous releases on applied rhythmic technology (art), aesthetic audio, ornate music, common dreams, amongst others.together we glide into the pacier textures, where moments of intensity meet serenity.

the shortest connection between the past and the future leads through the music of boston 168. drawing inspiration from both classic and contemporary approaches to the acid techno sound, early nineties rave culture and the throbbing pulse of the now, sergio pace and vincenzo ferramosca have carved out a niche for themselves which over the past four years has become a musical microcosm of its own. having released a slew of records on such labels as involve, attic, odd even and dustin zahn s enemy, the italian duo now presents its most cohesive musical statement thus far on ellen allien s bpitch. on the three tracks of »drops in heaven«, boston 168 seamlessly mold together lysergic acid lines with elements of nineties ambient techno and a rhythmic groundwork that is as thrilling as it is intricate. »cosmic tribe« translates its idea of universal togetherness into a nerve-wrecking groove punctuated by complex percussion work and a subtly building acid line, while »drops in heaven« uses a booming kick drum as base for an emotionally driven exploration of sonic textures. the psychedelic »straight to light« nods to nineties pioneers like emmanuel top, showcasing ferramosca and pace s talent for creating musical depth by ingeniously bringing together a few select elements to greater effect. these are tracks that relentlessly head towards the unknown final frontier of what techno can sound like in 2018, while not in the least neglecting the rich tradition that they draw from.

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.

an astronomical conjunction has cropped up. arpanet is back after a long interstellar hibernation and 30drop comes up with its particular vision of the abstract elektro for the very first time. “phases ep” takes the primal warp’s heritage blending hypnotic melodies with rhythmically complex patterns. arpanet, which keeps the exquisiteness of its previous works for rephlex, among other labels, gazes into the black profoundness of its own and unique universe. 30drop’s two cuts, ostensibly touched by the aphex twin spirit, are a spellbinding exercise of style. “phases ep” is experimental, atmospheric, rhythmic and, above all, flawless. this enthralling ep is presented in electric blue vinyl. a special shape for a very special alliance.

after breaking out of our holding facility in early 2017, we tracked the humanoid alien lifeform known as darling to a deep bunker in amsterdam. while we were unable to gain entry tio the inner chamber, an operative successfully placed an eavesdropping device close by. while monitoring the lifeform s movements, we were able to record eight musical compositions of varying lengths that it had created using a range of analogue and digital electronic instruments. we have called this collection tulipa moves. you will notice that the tracks utilise a variety of rhythmic patterns, explore unearthly but attractiuve sounds and are capable of stirring strong emotions in human listeners. we direct your attention towards the lilting, softly spun melancholia of composition 03 (codename so did we) the fluid, beat-free bliss of composition 05 (codename the m song), and the up-tempo positivity of composition 07 (codename kiss the glass), whose chiming, intertwined melodies and snappy rhythmic energy reminded us of so-called intelligent dance music. we were astonished by the quality and intricacy of these alien creations and those we have not described in detail. it strengthens our belief that darling is a lifeform with higher intelligence and otherworldly musical ability