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Originally released in 2001, Once is the debut album by The Tyde and a quietly influential title from the late-'90s / early-2000s West Coast indie pop scene. Rooted in warm melodic guitars, subtle psychedelic textures, and introspective songwriting, the album occupies a distinctive space between indie pop, folk-rock, and California psychedelia. While never a mainstream release, Once steadily built a loyal following over the years, earning its reputation as a cult classic among fans and collectors. Its understated production, emotional restraint, and timeless melodies have allowed the album to age exceptionally well, making it as relevant today as it was upon release. This 25th anniversary reissue offers a strong opportunity to reintroduce an overlooked catalogue gem to both established fans and new listeners. With the continued demand for high-quality reissues and historically important indie titles, Once fits perfectly within current collector and indie-focused retail trends. The album's enduring appeal, combined with the anniversary context, gives it solid long-term catalogue value beyond initial release interest.

El Pulso del Acero: Shinkansen is Esplendor Geométrico's electrifying new album, blending trance-inducing industrial rhythms with bold voice and noise collages. Featuring 16 tracks, it revisits the raw power of their 80s classics while exploring futuristic industrial sounds, with recordings from Tokyo (2025) and a rare previously limited tracks now on vinyl for the first time. After over 40 years of continuous innovation, the influential Spanish duo continues to shape industrial, techno, and experimental noise music worldwide. Available on double vinyl and CD digipack. The raw power of their early work is also present here in some brilliant reconstructions of 80s tracks turning out very different from the originals (Rotorama, Trybuna V, Shinkansen, Héroe del Trabajo 2025, or Introspectivo). Songs such as Auto Reverse will be especially appreciated by the most avid fans of EG's early sound. Other tunes of futuristic industrial music closer to their previous album, Strepitus Rhythmicus, are also included (Experiencia AV, Isla, Por un Perro_) Ten tracks were recorded in 2025 in Tokyo, where Arturo Lanz (founding member of E.G.) currently resides. The other six were released, only on CD,in an ultra-limited edition shared with the group De Fabriek in 2023, long sold out, now finally on vinyl for the first time. Born in 1980 as a trio, and currently a duo formed by Arturo Lanz (founding member) and Saverio Evangelista (member since 1991), Esplendor Geométrico is an influential and international electronic cult band and also a rare case in the Spanish music scene, as they have developed their own independent path aside from tags, fashion or trends, in spite of being often classified as industrial music. Their career for more than four decades hasn't had interruptions. They haven't stopped composing, releasing albums or playing live.Their influence has marked many later artists, usually classified in the so-called industrial music or rhythm & noise, as well as artists from current techno and certain types of experimental noise music.

Straight out of Toronto, Waspriders )) issue an ultimatum to the current state of things - smashing heavyweight bass music into the sonic DNA of transcendental techno raves. Modern esoteric experience, engineered for those who know how to lose themselves on a sweaty dance floor. Tss - stay quiet when the bass talks. Bass is the source of truth. Bass is your new god! Behind Waspriders )) are two unhinged creative minds - Danny Voicu (aka Dan Only, ½ Cloudsteppers) and Alex Pletnev (aka Pletnev, Moisk). These transmissions started taking shape in a Toronto studio back in 2024. Toronto's own Cindy Ciel - also ½ of Cloudsteppers - blessed the EP with a body-moving banger of her own.

Making his first appearance on Flat White Records, NYC’s Malik Hendricks arrives with Stretching, a four-track EP that leans comfortably into the grey space between Deep House and Techno. Across three original cuts, Hendricks delivers warm, hypnotic, and quietly confident sounds that are unmistakably his own.

Rounding out the release is a remix from London-based, Spain-born producer Beringei. Known for his broken-beat excursions, Beringei with a 4x4 workout that still carries his unmistakable percussive touch, proving that even when stepping outside his usual lane, his identity remains firmly intact.

With previous releases on respected imprints like Eglo, Darker Than Wax, and Phuture Shock Muzik, Hendricks arrives in trusted company, thus making it an easy call to hand him the reins for our 15th release.

Born in the ’80s and raised in the ’90s, Malik Hendricks is a product of transatlantic club culture, drawing inspiration from Detroit’s futurism, New York’s grit, and the UK’s rhythmic experimentation. A DJ for over a decade, he approaches music with an almost academic curiosity, seeing the dancefloor as a shared space for cultural exchange.

Recently, his work has caught the attention of heavyweights like Eli Escobar, Byron the Aquarius, James Bangura, and Roy Vision, all stepping in to remix his material. With Stretching, Hendricks continues to prove that subtlety, craft, and groove still go a very long way.

Early DJ Support from: Shy One, LDLDN, Louise Chen, Dam Swindle, LTJ Bukem, Christophe Salin, Franck Roger, Jazzanova, Mr Redley, Last Nubian, Glenn Davis, Seven Davis Jr, Stonie Blue, Stu Clark (WOLF), Adriatique, Marco Weibel, Mr Ties, Tereza, Cottam, Joyce Muniz + MORE

It is with some degree of surpriseand delight that we were contacted by John Andrew Fredrick, the founder and omnipresent member of Santa Barbara’s the black watch to see if Blue Matter would be interested in putting out their newest album. Of course we were. One listen was more than enough to convince us that it would fit perfectly on to the label. Perhaps a little more indie than other albums we’ve released, but sowhat? ‘Varied Superstitions’ is an intriguing collision of Cure-style indie and trippy psych which had us buzzing right away. the black watch (lower case intentional) wasformed in 1987 by John Andrew Fredrick in Santa Barbara, California, and he has been (and still is) it’s guiding light. They have released 25 albums over the last 38 years and show no sign of ageing. With a fantastic band behind him, John has presented us with a wonderful batch of songs ranging from mesmeric psych to indie/punk. In late 2025 John paid a brief visit to the UK to see friends and also to do a couple of live acoustic performances. The Bevis Frond was lucky enough to share the bill with John at London’s Betsey Trotwood for a wonderful evening of acoustic revelry. Not only is he a hugely talented musician/songsmith, but a thoroughly decent fellow. It’s a true privilege to be able to put out ‘Varied Superstitions’ on our label.

Featuring iconics like The Beach Boys, Dick Dale, Ritchie Valens, The Wailers , The Champs ... and many more! Whether you're a crate digger, surf rock purist, or just vibin' for summer, this LP is your sonic wave to a vintage beach party. Catch it before it's gone

Anané’s colourful life in music has seen her do everything from singing at the famous pre-game show at Super Bowl XLI as part of the group Elements of Life, DJ at hotspots like Hi Ibiza, Pacha NYC and Ushuaïa to name a few, while also curating her own monthly residency Nulu Movement, now ten years strong at Le Bain NYC, release unique blends of Afro, house, and pop on labels like Vega Records, and head up her own imprints, Nulu Music and Nulu Electronic. The Cape Verdean-born DJ, producer, vocalist, and songwriter has had countless club hits and has released acclaimed albums like ‘Ananésworld’ and ‘Chapters Of Becoming’, often with a lush, live, and orchestrated style that is truly unique.

With this release, Anané steps forward with her first solo production to date. Here she serves up the sumptuous ‘It Looks Like Love’, a poised, elegant house sound with her own smoking, soulful vocals and classy strings bringing colour to an Afro groove packed with infectious bounce. Neat guitar riffs and silky synths all enrich this most sophisticated sound. The first mix sees Anané link up with veteran Italian Christian Mantini, who has hosted Sunset Ritual parties with Anané and Louie Vega since 2013. Their dub is rooted in warm, rubbery drums that are even deeper and more immersive than the original.

Manda Moor & Sirus Hood are a red-hot contemporary pair who run the Mood label and are defining the contemporary underground. Their remix is more driving, but it retains the soulful vibe with breezy pads and jazzy motifs drifting in and out above the swaggering groove.

Rotterdam-based Chicagoan Jamie 3:26 is a master at blending disco, soul, and house into timeless sounds, and here he delivers a loopy rework that pairs deep drive and sun-kissed vibes with funky, Chic-style bass guitar motifs.

Skirting the line between post-punk and electronic music is the world in which this new project from Nathan nisbet resides. The Perth producer is looking back to his favourite bands from the 80s like The Cure and The The while applying his usual techniques for electronic dance music. The end result is analog and gritty yet heartfelt.

Ten years after Marcos Valle’s debut long player (Samba Demais) introduced Brazilian music lovers to the immense talents of the Valle brothers, a new direction and backing band helped the singer expand his musical palette. Showcasing a groovy funk and jazz-fusion influence with help from then current backing band Azimuth (later known as Azymuth), synthesizers, Fender Rhodes, and electronic sounds took Valle’s samba, bossa nova, baião (a rhythmic beat from the rural northeast of Brazil), along with the inspiration of black American music and psychedelic rock from prior albums, to dimensions unheard. While not a complete departure, the vocals, grooves, and engaging songs of Previsão Do Tempo are guaranteed to make you feel free and think deep.

The Fuga compilation returns to Token with its seventh installment by a fresh batch of artists emphasizing the cryptic sound of the Belgian record label. The V/A displays urgency as its focal point, expanding and contracting its acoustic space throughout to channel instability. With eight contributions, Fuga VII sifts through nail biting arpeggios, frenzied percussion, and obscure ambiance to recalibrate techno's current soundscape.

Opening the compilation is contemporary techno mainstay Rene Wise with his debut contribution to the record label 'Rough Rider'. In this A1, Wise plays to his strengths by blending deep techno influences with hyper-focused rhythmic work. With a hint of tribalism, he conjures up synthwork from far off to whip motion into heavy drum patterns. Following this first track, STIPP and Sandrien take control in presenting 'Corrie', a sequence-forward groover that slides through drum programing to streamline rhythm. A shrill pad comes in at the halfway mark, completely lifting the energy of 'Corrie' to strain the track's obscurity with an ethereal counterweight. The brief passage of these kinds of elements provides a lot of dynamic to what would otherwise be a powerfully straightforward piece. Diving deeper, Red Rooms unveils 'Limited Sensory' as the next chapter of the compilation. Always swift and exact, the German artist continues to push into the ultra immersive with a web of elements that whiz by for a peaktime lock in. Cold in attitude, Red Rooms tunnels through 'Limited Sensory' with quick drumsand far-off percussive hits that rumble through the track. Stepping up afterwards is Lindsey Herbert with 'Oscillations in Space' - an appropriately named recording that experiments with mania as a tool for the dancefloor. Fast and spiraling, Herbert keeps her hands on the arpeggio's filter to contain tension through thunderous reverb transitions, balancing panic with pace. AgainstMe then stretches out the followup with the commanding 'Phase Shift' to double down on weight. Textural intimidation and stomping percussion is given the space it needs to perform on heavy weight sound systems, making it an austere middle point for Fuga. MAL HOMBRE then guides the listener to more elastic sound design in 'Critical Velocity', in a most appropriate Token fashion. Snowballing in intensity halfway through, MAL HOMBRE pushes the cutoff of his melody and programs snare rolls for vintage craze through the second section. Bells clash with ringing hats to fly the track along its course without looking back or letting go. Conor Wall takes control with 'The Strategy' that focuses on pace rather than melody, weaponizing metallic texture for a deep dancefloor experience. The ambiance does a lot of story telling here, marking breaks and riding through drops to provide grit to an already substantial record. This leads us to the final contribution in Fuga VII - 'Ad Libitum'. Here, Porteix emphasizes the conclusion of the compilation with mystery. The synths slither around pulsating rhythm, creating uninterrupted motion throughout the track's entirety. Porteix draws the curtains on an inquisitive note, keeping the suspense high until the next Fuga compilation comes around.

Two years since DJ KOCO aka SHIMOKITA curated his sold-out Mr Bongo Brazil 45 boxset, he is back with another Record Store Day special, this time turning his attention to Cuba. Following a meteoric rise to the top, the Japanese DJ / turntablist extraordinaire has won the world over with his unquestionable humility, refreshing positivity, and flawless skills. The DJ’s DJ, it’s as much about taste as it is technicality for one of the world’s best showmen.

When the idea arose for a Cuban Classics 45 Boxset to mark RSD 2026, DJ KOCO was top of the list. With a deep-seated passion for Cuban music, its melting pot of cultures, its focus on rhythm, and its undeniable groove, DJ KOCO presents a selection of his favourite Cuban cuts, as well as two exclusive edits for the boxset.

It kicks off with the Latin funk sounds of Ricardo Eddy Martínez y Expreso Rítmico’s ‘La 132’ from 1978, before rolling into one of two spellbinding Juan Pablo Torres y Algo Nuevo cuts found on the boxset. Elsewhere, you’ll hear Farah María’s slow disco ‘Ámame Y No pienses Mas’, an unusual American-leaning production for Cuba at the time, given the state of US-Cuban political relations in that period. Other highlights include Orquesta Riverside’s ‘En Casa Del Trompo No Bailes’, taken from a rare collectable 7”, channelling a low-slung Latin bounce which explodes into an Afro-Cuban dancer as the track progresses.

In signature style, DJ KOCO has also served up two exclusive edits for the boxset. These include a reworking of the Cuban children's band Grupo Ismaelillo’s quirky ‘Amanecer’, giving it a more DJ-friendly structure. You’ll also find DJ KOCO’s take on FA-5’s much-loved funky dancer ‘Muévete Con Las Fuerzas Del Corazón’ with its heavy b-boy/girl break from 1976.

Testament to Cuba’s vast and vibrant musical landscape, DJ KOCO has cherry-picked some of the finest recordings to emanate from the country, spanning a wide range of styles and rhythms. Yet what ties all the tracks on this boxset together, is a hip hop sensibility and thirst for a breaks-heavy, danceable energy which radiates through DJ KOCO’s masterful DJ sets.

Diplo—the prolific artist's self-titled album and first full-length of electronic/dance music in 18 years—is the realization of a three-year deep dive into the house music that first blew Diplo's mind as a teenager and that he has now founded Higher Ground to champion worldwide. A titan of electronic music, he’s now turned his focus back to these roots.

The album includes the Grammy-nominated “On My Mind” with Sidepiece, "Don't Forget My Love" with Miguel, “Looking For Me” and “Promises” with Paul Woolford and Kareen Lomax, “Don’t Be Afraid” with Jungle and Damian Lazarus and “One By One” with Elderbrook and Andhim—classic house records that have soundtracked the reopening of clubs worldwide—as well as collaborations with Aluna, TSHA, Leon Bridges, Lil Yachty, Busta Rhymes, Seth Troxler, Amtrac, RY X and more.

A special Australian export edition from Sweat It Out featuring a curated selection of remixes by Barry Can’t Swim, DJ Seinfeld, Andhim, and more. This 3x LP set is the exclusive physical home for these remixes. Each of the three discs comes in a unique color: Green, Red, and Blue.


b A2 - Diplo & TSHA – Let You Go (feat. Kareen Lomax) Sebastian Ingrosso & Desembra Remix
c A3 - Diplo & Seth Troxler – Waiting For You (feat. Desire) [Extended]

[e] B1 - Diplo & SIDEPIECE – On My Mind (Purple Disco Machine Remix) [Extended]

[g] B3 - Diplo & Joeski – Fortress (feat. Rhye) [Extended]
[h] B4 - Diplo & Melé – Right 2 Left (feat. Busta Rhymes) [AMÉMÉ Remix]

[j] C2 - Diplo & RY X – Your Eyes (Barry Can’t Swim Remix) [Extended]
[k] C3 - Diplo & Damian Lazarus – Don’t Be Afraid (feat. Jungle) [Soulwax Remix]

[m] D1 - Diplo & Miguel – Don’t Forget My Love (John Summit Remix) [Extended]

[o] D3 - Aluna, Diplo & Durante – Forget About Me (Nite Version) [DJ Seinfeld Remix]

[q] D5 - Aluna, Diplo & Durante – Forget About Me (Nite Version) [Andhim Remix] [Extended]

[s] E2 - Diplo - High Rise (feat. Amtrac & Leon Bridges) [Major League DJz Remix]
[t] E3 - Diplo & Seth Troxler – Waiting For You (feat. Desire) [Kalabrese Troxler Alternative Mix – Edit]
[u] E4 - Diplo & TSHA – Let You Go (feat. Kareen Lomax) [Extended]

[w] F1 - Diplo & Damian Lazarus – Don’t Be Afraid (feat. Jungle) [Extended]
[x] F2 - Diplo & Melé – Right 2 Left (feat. Busta Rhymes) [Extended]

[z] F4 - Diplo - One By One (feat. Elderbrook & andhim) [Sofia Kourtesis Remix] [Extended]


[b] A2 - Diplo & TSHA – Let You Go (feat. Kareen Lomax) [Sebastian Ingrosso & Desembra Remix]
[c] A3 - Diplo & Seth Troxler – Waiting For You (feat. Desire) [Extended]

[e] B1 - Diplo & SIDEPIECE – On My Mind (Purple Disco Machine Remix) [Extended]

[g] B3 - Diplo & Joeski – Fortress (feat. Rhye) [Extended]
[h] B4 - Diplo & Melé – Right 2 Left (feat. Busta Rhymes) [AMÉMÉ Remix]

[j] C2 - Diplo & RY X – Your Eyes (Barry Can’t Swim Remix) [Extended]
[k] C3 - Diplo & Damian Lazarus – Don’t Be Afraid (feat. Jungle) [Soulwax Remix]

[m] D1 - Diplo & Miguel – Don’t Forget My Love (John Summit Remix) [Extended]

[o] D3 - Aluna, Diplo & Durante – Forget About Me (Nite Version) [DJ Seinfeld Remix]

[q] D5 - Aluna, Diplo & Durante – Forget About Me (Nite Version) [Andhim Remix] [Extended]

[s] E2 - Diplo - High Rise (feat. Amtrac & Leon Bridges) [Major League DJz Remix]
[t] E3 - Diplo & Seth Troxler – Waiting For You (feat. Desire) [Kalabrese Troxler Alternative Mix – Edit]
[u] E4 - Diplo & TSHA – Let You Go (feat. Kareen Lomax) [Extended]

[w] F1 - Diplo & Damian Lazarus – Don’t Be Afraid (feat. Jungle) [Extended]
[x] F2 - Diplo & Melé – Right 2 Left (feat. Busta Rhymes) [Extended]


[z] F4 - Diplo - One By One (feat. Elderbrook & andhim) [Sofia Kourtesis Remix] [Extended]

It’s True What They Say is the debut EP from Edinburgh-based, husband-and-wife duo Sarah/Shaun (pronounced simply Sarah Shaun), aka Sarah and Shaun McLachlan (pronounced “McLochlin”).

“Sarah and I both have a love for nostalgia,” explains Shaun. “We watched that amazing old 80’s Sci-Fi, (John) Carpenter movie, Starman, a few months back. Myself and my brother David used to watch it all the time. We must have been, roughly, 5-7 at the time. I remember loving the movie but the end, you know, with the beautiful, atmospheric, synth ending, I love that particular moment the most - best part of the movie, you know, when he goes home… It’s heartbreaking but stunning, all the same. It’s the music that moves you most… It did when I was 5 and it still does to this day. It must have had some form of a (much deeper) impact on me.”

The duo narrates stories across themes of love, hope, family, friends, dreams and sadness - the good that comes with the bad in everyday life, not just on a personal scale but within a community as well.

“Starbed is the first song I have ever written and just came out of the blue really, with Shaun playing a melody and me singing along,” says Sarah. “It’s simple and just about two people in love. Love songs are always the best songs, after all… Music has been a big part of my life from a young age. I was unwillingly dragged to piano and violin lessons, which I’m thankful for now! I’d say the first band I really became obsessed with growing up were the Beatles, and on the back of that a lot of 60s music and fashion. From then on, I had a love for music.”

“Shaun definitely opened my ears to a lot of sounds and got me thinking about soundtracks and all the noises that can be made,” she goes on. “We love just spending time experimenting in the house with instruments, pedals etc and Ali is a real magician to work with, too…”

The recordings took place over the summers of 2022 and 2023, with fellow Delta Mainline member Ali Chisholm (aka Jaguar Eyes) plus long-term friend and collaborator Gavin King. Further collaboration then came via the ‘net from the (international) likes of Chris Dixie Darley (Father John Misty), Darren Coghill (Neon Waltz) and Daniel Land (The Modern Painters), among others (see a full list of credits below).

Both Sarah and Shaun have a love for uber-soundtrack producers such as Hanz Zimmer, Max Richter, Cliff Martinez plus live acts such as Beach House, Spiritualized, M83, Suicide, Moby and OMD (to name a few). Shaun also credits the work of Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (from Survive) on the Stranger Things score… “Even a moment in a movie, whether it be just 30 seconds during a particular scene, it grips you,” he says. But there’s something much deeper at play as well. “Music is a healer,” he goes on, “and I write from my own perspective but more so for others. Once I've done my bit, it doesn't belong to me any longer. It belongs to whoever wants it or needs it.”

The result is a cinematic, synth-wavey, dream poppy and downright beguilingly beautiful body of work. And they’re just getting started…

REVIEWS/RADIO/FEEDBACK:

“Starbed is folky, flavoured by pedal steel, cello, and brass. Dust Tears, in stark contrast, is a mini synth-pop rave epic. Part Bicep. Part Human League. Keep Your Eyes Closed summons a mood that’s romantic, but also dark and potentially doomed – like David Lynch’s Twin Peaks meets Cliff Martinez’s Drive score. My pick though is It’s True What They Say, whose interwoven jangle and picking recalls New Order’s more introspective moments (Love Vigilantes, Love Less… ). Drums crashing, cathartic. Guitar raising dramatic arcs. Its chorus a rush, like a reprise of Pains Of Being Pure Of Heart’s ‘Higher Than The Stars’.” BAN BAN TON TON
"Dust Tears sees them sharing vocal duties over a synth foundation reminiscent of Moby’s Go - Artist Of The Week” THE SCOTSMAN
"Woozy pop" NEMONE (Mary Anne Hobbs Morning Show, BBC 6Music)
"Nice one, very David Lynch meets Euro dream pop" YOUTH (Killing Joke, Paul McCartney, U2, The Orb, Spiritualized etc)
"Music sounds killer! Real emotion” DAVID HOLMES
"I’m enjoying it” TIM BRINKHURST aka LONDON (IKLAN, Young Fathers, Callum Easter)
“Oh, this is lovely!” SEAN JOHNSTON (A Love From Outer Space)
"It’s totally my cup of tea with milk and biscuit" BRENT RADEMAKER (Beachwood Sparks/GospelBeach)
"Beautiful, ecstatic electronica! Short and to the point" KEVIN BALES (Spiritualized, Julian Cope, Soulsavers, BE)
"Makes me wanna sit in the sun and sip an Arnold Palmer" CHRIS DIXIE DARLEY (Father John Misty)
“Really beautiful - Cocteau Twins / Spiritualized vibes but has its own thing going on, too - worth checking out!” JULIAN CORRIE (Franz Ferdinand, Miaoux Miaoux)
‘Sounded nice on a sunny day, makes me think of Twin Peaks, nice moods’ EAMON HAMILTON (Sea Power)
"Dealing in nostalgia, no bad thing at all, great to play that (Dust Tears) for you” RODDY HART (BBC Radio Scotland)
“I'll give the vocal tracks a spin before the release." VIC GALLOWAY (BBC Radio Scotland)
"Rather good!" IAIN ANDERSON (BBC Radio Scotland)

CREDITS:

Lyrics, Guitars, Keys, Synths, Drums, Drum Programming, Percussion, Mandolin, Glockenspiel: Shaun McLachlan
Lyrics, Vocals, Keys by Sarah McLachlan
Guitars, Synths, String Arrangements, Drum Programming, Engineering: Jaguar Eyes Percussion/Drums/Effects, Fire Extinguisher: Darren Coghill (Neon Waltz)
Guitars by Daniel Land
Slide Guitar by Chris Dixie Darley (Father John Misty)
Brass by Bruce Michie
Keys, pre-production & engineering on “It’s true what they say”: Gavin King
All produced by Jaguar Eyes and Shaun McLachlan and then mixed at Glasgow’s Chem19 Studios by David McCaulay (From Scotland With Love, Rick Redbeard, BBC TV’s Attenborough and The Mammoth Graveyard score).
Artwork: Jamie Walman (Fourteen Admirals)

MORE INFO:

Although Shaun released a pair of solo singles (When We Dance and Give Your Love To Me) during Lockdown, he will be better known to many via his work as the multi-instrumentalist in Edinburgh band Delta Mainline. With two albums released to date, Oh! Enlightened and Bel Avenir, both rapturously received by fans and critics alike, Delta Mainline have developed an international, cult following. Oh Enlightened (2013) achieved widespread critical acclaim on release, earning the band comparisons to Arcade Fire and Echo & The Bunnymen, while 2019’s Bel Avenir pulled in references to The Flaming Lips, Pink Floyd, David Bowie and krautrock. A third DM album is currently being mixed and due for release later this year…

Love For Love Vol.1 is a sumptuous two-tracker that takes you into both the unknown and the familiar.

On Side A, Mauritzio’s mesmerising, swirling ‘Sympathy’ (Gamma Reshape Boot) acts like a sonic shower that hits your body wherever it aches. The track kicks off with a subtle beat and acid-tinged backbone, spreading out into a deep, bass-laden symphony of sounds, detached vocals and warm synth chords. One for the late-night crowd searching for the darker corners of the dance floor for inspiration.

Flip over to Side B and Luber's ‘Somebody’ is waiting in the alley for you. At 124 bpm, ‘Somebody’ chugs along from the off with a curiously swingy beat, complete with perfectly trimmed hi-hats and a heavy double bassline. The familiar vocal acts as the track’s calling card – melancholic yet soaringly beautiful. ‘Somebody’ hits your nostalgia nodes with the flick of an ethereal finger, delivering low-end shuffle and hypnotic rhythms to lose yourself in.

Love For Love Vol.1 feels like the start of something special – and it would be wise to have these first steps in your record bag.

DeepLabs opens 2026 with an exciting new release, “Förvandling,” from Tarik Hensen—the collaborative project of two exceptional producers, Martinou & Ben Kaczor.
This release completes a full-circle journey: rooted in Detroit techno, traveling through Malmö, and landing in Basel, where these influences converge into a singular, immersive statement.
Longtime admirer of both artists’ solo works, Luke Hess joins the project with his own interpretation of Förvandling, bringing his distinct Detroit-informed perspective to the release.
Förvandling is the Swedish word for “transformation,” describing the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly.
The title reflects the evolution of techno itself—how it shifts and reshapes across cities, communities, and eras while retaining its core spirit.
Varp refers to the vertical warp threads in woven fabric—essential structural lines that hold everything together.
The track mirrors this concept: hypnotic percussion and immersive ambience interlace with melodic tones, unified through Tarik’s live dub mixing approach, creating a rich, fluid tapestry of sound.
Malm translates to raw ore, the unrefined material that, when forged with alloys, becomes durable metal.
True to its name, the track channels a deep, raw warehouse energy—refined into a functional gem through harmonious stabs, textured layers, and driving momentum.
Closing the EP, Luke Hess’s remix of Förvandling draws from elements across the original works while incorporating new audio stems from the DeepLabs studio.
The result is a seamless transformation of Tarik Hensen’s aesthetic into Luke’s unmistakable Detroit sound—an adventurous, atmospheric journey crafted for extended DJ sets and immersive dancefloor moments.
Tarik Hensen and Luke Hess invite you to weave these tracks into your curated selections and allow them to transform the dancefloor in unexpected ways.

Assemble Music welcomes XDB for his first appearance on the label. Born and based in Germany with Greek roots, XDB (Kosta Athanassiadis) has been deeply involved in electronic music since the early 1990s. Known for his broad musical vision and refusal to be boxed into a single style, XDB has built a reputation through both his carefully curated DJ sets and hardware-driven productions. His sound draws from raw Detroit traditions, dub techno and deep house, favouring analog textures and stripped-back machine funk. On this three-track EP, XDB explores the darker edges of house and techno, blending classic Detroit influences with raw analog production to deliver a focused and uncompromising statement. With releases on respected imprints such as Sistrum, Ferox and Dial Records, this debut on Assemble Music feels perfectly placed and essential.