Review: Portuguese legend and 30-year scene veteran A Paul is no stranger to Planet Rhythm - in fact he has already dropped an EP on the vital label this year. But now he's back with more on this Shadow Light six tracker. The opener is fast and dubby, stripped back and seductive for body and mind. 'Magnatizm' fizzes with more electricity and alien energy and 'Nocturnal' brings manic, anxiety-inducing loops. There is glitch and pent-up tension in 'Magnolia' while 'Dramatism' and 'Naperon' close out with more streamlined and tunnelling techno depths.
Review: Acid For The Grandma's fourth release is another boundless trip into warped rhythms and surreal soundscapes with acid liquid textures that make for a psychedelic experience that sparks the imagination while pulling you into otherworldly dimensions. 'Login Beat' casts you adrift amongst circling snares over jacking beats and 'Biancone Interno' then cuts loose with freewheeling arms and sci-fi motifs that leave long neon trails. 'Strobe Transforms Thinking' taps into more taught dub tech with sinewy leads and last of all, 'Light And Illusion' places you in a colourful world of refracted rhythm and slivery tech house drums sent back from a distant planet.
Review: New week, new Planet Rhythm, same old tech class. Aero is no stranger to this label and hail from Northside Dublin, where they Baldoyle native has been cooking up his take on techno - it's always driven by punchy rhythms but with plenty of synth craft making it much more than mere DJ tool fodder. 'Buried In Noise' has urgent and anxious melodies lighting up the drums while 'Velvet Kiss' is a deeper, more late-night prowler. 'State Of Burn' then bangs with steel-plated loops and 'Scarred' layers up synths that feel like they're going to fall over themselves with a hypnotic and time-keeping drum thud. 'The 242' closes with astral anxiety and a never-ending sense of rush.
Review: Ross Alexander debuts on Yore and brings with him a more tech-leaning sound that you might expect of this traditionally techno-centric outlet. It still calls on plenty of Motor City signifiers, however, such as warm synth soul, machine grooves and a dusty depth. 'Soul Roots' has all that and a cosmic melodic air, 'Cycles' gets more twisted with a pressurised baseline and drums full of rebound while 'All I Need' sets off on freewheeling, psychedelic pads and serene grooves that carry you away in a reverie before 'Reflections' shuts down with twinning cosmic pads and gurgling low ends. A classy and escapist EP of futuristic bliss.
Review: Smiling Phases returns with its second outing and hands it over to Parisian producer Arve, who clearly has a deep understanding of many different genres as the two tunes he serves up go way beyond the predictable. Opener 'Pyroclast' is a fast and physical one that blends radiant house grooves with deep, disruptive rhythms and myriad cosmic synth lines that swirl around the mix. 'Tephra' is another busy workout with pumping drums and an array of different synth textures spraying around the groove. On the B-side, 'Pyroclast' gets a remix by Belgian producer DC Salas, who takes it into retro-future 90s trance-techno territory and Italy's Paolo Mosca, who injects warmth and depth as well as a little cosmic mystery.
Review: Polish label FOMO_ debuts with the first in its news Spectral series, and who better to kick off with than the ever innovative ASC. He is a master of musical tension and abstraction and shows that with four tracks that build up the pressure and never let it go. 'Calm Under Pressure' is soothing up top with its smeared, spectral pads, but there's pent-up tension in the low end that keeps you on edge. 'Dark Arches' soundtracks an underground cavern with haunting pads and icy, watery droplets and 'Maelstrom' gets more direct with jostling broken beats, hissing trails and unsettling deep space mystery. 'Torsion' is the most maximal of the lot - an in-your-face collage of loopy, snappy drums and sordid synth sludge.
Review: Formed in 1992 in Cheltenham by vocalist Mark Diston and DJ Curtis Lewis, Bass Cadets were always ahead of their time. Their sound was a collage of electronic, breakbeat and experimental sounds with a fierce DIY attitude, and this long-lost 4-track EP captures that raw, genre-defying spirit in full force. Now, finally pressed to vinyl for the first time via Relic, it takes in the sleek urgency of 'Feeline', ambient pads of 'Dealay' and kinetic trance techno tribalism of 'Nuclear Starfish'. With tracks that still sound fresh nearly three decades later, this is a perfect time capsule of early 90s innovation
Review: Bastian's early work on Berlin's iconic Acid Orange sublabel, Tanjobi Records, is a hidden gem that's now resurfaced with serious buzz. This debut release has become increasingly rare and often gets snapped up online by crate-digging heads who rediscover its charms more than a decade on. Channelling the spirit of Khan and the legendary Cologne crew, each track is a masterclass in stripped-back, acid-laced techno minimalism, which is why it's now getting the flowers it always deserved-pure underground gold with title cut 'Centre Fold' being a particularly well-crafted mental and physical workout.
Review: Way beyond its New Beat roots, Boccaccio was one of Europe's most influential clubs and known for operating at the cutting edge of house, techno, acid and beyond, and for shaping a distinct sound that defined Sundays in rural Destelbergen. Curated by Olivier Pieters and Stefaan Vandenberghe, Boccaccio Life 1987-1993, released by Belgian label Music Man Records, captures the raw energy of a scene ahead of its time. Four VA Eps from it bring the tracks to wax and this one has four seminal US artists at their most visceral and impactful.
Review: Rinse France branches out with a brand new label of its own and who better to inaugurate it than Paris-based Beatrice M. The producer makes a knowing nod to dubstep's golden era on this debut with the first version of 'Magic.' It is built on steppy rhythms with seriously wobbling basslines that are all-consuming. Glitchy effects and shimmering synths finish it in style and leave you dreaming of dubstep dances gone by. The B-side is a Techno Mix that reimagines the original with a driving four-on-the-floor rhythm and plenty of richly atmospheric pads.
Review: Blast head honcho Bertran aka German Fabian Oellers drops a heavy-hitting, genre-blurring debut here on the Psycho Thrill Cologne label. Known for collabs with techno icons like FBK, Patrik Skoog, DJ Surgeles, Lex Gorrie and Stefan Rein, he flexes serious range across eight tracks that move fluidly between deep house, shadowy techno, raw acid and Detroit-infused grooves. The EP closes with a killer remix by Canadian legend Teknobrat, who cooks up squelchy 303 lines with dense atmospherics before unleashing floor-melting madness. Essential heat.
Review: The man behind legendary London underground techno bash Lost, Steve Bicknell is back on KR3 with a nine-track LP that helps mark the label's fifth anniversary. Bicknell delivers seven of his raw signature sounds here and they combine the physical drive of techno with plenty of heady and atmospheric pads, all of which are frazzled, dusty and imperfect across four sides of wax. The first three are all intense and unrelenting deep techno odysseys with shadowy corners and unsettling sounds that bring a menacing presence. Side D shifts the tone with a 15-minute ambient piece that is tribal, luminous and meditative with cosmic signifiers and deep space energy, all keeping your mind locked in the moment.
Review: On Emptyverse, Italian DJ and producer Biemsix dives deep into the void and explores emptiness not as absence, but as pure creative potential. He has done similar across many great EPs on the likes of Symbolism, Eureka Milano and Execute and across this introspective release, meaning dissolves to give way to raw emotional space where transformation begins. 'Yesterday' balances the fragile tension between nothingness and emergence with hopefully pads and thudding kicks, 'Crisis (The Drill)' has spent up funk that moves you in a hurry and 'Old Patterns & Belief' is a deep space cruise that races to the next dimensions on supple minimalism. 'I Know Its Demons' (Alpha Tracks remix) shuts down as a meditative odyssey.
Review: Biz is one of a number of Australian artists who are having a big impact on the sound of contemporary techno, and he has been playing a key role in the scene since the late 1980s. His sound mixes deep basslines with uplifting melodies and he has collaborated with a number of legends as well as releasing music on labels like Transmat and COD3QR. Now on Acquit, he explores the outer edges of our galaxy with celestial synth lines, sci-fi melodies and deep, Detroit-inspired techno grooves that are brilliantly cinematic and evocative. 'Soul Within' is our favourite with its widescreen synths and floating pads.
Review: Bruce is back for the second release from Poorly Knit and it's an experimental three-track for more out there dancefloors. 'Belly (Two Mississippi)' has hurried drum loops that flap and underlap beneath tortured pads, shrieking elephant trumpets and ghoulish vocals that really are unsettling. 'Burned Alive (More Gauze)' as you may guess from the title, is another freaky bit of rhythm and sound with distant alarms, mangled vocal fragments and a dub underbelly. 'Hot One (Chapped Lips version)' is a wispy and minimal soundscape full of paranoia and intrigue. Play loud, but only if you dare.
Review: French label Cairo Xpress debuts with a first-ever vinyl outing and a fine one it is too, with six stylish house outings from an array of fresh talents. Wilt's 'Beoyon' has lovely gloppy drums and bass looping under harmonic chords - it's simple but effective. Hermit gets more full-bodied with his textured 'Who Dunnit' and DOTT strips it back to bumping drum track workouts on 'Twitching Softly.' There is more irresistible bounce to Lucho's 'Mesh', Artphorm layers in some old school pianos to 'Daown' and HATT D shuts down with maybe the best of the lot, 'Contrasts In Life,' which is a broken beat, analogue sound with celestial energy.
Review: Ukraine's Yan Cook has been at the forefront of techno in Ukraine for some time. He works in the dubbier end of the spectrum and brings more great weight to this one on his label, Cooked. 'Equinox' is an early evening mood builder that twists and turns through smeared synths and grainy lo-fi grooves. 'Syzygy' is more loopy and hard-hitting with mind-melting percussion over the cavernous low end. 'Monsoon' is as urgent as a call to action from a battalion leader on the front line and 'Headspin' is just that - a more frenzied and wonky cerebral workout for the dizzy 5 am sessions.
Review: Cromic lands on Memento Records with a brace of tunes that demonstrate his ability to weave weird and wonderful field recordings into his electronic sounds, as much for texture as anything else. 'Like A Spring' has dark sub-bass borrowed from 90s jungle. It's vast, humid and throbbing beneath snatched vocal yelps that land a freak sense of tension as the chunky techno drums bounce. Tribal touches and hints of melodic colour drive later on to keep it fresh. 'For Me' then marries a pitched-up and trancey vocal with cantering and muscular techno drums lit up with warped synth stabs. It's full-body music for those who like it tough.
Review: Dashiell has been road testing these two tunes in his sets for a while, and they have always done a job. They finally arrive on wax courtesy of Foul Play and are sure to get dropped all over the place this summer. 'dfuse all the tension' is the right mix of driving tech but wonky minimal. The bassline is drunk and all over the place while the lead synth has a retro video game feel, and some crisp melodies and refracted vocals finish it well. On the flip, 'da nastiest' is faster and more direct with some turbocharged and bass-driven tech house characterised by another sleazy vocal and phased synth lines that bring a playful twist.
Review: Karol Mozgawa is the Polish talent known as Deas, and one of the most expressive voices in techno. For the first one, he hooks up with the legendary Chicagoan DJ Rush on 'Geeks On Hubbard'. It's a thrilling affair with toms fluttering over the loopy kicks, menacing spoken words and fizzy, dusty synth lines. 'Cabrio' brings more frosted textures and icy cold techno raucousness, and 'Track Zero' keeps barreling on with more immovable kicks and panel-beaten loops. 'Resistance' is the most minimal of the lot - an eerie brew with precision kicks and sheet metal snares blowing in a stiff breeze.
Review: Developer returns to his own label with another deep dive into the American's own production archives. What he finds is plenty of his signature groove-centric and mind-melting techno for connoisseurs only. 'Niburian 19' is anxious and urgent with its tightly looped synths and hurried drums. 'Niburian 22' is just as much in a hurry with restless synth motifs busying about the dubby drum loops. 'Niburian 10B' brings a psychedelic twist with synth scribbles bringing real panic to the low ends, and 'Niburian 11' then provides some comfort with a long-form tapestry that weaves melancholic pads with thudding rubbery kicks and a more forlorn, introspective mood.
Waiting In The Dark (DJ Stingray 313 remix) (4:51)
Waiting In The Dark (Midnight mix) (5:33)
Voyager (The Journey mix) (6:20)
Review: Detroit's DJ 3000 has always operated at the futuristic crossroads between techno and electro, and his latest Ep does that again but also comes with heavyweight remixes by pioneers Aux 88 and DJ Stingray 313. The Motor City's rich musical heritage shines through here right from the off: 'Waiting In The Dark (Midnight mix)' is a grinding and mechanical electro-techno jam, then Aux 88 delivers a bass-heavy, machine-driven remix while DJ Stingray 313 brings high-velocity precision. DJ 3000's own 'Voyager (The Journey Mix)' is then a dusty deep house groove layered up with star gazing chords that slowly unfold with a sense of beauty.
Review: Chicago has many legendary figures, but one who stands proud among many is DJ Deeon, a low-end legend and widely considered to be the true Godfather of ghetto house. He dropped this EP originally back in 2013, and it is one of many that soon became classic, which is why it gets this remix from Chiwax. 'Happy' perfectly summarises Deeon's sound - booming and heavyweight kick and drums, smart samples looped perfectly and big hooks. 'The Truth' speeds things up and brings that Ghetto sleaze, and 'R U Sure' is a more minimal sound that still bangs like a heavyweight. 'Gigabytes' is full of caustic synths and blending melodies that bring sheer chaos to the club.
Review: Oraculo Records, M.U.S.A Records and Ombra Festival have all come together to unveil Dr. Oso, the latest talent to emerge from the Megabreakz collective. This Argentinian producer follows in the footsteps of Candido (who was behind Megabreakz 7) to deliver his own raw and unapologetic take on the hard new beat style. His release is pure fire, with 'Hooligan Beat Edit' swinging sonic punches in every direction at once. 'Trench Flight' is jacked up and ken with a rugged low end, gun shots and fragment synths all making for a visceral groove. It is much the same on the rest of the EP with 'Lager Dance' really popping thanks to its chopped up sirens and caustic textures.
Review: Brazilian Jesse "Dreams" Pimenta has been roaming around underground circles for a decade plus. He has a stylish sound that is about heady excursions into deep rhythms. 'Losing Control' opens up with a warped and flabby baseline over buoyant drums for peak time deployment. 'Dangerous When Wet' is a tightly programmed and kinetic cut with flappy drums and snares, aliens in the machines and psychedelic vocal swirls. 'XTC Messenger' then hits hard with thudding kicks and hints of 90s tribal techno. Last of all, 'Pressure Points' flips out with broke beats and dubby undercurrents.
Review: Berlin-based producer E-Talking is back on his own, now well-established and equally well-respected Nummer Music label, with some deep and rolling progressive cuts. Drawing inspiration from late 90s and early 00s progressive trance, this outing is a heartfelt homage with forward-thinking momentum. Each track builds with hypnotic layers, sleek synths and adrenalised momentum that is always bubbling up but never boiling over, so it keeps you in joyful suspense across the long-form dancefloor trips. It's a logical and powerful follow-up to his 2023 'Cosmic Egg' EP on Love On The Rocks and is another heady affair.
Review: Italian turbo talent Earwax brings his techno perspective to this new one from the Dolly TS series. 'Upstairs Downstairs' soon sweeps you up with its buoyant and bouncy techno drums and wavy cosmic synth lines. 'Protection' then gets more dark and heads down with a menacing low-end throb and increasingly edgy percussive through-line. There is comic tension and turbulence to 'Key Of Life' with its unsettling and eerie synths and banging drums, and last of all is 'At The Door', which races on with hints of original 90s techno rawness. Very useful, high-functioning techno.
Review: Mutual Response first appeared with its inaugural release back in 2023, so this second one has been a long time in the making. It's the Brit-based Dockett Eddy who runs the Turnend Tapes label who steps up and brings some invention to four tracks of deeply atmospheric techno. 'Monofly' has modulated synth bleeps and squeaks and smeared pads, making it a trippy and futuristic sound, while 'Delayed Response' is slow, heavy and marbled with sombre, downcast chords that make it an introspective delight. '00:04' has a lithe, jittery rhythm with eerie pad swirls up top and 'Tapeline' brings a bit of late-night urban grit and cosmic eeriness. It's a moody EP, this, but one that is always intriguing and inviting.
Review: Headek Records second release is as good as its first, with The Eyes of Goa's Syncrosonix EP diving into deep, hypnotic Goa trance sounds. Both standout tracks-'Syncrosonix' and 'Goagoa'-come in dual versions that merge the raw energy of classic Goa with bleep-laced techno futurism. It's a heady blend of bold basslines and acid-drenched sequences on both parts of 'Syncrosonix' with turbocharged drums sweeping you off your feet. 'Goagoa' is all shimmering bleeps and sleek synths so the result is a high-intensity, time-warping experience that pulls you into a vortex of rhythm and light that will expand your mind. These tunes really celebrate trance's timeless transformative power.
Review: Belgian DJ and producer FAiG has been making techno for decades under several different aliases for plenty of top labels. His latest on Planet Rhythm is another hefty slab of subversive sonics with 'South West' layering up streamlined drums and bass with rickety percussion that pans about the mix as distant synths flesh things out further without ever detracting from the rhythm. 'Logg' is more unhinged and urgent with manic synth loops and alarming sirens getting your hackles up as the drums bump on. 'Deep Within' is stylish 90s techno with funky claps skating over the pumping drums and silky bass. 'Taro' runs out with sub-aquatic and dubbed out loopy deepness. It's simple but done well and impossibly effective.
Review: Fashion Flesh aka John Talaga debuts on ESP Institute with two mind-bending tracks crafted from homemade electronics, circuit-bent gear and tape manipulations. Side A's 'Atoms Revolt' explores the secret lives of machines while channelling chaotic energy into controlled sonic accidents, layered distortion and surreal textures. Side B's 'New Freedom' evokes a dystopian adventure into Detroit's decaying industrial sprawl while fusing Geiger-like pulses and eerie oscillations with fragmented voices into a dark rhythmic storm. Talaga's ability to extract soul from machines is remarkable here in what is a visceral and cerebral EP.
Review: Irish techno legend Sunil Sharpe makes his debut on the Posh End Music label here with a pair of signature gems. 'Cahersiveen' kicks off with buoyant and bouncy broken beats that constantly recoil through a warm, fizzy rush of Detroit-inspired synths. 'The Oasis' is his other contribution, and this one rides a little slower but with some serious low-end heft and the same textured synth craft. In between, two cuts from Fear-E. 'Dalleagles' is a manic one with stark, hard-assed low ends and anxiety-inducing pads and 'Gael Force' keeps up the intensity with loopy madness that twists you inside out.
Review: Italian artist Mirko Felicioli steps up to the Sentaku label under the moniker Tsukuyomi, named after the Japanese moon god. What he cooks up are sounds steeped in mystery and introspection while traversing deep techno and electro textures with raw underground spirit. The title track sets the tone with crisp and snappy drums and hits and murky pads, while 'Analong Time' offers a minimalist groove layered with electro-tinged loops. On the B-side, 'Air Felix' shines with futuristic flair and fluid synth play, while 'Fantasy' closes with dreamy yet propulsive force that rounds out a moody, refined journey for body and mind.
Review: New music from LA resident Fields of Mist is always worth hearing. He's previously proven to be a master of bringing a hip-hop sensibility to his work, as well as a jazzy and broken beat bone on his 2022 album Iluminated60. This latest turn to Illian Tape is another standout with a mix of dreamy, suspenseful pads and killer rhythms. 'Dreams Of The Lost Moon' isa fine example of that with its far-sighted gaze but body popping drums and 'Darkstar System M312' then gets more moody with a speedy low end and astral pads. 'Moss Nebula Tidal Dance' is another blend of deep space ambience with minimal but impactful rhythms.
Review: Roman Flugel's 2004 banger 'Geht's Noch?' is a cheeky electro anthem that became a schoolyard ringtone staple, and now it is back for its 21st anniversary on Running Back. The original was part of a Cocoon compilation and this reissue features remixes that pay homage to its playful mood. Luca Lozano's ' 'Gehts Garage Remix' introduces UK funky elements, Peder Mannerfelt's version builds dramatic tension around the iconic riff, and Aasthma delivers a colourful, anime-inspired take. EDM bigwig Steve Angello brings some signature oversized electro maximalism to his version.
Review: No, silly, not that British-American rock band Foreigner, but rather Aussie electronic producer Willis Anne under his new guise. He channels a live, jam-based energy into his machine-driven sounds so that they are raw and direct, with spontaneous motion ever present. From the sweeping synth drama of 'Last Peoples' to the rhythmic complexity of 'Visible,' Anne lets ideas breathe rather than overworking them. As such, there's a clarity and directness in his sound that sets it apart and aligns it with Livity Sound's brilliantly adventurous, minimal-leaning catalogue. 'Desintegration' is our favourite with its ticking hi-hats and gloopy but dynamic low ends all topped with suspenseful, ever-shifting chords.
Review: Hungarian electronic music producer Laurine Frost's Cabaret Nord lands as the debut release on Spanish label Andermedt, and it's nothing short of a radical statement. A vault of unreleased material over five years in the making, it's a return to Frost's 4/4 roots but filtered through his signature lens of dark mysticism and surreal funk. Earth-shaking drums, warped grooves and grotesque theatrics unfold like a ritualistic performance in each track as he twists techno cliches into something deeply personal. As such Cabaret Nord blurs lines between satire and sincerity, rhythm and poetry. It's not comedy-it's an avant-garde theatre of sound and a mind-bending triumph that demands immersive listening.
Review: GiGi FM's Virgo Space Acid is another mystical techno odyssey. Channelling "2025's energy," she fuses acid textures, reworked 909s and mantra-like vocals across four transformative tracks that range from the hypnotic opener 'Calibration' to the soaring tension of the title track and the emotional dubscape of 'Floresta.' Each cut explores healing, intuition and self-empowerment through sonic minimalism as GiGi refines her craft into a deeply expressive language that merges an urge to move with real moments of introspection. This is not just club music-it's ritual and release from the forefront of experimental techno.
Oscillator Man - "Turning The Mix Up A Bit" (6:29)
Review: Portugal has always had its own thriving scene right back to the days of 90s rave and techno. But in recent times it seems to be having a wider cultural impact with the arrival of plenty of great artists, labels, radio stations and collectives getting proper recognition across the global underground. Just over the Tagus river from Lisbon comes this new label oDYSea from the Caparica coast, and it's headed up by Penelope. GNMR's 'Zen' kicks off with cosmic tech and snappy kicks then Pakzad's 'I Could Never Imagine' is a mid-tempo and warped tech cut with hissing hi hats and psyched out colours. Eversines's 'Randomized Controlled Trial' is taught and trippy techno then Oscillator Man's 'Turning The Mix Up A Bit' is an acid-laced sleaze-fest.
Review: Frenchman Hemka makes a bold entrance on Mutual Rytm with this fierce solo 12" following her standout contribution to Federation Of Rytm III. She has established herself with a raw yet refined style on labels like Token and blends 90s grit with psychedelic textures and personal vocal touches in her work. This new EP delivers club-ready power across tracks like the tense, vocal-laced 'Abyss,' the propulsive 'Time,' and the haunting 'I Can't Shine.' With additional cuts like 'The Bad Place' and 'Unchanged' this is a fine window into Hemka's emotional depth and rhythmic command.
Ahnonghay (Kevin Saunderson original Reese mix) (7:04)
Review: Inner City's time on Network Records produced a run of timeless recordings that merged their signature vocal soul with the underground grooves of Detroit. This reissue of 'Ahnonghay' highlights that early golden era and finds the legendary Kevin Saunderson return to his techno roots in some style. The tune was originally released under his seminal Reese alias and marries that raw Motor City energy with sleek electronica that embodies the early techno blueprint. This 12" pressing includes the original mix alongside two standout remixes: Carl Craig's atmospheric reimagining and Dave Clarke's gritty UK techno take. All in all, a vital snapshot of techno's early evolution.
Review: Melbourne's Tim Jackiw brings a retro future vision to this latest sweaty workout on the Physical Education label. 'Manifestation' is a full singlet on, socks up, headband in place, striding forward electro jam with nice cosmic energy and 'Multi Pass' then brings wistful Detroit synth work and sleek grooves designed for heady escape. 'House Wine' keeps the deep and driving dynamic flowing with more dusty drum programming and meaningful synth work and 'Unseen Forces' then gets more raw and percussive. Last but not least, 'Taking Measures' shuts down with some reflective moods and slower tempos.
Review: Molekul's 11th outing is a various artists' affair with each of them exploring high-impact techno with a retro bent. JKS's 'Express Yourself' is a video game soundtrack for a post-apocalyptic shoot-em up. "Bad Boy" Pete brings dark and driving breakbeats infused with fierce stabs on 'Champion Sound' and Jacidorex brings some warped acid lines to the ever ascending and tightly stacked 'Extinctor.' Vikkei shut down with 'E Fallo Uno', which is an update of a manic hardstyle sound with caustic synths running a mock. Pure dance floor carnage, this.
Review: Jordan GCZ brings a unique jazz-infused approach to techno on his latest release, which is a third for the good folks at Rawax. He has a complex sound but one that always remains buttery impactful in the club and pairs cerebral ideas with physical grooves, and all of it's crafted with an array of outboard gear and vintage synths. The opener blends melodic nostalgic charm with dusty house beats, while 'Timbit Acid' is an off-kilter acid workout and 'Beaver Tail' weaves together a tapestry of intricate synth patterns and glistening pads. Last but not least, 'All Dressed' offers a soul-infused take on mid-tempo techno that is deep, groovy and compelling.
Review: Jordan GCZ, who you may remember as half of JuJu & Jordash, brings a jazz sensibility to his take on techno. It's crafted on an array of outboard gear and dusty of synths, which lends it such a lovely, lived-in quality. His melodies are always meaningful, too, whether futuristic or nostalgic. There is a hint of the latter to the opener which has a whimsical charm over dusty house beats. 'Timbit Acid' is a wonkier workout with warped 303s, 'Beaver Tail' showcases masterful synth patterns and glisten pads that soften the speedy beats and 'All Dressed' is a nice twist on early Detroit techno with more freeform leads.
Review: JR Disc has already become a firm part of the Detroit new school with his two previous outings on this label. Once again here he shows off his raw but emotionally poignant style and knack for a catchy groove. 'Bust' has rusty hi-hat sounds and deep, cavernous bass with rough edge drums a la Omar S. 'Wonder Traxx 1' then picks up the pace with heavy but inviting kicks that are again all frayed and dusty while some jazzy melodies bring a cheeky and playful twist. Pure Motor City gold if you ask us.
Review: Rushing from the starting blocks as though life depended on it, Kahler opens the scoring with the perfectly balanced and fine-tuned 'Mosaic', a driving, percussive techno workout that's direct and peak time yet also minimal and patient, poised even. Grillac follows suit, keeping things ghostly with plenty of energy coming from the top ends, while using a vocal hook to add a little rave bounce. By now, it's probably clear R 0 01 is a strong collection of belters, and the remainder do nothing to quash that belief. Lorenzo Mancino and Exos arguably unleash the most fury - tracks that feel like stepping into a warehouse party in 1999 with a nose full of whizz and stomach full of pills - while BENKHLIFA keeps it more heads down and Berlin.
Review: Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Sofia Records distils its now well-honed sonic spirit into a powerful EP that pairs the veteran pBPM crew and rising talent Impe?rieux. Prolific Bulgarian synth wizard KiNK leads with 'Let The Bass Kink,' a raw, kinetic dancefloor banger, and KEi follows with the emotionally charged, hypnotic 'Killing God Theme,' while Tegav, which is an alias of pBPM founder Kalin Baychev, delivers 'Stomper,' a percussive and edgy groove. Impe?rieux closes the EP with 'Jarka,' a playful leftfield track pushing dance boundaries with a blend of legacy and innovation. Now a decade strong, Sofia Records marks this milestone by looking boldly ahead.
Review: This EP is the first of a planned trilogy and it introduces Confusion is next to Happiness, a label and party series embracing total freedom to unite unique, diverse sounds, in arresting fashion. Duo Lucas Brell and Marvin Uhde, aka Kinzua, present three minimalist, richly textured tracks filled with their own haunting ambience. Their music balances intensity and transcendence, creating a trance-like atmosphere that draws you deep into the subtle modulations. The slow motion churn and distant throngs of 'First Row, Full Circle' is our favourite on what is a solid first EP.
Review: Konerytmi is mad prolific, as you probably know - as well as this EP, there is also one dropping on Bordello A Parigi this month - but quality levels always remain high. This 'Megapikseli EP' is a high-definition dive into electro-funk with vintage video game soul. Opener 'Kirsikka' delivers laser zaps and crisp 808s, while the title track brings fog-lit chords and mind-bending percussion, followed by Fleck ESC's cinematic, abstract remix. Side B begins with 'Mikropikseli,' a sun-soaked cosmic journey filled with playful effects and radiant leads, and closing track 'Puro' oozes late-night electrosoul, acid basslines and shimmering melodies perfect for anyone who likes groove-rich electro inspired by the golden age of gaming.
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