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With his last three records all landing within a calendar year (2024-25), enigmatic Swedish producer Civilistjävel! (aka Tomas Bodén) is on a hot streak of releases, his singular vision increasingly ambitious and expansive. There are few artists working at this level so consistently right now, reinventing, revising and continually developing their language. Following on from 2025’s radically re-worked ‘Versions’ (of Mayssa Jallad’s ‘Marjaa…’), Bodén returns to break further fresh ground with his new album, ‘Älvgång’. Featuring contributions from Soccer Committee, Carrier and guest (aka Jabu’s Jasmine Butt), ‘Älvgång’ foregrounds a more brittle and insistent rhythm-based sound, whilst comprising his most broad-ranging collection of material to date.


‘Älvgång’ grew out of a series of sketches made from late ‘24 and throughout the whole of ‘25 at Stockholm’s renowned EMS Studios, which gave Boden free rein to its extensive collection of vintage analogue equipment and rare modular synthesizers such as the Serge and Buchla systems. As a loose framework of tracks began to take shape, so did a reflection of sorts, on family and foundations, underpinned or influenced by sounds that drifted into Tomas consciousness around this time - ancient Swedish pastoral music, Georgian lithurgical chants, gongs, chimes. An idea settled into place, a dedication to his Grandfather, as the earlier release Fyra Platser (tr. ‘Four Places’) was to his Grandmother. Älvgång is grounded with the sense of time and place of an old family photograph, with the tracks over each side bearing one of two names that are more or less the same location - Strinne was the old name for a this loose collection of villages. These days it is more commonly known as Bjärtrå. Metaphorically speaking, the river runs through both.


Civilistjävel! conjures so many adjectives and descriptors, ‘glacial’ and ‘ambient’ frequently among them - but while not altogether untrue, such terms belie the tension and drama so often present in Tomas’ music. Listening to ‘Älvgång’ is not a passive experience. The eight tracks here feel like a patchwork of memories that bathe in the same ethereal, otherworldly glow of Tarkovsky’s polaroids’.


The machine pulses that dominate this landscape are reigned in and tempered by a human hand; lithe, untethered coils, breathing in and out. ‘Strinne Ett’ sets out with purpose, sensing awe and wonder through the murk, but as the final tone unfurls like a question mark, another chapter begins, unfolding/building like a Tarjei Vesaas novel. These lyrical, abstract miniatures combine to reveal a wider context, fragile humanity standing alone against nature.


Guest appearances on Civilistjävel! records have become a regular occurrence (including recent collaborations with Mayssa Jallad, Laila Sakini, Cucina Povera, Thomas Bush, Eldon + Withdrawn), but are used sparingly and with increasing precision. On ‘Strinne Tre’ Mariska Baars’ (Soccer Committee) voice feels like a balm, a clearing. But as her simple, three-word incantation drifts further into fog, the meaning changes, and her words seem to curdle. Carrier’s beats widen the parameters on ‘Strinne Fyra’, a skittering promise that builds tension then refuses to release it; all false starts, Photek gongs, and trinkling modulars. Jabu’s Jasmine Butt pulls all the threads together for the final track, Thomas Tallis’ ghost walking over offset machine impulses, that work against their own symmetry.


Side two begins inquisitively, scanning bleached, alien surroundings, its sparse pads recalling Aphex Twin’s ‘Selected Ambient works Vol 2’. 'Bjärtrå Två’ picks up the baton from ' Strinne Fyra’ with a ruptured Simmons SDS200 analogue drum synth set free from its shackles, the rhythm eventually slotting into the spaces that were hiding in plain sight. What follows seems like an epiphany; ‘Bjärtrå Tre’ is achingly beautiful, a euphoric, winding ascent that leads to devotional plainsong. ‘Bjärtrå Fyra‘s final unheralded shift feels both tragic and haunting.

For more than two decades, Vidmantas ?epkauskas has occupied a singular position within European underground culture. As the driving force behind Opium Club and gallery 1986 in Vilnius, founder of Ant Bangos, Alfavilnius and OLE festivals, curator, label owner, promoter, DJ and artist, he has spent much of his life creating the conditions for other people's music to be heard.
It makes sense then that he has no shortage of friends and collaborators in play. Across ten tracks, V presents shades of Italo, krautrock, post-punk, minimal synth, industrial pop and neon-noir romanticism, arriving somewhere between the dancefloor and a dream-state. The cast of collaborators both contextualize and help sharpen the vision.
First and foremost, much of the album was crafted alongside Frankfurt's Philipp Lauer, whose friendship with V grew through marathon studio sessions. Curses lends his unmistakable blend of dark romance and theatrical energy to "Is This What You Want?", Australian cosmic journeyman Dreems joins for the kaleidoscopic "Blitz Disc," Domenique Dumont brings their unmistakable emotive touch to "Avventura," while Lithuanian artists Noyus and Ruta MUR, both distinctive voices from the country's queer scene, whose vocals add another dimension to the record's emotional palette. As V puts it, "These are the people I've been vibing with."
That he finally delivers a full-length LP with such elusive qualities is more than a clue to his character. The title itself, a nod to Magritte's famous paradox and his years living in Brussels, suggests that any attempt to define V through a single image is destined to fail. At once playful and philosophical, 12:55 (Ceci n'est pas une V) questions ideas of identity and artistic value while marking the closing chapter of the musical persona that followed ?epkauskas' earlier success as Vidis. Neither retrospective nor statement of intent, it feels like a connected set of reflections spanning a lifetime of influences.

Adam Freeland’s return continues with the relaunch of Marine Parade and the release of the Twister EP, marking his first solo material since 2007.

“Twister” draws on Freeland’s love of psych rock, drone, leftfield techno and breakbeat, combining raw bass, polyrhythmic grooves and cavernous dub hits before building into a hypnotic drone-driven climax and cinematic guitar finish. On the flip, “Kiligurl” pairs pulsing drone and broken rhythms with spring reverb for an organic dub feel.

The EP follows Transhuman, Freeland’s collaboration with Spooky’s Duncan Forbes, and marks the next chapter for Marine Parade, the influential label that helped pioneer the edgier side of breakbeat in the 2000s. After closing in 2009, the label’s return follows Freeland’s decade living off-grid in California’s Mojave Desert and his work with The Acid alongside Ry X.

Following the international praise for their 2024 debut album Where Did You Go?, Sandman Project return with Hearts Forever, the first album entirely composed, arranged and produced by guitarist, composer and bandleader Tal Sandman. Rooted in psychedelic groove, Middle Eastern musicality, funk, jazz and desert rock, it is a record driven above all by a wider spiritual belief in music as a force for connection.

If Where Did You Go? introduced Sandman Project as a borderless, brass-heavy outfit with a cinematic sound, Hearts Forever takes that vision somewhere more intimate and self-assured. Written following Tal's move from Jaffa to Leipzig, the album reflects a period of personal and creative transformation. Arriving in Germany without knowing whether she would find the right collaborators, she gradually assembled a new band through recommendations from fellow musicians, discovering a group capable of bringing her musical vision to life. For Tal, the music is not about drawing neat lines between styles or traditions. It is about taking inspiration from wherever it appears and reshaping it into something honest and alive. "If music touches my heart, it inspires me", she says. "So much music already exists, but what we are doing is creating something new out of inspiration. You take the ingredients and make a new thing".

This is the quiet force behind Hearts Forever. Almost entirely instrumental, the album deliberately leaves space for listeners to find their own stories within it. Without lyrics, the music is never confined to one language, nationality or identity.

Following support for Where Did You Go? from All About Jazz, DJ Magazine, Bayern Radio, Greedy For Best, Pipelines Magazine, Ban Ban Ton Ton and Laurent Garnier, Hearts Forever finds Sandman Project entering a new chapter: more confident, broader in vision and more deeply rooted in Tal Sandman's own creative voice. Rich, restless and full of feeling, Hearts Forever is music for uncertain times; a record about holding on to innocence, choosing compassion and believing, however quietly, that connection is still possible.

As part of the 20 Years of BM anniversary celebrations, Bondage-Music proudly presents Bondage Games Pt. 11 — a special five-part vinyl series. Each release is named after a constellation, together forming a unique tribute to two decades of Bondage-Music.
With Bondage Games Pt. 11, the label's iconic vinyl series returns in its most ambitious edition to date. Created to celebrate 20 years of Bondage-Music, the series unfolds across five constellation-themed releases, each featuring four exclusive productions from artists closely connected to the label.
The first chapter, Ursus, brings together four exclusive tracks from Roger Gerressen, Sascha Dive, Rhadow and Lola Palmer. From Roger Gerressen's hypnotic groove-driven Patterned Shards and Sascha Dive's unmistakable deep house craftsmanship on Dub Chronicles #10 to Rhadow's atmospheric Ripples and Lola Palmer's warm and emotional Slow Down, the record perfectly reflects the timeless musical identity that has defined Bondage-Music since day one — deep, soulful, groove-focused and made for both intimate listening and late-night dancefloors.
Pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl and housed in an individually printed sleeve, Ursus continues Bondage-Music's longstanding commitment to exceptional quality in both music and design. The artwork was created by BM's longtime Head of Artwork, Pete Bombart — a close friend and an integral part of the label since its earliest days. His unmistakable visual language has become inseparable from the Bondage-Music identity, earning a loyal following far beyond the music itself.
Whether collected as part of the complete anniversary series or enjoyed on its own, Bondage Games Pt. 11: Ursus is a celebration of the artists, the friendships and the unmistakable sound that have shaped Bondage-Music over the past twenty years.

As part of the 20 Years of BM anniversary celebrations, Bondage-Music proudly presents Bondage Games Pt. 11 — a special five-part vinyl series. Each release is named after a constellation, together forming a unique tribute to two decades of Bondage-Music.
With Bondage Games Pt. 11, the label's iconic vinyl series returns in its most ambitious edition to date. Created to celebrate 20 years of Bondage-Music, the series unfolds across five constellation-themed releases, each featuring four exclusive productions from artists closely connected to the label.
The first chapter, Ursus, brings together four exclusive tracks from Roger Gerressen, Sascha Dive, Rhadow and Lola Palmer. From Roger Gerressen's hypnotic groove-driven Patterned Shards and Sascha Dive's unmistakable deep house craftsmanship on Dub Chronicles #10 to Rhadow's atmospheric Ripples and Lola Palmer's warm and emotional Slow Down, the record perfectly reflects the timeless musical identity that has defined Bondage-Music since day one — deep, soulful, groove-focused and made for both intimate listening and late-night dancefloors.
Pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl and housed in an individually printed sleeve, Ursus continues Bondage-Music's longstanding commitment to exceptional quality in both music and design. The artwork was created by BM's longtime Head of Artwork, Pete Bombart — a close friend and an integral part of the label since its earliest days. His unmistakable visual language has become inseparable from the Bondage-Music identity, earning a loyal following far beyond the music itself.
Whether collected as part of the complete anniversary series or enjoyed on its own, Bondage Games Pt. 11: Ursus is a celebration of the artists, the friendships and the unmistakable sound that have shaped Bondage-Music over the past twenty years.

Medusa Outdoor presents the third chapter of its Vinyl Collector series: MO_03 – The Vinyl Collector III, featuring six carefully selected techno tracks across different generations, curated by resident dj's Michael Forzza and Jochen Robberecht. The release brings together internationally renowned artists including Nicole Moudaber, Johannes Heil, Envoy, Frank Biazzi, Flug and Steve Nash. Among its highlights is the long-awaited return of Johannes Heil’s “Paranoid Dancer”, presented as a Re-Mastered Original and appearing on vinyl for the first time since its original 2002 release, alongside Envoy’s timeless techno classic “Dark Manoeuvres” and Nicole Moudaber’s powerful “Movin’ On”. From rare collector material and timeless classics to contemporary techno, MO_03 brings six outstanding tracks together on one distinctive bordeaux-coloured vinyl, housed in a beautiful gatefold sleeve. Six tracks. Different generations. One shared techno legacy.

Originally released in 1989, “Synthesis” is the debut full-length album by Artefacto, a pioneering Mexican techno-pop band formed in Tijuana by Bola Modelevsky, Roberto Mendoza and Melo Ruiz. With its distinctive blend of electronic rhythms, synthesizers and futuristic pop sensibilities, the album became an important and highly sought-after release within the Mexican electronic music scene. Despite the album’s innovative sound and the interest surrounding it at the time, “Synthesis” was mysteriously held back from a wider release.

“Synthesis” has since become regarded by collectors as one of the essential releases of Mexican techno-pop, with tracks such as “Complejo de Amor” and “Mundo sin Viento” remaining enduring classics. “Mundo sin Viento” was later featured on “Back Up: Mexican Tecno Pop 1980-1989”, the influential compilation released by Dark Entries, helping introduce Artefacto’s music to a new international audience.

The story of Artefacto and its creators did not end with this chapter. Its members continued to explore new musical territories through projects such as Artefakto, Panoptica, Nortec Collective, and Klansoff, continuing their creative journey within Mexico’s evolving electronic music scene.

For this new edition, “Synthesis” has been newly remastered from the original master tapes and is presented on transparent red vinyl, limited to 350 copies and including a reproduction of the original lyrics insert.


After a few years of silence, the London-based label resurfaces from the depths of the underground with a new split EP, the fifth in the series, merging nu-skool breaks and futuristic electro from the like of two firmly established talents.

The Brussels-based artist and founder of ZwaarteKracht Records - Arsonist Recorder.With standout releases on Diffuse Reality, 20:20 Vision and Specimen he takes control of the A-side to deliver two finely crafted electro gems. Spanish producer Sigma_ALgebra, co-founder of Tensor Norm and already featured on Science Cult, Elektrodos Recordings, Anti Gravity Device, Digital Distortions or Urban Connections is slamming the Side B with two experimental yet powerful electro assaults, unmistakably stamped.

Ranging from dancefloor-oriented electro to industrial breakbeats and lo-fi textures, this fifth chapter offers a deep dive into raw, hammering rhythms and pulsating grooves crafted for sweat-drenched, late-night sessions.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the true cult classics of the Italo Disco universe: Mike Mareen’s “Love Spy.” Released in 1986, the track sounded strikingly different from much of the dance music around it: futuristic, dramatic, playful and instantly recognisable. It quickly found its way into DJ cases across Europe and became one of the records that would define Mike Mareen’s electronic sound.

But the story actually began under a different name. An early incarnation of the song was called “Batman,” with lyrics inspired by the adventures of the famous comic-book hero and the villains surrounding him. A small number of promotional copies circulated before copyright concerns meant that the concept had to be abandoned. The title and lyrics were rewritten and “Love Spy” was born. The early “Batman” version has since become one of the most fascinating curiosities in Mike Mareen’s catalogue.

Four decades later, we felt an anniversary like this deserved something special.
LOVE SPY 40th Anniversary will therefore arrive in two parts, bringing together some of our favourite producers from today’s Italo, synth and electronic scene.

Part One features brand-new remixes by Luca Dell’Orso, Flemming Dalum, Also Playable Mono and Disco Computer. And enthusiasm was never going to be a problem here. “Love Spy” is not simply an ’80s classic, it remains a genuine DJ favourite, loved by old-school collectors and a new generation of Italo-wave selectors alike.

Alongside four killer new interpretations, we are bringing back the original Badman Mix, plus the highly sought-after “MAKE YOUR OWN MIX” material – rare set of individual elements created for DJs to deconstruct, combine and rebuild “Love Spy” themselves. These samples have become particularly desirable among collectors and make the perfect addition to the first chapter of our anniversary edition.

Four new remixes. Two pieces of history. Forty years of LOVE SPY.

And we are only halfway there.

LOVE SPY 40th Anniversary Part Two, featuring another line-up of major names from our scene arrives in November.

2026 Repress
Temudo - Meteora (FUSE06) by Noah Hocker

A leader of the Portuguese wave in techno co-founding Hayes Collective while boasting acclaimed releases on Klockworks, Blueprint, and Soma, Temudo grabs the reins to take club music back to its days of audacity and risk taking. A more than promising up-and-comer turned modern reference, Temudo defends his reputation with a release showcasing depth in his various sonic universes and a deep understanding of his music's history. For its seventh release, Temudo's 'Meteora' is a logical next step for the club's direction - a sweet spot between dancefloor efficiency and enduring aesthetic.

Combining the intrigue of mental soundscapes with the reliability of imposing rhythm, 'Meteora' finds itself collected, expressing effect through restraint. The title track, claiming the EP's A1, is just that - a force of interweaving sound design and powerful micro transitions. Some believe the best techno records are able to express emotion and attitude despite its dissonant and machinelike nature; if that's the case then Temudo has mastered the craft. 'When I Grow Up', however, puts the focus back on the body. What sounds like warbling tape modulation over a percussive lead makes this record an addictively delirious ride from start to finish, fitting in with the track before while shifting to different priorities. Proving his versatility, 'Vrthng' at first seems reminiscent of the minimal Berlin style with a higher pace, but quickly progresses into something intensely euphoric. With experience and measure, an out of the box approach can really pay off, and the added emotion in 'Vrthng' is certainly a turning point in the EP. This mindset is clearly carried over in the project's conclusion : 'It's Always Past'. A surprising use of harmony and storytelling, this final chapter ends with Temudo sealing his style with confidence. The track is mystified by its chords, ending 'Meteora' with a question mark that leaves us in anticipation for what Temudo dares to do next.

180 GR returns with the third and final chapter of Music & Territory from N-Zino, continuing his exploration of groove, rhythm, and deep-rooted dancefloor music through a record balancing organic textures with timeless club sensibilities. The 180 GR Classic Mix of Your X leans towards the label's signature dancefloor language: stripped-back, hypnotic, and groove-driven, built around rolling rhythms and functional energy. In contrast, the 180 GR Organic Mix opens the arrangement into warmer and more textured territories, emphasizing musicality, movement, and a more immersive atmosphere. On remix duties, Trinidadian Deep delivers his signature spiritual approach -- deep, meditative, and richly textured -- stretching the source material into immersive territories built for late-night moments. Meanwhile, Nico Lahs brings his unmistakable blend of raw groove, jazz-infused house aesthetics, and driving rhythm sections, injecting extra energy while preserving the emotional core of the originals.

Since forming in 2020, Dinner Party has continued to erase the lines between jazz, soul, and hip-hop, building a discography celebrated for its warmth, musicianship, and effortless chemistry. Following their Grammy-nominated 2020 self-titled debut, the Dinner Party: Dessert reimagining, and 2023's Enigmatic Society, Whatchu Bringing? finds the group as locked-in as ever — trading the same easy, in-the-room feel that has made them one of the most beloved collectives in modern music.

Whatchu Bringing? arrives on the heels of a pair of 2026 Grammy nominations for Dinner Party co-founder Terrace Martin. Martin's collaborative album with Kenyon Dixon, Come As You Are, was nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album, while its single "WeMaj" (feat. Rapsody) earned a nod for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The nominations arrived in the middle of an especially prolific run for Martin, who spent early 2026 rolling out his ambitious four-part album series — Passion, Peace, Purpose, and Perspective — building toward the full-length Love Is Louder Than Algorithms. Whatchu Bringing? marks his next chapter, bringing that same restless creative energy back to Dinner Party.

With Whatchu Bringing?, Dinner Party continues a run defined by joy, community, and genre-defying collaboration — an invitation, as always, to pull up a chair.

Written during and after a year touring the world, Sweet American Boy
expands the raw honesty that built honestav's audience while pushing his
sound into bigger, rock-driven territory - heard on Can't Let Go, Storm In
This House, and Crash First.
Across 16 tracks he wrestles with family history, addiction, grief, love, and
the complicated reality of chasing - and catching - the dreams he once
chased. It’s honestav at his most vulnerable, self-aware, and ambitious: an
evolution of his signature storyteling that feels larger, louder, and more
unfiltered than ever before.
• MGK co-sign Multiple dates on MGK's Lost Americana Tour; Crash
First (with mgk) on the LP
• Deeply engaged fanbase: 1.8M TikTok • 1.2M Spotify monthly
listeners
• A bigger, bolder chapter: Rock-driven evolution of his sound, with a
headline tour on the way

Shkedul & Marco Mellere deliver the second chapter of the NORD EDIT series, this time focused on editing previous unreleased jams from early 00′ progressive house & tech-house era.
Limited edition / Vinyl Only

Since forming in 2020, Dinner Party has continued to erase the lines between jazz, soul, and hip-hop, building a discography celebrated for its warmth, musicianship, and effortless chemistry. Following their Grammy-nominated 2020 self-titled debut, the Dinner Party: Dessert reimagining, and 2023's Enigmatic Society, Whatchu Bringing? finds the group as locked-in as ever — trading the same easy, in-the-room feel that has made them one of the most beloved collectives in modern music.

Whatchu Bringing? arrives on the heels of a pair of 2026 Grammy nominations for Dinner Party co-founder Terrace Martin. Martin's collaborative album with Kenyon Dixon, Come As You Are, was nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album, while its single "WeMaj" (feat. Rapsody) earned a nod for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The nominations arrived in the middle of an especially prolific run for Martin, who spent early 2026 rolling out his ambitious four-part album series — Passion, Peace, Purpose, and Perspective — building toward the full-length Love Is Louder Than Algorithms. Whatchu Bringing? marks his next chapter, bringing that same restless creative energy back to Dinner Party.

With Whatchu Bringing?, Dinner Party continues a run defined by joy, community, and genre-defying collaboration — an invitation, as always, to pull up a chair.

For Luca, Cuylan’s new album of elegant modern classical, globally informed folk and gentle electronic music, is in part a tribute to his dearly departed dog. Luca came into Cuylan’s life like a key unlocking a door, leading to experiences and experiments simultaneously new and familiar. Back then the Turkish-born musician was living in LA with his wife, leading a busy creative life, writing and recording scores for films and Netflix series, and suddenly with the adoption of Luca here’s this bouncy, furry being demanding constant attention. Cuylan accepted the responsibility like a father welcoming a child. He grew closer to his wife. He started psychoanalysis. He returned to acoustic guitar, his original instrument, waylaid for 20 years in favor of synthesizers and electronics, pulsing post-rock and skittering jazz. Luca was there in the studio when Cuylan recorded his first solo album, 2021’s No Such Thing As Free Will, which The Guardian said “seems to invent new languages for the guitar.” Without a doubt, Luca the dog made Deniz the musician more expressive and more vulnerable. Better at his craft. Better at his humanity. Luca was just five years old when bone cancer struck. He exited far too quickly, a comet of joy passing into the dark, unfathomable universe. Cuylan found his absence very hard to process–he was just right here! It took a couple years, but inevitably Luca, the catalyst for Cuylan’s current chapter, inspired new artistry after his death–from Cuylan, and from a host of collaborators from around the world who contributed to For Luca. All of them share an abiding compassion for the more-than-human creatures with whom we share this planet–dogs, cats, whales, ants, trees. The entire menagerie, humankind’s kindred. The album is a collective meditation on–and celebration of–their immeasurable essence. It was born not from despair but from a transcendent love that burns all the brighter for its brevity.

London duo Kassian trade darkness for daylight on Gradients, their third EP for !K7 Records

The EP arrives as a bridge between last year's debut album and a new live show and sophomore LP, due in 2027

As Kassian, Warren Cummings and Joe Danvers continue to sit apart from any one scene. Their fruitful relationship with !K7 has spanned eclectic and global club cuts, including the spatial breaks and bass of 2024's best-selling Supercontinent EP. 2025's debut album, Channels, emerged from lockdown so leaned slow, downtempo and introspective, but this new EP points toward a clubbier, more physical direction that will carry through into album two.

Crucially, the record was written and played live on an array of studio gear rather than assembled piece by piece in the box. It's a way of building towards their first fully live show in 2027 - a hands-on, jam-first approach that leads to "happy accidents" and the unpredictable textures that hardware throws up and no amount of in-the-box planning can replicate.

Gradients is built for the floor without playing to trends and marks some of the duo's most melodic work to date. Rather than sitting purely in heads-down territory, the EP folds in hooks and vocal fragments that lift you out of the smoke and the shadows of the club. The low ends are still rooted in techno with potent drums and bass, but deft vocal hooks and subtle melodies bring a brightness that deliberately steers away from the darker, meaner aesthetic dominating much of dance music right now.

Vocal touches throughout nod to what's going on in the wider underground without tethering to tried and tested tropes. Opener 'Blush' rides warm, soft yet bold melodic riffs, looping in arcs over a hunched, speedy tech house groove. 'Ritmo' is a muscular bouncer with spring-loaded bass, 'Inner Dance' has lurching drums and a cavernous rhythm with vocals that make a playful nod to sound system culture. Last but not least, 'Sweat' is the brightest and most bubbly cut on the EP, with a tight techno low end infused with a velvety whispered vocal.

The Gradients EP is a bright, hardware-built prelude to Kassian's next chapter and a typically well-crafted four-tracker that pairs physical weight with classy emotional release.

It’s that time of year again! Are your copies of “Now! That’s What I Ca l Christmas” and “A Motown Christmas” finaly feeling worn out? Strut has the ideal antidote this year, as we dive into the world of festive records made by African artists spanning the late 1960s to the 1980s with our new Krismasi: Christmas Sounds From Africa compilation.

Taking in music from across the continent from Nigeria and Ghana to South Africa and Zimbabwe, Krismasi draws from a wide range of sounds from fun novelty records and spur-of-the-moment jams to spiritual and gospel favourites. Featured artists include Ghanian great Kwadwo Donkoh with a meditative highlife praise song from his much-loved Christmas Africana album. Elsewhere, pop star turned pastor, Jerry Boifraind, has some fun with a song celebrating seeing friends at Christmas and Nigerian pop favourite Martha Ulaeto features with the lilting lead track from her own Christmas Africana release. We pick out some choice Central and East African sounds with Kakai Kilonzo’s bri liant Kilimambogo Brothers Band and Congolese legend Baba Gaston’s Orchestra Baba National capturing the joy of the festive season. We stop off in Zim for a rare Dorothy Masuka acoustic piece and one of the country’s great musicians post-independence, Paul “Dr. Love” Matavire with ‘Christmas Yaswedera’ (‘Christmas Is Near’). Township jazz star Reggie Msomi appears with a joyous township instrumental and, fina ly, we couldn’t release a Christmas co lection without some carols. Here we include here a great version of ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ by UK-based Nigerian highlife musician Flash Dominci and a hi-octane funky medley of favourite festive hymns by Ghana’s Oscar Suley.

The compilation is the first in-depth co lection of rare African Christmas recordings, uncovering a rich and often overlooked chapter of the continent's musical history. Krismasi is available on Red & White Inkplosion Vinyl LP and CD. Vinyl restoration is by Colin Young at See Why Audio, mastering is by Frank Merritt at The Carvery, and the album features striking new artwork by Liam Large.

Kalita presents the fourth and final instalment of their groundbreaking ‘Borga Revolution!’ series, uncovering another selection of essential recordings from the rich and far-reaching world of Ghanaian highlife. Spanning deep, hypnotic highlife through to the vibrant electronic productions of 1980s Burger Highlife, Volume 4 captures a period of extraordinary musical change, as Ghanaian artists absorbed influences from funk, disco, boogie, and new synthesizer technology. With previous volumes championed by tastemakers including Gilles Peterson, Antal, Tom Ravenscroft, and Hunee, this final chapter turns its attention once again to the music of the Ghanaian diaspora.

Volume 4 brings together rare recordings from artists such as Rex Omar, Nat Fredua, and CST Amankwah, alongside the elusive, deeply hypnotic and beautiful sounds of the Abibifo Dance Band of Ghana (led by the legendary bassist Ralph Karikari) and Baffour Kyei. Unearthing recordings that have languished in obscurity for over forty years, the compilation moves between deep highlife, rhythmic dancefloor cuts, and pioneering digital productions, revealing yet more musical ingenuity of Ghanaian artists both home and abroad. The final instalment in the ‘Borga Revolution!’ series, it offers another vital collection of forgotten favourites and hidden treasures for DJs, collectors, and anyone drawn to the endlessly inventive sounds of Ghanaian music.

The 1970s and 80s saw Ghanaian musicians begin to incorporate Western sounds like funk and disco into their music, reflecting the changing global musical landscape. However, the country's political instability and economic hardships, marked by military regimes and curfews, forced many artists to leave Ghana in search of better opportunities abroad. In Europe and the U.S., these musicians fused their traditional highlife roots with emerging digital sounds, using cutting-edge technology like the DX7 synthesizer and drum machines to create the genre now known as Burger Highlife.

With ‘Borga Revolution!’ Kalita offers a vivid exposition of this musical transformation, using rare interviews, archival photos, and detailed liner notes to bring to life the pioneering spirit of both well-known icons and unsung innovators of Ghanaian Highlife, one of West Africa’s most exciting musical movements.

· The final installment in Kalita's 'Borga Revolution!' series, examining the development of Ghanaian dance music in the 1970/80s, and focussing on the phenomenon of Burger highlife (a blend of Ghanaian highlife with disco, boogie and synths).

· 2xLP in gatefold sleeve, with printed inner sleeves examining the stories of the artists featured on the volume.

· Includes 10 highly sought-after and under-the-radar recordings, including those by the phenomenal Rex Omar, Nat Fredua, CST Amankwah, Baffour Kyei, Chief Kofi Sammy, and the Abibifo Dance Band of Ghana.

Soul Quest Records opens a new chapter with Re:Quest Vol.1, the first instalment in a new remix series dedicated to revisiting, reimagining, and breathing fresh life into music from the label’s growing back catalogue. True to Soul Quest’s ethos of deep, soulful, and jazz-tinged sounds, Re:Quest brings together four new interpretations from a diverse cast of producers, each offering their own perspective while retaining the spirit of the original recordings.

„Nowawes2“ marks the second chapter for the label, staying true to its sound without repeating itself. Poul Verner delivers another limited hand-stamped two-tracker built around warm analog textures, organic grooves and understated depth. No unnecessary tricks, no oversized moments. Just two carefully crafted cuts that unfold in their own time. The A-side, „Choose Your Future“, settles into a deep 120 BPM groove, drifting through layers of dub delays, tape noise, subtle pads and restrained chords. Equal parts dub techno and deep house, it leaves plenty of space for atmosphere to do the talking. Flip it over and „Choose Life“ raises the tempo to 130 BPM without sacrificing its hypnotic flow. Stretching across 12 minutes, it builds patiently without ever rushing its destination. More drive, more momentum, yet the same sense of space. Dreamlike, immersive and made for those moments when the dancefloor locks into a rhythm of its own. „Nowawes2“ continues to explore the space between laid back house and organic techno with patience, restraint and an unmistakably analog character. Built for long blends, late hours and selectors who know that the most subtle records often leave the deepest impression.

Barac returns to MAONO Records for the label’s third vinyl release, MAO-V003, delivering another timeless EP. The “Between Past and Present” EP unfolds through Barac’s unmistakable hypnotic sound, joined by a deep and refined remix from Electricano. On the B-side, “One Thing” completes another distinctive chapter in the MAONO catalogue. Three distinct cuts come together to form a carefully balanced record. Limited quantities available. Exclusive colored cover with lacquer finish. 180G Vinyl. Vinyl Only.

BATTISTINO, the artistic alias of Marco Battistini, is an Italian musician, songwriter, producer and DJ. His project is rooted in the meeting point between Italo Disco, French Electro, late-’70s Disco Music and Italian pop culture, reinterpreted through a contemporary vision that avoids nostalgia in favor of a distinctive sonic identity. His main influences include the aesthetic vision of Daft Punk, the musical freedom of Daniele Baldelli’s Cosmic Sound, the international disco movement of the late 1970s, and the golden era of Italian Italo Disco, with a special admiration for Righeira. His productions combine driving synth grooves, pulsating basslines and immediate melodies. Gritty electronic drums, saturated synthesizers and subtle harmonic distortion deliberately break away from the polished sound traditionally associated with classic Italo Disco. The result is a more physical and textured sonic palette that preserves the melodic elegance at the heart of the project. BATTISTINO’s visual identity follows the same philosophy. Elegant, reserved and almost bureaucratic, he prefers to remain behind the scenes rather than at the center of attention. More than a performer, he acts as the curator of a sonic archive, where every track represents a fragment of a larger story.

“Il Segreto” is the opening chapter of a conceptual trilogy inspired by an affair that was never revealed, set on the Italian Riviera in the early 1980s. Rather than telling the story itself, the project explores what remains: silence, forgotten details, invisible traces and memories suspended in time. Music, visual design and imagery all become chapters of the same narrative. Every release is a new file, every track a recovered document, every production another fragment of a story that will never be fully disclosed. BATTISTINO doesn’t tell stories. He preserves them. And, from time to time, he allows part of them to surface.

The 12″ includes a N.O.I.A. Remix!

Emmy Award-winning composer Bear McCreary returns to the Outlander universe for another score, this time for the spin-off Blood of my Blood. This next chapter in the time travellers saga premiered in August 2025 and serves as a prequel to the critically acclaimed Outlander series.

Set in 18th century Scotland and England during the World War I, the series focuses on the lives and courtship of the parents of Jamie Fraser and Claire Beauchamp. McCreary masterfully brings the tale alive by blending classical music with folk and traditional Celtic.

The soundtrack of Outlander: Blood of my Blood is available as a limited edition on transparent vinyl and includes an insert.

Cécille Summer 2026 Compilation
Summer and Cécille have always gone hand in hand.

For 2026, we’re back with another carefully selected collection of records that perfectly capture where house music feels today. Eleven tracks from artists we’ve admired for years, longtime friends of the label, exciting
newcomers, and fresh faces joining the Cécille family for the very first time.

Piem opens the journey with his long-awaited Cécille debut. A respected name in the scene for many years, his unmistakable groove has been on our radar for a long time, and we’re proud to finally welcome him to the label with Give Me The Rhythm.

Leon returns to where it all began. Since his very first Cécille release back in 2009, he’s been an important part of the label’s story. Let Bass Kick is classic Leon—timeless, understated and effortlessly effective.

UK duo Late Replies continue their incredible rise with Moment 4 U. Their fresh take on house music has been impossible to ignore, and we’re thrilled to have them on this year’s compilation.

Dutch mainstay Jesse Maas delivers Voices In My Head, another classy slice of groove from one of the most consistent names in the Netherlands’ house scene.

Buenos Aires’ Manu Desrets impressed us so much that one track simply wasn’t enough. His two contributions, Get GG and Voy No Kako, showcase two different shades of his sound and perfectly reflect why he’s become
one of the most exciting producers coming out of Argentina.

Andrew Azara has become a true part of the Cécille family over the years. This time he teams up with Traumer, who makes his label debut with a beautifully understated deep house record. Need You is one of those tracks
that quietly sticks with you.

We’re also excited to welcome Jay de Lys to the family. Together with Simon Kidzoo and Monölitio, the trio delivers Into The Light—a warm, feel-good house record that instantly became one of our favourites. Three
artists from Argentina, the Netherlands and Barcelona coming together exactly the way house music should.

After turning heads on last year’s Costa compilation, Brazil’s Classmatic returns alongside fellow Florianópolis producer Marian. Brazilian Madness is exactly what you’d expect: infectious groove, irresistible swing and that
unmistakable Brazilian sense of rhythm.

One of the hottest young names coming out of the Netherlands right now, Stefan Meser delivers Don’t Hesitate—one of those records that gets stuck in your head after the very first listen.

Closing the compilation is someone who’s been part of the Cécille story since the very beginning. Christian Burkhardt has been a longtime friend of the label and one of Frankfurt’s finest. Specialo lived in our vault for almost two years while we waited for the right moment to release it. This felt like the perfect place for it, and the perfect way to close another Cécille summer.

Eleven tunes. Eleven different stories. One soundtrack for Summer 2026. Welcome to the next chapter of Cécille.

The man with the hat returns to where it all began. A lot of water has flowed down the Rhine since Rune Reilly Kölsch set out 16 years ago to conquer the raving planet with “Loreley.” But just as that rock stands firm against the floodwaters, so too is Kölsch’s instinct for great tracks, great emotions, and great moments. “Anti Promi Energie” is yet another track that generates incredible energy with astonishing ease. The B-side isn’t just a true standout within the Kölsch canon; it also opens a remarkable new chapter in the label’s history: “Verschwinden” can best be described as techno-folk—or simply as the ideal final track after a night of partying, before the dawn swallows up the happy souls.
Der Mann mit dem Hut kehrt dorthin zurück, wo alles begann. Seit Rune Reilly Kölsch sich vor 16 Jahren mit “Loreley” anschickte, den Rave-Planeten zu erobern, ist viel Wasser den Rhein hinuntergeflossen. Doch so unumstösslich wie jener Felsen den Fluten standhält, so stabil ist auch Kölsch’s Gespür für große Tracks, große Gefühle und große Momente. “Anti Promi Energie” ist wieder so ein Track, der mit erstaunlicher Leichtigkeit unglaubliche Energie erzeugt. Die B-Seite ist nicht nur innerhalb des Kölsch-Kanons eine echte Besonderheit, sondern schlägt auch in der Geschichte des Labels ein bemerkenswertes neues Kapitel auf: “Verschwinden” lässt sich am besten als Techno-Folk beschreiben – oder einfach als der ideale letzte Track nach durchfeierter Nacht, bevor der anbrechende Tag die glücklichen Seelen verschluckt.

Sciahri and Sublunar are truly proud to present the next chapter in the label's journey: Hadone's debut album, Kept What Remained. Known as the co-founder of TSSRCT alongside UFO95, and following his contribution to Veil Of Echoes II, Hadone returns to Sublunar with a body of work that fully showcases the breadth of his artistic vision. Throughout the album, he reveals an impressive ability to merge emotional depth, powerful rhythms and sophisticated sound design into a deeply personal and unmistakable sonic identity, further establishing himself as one of the most compelling artists in today's techno landscape. The journey begins with the ambient title track, "Kept What Remained", an atmospheric introduction that sets the tone for everything that follows. It seamlessly transitions into "It Was Never Really Gone", a deeply emotional piece with a memorable arrangement that lingers long after it ends, before "Red Hour" raises the intensity through driving percussion and a tougher sonic approach. The B-side opens with "The Enemy Within", an explosive combination of intricate sound design and powerful rhythmic structures. It is followed by "Claim Your Due", a more submerged and atmospheric composition whose versatility makes it equally effective across different moments of a set. On the C-side, "Nobody Hears The Warning" gradually builds momentum through hypnotic energy and striking production, leading into "A Gentle Kind Of Madness", where beautifully crafted synth work and meticulous arrangements create one of the album's most distinctive moments. The final side begins with "A Dog That Learned To Speak", blending contrasting synth textures and detailed effects into a constantly evolving soundscape. The album concludes with "The Quiet Refusal", an epic and powerful closing statement that perfectly brings together the emotional intensity, coherence and artistic vision of the entire record. With Kept What Remained, Hadone demonstrates that innovation doesn't require sacrificing identity. Instead, he delivers an album that is bold, emotionally resonant and unmistakably his own, confirming his place among the leading voices of contemporary techno.

2026 Repress

ANNE and Sera J close their Symbiosis series on Mutual Rytm with third and most refined EP yet.

This final chapter reflects everything the collaboration has stood for across a trio of inventive techno releases on SHDW's imprint. Creative and life partners ANNE and Sera J have been two voices growing in parallel, evolving separately but moving with the same pulse. ANNE is well established thanks to standout EPs on the likes of Soma and Hardgroove, while Sera J has released on the likes of Life in Patterns and Renegade Methodz, and both have featured on Mutual Rytm's 'Federation Of Rytm' series before now. 'Symbiosis III' is the moment where everything comes full circle: the culmination of a journey built on respect, creativity, and the freedom to explore their own paths while lifting each other forward.

Sera J kicks off with 'Ransomware', a commanding and driving techno cut lit up with flashy synths but always moving with urgency. 'Phosphate' keeps the energy levels high with stripped-back drums and bass designed to perfection, while 'Anthrax' has an anxious edge. The synths are wispy but evocative as bass kills and swiping filters bring the drama.

ANNE then ups the ante with the acid-tinged 'Dementia', which is loopy and unrelenting before 'A Taste of a Real Woman' gets more seductive with a sultry spoken word and sustained chords that bring the paranoia. 'Heart Rate' is propulsive with Detroit-style synth soul and an aching vocal, before Sera J returns with 'On the Run' - a percussive, trippy and eerie roller. His final Cut 'Similar Minds' has a searching synth surveying a desolate landscape, before ANNE then closes the EP with the punchy drum patterns and icy hi hats of 'Primal Howl Of Ego' and a blend of deep drums and evocative synth work on the 'Analog Heartbeat' - which proves potent techno can be beautiful.

The journey continues.

For the seventh edition of the Vega Records 5 Pack Unreleased series, Louie Vega once again opens the vault to reveal a special collection of unreleased recordings, alternate versions, remixes, demos, tribute reworks and deep cuts from the Vega Records musical family.

5 Pack Unreleased VII brings together 15 tracks across five 12-inch records, showcasing the wide musical spectrum that has always been part of the Vega Records story. From soulful house and deep grooves to jazz, soul, Brazilian influences, live instrumentation, Latin influences, powerful vocals, disco-rooted rhythms and the freedom to experiment in the studio, this collection moves through many different sides of the music.

Some of these recordings have been waiting patiently in the vault. Others represent alternate versions of songs that continue to evolve through different interpretations. Together, they create another musical journey through the sounds, collaborations and ideas that have shaped the Vega Records universe.

These final recordings speak to something that has always been important to Louie’s musical journey: respecting the music that came before while finding a way to reinterpret it through his own musical language.

From Loleatta Holloway and Duane Harden to Elements Of Life, 2SoulFusion, Domo Domo, Brutha Louie & Brutha Basil, and the tribute recordings, 5 Pack Unreleased VII brings together different generations, different voices and different musical influences under one roof.

The Elements Of Life sound continues throughout the collection, with “Sunshine (I Can Fly),” “Every Step” and “Dreamer” offering special previews into the musical direction of the forthcoming 2027 Elements Of Life album.

This is the seventh chapter of the series, but the philosophy remains the same:

Open the vault.
Share the music.
Let the DJs discover it.
Let the dancers feel it.
Five records.
Fifteen tracks.

A collection of unreleased music, special versions, studio discoveries, tributes and musical experiments from the world of Vega Records — with plenty more waiting inside the vault.

A soaring new chapter unfolds from the forthcoming Elements Of Life album with the release of “Soar,” an uplifting and deeply moving collaboration featuring the incomparable Lisa Fischer. Written by Josh Milan and Louie Vega and produced by 2SoulFusion—Louie Vega and Josh Milan—the song is a powerful testament to resilience, transformation, and the limitless possibilities that emerge when spirit, soul, and music unite.

Built upon a rich tapestry of live musicianship, “Soar” embodies the signature sound that has made Elements Of Life a beloved musical movement around the world. At its core is Lisa Fischer’s breathtaking vocal performance, delivering a message of hope, elevation, and self-discovery with the emotional depth and conviction that have made her one of the most revered voices of her generation.

At the heart of “Soar” is a message of encouragement, resilience, and unconditional support. Through its uplifting lyrics and soaring melody, the song speaks to anyone navigating life's uncertainties while striving to become their fullest self. Lines such as “Clouds hang low, but the sky's still wide” acknowledge the challenges we all face, while the recurring refrain, “I just want you to soar,” serves as a powerful affirmation of faith in another person's journey. Equally moving is the song's central sentiment, “The more you do for you, the better I feel,” expressing a selfless form of love that celebrates growth, healing, and personal fulfillment. Universal in its message yet deeply personal in its spirit, “Soar” reminds us that one of the greatest gifts we can offer is the encouragement to rise, evolve, and embrace our own potential.

The production blends organic instrumentation with sophisticated arrangements, creating a timeless soundscape that feels both expansive and intimate. Multi Grammy Award-winning bassist Christian McBride anchors the composition with his masterful upright bass work, while Josh Milan's lush keyboards, piano, organ, clavinet, and atmospheric textures provide the song's harmonic foundation. Live drums from Tony Cintron and vibrant percussion from Luisito Quintero infuse the track with an irresistible pulse, while Ivan Renta's expressive soprano saxophone solo adds another layer of emotional richness, and a tasteful guitar groove by Sherrod Barnes.

The song's message is elevated further through a powerful vocal ensemble featuring background vocals from Lisa Fischer, Dawn Tallman, Ramona Dunlap, and Lea Lorien, creating moments of communion and uplift that echo the song's central theme of hope, growth, and believing in the possibilities that lie ahead. For Louie Vega and Josh Milan, “Soar” represents another defining moment in their longstanding creative partnership. Through Elements Of Life, they have continually blurred the boundaries between house music, soul, jazz, Latin rhythms, gospel, and global influences, creating music that resonates as deeply on the dance floor as it does in the heart. “Soar” continues that tradition, offering listeners a song that inspires movement, reflection, and renewal.

Recorded at Honeycomb Studios in Pennsylvania and Manhattan Center Studios in New York City, and mixed at Daddy's Workshop in New Jersey, the production benefits from the expertise of recording engineers Yas Inoue & Josh Milan, with final mastering by the Maestro of mastering Herb “Pump” Powers for PM Mastering.

As anticipation builds for the forthcoming Elements Of Life album slated for February 2027, “Soar” offers a powerful glimpse into the project's next evolution— a celebration of musical excellence, spiritual connection, and the enduring power of song to lift us higher.

The final chapter of The Third Room's curator-led series is shaped by GiGi FM, an artist whose work moves fluidly between club functionality, emotional storytelling and immersive sound design. Through her productions and performances, she has developed a distinct language where rhythm, atmosphere and movement exist in constant dialogue. For the closing chapter, the focus lies on cohesion. Bringing together artists connected through a shared sensitivity for groove, detail and space, the release unfolds through percussive structures and atmospheric elements that move with clarity, depth and intention. The Half Bearded Man by Fergus Sweetland opens the record. A rough yet detailed rhythmic framework, syncopated percussion and a rolling bassline create forward motion, while softer elements and a subtle vocal layer introduce a contrasting sense of lightness, drawing the listener into the track. On Shark Attak, D-Leria places percussion at the centre, but with a more restrained approach. Polyrhythmic bleeps and high-frequency sweeps weave around the groove, maintaining depth and tension without becoming intrusive, giving the track a quiet but persistent drive. The B-side opens with one of its defining moments: Anukari, a collaboration between Efdemin and GiGi FM. Bringing together two distinct approaches, the track unfolds as a layered and atmospheric piece: detailed percussion, connecting textures and subtle melodic fragments create a sense of depth that feels both modern and slightly otherworldly, while remaining inviting and grounded. Closing the record, Even by Fireground reduces the elements further. Warm chords and a restrained rhythmic core create an open, enveloping space, balancing softness with tension and allowing the track to unfold with a quiet sense of momentum. Across all four tracks, the release remains tightly cohesive: built on groove, space and carefully placed detail. As the final entry in the series, it shifts the focus from structure to flow, offering a closing chapter that feels immersive, connected and complete. A1 Written and Produced by Fergus Sweetland | A2 Written and Produced by Giuseppe Scaccia | B1 Written and Produced by Giulia Fournier & Philip Sollmann | B2 Written and Produced by Angela Dragonetto & Danielle Paduano Mastered by Ahmet Sisman (The Third Room Studios) Artwork by Charlotte Ernst Design by Daniel Bornmann (STUEDIO.XYZ) Distribution by Clone Pressing by Matter Of Fact

Since its inception, Isness has developed its own identity alongside Analogical Force, focusing on atmospheric and introspective electronics. For its third release, the label welcomes Kid Bucle, the new alias of Ibrah PM, formerly known as Malsum within the d&b scene. Memorabilia marks both his debut on the label and the beginning of a new creative chapter. Across six interconnected tracks, the Memorabilia EP explores memory, landscape and emotion through fluid compositions and richly detailed sound design. Echoes of labels such as Merck or Chocolate Industries can be felt throughout, alongside traces of classic IDM, yet the result remains fresh and distinctly contemporary. Rather than seeking immediate impact, the EP rewards attentive listening, gradually revealing new layers with every return. Deeply immersive and emotionally resonant, Memorabilia further reinforces Isness as a platform where atmosphere, narrative and emotional depth take center stage.

We have reached the final chapter of Kontra-Musik Records' 20th-anniversary celebrations - a busy and rewarding year filled with new releases, represses, club nights, festival appearances and tours. To bring the year to a fitting close, Andreas Tilliander, aka TM404, has once again teamed up with label head Ulf Eriksson for a new limited, vinyl-only 12-inch. Entitled Tjugo (Twenty), the EP sees the duo return to their dusty, machine-driven sound. It opens with Navet, a deep techno track built around rolling stabs, a melancholic organ chord and a solid bassline. From there, it moves into Ravet, a hissing, propulsive piece of minimal techno. The B-side is given over to Sjuhundrasjuttiosjuan, a slow, acidic bonnadub, to close of the year and the record.

Mount Kimbie’s forthcoming contribution to the acclaimed fabric presents series marks one of the duo’s most dancefloor-focused bodies of work in years. More than simply a release on fabric Records, the project sits within the revered fabric presents mix series, placing Mount Kimbie alongside artists such as Daniel Avery, Midland, Helena Hauff and Overmono, artists who have each delivered defining entries for the series.

Leading the project is first single “Monroe”, a warm yet uplifting club track that unfolds gradually through loose percussion, driving synth work and subtle vocal fragments drifting in and out of the mix, adding flashes of emotion without interrupting the track’s momentum. An ode to their 2017 hit ‘Marilyn’ featuring Micachu, the track carries elements of the original throughout, with flourishes over reverb washed vocals that float around you amongst driving drums and bass. There’s a summery energy running throughout the track, making it equally suited to late-night club systems and open-air festival stages.

Long celebrated as pioneers of the post-dubstep and future garage movements, Mount Kimbie continue to evolve beyond genre boundaries while maintaining the unmistakable sonic identity that has made them one of the defining acts in UK electronic music. Their contribution to the fabric presents series captures the duo at their most refined and exploratory, without losing the emotional atmosphere and understated intensity that has always defined their work.

Released as part of the prestigious fabric presents series via fabric Records, the project signals a bold new chapter for Mount Kimbie.

Following the passing of our dear friend DJ Romain earlier this year, we've spent a long time reflecting on when to share some of the new music he entrusted to Hard Times Records. The incredible response to 2024’s 'The Lost D.A.T.S.' EPs reignited Romain's creative spark at a time when, unbeknownst to many, he was quietly battling serious ill health. After relocating from his beloved New Jersey to Cleveland, the studio once again became his sanctuary, inspiring a remarkable new chapter of music. The 'New Jersey' and ‘Cleveland’ EPs were the first recordings from that period.

Funky Streets completes the first trio of new EPs, but it is also just a glimpse of the wealth of music Romain crafted before his passing. His final studio sessions became an escape from his daily battles, inspiring a remarkable outpouring of new material that he was determined to finish, knowing his beats would continue to warm dancefloors and further cement the legacy of one of house music's true masters.

Opening with the horn-driven swagger of the title track, the EP moves seamlessly into the soulful groove of 'I Like To Boogie' before culminating in the deep, organ-led dancefloor energy of 'This Is Where I Wanna Be’. Romain signs off with 'The Chocolates’ - an uplifting, guitar-laced boogie jam filled with warmth, joy and unmistakable soul.

Beautifully crafted from beginning to end, Funky Streets stands as a lasting testament to DJ Romain's extraordinary talent, timeless musicality, and enduring contribution to House music. His legacy lives on in every groove.

Originally released in Japan in the early 1990s, "Make Me Know It" offers a glimpse into a moment when reggae and lovers rock were taking root in unexpected places. The record pairs Chieko Beauty's understated vocal style with Miyazaki Izumi aka Dub Master X's production, resulting in a sound that feels equally informed by Jamaican traditions and Tokyo's rapidly expanding musical landscape. Built around a subtle interpolation of Manuel Göttsching's E2-E4 – already immortalised by Sueño Latino – the record brings together musical traditions that, on paper at least, have little reason to meet. Chieko Beauty would go on to become one of the defining voices of Japanese reggae, collaborating with artists including Mad Professor, Yann Tomita and Emerson Kitamura. This 7" revisits an early chapter in that story

DIVA AS TECHNOLOGY
Arca announces the details of her highly anticipated new studio album, XXXXX, arriving via XL Recordings. Five years after the twice GRAMMY-nominated KiCk i and subsequent KICK pentalogy, the Venezuelan-born musician, producer, vocalist, and visual artist returns with her first full-length album since concluding one of the most ambitious chapters in contemporary music.

If the KICK era expanded Arca's universe outward, XXXXX turns inward and fractures it apart. Across 16 tracks, the album excavates vastly different emotional landscapes to deliver a body of work that is darker, more aggressive, more experimental, and unwilling to settle into fixed form. Initially conceived as a mixtape before revealing itself as an album, XXXXX embraces contradiction as a core methodology. In the spirit of her previous mixtapes @@@@@ (2020)—released as a 62-minute single—and &&&&& (2013), XXXXX thrives on raw exploration and instinct. It arrives as a deliberate interruption of expectation.

“It seems playful, also mischievous, to interrupt that autopilot,” says Arca.

The album's striking artwork depicts Arca as a biomechanical entity, accompanied by two owls—symbols of protection and the underworld in Greek mythology. Like the music itself, the imagery inhabits a space between worlds where transformation is both terrifying and liberatory. Suspended between posthuman augmentation and raw emotion, XXXXX exposes the mainframe. It is a record born from uncertainty, contradiction, instinct, and surrender—a becoming-machine that continues Arca's lifelong project of redefining what it means to be human both in, and against, the machine.

For Arca, rebirth has never been a metaphor, but a practice. She continues to exist in multiple states simultaneously, collapsing boundaries between human and machine, high and low culture, and experimental noise and pop music. Following her first-ever painting exhibition at London’s ICA earlier this year, XXXXX arrives as the latest transmission from a continuously evolving creative process. Over the last year, Arca has remained prolific: unveiling the double-sided single "Puta" / "Sola"; remixing tracks for Addison Rae, Robyn, and Hikaru Utada; collaborating with Tokischa on “Chama”; and contributing production to Madonna’s CONFESSIONS II. She walked the runways and made appearances at major international fashion weeks, while also composing the original motion picture soundtrack for Stillz’s film, Barrio Triste.

Now, after years of transformation beneath the surface, her next musical evolution reveals itself.

2026 repress
Dino Sabatini welcomes Concrete Records owner Maurizio Cascella to Outis Music.
Together they created their Chiron EP, an important chapter on Outis, bringing Sabatini’s immersive hypno grooves and the captivating sonorities of Cascella together. The duo explores mythological and archetypal themes, intertwining the intensity of mental techno with dark and transcendental atmospheres.