Search:dark beat

Equally adept on the decks and in the studio, Victor Calderone has travelled the world playing for thousands and created some of the electronic music industry’s most seminal tracks and remixes. His new double sided release on Nervous Recprds is a collaboration with highly respected producer / DJ Mykol. They have a created an EP that has the driving percussive force needed to move a dancefloor in 2025, and through its inspired usage of vocal and musical elements highlights their background as born and bred New Yorkers who grew up enmeshed in New York’s nightlife and musical culture.

'What You Want' features the legendary Byron Stingily, a Chicago house singer and Ten City vocalist with a famous falsetto. Here he serves up a moody spoken word sermon over chunky house drums with a dark energy and late-night sense of soul. Electric synth patterns wave in and out to bring great drama to this full-flavour groove. 'What You Want' also comes as a more pared-back but still jacking dub with plenty of smart studio effects.

'Take You Back' is a surging house sound with deep bass and drums and whimsical synth patterns that dance over the beats. Analluring female vocal pulls you in ever closer to a track that is both emotive and physical, steamy but sensuous.

Spanish techno titan Andres Campo is the latest artist to join the DCLTD ranks with his ‘Domaine’ four tracker. Conte Bleu: Full-on high speed techno attack with occasional industrial stabs, alternating with mysterious snatches of melody and echoing vocal heard as if through distant space, especially in the breakdown. Nuit Blanche: Fast breaksy beats with fluttering metal motifs and otherworldly vocal FX, all with a jazzy feel, and a long breakdown with a compulsive vocal riff crescendo. Ligne Jaune: Merciless beat with rattling, hissing percussive layers, with a muffled monotone processed vocal strand dominating the breakdown echoing, reverberating, up to the massive drop - before insane techno bombardment takes over once more. Pois Gris: merciless techno beats create a dystopian soundscape of spacey stabs and a repeated vocal ululation. Radio signal FX punctuate the invincible stomping percussion. Something dark is happening

Tea Breaks comes through with the goods again here in the form of a killer hip-hop hit that comes from the legendary East Coast scene back in the mid-90s when, for our money, it was turning out its most vital artists and albums. 'CREAM (feat R & ID)' has familiar dark soul energy with strumming strings running across its face, dusty and deep beats and iconic vocals. On the flip of this tidy 7" is an instrumental version that strips things back to the core ingredients and lets your mind do the rest.

2025 Repress

Tobias Bernstrup is a contemporary musician and video artist born 1970 in Gothenburg, Sweden. He received an MFA from Royal College University of Fine Arts Stockholm in 1998. Using the visual language of pop culture, video games, sci-fi, classicism and gothic noir, he has created a stage persona with notorious live performances. Dressed in elaborate costumes of skin-tight rubber suits and fetish gear, Tobias' external appearance is androgynous. He raises questions about representation of identity, the body and physical space in both virtual and non-virtual realities. Between 1997 and 1998 he self-released two limited CD-R EPs. In 2002 his debut album 'Re-Animate Me' was released by Tonight Records followed by two limited 12' singles for the song 27' and the Italian version Ventisette'.
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27' is a 5-song EP collecting 4 different mixes of the title track plus one unreleased song from the 'Re-Animate Me' recording sessions. The material on this EP is closely connected with the world of computer games which Bernstrup also inhabits. Bernstrup's music is influenced by 1980s Italo disco and synth pop, reminiscent of Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode and Ken Lazlo. On the A-side is the original mix at 115 bpm followed by the Lazer Mix set to an faster beat and additional arpeggiations and heavier bass drum beats. Lyrically the song tells the story of a good looking 27-year old boy from a small town searching for love with any man who can spoil him. On the B-side are both the vocal and instrumental of Ventisette', the Italian translation of the song 27.' Both versions of Ventisette' are stripped back compared to the A-side but keep the melodies in tact. Also released for the first time ever is the demo Dirty Money' a Pet Shop Boys influenced song about male prostitutes ready for a night out working the streets.

All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios. For the jacket Eloise Leigh transformed the original portrait of Tobias into a Warhol-like painted polaroid with a striking likeness to Liza Minelli with blue eye shadow and red lipstick. Each copy includes a photo postcard with lyrics and notes. I would rather create alternative routes to experiencing and understanding the world, understanding what it means to be human today,' says Bernstrup. We are more artificial than we want to admit.'

"Bordeaux-based emerging talent Salomee deals in menacing and moody atmospheres, drawing on a range of techno, electro, house, and the ill-lit corners in between. Hypnotizing and neon-tinged melodies drive her tracks: these are bare bones, high on repetition, and very compelling. They come backed by elaborate and agile drum rhythms, composed with a rawness that references the most seasoned inspirations. The Before Time Began EP sees the artist further develop her sangfroid aesthetics with four tracks that assuredly reach beyond bunkers and basements. On Sacred Gatherings, several entrancing, alternating arpeggios work up a spark against a backdrop of tightly choreographed kicks and SH101 patterns. When the cut rises to a peak, a salvo of vocal chops drops - a rare event in Salomee's discography, even though the samples are rearranged beyond recognition. Before Time Began utilizes a similar palette, but this time, an undercurrent of melancholy seems to propel the track. A leisurely modulated, dubby sub segment amplifies the theme. By The Sea combines dark bass sequences and strings as gloomy as a fog horn with vivid 909 drums. The highs of the lavishly programmed hats and claps and the intense lead provide a slug of energy. It is a rendition of trance, manipulating both the genre's and the artist's signifiers. On Love Prevails, a slowly filtered, heavily delayed lead is spread atop a Bristol techno style beat. An array of cinematographic chords and subtly mixed gasps inject this closing track with a precarious balance, one that explores the tension between yearning and relief."

Two Drumcode mainstays, Layton Giordani & Bart Skils, join forces on rapturous but dark-edged techno thriller ‘Deadly Valentine’. Skils is globally renowned for his chart-invading take-no-prisoners techno. The Dutch producer’s last release on Beyer’s imprint was the 2024 ‘Sakura’ EP comprising collaborations with SUDO and Drunken Kong. Giordani, also a chart topper, at the forefront of an exciting new genre-bending sound, combines influences of melodic house, progressive, and indie dance with techno. His last DC outing was a recent rework of the seminal ‘Let’s Go Dancing’ from Tiga and Audion, and the otherworldly but peak time ‘Freaks At Night’ single last June.

The duo have a history of playing B2B at massive events like Drumcode, Loveland and Awakenings. This is their first collaborative standalone single (their ‘Midnight Magic’ was on Layton’s 2020 Drumcode LP). 'I was listening to Spotify and going through an indie dance rabbit hole’ Layton says. ‘I stumbled upon this track, was instantly hooked, and knew Bart was the right guy to collaborate with on this record.’ ‘Layton sent me the vocal idea and I turned it into an arrangement with a rolling groove’ Bart says. ‘After that the track was updated several times and mixed with a new vocalist for release.’ ‘Deadly Valentine’: complex, steady percussion with insistent techno beat gives a dark questioning edge to the high, sweet vocal, fast, echoing, often layered or harmonising with itself, singing the apparently romantic wedding ceremony lyrics in French & English.

After a 2 year gap Sticky Plastik presents its third VA with a new look and sound featuring dark disco flavoured minimal techno by Corsican artist P.O. on side A and progressive house collaboration of Chinese artist B.AI with Polish Marcelina, previously known as Marcelina Wick, on the side B.
A1 with 'Dodo' by P.O is a touching and deep track resembling an emotional dark disco/techno melancholic story tale with a happy ending. Next is 'Arcade' a fast 80ties inspired minimal acid house beat recorded on a groovy and uplifting note.
Flipping to the side B with progressive house ‘Homesick’ by B.ai and Marcelina combining Asian profoundness with Slavic edge. This is followed by P.O’s remix of the ‘Homesick’ adding more punch and techno to the track and the VA.

*all original recordings from mid 90s Estonian released cassettes. Fascinating interpretations of the UK breakbeat and Jungle sounds recorded when the world felt like a much bigger place.

Since hearing the first breakbeats via the Finnish radio nightly shows introducing the burgeoning UK scene, Virko Veskoja, later head figure of Lu:k, was completely swept away by this new technological language that sounded like machines trying to initiate contact with people. The fluttering rhythm patterns, strings and vocal lines haunting the pathways of the infinite network. Like hip hop taken over by Skynet.

Reimagining it all in mid-90’s Estonia, a fresh and dirt-poor republic newly welcomed to the family of sovereign states on the outskirts of Eastern Europe, was challenging, to say the least. Finally, with the help of entry level music programs, custom-made soundcards and self-built computers by the other Lu:k-head Tõnis Valk, Lu:k took the first tentative steps in the history of Estonian jungle.

Eight Lu:k cuts have been compiled into a handy selection, a true sign of the times when uncertainty came with certain hope and optimism – new territories to chart, new frontiers to conquer. A time of innocence captured so sublimely in Lu:k’s music.

The compilation starts with menacing orchestration that sounds like the birth of a civilization, like in „2001: A Space Odyssey“, or the arrival of Godzilla, only to give way to sweeeet strings and the inimitable Minnie Riperton in “Lovin U”, combining all the essential elements of Lu:k in a track that has remained uncorroded by time since its inception in 1994.

The following “Demo 3” is its antithesis – fast and nervous, a harbinger of the darker days of neurofunk and techstep ahead. More in line with the social realities of the time, when something (or someone) could materialise out of thin air and attack you just as violently as those beats here.

“La:v” was Lu:k’s signature track throughout their brief career that went on only for a few years, 1994-1997. Lifted to heaven’s by Petula Clarks’s wonderful vocals, it perfectly captures the pure essence of creation. “I made it in my bedroom. Something like that just came out. Sorry”, says Virko apologetically.

From the themes of love we are led towards darker scenarios again with “Drunk-Drive”, a more vengeful cut reminiscent of early Ram Records’ nocturnal dangers, skylines shaped by basslines. Previously only available on the uber-rare “Raadiomaja valvelauas” CD compilation from 2005.

“In the Limelight” is lifted from their second album “Dreams in Drums” from 1996 (only released on cassette), and if it’s meant to address their new-found underground celebrity status in Estonia, there is surprisingly little elation here – the track rather consists of introspective strings and beats that sound almost melancholic.

Out of the remaining three tracks, “Proov2mix” and “Kadunud leitud” are the result of a treasure hunt amongst the old, obsolete harddrives – little nuggets that were condemned to obscurity until now. Between them, another vocal-led cut “010”, a non-album track only featured on two comps until now, is a strong reminder of Lu:k’s prodigious ability to handle vocal lines and morph them together with their own weaving synthetic melodies, strong pads and commanding beats.

Lu:k’s music has been largely unavailable for the better part of this century, with original tapes and CD’s changing hands for a small fortune. This vinyl release couldn’t come at a better time, bringing a seminal chapter of Estonian dance music’s mythical history to light again, both for the old-school acolytes and new converts.

All music by Virko Veskoja

Drumcode veteran Oscar L joins forces with Metodi Hristov, a newer recruit to Adam Beyer’s revered techno label, for their collab two-track EP ‘Gravity’. Madrid’s techno/tech house maestro Oscar L has a long association with Beyer’s twin labels Drumcode (‘Again’ LP, 2023, + performing at DC events) and Truesoul inc. solo EP ‘Vulture’ (2022), Dosem collab ‘Aircargo’ EP (2023), ‘Yapper’ w. Max Styler (2024). As well as Adam Beyer, Oscar’s had support from Richie Hawtin, Nicole Moudaber, Joseph Capriati… and also released on Knee Deep In Sound, Stereo Productions, We Are The Brave et al. Bulgaria-based Metodi Hristov brought his unique techno sounds to Drumcode last year, with his debut DC 2-track EP ‘Build To Destroy’. Both tracks, title track and ‘Flatline’, were included in his Sept 2024 Drumcode Radio Studio Mix live from Sofia. With support including Carl Cox and Enrico Sangiuliano, Metodi’s career is swiftly up and coming. ‘Gravity’: the title track hurls itself into the fray with fast, heavy techno beats, reverb-rich growly hoovers, while a contrasting sweetly melodic chopped and processed female vocal holds its own against a dystopian dialogue between two sinister machines in dark, distorted, industrial juddering synth. There’s a lot going on, dark, powerful, and dance-demanding. ‘Up & Down’: full-on attack from the first nanosecond, with very fast beats, layers of percussion and a dark male voice intoning the title riff. An insistent, reverbing, ‘hammered strings’ synth melody competes with a melodic second voice, high and sweet bringing light to very dark shade. ‘D’you feel it now…’, you surely will.

A sonic journey across Tweak's collection tracks that offering a unique blend of rhythm and atmosphere.
"Generations" stands out with its pulsating grooves and hypnotic melodies, fusing electronic precision with an old-school soul. The "Red Rover" (Rework) injects fresh energy, layering tight beats and atmospheric synths for a tension-filled club experience. "Fathorn" dives into darker, tribal territory, driven by deep bass and mesmerizing percussion that evoke a ritualistic intensity. Meanwhile, Raw Deal’s Freedom Time remix of "Fathorn" expands on this mysticism, infusing the track with a freer, more fluid groove that heightens its immersive power.
For this record, Back To Life made a 100% recycled vinyl that reduce waste, minimize environmental impact and support the planet.

2026 Repress

Mutual Rytm welcome back Swiss DJ/producer Chlär for a bustling, high-octane return as he unveils his latest six-track EP, 'Intrinsic Drive'.

Swiss artist and mastering engineer Chlär's last outing on Mutual Rytm, his 'Optimized Grooves' EP, was a standout success that made an impact far and wide across the techno realm. It was another big step for the fast-rising producer, who is also a dexterous DJ that plays across three and even four decks in the club. A craftsman of sounds, his take on techno is full throttle and has come on labels like Iceland's NIX and Stranger's Self Reflektion imprint. Always looking to improve his sounds, he hits a perfect sweet spot with a fresh and visionary approach across six fresh productions with his 'Intrinsic Drive' EP, again showcasing exemplary creative progression in his ever-impressing production skills.

Up first is 'Dopamine Rush', a quickened techno pumper with synths peeling off the straight-ahead drums and locking you into a state of hypnosis. The title track 'Intrinsic Drive' is a tightly woven mix of drums, hits and bass that never lets up, while the supple rhythm is overlaid with alien sound designs to up the intensity. 'For Marco' takes a heavier path with darkened and more weighty kick drums under eerie synth loops. There is a real swing in the drums of 'Steady Pace' as the crisp hits and vocal fragments all up the ante, before 'Greedy Man' delivers a tough panel beater with skewed synths and an industrial undertone. Digital bonus 'May I Dance?' rounds things out with raw textures and unhinged loops that take you to the heart of a strobe-lit dance floor, shaping up another
mighty fine statement of intent from the ever more vital Swiss native.

Tartiflux is a versatile mini-LP that weaves together many of Margee’s musical influences—downtempo grooves, 90s disco beats, organic house, and acid breaks—into a unique, eclectic sound. Organic textures guide the overall tone, ensuring that the groove remains at the heart of every track.

On the A side, the title track “Tartiflux” takes listeners on a progressive, groovy, and downtempo journey with deep bass, sizzling pads, and distorted guitar sections. It features a remix by NYC legend Justin Strauss, who adds a punchy, rhythmic flair alongside additional productions by W. Andrew Raposo of Midnight Magic.

The B side presents a dynamic lineup, starting with “Help Myself,” a vocal disco-house anthem with an energetic rhythm, crisp drums, and punchy vocal chops. “Maanside” follows, offering a dreamy and melancholic experience with minimalistic grooves. The EP concludes with “Poomee,” the darkest track featuring breakbeats, deep synths, and an engaging sonic journey through acid patterns and robust basslines.

Scottish techno thunderbolt Mha Iri returns to Adam Beyer’s Drumcode with her explosive new futurist three tracker EP ‘Neon Storm’. A Drumcode veteran warrior, Mha Iri boasts standout bestselling tracks on DC’s debut Elevate compilation, A-Sides Vol. 12 (‘Bell’), her debut EP ‘The Unexpected’ and 2024’s ‘Bombay’ EP. A YOZE remix of ‘Bell’ also featured on Elevate Vol II.

Now ‘Neon Storm’ launches another rip-roaring year for the Edinburgh artist, following early 2025 shows at fabric and Gashouder for Awakenings New Year, and an incredible 2024: an Australian tour inc. Carl Cox’s Eat The Beat festival alongside Lilly Palmer and Chris Liebing; her EP debut for PIAS Électronique supported by Mixmag, Clash, DJ Mag, Jaguar/BBC Dance; plus releases on Filth on Acid and TRICK.

‘Neon Storm’: the title track juxtaposes rampaging techno beats of pure primitive power, with futurist dystopian elements – fuzzy hoover growls and stabs, doppler builds, and an unsettling robot girl’s vocal riffs. A mysterious operatic choir surprisingly dovetails with the resulting soundscape as the dark sounds become increasingly ominous.

‘Moving Machines’ keeps up the energy with galloping techno, metallic stabs and a chopped melody with a 90s vibe as a rising doppler siren you can feel in your teeth spans a gargantuan breakdown… another shot of dance dynamite.

‘No Return’: similarly powerful, its resistless onslaught of thudding beats, bass snarls and regiments of rattling hi-hats herald spacey FX and an alien-like melodic vocal, alongside a suitably almost-Scottish-influenced melody.

'Neon Storm' is an apt description to this colourful yet chaotic set of tracks that have been making serious impact in my sets across the last months of touring. I wanted to create an EP that represented my energy but drew from the best Drumcode groove style and I’ve been so happy to watch how they go down in Adam’s peak time sets too.’

5-track vinyl-only release by Basse-cour label boss Decoq, delivering a raw, unapologetic slice of hard techno. Drawing light inspiration from the early '90s rave scene, this EP channels the gritty energy of industrial warehouses and the euphoria of underground dance floors. Thunderous kicks, gritty textures, hypnotic rhythms, haunting synths, and relentless grooves collide in a collection that pays homage to the roots of rave while keeping its sights firmly set on the future: this is a must-have for selectors who thrive on pure, unadulterated energy.
A visceral journey into the heart of techno’s rebellious roots and a pure dance floor ammunition for true heads.


Vinyl- Only Ep in 5 tracce firmato da Decoq, boss e anima dell’etichetta Basse-cour, che offre una cruda e inarrestabile dose di hard techno. Vagamente ispirato alla scena rave dei primi anni '90, questo EP incanala l’energia ruvida dei magazzini industriali e l’euforia delle piste da ballo underground. Casse martellanti, texture grezze, ritmi ipnotici, sintetizzatori inquietanti e groove implacabili si fondono in una raccolta che rende omaggio alle radici del rave, guardando al contempo verso il futuro.
Un must-have per i selector che vivono di energia pura e incontaminata: un viaggio viscerale nel cuore ribelle del techno e una vera arma da dance floor per gli intenditori.

The first of 2 EPs 2 proceed the next FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON album in 2025

Side A is a deeply moody dark ambient journey through mists of choirs to a place of ritualist electronic beat swamp finally being spat on a leaf suburb road somewhere in Surrey - what just happened !

Side B unlike the previous side this begins far more reflective, as the journey progress it becomes more unsettling once more - a baroque minimalist piece followed by modular synths melding with breaks and drum machine - ambient field recordings , a mesh of carefully gathered and selected samples - FSOL perfection.

"Petrol", one of Manu Kenton's most iconic tracks, makes its highly anticipated return in a limited edition that will appeal to both collectors and techno enthusiasts. This special version features not only the original track, but also exclusive remixes that reinterpret the piece from different angles, offering a diverse and exciting sonic palette.

Manu Kenton, staying true to his creative genius, revisits his own track by adding an energetic and catchy vocal, bringing a fresh new dynamic to the already electrifying atmosphere of the original.
The Gregor Size remix is a true powerhouse: dynamic, industrial, and powerful, it transforms "Petrol" into a heavy, punchy piece, with dark textures and irresistible rhythms that leave a lasting impression.
Greg Denbosa, on the other hand, delivers a progressive techno remix, with a dynamic and repetitive beat that builds tension, creating a hypnotic experience perfectly suited for the dancefloor.
Finally, Bestien offers a nervous, straight, and punchy version, ideal for the peak moments of a night. His explosive remix ramps up the intensity on the dancefloors, with raw energy and power that demands attention.

Visually, this vinyl stands out with its "Yolk" effect, a unique blend of white and white with luminous accents, creating a striking and modern design that will enhance any collection.

Français

"Petrol", l'un des morceaux les plus emblématiques de Manu Kenton, fait son grand retour dans une édition limitée qui séduira aussi bien les collectionneurs que les passionnés de techno. Cette version spéciale inclut non seulement la version originale du titre, mais aussi des remixes inédits qui réinterprètent le morceau sous des angles différents, offrant ainsi une palette sonore variée et excitante.

Manu Kenton, fidèle à son génie créatif, revisite son propre morceau en y ajoutant un vocal énergique et entraînant, donnant une nouvelle dynamique à l'atmosphère déjà électrisante de l'original.
Le remix de Gregor Size est un véritable tour de force : très dynamique, industriel et puissant, il transforme "Petrol" en une œuvre lourde et percutante, avec des textures sombres et des rythmes irrésistibles qui marquent les esprits.
Greg Denbosa, quant à lui, propose un remix techno progressif, avec un beat dynamique et répétitif qui crée une tension croissante, offrant une expérience hypnotique et parfaitement calibrée pour les sets dansants.
Enfin, Bestien livre une version nerveuse, droite et percutante, idéale pour les moments intenses d'une soirée. Son remix explosif fait monter l’intensité sur les dancefloors, avec une énergie brute et une puissance qui ne laisse personne indifférent.

Visuellement, ce vinyle se distingue par un effet "Yolk", un mélange unique de blanc et de rouge lumineux, créant un visuel frappant et moderne qui enrichira toute collection.

LIMITED POSTER EDITION (inclusive stickers)

Get ready for The Electro Guilde V on Zodiak Commune Records, featuring:

Robodrum - Call Me Bitch: Sharp electro beats, electrifying basslines and Commanding vocals.
RedJack - Call The Monster: Dark, ominous basslines to awaken the beast in you.
Baka - Flux: Smooth, futuristic grooves that pull you in.
Baka - Androids Hate Marching: Electrifying beats and razor-sharp rhythms.

These tracks are set to dominate the dance floor-don't miss them!

Since its inception in 2020, Italo Moderni’s energy, spirit and inspiration has been the dancefloor. The darkened bunkers of Belgium, the trembling speakers of Valencia, the warming dawn of Rimini, these influences have been the lifeblood. Solidifying this tireless effort, Mellow Bangers Vol 2 is the label’s most ambitious collection to date.

In celebration of the imprint’s fifth anniversary, four artists gather with every single one united under a rallying cry. From across the globe, machinists have been drawn together to deliver a statement of acid and wave, of electro and synth with flourishes of italo. The shadowy fringes of the floor are well represented, audio artisans like Cyrk serving distorted drums and melodies dripping with menace in the twisted shape of “Double Crash.” The static haze remains with Fragedis’ “Disco Nicotina,” a lancing melody piercing the soaked speakers of this sweaty romp. Label boss, Adrian Marth leads the charge on the flip. “Modernism” is a stripped and playful two-stepper, a two-stepper that Marth beefs into bawdy proportions before balancing the track with crystalline chords. Amongst the litany of talent are musicians who have both inspired Italo Moderni as well as those who have appeared on the label. Antoni Maiovvi fits such a description, the sound sorcerer slicing beats through bittersweet bars in the immersive “Stopping Power.”

Mellow Bangers Vol 2 is a breathless expression of the floor. A contemporary imagining of the racing rhythms and addictive hooks of the 1980s and 1990s. Four works that summarise what Italo Moderni is and will continue to be

Techno legend Cari Lekebusch debuts on Mind Medizin with an 8-track double pack of underground Techno.

Stockholm-based sound architect Cari Lekebusch has helped to shape the sound of the underground over the last two-plus decades. He has long been at the heart of his native scene alongside peers such as Adam Beyer and Joel Mull and heads up his own H. Productions label while also serving up his timeless sounds on cultured outlets such as Drumcode and Planet Rhythm.

Opener 'Mind and Matter' opens with quick, compelling drum programming and trippy synth details peeling off thebeats. Muttered vocals bring a dark intensity as the percussion also adds layers of tension. The fantastic 'Freakout' isanother classically inclined and linear techno banger with thudding kicks and futuristic synth lines weaving in and outof the beats. There is no let-up in the pressure with the excellent 'Ninguno es Uno' keeping it deep, driving and late night, this time with squelchy acid lines adding character. 'Heritage' shuts down with a hypnotic blend of shimmering
cosmic synth lines and pulsing deep techno drums that keep the mind and body fully locked in.

This second half kicks off with 'Cause and Effect', a bustling blend of scuffed-up kicks and snares, glitchy hits and jangling synth sounds that bring great looseness to the driving grooves. The funky 'Handkante' delivers flailing percussive patterns and wisps of synths that spit out of the mix next to a drunken synth lead. 'Strulgubbe' keeps the pressure on with more muscular drums, this time underpinned by darker bass and unsettling synth twangs. The fantastic closer 'Tuli Taivaalla' offers up a serene sound that is backed with sustained chords and marbled with edgy vocals.

QUEENDOM is an album that marks a new era for the project while staying true to the essence of Minuit Machine. Produced under the SYNTH RELIGION label, this opus immerses us in Amandine's introspective realm, oscillating between darkness and light, between doubt and self-conquest. While retaining the emotional DNA of previous productions, QUEENDOM stands out with a more pop-oriented touch, featuring tracks where Amandine sings in French for the first time.

The first single, "HOLD ME," is a powerful pop anthem addressed to the queer community, celebrating the freedom to be oneself and breaking free from societal and patriarchal norms. This track is a true empowerment statement, with striking electro beats supporting a strong message of emancipation and pride.

"Créatures," a collaboration between RAUMM and Minuit Machine, is a modern fairy tale—a timeless love story that could take place in any era. This salvific love, rarely seen today, embodies a poignant depth and beauty.

Continuing the journey, "Cent Fois"—a French-written track—takes us into a techno-pop universe with nostalgic yet hopeful undertones. This song perfectly reflects Minuit Machine's evolution toward a more radiant approach while staying faithful to its dark heritage.

"Party People," on the other hand, is a return to roots with dark wave/italo sounds. This hypnotic and haunting track questions identity in an increasingly robotic society, where individuals are forced to conform to imposed norms. This exploration of the individual versus the collective lies at the core of Minuit Machine's DNA.

"Mes Souvenirs," created in collaboration with Rebeka Warrior, dives intimately into the memories of Amandine and Rebeka. Together, they reveal fragments of their past—precious and vibrant memories that resonate through powerful and melancholic electro sounds.

Finally, the eponymous track "Queendom" invites us to plunge into the depths of Amandine's world—a universe that is both tormented and icy, yet resilient. Supported by a slow and captivating rhythm, this track is designed to grip and haunt the listener, like an incantation.

QUEENDOM is a bold and hybrid work where each track reflects a pursuit of sincerity and artistic reinvention while maintaining the ability to express emotions through rhythms that are both danceable and introspective. The album showcases Minuit Machine's artistic maturity, establishing itself as a must-listen in the darkwave and electronic pop scene.

Amandine entrusted the artistic direction of this album to Manon Dupeyrat, a brilliant young artist who crafted a bespoke universe perfectly aligned with the produced tracks. The album cover, both intimate and anachronistic, invites listeners into Amandine's private world through her bedroom, revealing what she wishes to share.

BLACK/RED VINYL

A match made in heaven and hell, since forming in the cradle of Europe Athens, back in 2012, dark synth duo Selofan have paved their own perditious way, reinventing the modern Darkwave scene throughout the continent and worldwide with their prolific creativity and work ethic over the past decade. Through varied experimental synth-scapes conjured with keen ears for sound design, production, and theatrical aesthetics, Selofan rest not on the laurels of just creating highly danceable coldwave infused music, but with together with Joanna Pavlidou's haunting vocals, and Dimitris Pavlidis' throbbing bass guitar, and modular synth compositions, the pair conjure whole other worlds and narratives throughout each album and music video they create. Thus far the Selofan have released 5 studio albums, issued through their own legendary label they curate themselves: Fabrika Records. Through their Fabrika family, Selofan have championed such acts as Lebanon Hanover, and She Past Away, aiding these bands in becoming two of the most popular Darkwave acts worldwide. Drab Majesty even cameoed in a She Past Away video while being hosted by Selofan during one of the band's frequent stays in Athens, and Kaelan Mikla, a handpicked favorite of The Cure, were first championed by Selofan, through the release of the Icelandic Trio's self-titled debut in 2016. In the Spring of 2020, Selofan released the video for the hopelessly plaintive "There Must Be Somebody", the first single from their forthcoming sixth studio album Partners In Hell, the follow-up to 2018's widely popular Vitrioli LP. "There Must be Somebody" is a discordant composition, mimicking the startled song of birds after a disturbance in a wooded enclave on a mountainside, while a magick ritual unfolds. The album itself opens with "Grey Gardens", a menagerie of morose melodies setting a sombre tone for the rest of a bleak record whose sound design and dreamscapes evoke the best sounds of British and German post-punk of the 80s. "Almost Nothing" is a brooding bell-driven track with a dark and pirouetting melody that is the perfect soundtrack to a figurine twirling in a music box. The German language "Nichts" means No, and this song is both sinister and cinematic with sighing keys, shuddering drum machines, and German lyrics sung with sorrowful conviction. "Zusamen", is a word often asked if you are together, or separate, is a dark ballad whose shadowy keys weave a nightmarish delirium, evoking the soundscapes of a lullaby sung in a haunted dollhouse. "4am" is a restless rhythm, whose soft percussive melody tosses and turns alongside subtle bass and string accents overlaid with despondent vocals. "Happy Consumers" sounds like the swirling of a finger drawn upon the edge of crystalline glass, with vocals and drum machines coming emanating from an adjacent room with echoing acoustics, collectively evoking the sound like lingers when the somnambulist wakes from his dream. "Absolutely Absent" hums onward like a phantom train ride that is a one-way ticket to madness, and with the next track "Metalic Isolation" the locomotive beats gather more steam, propelled forward with anachronistic melody. The album closes with "Auf Dein Haut", which translates as on your skin, and the song is both tactile and tenebrous with sensuously dark synth textures amidst howling German vocals that take flight like witches during a sabbat. Partner's In Hell was mixed and produced by Serafim Tsotsonis, and mastered by Doruk Ozturkcan. Genre: Alternative / Post-Punk / Cold Wave

Crush of Souls is the musical endeavour of Charles Rowell (Crocodiles, Flowers of Evil, Issue). One foot in early Industrial and the other in 80’s Synth-Pop, Crush Of Souls hold the whip and demand that you submit your soul.

Returning once again to Catacomb Soul studios where he had recently finished recording “(A)Void Love”, Charles Rowell mapped out the next chapter for Crush of Souls, limitations were set in place while new faces appeared to lend a fresh coat of black magic to the album.

The album is a love letter to Paris; all of its beauty and decay. “Lézire” which is a slang mixture of the French words for Lizard and Desire provides a sinister title to an album full of hard hitting, romantic songs.

Harry Howard (These Immortal Souls) provides his signature snarl and profound lyrics to the haunting ballad “You Rose Up”. Long time sax player Stanislas de Miscault colors the dark corners of the record with his unhinged personality and one half of new look COS, Stevan Dinet bangs both the martial beats and the Fairlight sample pads.
An album cover full of chains and S&M can provide enough of an explanation as to the new direction of Crush of Souls. Cronenberg’s “Crash”, David Lynch’s “Lost Highway”, Psychic TV and Sisters Of Mercy are constantly mentioned.

This fantastic debut from MshCode on the Guidance label. Full on dark edges jungle mayhem, perfectly produced with clean drums and atmospheric pads, but a sense of deep menace and a claustrophobic toughness to the tearing amens and broken beats.

‘Nothing Iz Sacred’ is a statement, a collection of tracks that resist the pull of the fleeting, throwaway nature of today’s music scene. In an age where everything is often stripped down, consumed, and discarded, this 8-track LP stands as both a nudge and a reminder—a poke at the culture that surrounds it - it isn’t here to blend quietly into the background, nor to satisfy the urge for quick hits and shallow thrills.

Each track on the LP is woven with the sounds and textures Workforce has become known for, yet there’s a rawness here—a willingness to push boundaries, to blur the edges of genre and style. The LP is a blend of the familiar and the experimental, where thoughtful moments meet jagged beats, and where soulful undertones collide with darker layers. It’s a space that resists easy categorization, daring listeners to explore without expectation, to find meaning in the spaces between the sounds. This isn’t a record designed for the disposable playlists of tomorrow; it’s for those who know that music can mean more, and who understand that it is meant to live with us, to grow, and to shape the communities around it. This record isn’t about the chase for the next hit or the endless scroll; it’s for the ones who value artistry, who find culture in the smallest details, who want something real to hold onto.

‘Nothing Iz Sacred’ is brought to life with the voices and musicality of some incredible collaborators. Tyler Daley’s unmistakable warmth, Bobbie Johnson’s sharp lyricism, Tamara Blessa’s haunting soul, Leroy Horns’ textured brass, and Ed Zuccollo’s nuanced piano work all carve their own paths through the record. Together, they amplify the album's heartbeat, adding layers of richness and depth.

Vibes Addikt is proud to unveil its latest EP, brought to you by N.O.B.A, an artist whose tracks have consistently made their way into Beatport's Top 100, with support from major figures like Amelie Lens, Mark Sherry, Nusha, Klaudia Gawlas, Charlotte De Witte, Mha Iri, and many more. N.O.B.A continues to captivate the scene with powerful, emotional productions, and this new release on his label is no exception.

This EP, with its powerhouse tracks, is a true collection of sonic bombs. "Shadows From The Darkness" is a masterpiece of intensity and emotion, featuring a remix by INIGMA, the Orlando-based artist now residing in Spain, who brings a hypnotic tech-trance touch to the track.

The track "The Unit" is a techno-trance gem, built on a bed of acid basslines, with an irresistible groove and punchy sounds that sweep the listener into a whirlwind of energy. Meanwhile, "Sunset" takes us back to the golden days of the 90s, with a pure trance vibe and uplifting melodies that evoke the nostalgia of the scene’s finest moments.

An unmissable EP, available in an exclusive purple vinyl edition, reflecting N.O.B.A's artistic vision. A release that will delight fans of techno, trance, and everything in between.

Early support from Mha Iri (Drumcode, Filth On Acid), Charlotte De Witte (KNTXT), M.I.K.E. Push (Bonzai), DJ Fire (Bonzai), Dave Davis (Laark, Cherry Moon), CP Cedric Piret (Bedrock), Tom Leclercq (Versuz)…

Français

Vibes Addikt est fier de dévoiler son dernier EP, porté par N.O.B.A, un artiste dont les tracks ont régulièrement figuré dans le Top 100 de Beatport, avec le soutien de figures majeures comme Amelie Lens, Mark Sherry, Nusha, Klaudia Gawlas, Charlotte De Witte, Mha Iri, et bien d’autres. N.O.B.A continue de captiver la scène avec des productions puissantes et émotionnelles, et cette nouvelle sortie sur son label ne fait pas exception.

Cet EP, avec ses morceaux explosifs, est une véritable collection de bombes sonores. "Shadows From The Darkness" est un chef-d'œuvre d’intensité et d’émotion, sublimé par un remix de INIGMA, l'artiste originaire d'Orlando, maintenant basé en Espagne, qui apporte une touche hypnotique et tech-trance à la composition.

Le titre "The Unit" est une perle techno-trance, construite sur un lit de basses acides, avec un groove irrésistible et des sonorités percutantes qui emportent l’auditeur dans un tourbillon d’énergie. Quant à "Sunset", il nous plonge dans les années dorées des 90s, avec une vibe trance pure et des mélodies exaltantes qui ravivent la nostalgie des plus belles heures de la scène.

Un EP incontournable, disponible en édition exclusive sur vinyle pourpre, à l’image de la vision artistique de N.O.B.A. Une sortie qui ravira les fans de techno, trance et tout ce qui se trouve entre les deux.

Support de Mha Iri (Drumcode, Filth On Acid), Charlotte De Witte (KNTXT), M.I.K.E. Push (Bonzai), DJ Fire (Bonzai), Dave Davis (Laark, Cherry Moon), CP Cedric Piret (Bedrock), Tom Leclercq (Versuz)…

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is the fifth studio album by American rapper and producer Kanye West. It was released on November 22, 2010, and featured the singles "Power", "Runaway" "Monster" and "All Of The Lights". Previously only available in the US, this version comes as a 3LP 180 gram vinyl w/ Frameable artwork and Collector’s Posters.

A perfect mix, 4 versions, a unique psychedelic trip , special guest The godfather,Howie B with a special remix ;dark ambient and drone music style, the essence of cosmic sound, by Daniele Baldelli, from Malaysia with Love, Kamal Sabran -lo -fi beats, and the original version of
Kabaret Maker

Hot on the heels of A Promise In The Cold Night, LVCA returns to Bordello A Parigi with The Wanderer. Building on his diverse and unique style, genre cross-pollination sits at the heart of this four tracker. Renowned for his analogue live sets, LVCA’s passion for the machine smoulders on this EP. Acid, electro and new beat are central tenets, with the synthesizer taking centre stage. A litany of influences is drawn upon. Crashing snares countered by bright bars, melodic swirls threatened by machined vocals, drum rolls and key stabs marking shifts of intent. Speaker cones conjure late night basements, darker shades churn and melt in the fog and strobe. And throughout, genres and styles converge. Chicago house thaws the frigid severity of wave, italo echoes offering a distant warmth against colder tones taking hold. A 12” that illustrates the dynamic depth and the vibrancy of a true talent.

DMF is proud to present the K-llab series, a new collaboration project where label head Kerrie partners with some of her favourite artists. The debut release in the series features an original track and a remix by each artist, offering a fresh take on both the sounds and creative processes of each collaboration.

K-llab-01 sees Kerrie teaming up with Italian duo Dynamic
Forces, known for their heavy, old school leaning, industrial influenced techno. After hosting their UK debut at a DMF event in 2024, the connection between Kerrie and the duo was immediate, leading to the creation of the series.

The duos killer original track Moralism sets the tone as the A1, followed by Kerries grooving, steppy broken-beat remix. The B side features Kerries funk-infused Good Intentions and a slamming Technasia-esque style remix from Dynamic Forces.

This release delivers four tracks that merge gritty, industrial influences with futuristic sound design all underpinned by the signature Dark Machine Funk energy, the first K-llab release offers a powerful start to this new series for DMF.

Parade Ground march back to Dark Entries with The Hidden Side, a compilation of B-sides and unreleased material. Brothers Jean-Marc and Pierre Pauly started Parade Ground in Brussels in 1981. Their Dada-laced brand of post-punk fuses propulsive drum machines and icy synths with skeletal guitar riffs and Jean-Marc’s distinct and powerful voice, pioneering the subgenre of emotional body music. The brothers met Daniel B. and Patrick Codenys of Front 242 in 1982, marking the beginning of an enduring collaborative partnership. In 2011, Dark Entries released The Golden Years, a compilation chronicling the band’s A-sides and exposing them to a new generation of EBM enthusiasts. The Hidden Side continues this mission, illuminating lesser-known facets of the band’s oeuvre. The tracks here were written between 1982 and 1989, and showcase Parade Ground’s range of styles - all cold, dark, and brooding. Tracks like “Riddle in the Stain Glass Window” and the previously unreleased “Looking Through Keyholes” see the band in menacing coldwave mode, rocking chorus-drenched bass guitar and blasts of analog synth. The band’s dancier proclivities shine elsewhere, like on “Off-Balance” or the supremely funky “Hollywood (The Sexiest Fish),” a floor-filler driven by bass guitar and thumping digital drum machine beats. Also included is “Marble Mind,” a previously unreleased latter-period track from the band recorded by Patrick Codenys at 242 Studio. The Hidden Side includes liner notes featuring lyrics and a photo of Jean-Marc and Pierre Pauly. Additionally, a newly remastered edition of The Golden Years will be released along with The Hidden Side.

Boooo ! Spooky Wooky returns with its second release, Fast Blood. A spine-chilling collection of dark beats and eerie atmospheres, for those who crave the thrill of the dark, the unknown, and the mysterious. Let the haunting beats take over and dance !

In their new project, DJ/producer Mayo and rock star CAH experiment with hard beats, melodic vocal lines, synthesizer improvisations, and found sounds. With A Spiral Walk, they blur the lines between pop and underground, between seduction and rejection, between darkness and light

This EP contains 4 tracks inspired by the dance music boom in Europe from the late 80s to early 90s. Luis composed all the tracks using a Novation BassStation, an Akai MPC 2000XL for the drums and sampling, and a Korg M1 for the pads and melodies, using the occasional VST where appropriate.

A1 “Miedo aqui estoy” (Fear, here I am) combines a fast bassline with a hypnotic melody, New Wave influences and shades of electro unite to create an immersive atmosphere. The message ‘no to fear’ being transmitted through optimistic and euphoric pads.

A2 “Neminem Laedere”, inspired by New Wave sounds and rhythm, this track uses bright synths to create audio textures that invite introspection. The hypnotic melodies repeat throughout, enforcing the title's message ‘do no harm’.

B1 “Noches y Amaneceres” Taking the heavy and dark rhythms of new beat and entwining the contagious melodies of Italo provided by bright synths, this fusion gives the track a unique bouncy atmosphere.

B2 “Violines en el barrio”, A track that revolves around a focus on sampling. The breakbeat influence accompanying synths with an 80s flavour and pads providing a deeper texture.

Torn Hawk is no newcomer…he’s been lurking in the corners, creeping in and between various arts worlds for well over a decade: spoken word slice of life narrations as heard on NTS Radio and Trilogy Tapes; more guitar-oriented song structural work on Mexican Summer; extensive videography (PPU Party Volumes One and Two along with music videos for Torn Hawk as well as Bicep, Xosar, and more); and more beat-focused work as seen on Unknown To The Unknown and as is featured here on his 12” for Fixed Rhythms.

Euphoria in a concrete rainforest. The joys of plumbing the depths of your own inner darkness. 80s synth sounds with soaring guitars and police sirens and rhythmic vocal snips. Distorted bass line bombers. S l o w e d down breakbeats. Offkilter, stomping grooves for the seasoned freaks. Mid-tempo heavy hitters fit for those thirsty for slime and hungry for grit. Step inside and get your fill!

Credits:
Mastered by Dietrich Schoenemann.
Design by Nick Owen.
Distributed by One Eye Witness.

Poet, novelist, musician and academic, Anthony Joseph teams up with legendary UK producer Dave Okumu for forthcoming album, ‘Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back’

Dave Okumu, known perhaps best as frontman for The Invisible, though digging deeper into his production credits, huge names emerge such as; Grace Jones, Amy Winehouse, Jesse Ware, Rosie Lowe and Eska. On this album, the magic and alchemy of Dave’s production style showcase subtle sonics and deep layering resulting in a contemporary sound to carry Anthony’s afrofuturistic metrical meanings.

Anthony and Dave first came across each other when working with Shabaka Hutchings during Covid broadcasts, and then after Anthony performed some poems on Dave’s 2023 album ‘I Came From Love’, the seeds of collaboration were sown.

With a little more psychedelia, a little more experimentation, Dave’s eclectic vision focuses on the actual sounds on these pieces. Anthony stated that “The best producers guide you, not push you” now add to that the fact that both these humans were born on the same day, a concoction of laid back attitudes in people with strong purpose, some real magic can happen, naturally.

Early writing sessions for this record took place in 2022, around Mount Blanc in France. Anthony was away touring with long-time collaborator, Jason Yarde. Ideas were a little thin and they found themselves somewhat repeating previous work resulting in Anthony rethinking things a little, and so entered Dave Okumu.

LP opener ‘Satellite’ is a fine example of how this new partnership pans out. New musicians have been enlisted; Dan See (Drums), Aviram Barath (Synths), Nick Ramm on Fender Rhodes and Byron Wallen (Trumpet). Add to that the mighty vocal power house of Eska and we have a whole new dimension of soul and depth, to carry Anthony’s statements. “You build a wall, we go under, you build it higher, we go higher, like a satellite” .

On the album's second single, ‘Tony’ - there’s a nod to all drummers and creators of African rhythms, from the point of view of Afrobeat legend Tony Allen. Highlighting this is drummer’s drummer Richard Spaven as Dave’s choice of skin beater. He successfully reminds us that Tony was someone who understood the real power of rhythm and how it is used to unite people.

As well as the new musicians on this LP, Dave Okumu played all the guitars and used the studio as his tool. On ‘A Juba for Janet’ - a poem to Joseph’s mother, and a track so bass heavy that it feels as though it could sit in a deep dubstep set in Plastic People days, - Anthony’s voice reaches straight down your ear canals next to dark drums, huge synths and delayed saxophone stabs from Colin Webster. Slightly more introspective verses on ‘An Afrofuturist Poem’ see Dave’s beats show off the real future sound of this record, kalimba, moog bass and guitars all played by the man himself.

Mellower and deeper moments are also present, Anthony’s cryptic yet informative storytelling is at its absolute best on ‘Churches Of Sound (The Benetiz-Rojo)’ - Caribbean and Windrush history reeled off alongside a linear musical timeline of Black music in the diaspora.

A reminder that this body of work is first of 2 volumes, ‘Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back’ is not a follow up to Anthony’s previous album, but more a development of his 2006 novel, ‘The African Origins of UFOs’ a book where experimental elements of afro-futurism, metafiction, science fiction, surrealism, mythology are rewritten in Anthony’s innovative language. Look out for Volume 2 also coming in 2025.

Anthony Joseph releases, ‘Rowing Up River To Get Our Names Back’ (Vol. 1) via Heavenly Sweetness 7th February 2025 and he will play live at Ronnie Scotts in London on 14th March 2025, with Dave Okumu as a special guest.

CREDITS:

Vocals - Anthony Joseph

Additional vocals, vocal arrangements - Eska Mtungwazi

Producer - Guitars, Bass, Moog, Synthesisers, Programming, Percussion - Dave Okumu

Drums - Dan See

Drums on ‘Tony’ - Richard Spaven

Synthesiser - Aviram Barath

Fender Rhodes, Synthesisers, Nick Ramm

Trumpet - Byron Wallen

Saxophones - Colin Webster

Trombones - James Wade Sired

Drumsauw returns to DCLTD for the second time this year with 4 new tracks off his new EP 'Empire.' The title track 'Empire' is a thrumming blend of high speed percussion keeps up techno pressure, counterpointed by a soulful female vocal intoning with Middle Eastern sounds giving a melodic element. Followed by 'Cycles,' a demanding percussion like hammer blows races along, while spacey horns with doppler FX and dark, plangent synth tremolo arps bring an otherworldly, sinister vibe in a huge breakdown/drop. Next comes 'Collision,' rampant, bounding beats, loud rattling backbeat, with a robotic spoken female vocal riff changing pace, slowing in breakdowns before the racing tempo reasserts itself. And lastly 'Comet' that has the fast layered percussion, interspersed with pizzicato melody, varies pitch, becoming frantic, distorted, in the breakdowns. The vocal riff running through adds to the drama; nervy, hyper, disturbing.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6… the countdown to blastoff has started! Paris-based band Setenta is preparing for their upcoming 20th anniversary by releasing their sixth album, Apollo Solar Drive. The record is poised to be their best yet and is the culmination of an odyssey of artistic discovery. Setenta has been constantly striving for illumination through the years, yet also exploring the dark side of the human condition along the way. As the band describes it, this record is an Afro-Latin retro-futurist tribute to the sun. If their previous album, Materia Negra, launched the Setenta space shuttle crew into the void of “dark” matter and black holes, they now change course and valiantly approach the sun at full warp speed, taking us from darkness into the light. Miraculously, Setenta manage to bring some of the rhythmic and harmonic material they’ve explored on Earth with them, yet boldly dare to go where no one has gone before, challenging themselves to take their music, and their audience, to uncharted dimensions and new realms of existence.

In keeping with the themes of Materia Negra, FIP (Radio France) selection in 2020, Setenta’s sixth mission to explore “the great beyond” of “inner space” is aptly titled Apollo Solar Drive, emphasizing the band’s turning to the life-giving light of the sun for inspiration while playfully echoing the title of Eddie Palmieri’s Latin funk and social commentary masterpiece, Harlem River Drive. The overall vibe is warm and positive, propelled by the dual energy thrusters of funky, fierce beats and deceptively complex arrangements, yet going down smooth in the best sense of the word, like your favorite tropical cocktail or classic jazz dance fusion record of the 1970s. Of course this delicious treat is served with a special Setenta flavor all its own.

This time around, Apollo Solar Drive celebrates the trajectory of the band’s unique interstellar journey by deploying a resolutely jazzy, “funkadelic” angle to their beloved Afro-Latin music. Setenta’s band members tell their truths as a collective, with an emphasis on instrumental sections, focusing on the interweaving of multiple keyboards and guitars, while condensing the vocals to group choruses, as opposed to the solo voices of the past. The overall approach is more futuristic in its conception and realization, from the arrangements to the sonic engineering, although the rhythmic base still remains rooted in Afro-Cuban traditions as well as those of other Caribbean nations.

Pablo E. Yglesias (DJ Bongohead) of Peace & Rhythm (USA)

2025 of New Interplanetary Melodies begins with Extra Meta EP signed by ABYSSY, Part 2 of the album EXTRA META .

“Extra Meta was born from the passion for a certain electronic sound ecosystem of the 70s and 80s, a journey that embraces minimalism of the “Berlin school” and extends to the beating heart of the soul/funk of Detroit techno. A journey into the abyss of emotions and the unknown of the human spirit, as the deep darkness of the ocean intertwines with the unfathomable darkness of space. An invitation to explore new sound boundaries, to let yourself be lulled by waves that repeat without ever repeating themselves and to immerse yourself in the reflective mystery of discovery and of evolution, a dance in darkness and light, and where the abyss of emotion merges with the infinity of imagination: ABYSSY.”

Repress!

Voodoos and Taboos first appeared in 2019. A mysterious outfit, their melting pot sound immediately caught the ears of the faithful; acid cut with house, electro beats shot through with a punk D.I.Y. attitude. Their escapades didn’t miss us here at Bordello.

Reversible Dreams collects four examples of this chameleon club style that Voodoos and Taboos have cultivated, the EP opening with the title piece. Cascading chords and whispered samples give way to rich bass strings as a playful piano melody transforms into squirming acid beams.

Claps and neat notes introduce “Unconditional Love”, vocoder lyrics mingling with spoken word and juddering space TB303 squawk. The flip adopts a darker hue. Off-kilter bars and stern beats introduce “Animae”, alien electro melodies descend as a fizzing late night energy takes hold. BPMs drop for “Destino Lontano.”

Warm basslines and Eastern scented synth-play weave their way through the piece, delicate strings and dawn sunshine leading to a close.

30D Records celebrates a decade of modern sonic exploration. Since its inception at the end of 2014, and initially taking inspiration from 40's & 50's science fiction culture, the label has been offering to listeners a vast array of genres, being experimental, creative and forward-thinking dance music its main mission.

For its 10th anniversary, the cutting-edge electronic music label very proudly announces five distinctive releases, each one across their respective sub-labels.

And he did it again! The talented Calum Lee AKA Paleman / Fresnel Lens, one of our favorite producers by far, is back after his acclaimed Exalted EP (2023). Although stylistically speaking 'a bit different' to the previous release (in his own words), our innovative sound designer delivers a sick collection of dark, abstract and experimental broken-beat tracks as only few artists can afford, where impossible percussive rhythms and tons of raw energy go hand in hand, challenging listener's perception and placing him at the forefront of electronic music. Another must have release.

Berlin-based techno duo FJAAK unleashes a series of powerful remixes of their FJAAK THE SYSTEM album from genre icons Kittin & The Hacker, DJ Bone and Mr. G, each adding a unique twist to their signature sound. Kittin and The Hacker dive into 'Mechanic Love' with razor-sharp synths and pulsing beats, transforming it into a hypnotic electroclash-techno hybrid set to ignite dancefloors with dark, futuristic energy. DJ Bone brings his Detroit-rooted minimalism to 'Scratchy', fusing relentless drums with meditative strings to create a stark yet entrancing remix that is both cerebral and body-moving. Rounding off the project, Mr. G delivers two contrasting takes on 'Unity': 'G's Dub', a dub-laden, introspective mix perfect for deep, late-night sets and the 'Time Jack' remix, a peak-time powerhouse with irresistible swing. Together, these remixes redefine FJAAK's originals with innovative flair, bridging intensity and depth across the techno spectrum.

Mark Broom and CJ Baker team up as Kingpin Cartel on Rekids for the The ‘Long Dark Soul Of The Night’ EP

Kingpin Cartel, Mark Broom and CJ Baker’s joint House alias debuts on Rekids this November with the ‘Long Dark Soul Of The Night’ four-tracker. The EP starts with the title track, a playful, funk-fuelled cut with squelchy licks and soulful keys. Next, Kingpin Cartel’s ‘Moonrise’ leads with strong percussion that lay underneath a smooth swinging piano riff. ‘You Are’ then dives deep, perfectly blending emotive synth chords with an undeniably weighty house beat before ‘Shakedown’ closes the ‘Long Dark Soul Of The Night’ EP with a quirky synth line and an infectious bassline that firmly keeps it old-school.

Mark Broom is a UK dance music legend with releases on labels like Warp, M-Plant, and Hardgroove. He returns to Rekids as one of its core artists, joining CJ Baker, a producer known for EPs on Innervisions, Emissions Lo-Fi, Well Rounded, and many more. Founded in 2005, their Kingpin Cartel alias has released on Nic Fanciuli’s Saved Records as well as Mark Broom’s Rewired, Pure Plastic, and Beardman imprints, now landing on Radio Slave’s flagship label with the ‘Long Dark Soul Of The Night’ EP.

DJ Support - Wehbba, Ilario Alicante, Marco Faraone, Paco Osuna, Cristian Varela, Mauro Picotto, Adam Beyer, Richie Hawtin, Luigi Madonna, Joseph Capriati, Eli Brown, Marco Carola and Charlotte de Witte.

Joseph & Indira's ‘Mantra’ is another testament to ARTCORE's ever-increasing weight in Techno and global electronic dance music and features a duo of racy cuts laden with signature sonics from both artists, kicking off with 'Ananda' and its potent classic Techno feel, with a prominent Capriati core of thumping kicks, crisp percussive drive and progressive energy shifts and playful twists, laced with Indira's hypnotic exotic vocal chops and gritty LFO shots.

'Mantra' rounds off the release with an inverted sound transition, leaning heavier into the 'Psy' sound that has seen Indira's notoriety skyrocket. Flooded with undulating low-end movement, creative off-beat flare, shifting rhythmic patterns and uplifting musicality, its immersive blend of darker sounds and spiritually utopian nuances makes for an undeniably unique statement track.

Whilst famed for his endless spree of unforgettable mainstage performances and international club shows, including standout residencies in Ibiza, Joseph Capriati's studio productions have been carefully selected and rare in recent years. With the emergence of their latest studio productions, Joseph and Indira's ‘Mantra’ release serves as a stamp of approval from one of Techno's most respected tastemakers and an insight into the potential of ARTCORE's indelible impact on global dance music.

Late-night jams in their new studio sees Jazzbois return to their beat-tape roots on Still Blunted

Having established themselves as one of the leading live bands in Europe grooving in improvised jazz motifs and hip-hop beats, Budapest trio Jazzbois return with their fourth LP Still Blunted that sees them touch base with their beat-tape roots.

Now situated in the heart of Buda at their new studio above a club, the Hungarian trio of Bencze Molnár (Rhodes/synth), Viktor Sági (bass) and Tamás Czirják (drums) take a more considered approach to Still Blunted and offer a snapshot into the jams, sessions, and shows they have played over the past year. The new album comes after performing at the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival this summer and will be followed by a European tour in October.

Inspired by contemporaries Domi and JD Beck, Kiefer, Nala Sinephro, and the sounds of Radio Juicy, Jazzbois have been more critical of their track selection for the sequel to their Goes Blunt albums. They’ve ripped up their playbook of producing records in a matter of days and took their time to approach the record through reworking their favourite tracks recorded over the past year.

“We’re trying to keep the same formula but there was a lot of thought gone into the process of making an improvised jam sound like a song. It has to be good in the moment, and we chose the ones we felt were expressive and resonated the most with us musically. We focus on our feelings in the moment and have trust in our own taste and music visions.”

The trio’s new studio has offered them the space and time to get the best out of their creativity. “This new spot is a Jazzbois headquarters. It’s above this club, sometimes there's a DJ playing outside on the street – everyday there's something on and lots of people coming and going. We hang out for the whole day and just record anything or edit.”

Jazzbois are a part of the rich, underground jam scene in Budapest, and those improvised-led sessions have fed into Still Blunted. One of their late-night jams turned after-parties produced sketches for tracks they selected for the album.

“It was the end of a wild night celebrating getting the album done. We’re having a jam and we looked around while we were recording and there was twenty people smoking and drinking around us – half of them we didn't even know who they are. It turned into an open after-party where people were coming to ours from the club. It was very spontaneous and unexpectedly, we made five or six new songs we ended up using for the album.”

The ethos of those unplanned, open jams is something they carry through into their live shows, as they never rehearse so their music can develop freely. Their trusted fourth ‘live’ member DomBeats joins them on Still Blunted adding saxophone to some of the psychedelic-tinged beats, such as on singles Shangri La and Chrome. After recently digging back into 70s and 80s jazz, discovering more hip-hop sampled tracks, and absorbing the breaks and high-energy of footwork and juke, these influences come through strong across Still Blunted.

The footwork sound is replicated in the shuffling, busy drums of Shangri La, with the echoing guitar twang reminiscent of a sample you may hear on an MF Doom beat. “Shangri La was a catalyst for the new album. It reflects on our trip to America and SXSW. We played at this venue Shangri La. The Texan air and sun are in that track.”

Chrome takes on a much more furious style of playing that allows for the drums to cascade and flow along with the pulsating, chromatic bass line, with the synths and saxophone spiralling into an engrossing frenzy. The liquidy keys and synths glides over the bass on Flute Thang, creating a 70s jazz-funk vibe that stands out from the rest of the album.

With hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners across Spotify and Apple Music, they have become a playlist staple that has earned them millions of streams since their debut release Jazzbois Goes Blunt in 2019. As more live dates are booked for the Hungarian trio, Jazzbois continue to transform the traditional jazz trio sound into deep, groove-led beats on Still Blunted.

Building up a head of steam, Ace Vision returns on the heels of his Raising Awareness EP.

For Shaped Mind, the Italian artist is exploring new musical avenues. While his musical essence, glow and style remain, a darker dancefloor palette is employed on the release. Polyrhythmic patterns race in the sample strewn “Second Phase”, rumbling waves and warehouse echoes tempered by swirling stabs. A bouncy liquid groove ushers in “Nu să Chan”, rasping beats shrouded in smoky bass while bars bend around an assortment of textures and tones. “Katana Cut (Trance Mix)” conjures up images of dancing bodies waiting for the dawn. Melodies circle percussive layers, meandering undercurrents of acid bubbling beneath shimmering synthlines. The finale comes with “Mixage Électronique.” Steady kicks and crisp cymbals give way to juddering chords, clean keys and snare rolls countering to a close.

The eight track journey begins with Timothy Smith of 90s American darkwave band Lestat along with Pat Berdysz and Mekena Berdysz under their View So Cruel guise, “Corpses” is the blackened offering. A blend of styles and voices coalesce in this bright and burnt work. Colombia’s Ravetop follows, rich textured rhythms support scaling synthlines and distant vocals. Acid squawk and looming menace are the ingredients of Ruksby’s romp before Dragée presents an insurmountable wall of string and reverb in “Chapter VI.” The flip brings old friends back into the fold as well as welcoming new names. Canada’s Red Mass conspires with Lieutenant Freebase with unsettling results while Croatia’s Honored Matres returns with the bent and buckled bars and beats of “Sisterhood.” Diana Berti delivers a powerful psychological soundtrack, “Neptune”, before 80s band Simbolo from Brazil closes proceedings with the absorbing analogue abstraction of “For A Better File.” Eight pieces from far and wide, eight tracks that transcend borders and genre tags.

First Word Records is very proud to bring you the 10th anniversary edition of Tall Black Guy's debut LP '8 Miles to Moenart'!

It includes two brand new jazz interpretations ('From Home To Work, And Back' and 'Running The Motor'), recorded with a live band, as well as a new intro cut ('Black Detroit'), and an alternative mix of the single 'Mon Amie De'troit', previously only available on 7" vinyl.

The original vinyl LP release was a one-time limited edition pressing; this being the first time this project has been available on wax since then, and also includes entirely new artwork and photography.

From humble origins in Detroit, raised on a healthy diet of Motown, jazz and hip hop, Terrel Wallace (aka Tall Black Guy) has become a standard bearer for the hip hop beats scene. Through a steady stream of soulful productions filled with incredibly clever sample flips and deft production chops, he has won fans across the world, including Gilles Peterson, Benji B, Don Letts, Lefto, Tom Ravenscroft, Lord Finesse, Huey Morgan, Anthony Valadez and countless others, along with sessions for Boiler Room and more.

'8 Miles To Moenart' literally brought Tall Black Guy full circle, and proceeds to do so once again. Detroit was where he started making music, and it's to his hometown he took inspiration for this debut album. Taking in low-slung hip hop, downtempo house and jazz-tinged street soul, it's a record of rare focus. It encapsulated the musical heritage of Detroit, through the looking glass of Tall Black Guy's own signature sound.

Follow up releases included his sophomore First Word album 'Let's Take A Trip' (which also featured the likes of Masego, Daniel Crawford, Miles Bonny and Moonchild), and records on Ubiquity, Bastard Jazz and Street Corner Music, to name a few, along with a steady slew of limited self-released edits amd productions, most recently with his #7DayVaults series.

He's worked with a number of formidable artists worldwide, including recent extensive work with Zo! (Little Brother), Ozay Moore, Deborah Bond and Dee Jackson (80's Babies), as well as collaborations with 14KT and First Word label-mate Allysha Joy, to name just a few. He is also an integral player for DJ Jazzy Jeff's infamous PLAYlist Retreat sessions, along with more First Word family, Kaidi Tatham and Eric Lau, as well as artists like James Poyser, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Questlove, and he was a core contributor to First Word's 'Nothing Leaves The House' series, along with Eric, Mr Thing and kidkanevil.

Tall Black Guy has firmly established himself to be one of the most influential producers working today.

Terrel says "I made the bulk of this album back in Detroit around 2012/2013, before I relocated to the UK. I've been back living and working in the States for a while now, and it's great to look back on this project. But while it's nice to reminisce, it's important to look forwards, so I wanted to include something new here to represent my progression as an artist, so there's some new versions included, that I created with the help of some jazz musician friends of mine."

'8 Miles to Moenart' (10th Anniversary Edition) will be released on digital & vinyl on October 18th 2024.



c 03: Funeral Biz / Welcome to Detroit (Interlude) feat. Malice & Mario Sweet

e 05: Mon Amie De`troit (7" Version) feat. Ozay Moore

Releasing as a vinyl 45, Bad Night is the lead offering from The Cromagnon Band's new album Mode. This is the band's second LP and the first of theirs to be released on BBE Music. Mode itself is an album of cinematic and psychedelic dark Funk tinged and tinted with Nordic psych/jazz, classical, boom-bap Hip-Hop breaks and riff heavy rock. Bad Night is backed with Quadrant, a stand alone track that won't be on the album, thus making the vinyl single release a unique addition to the music lover's record collection. That said, these are are two tracks which give both a genuine flavour of the forthcoming album as well as the band's own musical influences and heritage as instrumentalists and producers. The Cromagnon Band's recording technique of taking breaks, riffs and melodies from favourite tracks and then improvising from there with completely live jam sessions in the studio allows them to record in their distinct and trademark 'reverse engineering' style. The trio of Drummer Tom Watt, Bassist Lenny Walker and multi-instrumentalist Bert Page work by making music as a team, playing for hours and united by a love of Hip-Hop breaks and psychedelic Jazz/Rock/Funk and classical music. They choose to record only instrumentals which allows space for Bert to weave intricate soundscape with Fender Rhodes, Moog, Sax and Clarinet over the beats and breaks they have written from their improvised jams. Bad Night b/w Quadrant are the lead releases from The Cromagnon Band's new album Mode. They will be released as a 7" vinyl and digitally.

Germano Ventura is an Italian DJ, Producer and owner of the record label HOWL. A resident at the famed Circolo Degli Illuminati club in Rome, his busy touring schedule sees him play at some of the country’s most iconic venues such as Il Muretto in Jesolo and Cocoricò Riccione, sharing the decks with artist like Ricardo Villalobos, Zip and Loco Dice. Known for his dark and minimalistic style, his productions often take inspiration from early House tracks, even more so here in his debut EP “Mai Day” for Memento. The title track’s swinging groove and percussions match catchy New York House vocals, a nod at what could be heard at the Big Apple’s clubs Studio 54 and Limelight. “Time 22”pounding drum sounds and raw beats bring on funky sounds reminiscent of the ball room scene seen in the documentary Paris is Burning, while closing track “F8” boasts hip-hop vocals and some naughty electro-disco melodies, ready to cause some serious voguing on the dance floor.

“Artifact” by Novo Line makes a departure from his Atari ST fueled FM synth journeys, here reimagining the soundtrack of our collective memory. Born from a live performance at a listening festival in Berlin by the Camp Cosmic crew, this LP transforms universally recognized pop anthems, beckoning listeners into a kaleidoscopic realm of sound, where familiar melodies fracture and our brains attempt to reconstitute them.

Using era-consistent equipment – turntable, 12″ maxi singles, classic samplers, and iconic drum machines – Novo Line deconstructs and reassembles songs etched into our cultural DNA. From the soaring emotions of “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” to the disco beat of “Heart of Glass,” these are melodies that have scored countless lives, now reborn in startling new forms.

Recorded live to tape, ‘Artifact’ doesn’t just play; it unfolds like an auditory hallucination. It taps into the deep emotional reservoirs these songs have built over decades, twisting familiar refrains into new shapes. One festival goer recollected that it uncovered “the dark inner universe of Kenny G, suddenly splayed out into a whole new cosmos.”

As the needle traces its path, ‘Artifact’ peels back layers of shared musical experience. It’s an aural alchemy that transmutes the known into the profoundly strange, yet achingly familiar. Listeners may find themselves adrift in a sea of frequencies, where every warped note triggers a cascade of personal and collective memories.

Rooted in the “copyriot” tradition of 1980s punk and industrial scenes, “Artifact” challenges notions of authorship while celebrating the universal language of pop. It doesn’t merely suggest a trip – it becomes a journey through the very fabric of our shared musical consciousness.

Mastered by Rude66, cut by Helmet Erler, and pressed at Objects Manufacturing.

After LMURWAX001 – the 'Half Past Century EP' – which featured a remix by tRicMast (Ricardo Villalobos & Tripmastaz), Santos returns with the second vinyl release on his label, Let Me Understand Records. The 'Second Wave EP' presents four tracks, each exploring different styles.

On Side A, the first track, 'Nziscira', delivers a fast-paced, minimalistic beat with floating chords and a poetic solo. 'Dumbeat' starts with a dark breakbeat, transitioning into a 4/4 kickdrum accompanied by a modulated pad and ethnic-inspired sounds, topped off with a subtle vocal that brings a funkier groove.

Side B opens with 'Venus Gala', a modern funk track rooted in 70s sounds, blending Moog, guitars, a Juno 60, and a Fender Rhodes jam. The EP wraps up with 'In Everywhere', an 80s-inspired electro-funk track featuring Korg VC-10 vocoder vocals.

Dejan Dex from 005 is back but with Blagoj in their mischievous music duo: Son Kota. From Misla to Termos, Dejan brings forth a new level of artistry with his right hand partner in this sizzling 3 track compilation. Literally sizzling, Termos isn’t shy in sound, waking up the listener with profound, sexy yet soothing beats in a humble, homemade kind of way.

“Our inspirations range from day to day activity. From 80’s pop rock music and good movies to tv shows and live sets from artists that we admire, together we combine all the sounds we hear into one full package.” - Son Kota

Son Kota - A story of two artists meeting halfway, making an alias to expand their music horizons. Focused on finely shaped sounds, and digging deeper as they can into the house music world.
Producing for 13 years running, Son Kota began paving their way around the same time. Coincidence? We think not. Destined to work together, Blagoj and Dejan were passionate pioneers on the Macedonian music scene with their like minded approach to genre identity and track ideation. Officially born in 2017, Son Kota was given its project name meaning “sounds of happiness” in French/Japanese dialect.

The two exude a sense of genuine awe and wonder for minimalism, and the blissful feeling it evokes.
Echoing the 90s once again, Son Kota offers a fresh batch of 3, including a remix by Arapu, each having its own musical idiosyncrasies.

Top of the track list is the dark and moody Vroche: a somewhat psychedelic ensemble of broken beats and synth stabs for the adventurous minimal listener. Up next is Termos, a marvelous piece that embodies classic house qualities peppered with nostalgic melodic elements. Finally, Arapu spins this record further with his own interpretation of Termos, bringing his signature touch to the table. Any Satya fan and production nut will be sure to appreciate his groovy minimal hypnotic flavors.

Dear Friends,
Can you relax while maintaining a stable structure? The principle of “fang song” in Chinese martial art Taijiquan embodies this balance, where heaviness sinks downward and lightness rises through a vertical axis from heavy rooted feet to head.

As a dedicated Taijiquan practitioner, Littlelake applies this concept in his new EP, featuring four tracks rooted by a distinctive bass heaviness while giving a playful lightness to the overlying sound elements.

The opening track "Tonight's the night" immediately makes clear what is meant: a light-footed 2-step beat dances over weighty bass variations and playful vocal cuts set the tone.

“Passing by” is no more and no less than a true monster speed garage warper blending all the best elements of its genre.
Coming with funky tribal breaks, skillful sample manipulations, and a warm, soulful string foundation, “Watch Your Mouth” defies genre classification—it's in a class of its own.

With "Lost", Littlelake once again proves his ability to create extraordinary dancefloor moments. A jackin' 909 and shimmering dub sounds contrast with a dark Reese bassline, creating a captivatingly ambivalent mood. Don't miss this one.

P.S.: physical release comes with handcrafted, screen printed artwork by fabulous graphic artist Zatina Kessl.

Mit einer Yamaha-Orgel und einem Traum begann der Südafrikaner Pops Mohamed seine musikalische Reise Mitte der 1970er als Bandleader von Black Disco und schuf eine angesagte Chill-Out-Jazz-Melange mit futuristischen Drum-Machine-Sounds und spirituellen Obertönen. Ihm zur Seite standen die beiden gefragten Sessionmusiker Basil Coetzee (sax) und Sipho Gumede (bass). Mit den polyphonen Beats von Mohameds E-Orgel und später mit einem Drummer ausgestattet, schuf Black Disco in einem Ausbruch von Kreativität 1975-76 einen unverwechselbaren Sound und eine Trilogie innovativer Alben. Das italienische Boutique-Label Afrodelic präsentiert die erste vollständige Reissue des 1975er Debütalbums von den Originalmasters.

Unrecognisable” is a story about a city where buildings are used as weapons in a war between the government and the people. The initial chapter, “Eiffel Shard”, was published as an online graphic novel with an interactive soundtrack. It depicts a phone call between Paris Hell and Geneva Heat, two members of the resistance group Unrecognisable. During the call, Paris informs Geneva that a deadly building, The Shard, is now under the authorities’ control. What’s worse — the government also got hold of a secret building transformation plan developed by the resistance. Paris tells Geneva that the Unrecognisables decided to abandon the plan due to the number of civilian casualties it would inevitably cause. A series of intricate explosions would force the building’s glass surface to rip through the surrounding areas, destroying everything in its path and leaving only a pointed metal structure standing: an Eiffel Shard.

The second chapter, “Paris’ Dream”, was performed by Lolina as an improvised gig. Samples from the soundtrack to chapter one accompanied a video showing the protagonist sneaking into The Shard at night. The narrative continues with Paris’ anxiety dream of her time working on the Eiffel Shard project alongside another Unrecognisables member who she fears has betrayed them by handing over their dangerous plan to the government.

The third chapter is now being released as an album of new music. In a declining city, Paris and Geneva are tour guides to be followed at your own risk. Lies and petty crimes, mistrust, betrayal and, inevitably, war are the setting in which they seek to devise a plan for resistance. As members of a secret group, they hide their identities and meet after dark. Under dim lights of city streets and closed-down clubs, it’s hard to tell a dodgy detective from an eager philosophy student, friends are enemies in disguise, and it’s advised to park your car sideways for a fast getaway.

On this concept album, Lolina performs the role of both characters, her own voice often made unrecognisable by pitch-shifts and distortion. It was recorded almost exclusively on a Casio SK-200 sampling keyboard boasting 1.62 seconds total sampling time. No beat preset (total of 20) is left untouched, unchopped or unlooped. Not one of the 49 mini keys is idle. Retains samples when turned off.

It is on dark and sweaty dance floors that we get inspired, connect and leave our differences away to live in the present. With this compilation of music pressed in two parts and written by a set of artists from very diverse horizons, it is Polychrome’s perspective on the rave that we want to share. One where sound and light are the only points of reference, opening the space for liberating experiences.

Diffraction EP takes you through the full journey of waveforms traveling through our beloved clubs. Sparking the A-side, Hong Kong’s wonder producer and Mihn Club resident Xiaolin fires up with a progressive and flamboyant house cut, opening an ambitious dance. The tension is taken one notch deeper with Barcelona’s duo Iro Aka signature hypnotic and driving techno sound, dimming the lights for an introspective groove. On the B-side, Lyon’s Desire flirts with an electrifying psy-infused track where pounding beats and floating melodies dance in harmony and psychedelia. It is in a firework that Dublin’s prodigy Dylan Forbes closes out the EP, with an energetic progressive anthem that will light up the space

Soela is the DJ and production alias of Elina Shorokhova, a Russia-born Berlin-based experienced pianist and vocalist who has made a hugely impactful transition into electronic music. Having released material on such labels as Kompakt, Dial, Shall Not Fade, Lost Palms, E-Beamz, Red Ember Records, Sushitech, and others, Soela joins the ranks of Scissor & Thread for this exquisite album - Dark Portrait.
The album opens in a typically understated manner with Unsuitable - a melancholic trip-hop adjacent track that sets the tone for the next 8 pieces. As Soela explains, “I was dealing with some very complex feelings, so I came up with this album, which helped me not to despair, to work on myself, to grow internally, and to start listening to myself. It helped me to keep sane when my country invaded Ukraine with a full scale war. It absolutely broke my heart, and music was one of my main salvations.”
This complex mix of emotions plays out across the album with tracks that utilize her beautiful musicality (Through the Windows feat. Francis Harris and Philipp Priebe, Drowning feat. Module One) and ear for details with skittering beats, ambient soundscapes (Spirits, Lost In The Fog) and lose-yourself dancefloor moments such as the collaboration with Lawrence on February Is Not Going To Be Forever. The title track Dark Portrait combines dubby elements with affecting pads and melodic touches, while the lead single Even If I Ask You Stay delves into multiple feelings around escaping toxic situations, and battling depression. It features a powerful vocal from Soela supported by a deeply affecting arrangement. The closing track The Darkest Hour Before Sunrise brings a sense of hope and light, balancing subdued keys and strings with ethereal tones and atmospheres

Matthias Koch isa totalnutcaseDJ and producer of some o’the fiercest music ever to come out of Germany.Fromstarting out DJing and creating musicat the beginning of 2000, playing frequently in many of Germany’s notoriously fiendish clubs, an untimely long break of 17 years beckoneddue to unforeseen circumstances. However, he’s now back and ready to turn up the bass once morein search of a new balance in his free time. Franticallyproducingsince 2022, he’squickly developed his ownbrutalstyle, instantly catching the feverish ears of RIOT Radio Records as it’s definitely, defiantlyand undeniably not off-the-peg techno!Continuing with the ‘Limited As Fuck’ series of releases, on our fiercely independent techno label based in Scotland,we’re immensely proud to present Matthias Koch’s first evervinyl release.This is one of the most whackin’, jackin’ and beat crankin’ releases to have ever appeared on our label. Featuring six lethal stompers for the darkest of dance floors and smoke filled basements, each track a lesson in how to pound ravers into submission. Withadditional intrinsicallycontortedmachinations by Nomad, JoeFarr, Angelsand othervice-ridden vintagedemonic consoles, Low Entropy’s Doom laden ‘Stripped’remix for example, this release isgonna leaveyou bewilderedlybeatento the core. The full digital release also features twobonusmonsterous tracks, one of which isarelentlesslyfierce 303 mangling by the acid mastermind himself,Bdacid. Scream if you wanna go faster ..................

WARNING: RIOTous ANGELICSCREAMERS WILL ALWAYS TURN INTO RENEGADES

There is propably no single event that has as potent of an
effect on the german Techno- scene as the fall of the Berlin
Wall. A city divided suddenly, in one single night, became
uni¦ed, opening up both sides for the new experiences and
ways to view life the other might have. Berlin’s eastside with
it’s empty, unused warehouses proved to be a fertile breeding
ground for free spirits and those carrying a newfound ¦re in
their eyes. This was the zero hour. The Consolidation. And it
is this mindset, spirit and ¦re of Consolidation that Shaleen
conjures on her debut EP of the same name. The title track
opens up by sampling John F. Kennedy’s legendary “Berlin”
speech from 1964, before absolutely caving in the concrete
with a beyond-heavy kickdrum and a very stripped down but
effective 909-percussion section. Spursed in along the track’s
runtime are droning sirens and JFK continuing to beckon you
to lose yourself in the metropolitan bowels. This is the
anthem of a past revolution. On Deconstruction, Shaleen
goes down a slightly more basement oriented route. The
Percussion shares the title track’s stripped down
effectiveness, but the Groove is more rolling, the Vocal
samples are more distorted and there are sharp synths
cutting through the beats like shards of broken glass. Of
course, a revolution wouldn’t be complete without a mob so
both Cadency aka Hector Oaks and New Frames have put
their spin on the EP’s title track. Mr. Cadeny is up ¦rst and,
being no stranger to revolutionary anthems, has given
Consolidation an almost contemplative mood in his Remix,by adding a very subtle melody. This doesn’t mean it hits any
less hard, mind you, there is an incredibly strong drive to the
track, paired with an almost constantly looping vocal and the
sirens going into overdrive, this would be the track to drive
crowds into a frenzy. Meanwhile New Frames’ track is the
kind of thing you wouldn’t want to encounter alone in a dark
alleyway. The sub-basses are heavy enough to terraform
Mars, the Jungle-esque Synthlines roar and snarl at the
listener and every drop feels like a right hook to the chin. The
original’s vocal is cut in a way that it only adds to the
stomping rhythm, putting you in a mood to throw bricks. So
while this record showcases an aggressive sound and a
mood for revolution, it is important to remember it’s title.
Consolidation. It echoes a message of uni¦cation. Of
standing together. Because together we are, have been and
will always be stronger than by ourselves.

For an aesthetic of (dis)obedience. The impressions Richard Siegal and his company Ballet of Difference gathered on a trip to Japan in September 2022 now find their way into a full-length dance evening. Siegal and his team had set off for Tokyo to learn the practice of Shuudan Koudou, also known as "Japanese Precision Walking". The strictly synchronised group choreographies are astonishing in their radical stringency and have become a secret YouTube hit, not least because of their peculiar subtle humour. Siegal recognises in the extreme disciplining of the bodies an analogy to the training practice of classical ballet. In the mutual exchange of these movement cultures, questions are raised about individual and collective thinking, about personal decision-making power and social responsibility. For this extraordinary project, Richard Siegal has invited a special guest: Nazareth Panadero, long-time companion of Pina Bausch, who has long since become an icon of Wuppertal dance theatre and will be on stage with the BoD ensemble.

The production BALLET OF (DIS)OBEDIENCE is sponsored by Goethe Institut, with the kind support of Sissel GmbH.
CHOREOGRAPHY & STAGE: RICHARD SIEGAL
COSTUME: FLORA MIRANDA
LIGHT & VIDEO: MATTHIAS SINGER
MUSIC: ALVA NOTO
DRAMATURGY: TOBIAS STAAB

more info to: Shuudan koudou

'Shuudan koudou' Shuudan Koudou Is the Japanese #art of Synchronized Precision ...YouTube · Boson TV: Tech Marvels & Cool Discoveries22 Dec 2022

Kottke.org https://kottke.org › shuudan-koud...Shuudan Koudou Is the Japanese Art of Synchronized Precision Walking


On the other hand, hybrid 3 is inspired by Noh Play - Japanese performances and deals with the refusal of rules musically, hybrid three continues the two previous albums and weaves both rhythmic and beatless musical pieces into a holistic work.
The idea for me has always been that these albums are not only perceived as individual tracks, but as a whole piece, which is why I find the possibility of experiencing and listening to these albums in the right order and as a whole particularly important. For me, the pieces are not only closely related to the ballet that was created for them, but also function as individual pieces as pure, musical pieces and mark a new quality for me, which is very strongly focussed on producing electronic sounds and structures in such a way that they can develop a sculptural quality.

Introducing the inaugural release from "Vorm", "Vorm Series: One," a compelling compilation showcasing five tracks from a lineup of esteemed and emerging producers. This release marks the beginning for the young record label "Vorm", setting a high standard with its diverse and dynamic sounds.

From the producer and "Newrhythmic Records" founder, "Joton", comes "Neon Dystopia." This opener track of the release plunges into a hard hitting soundscape, blending pulsating basslines with highly pitched atmo surfaces. "Mineral" by Kon Janson dives into a mineral-rich sonic experience, where intricate rhythms meet hypnotic textures. This subterranean grooves is exactly the addition that the A-side needs and rounds off the whole thing as powerfully as possible.

"Ricardo Garduno" delivers "They're Between Us." This starter track on the B-side is a dark, spacious force of cavernous beats and atmospheres, perfect for those moments of peak-time intensity. Founder "Maasym" presents "Raeder," a sophisticated blend of a industrial trippy synth line and highly dense effective elements.

The track evolves with mechanical precision, emphasizing and focusing on the minimalist effects, percussions and drums. Closing out the release is Berlin-based rising producer & live artist "Peryl" with "Melting Room." This track is a melting pot of raw-high energy and experimental tones, pushing boundaries with its innovative, detailed sound design.

For the third label’s release, Clouzer returns to Distant Gaze with “Call of the Abyss,” a six-track EP featuring three originals alongside three remixes from acclaimed artists Damon Jee, Zakmina, and Berlin’s emerging talent, Zee Mon.

At the helm of the EP is Clouzer’s captivating journey, “Voices from the Abyss,” extraterrestrial echoes and pulsating broken beats, embarking on an exploration into the depths of the unknown. The EP’s second track emerges as a powerful stage presence, guided by the haunting vocals of Valentin Henning. Blurred and delayed textures immersing the listener in a mind-altering experience. Pulsating rave energy of “Perpetual” fuses cosmic elements, broken beats, and dark disco bassline, embodying Clouzer’s distinctive sonic identity.

Adding to the EP’s allure are three remixes, each offering a unique interpretation. Zee Mon’s rendition of “Perpetual” channels darkwave energy, infusing the track with an irresistible pulse, a primetime banger on vibing dance-floor. Damon Jee’s remix of “Stalactites” delivers his trademark full-throttle dance-floor oriented dark disco, elevating the EP to the next level of intensity. Finally, Zakmina’s broken beat journey serves as a beautiful sublime culmination of the EP, evoking the feeling of a perfect closing track for an enchanting morning DJ set.

When all you want to do is be the fire part of fire… say it to yourself and then say it again. Repeat it like a mantra. It’s what UTO did.

Anyone familiar with the UTO’s lauded 2022 debut Touch The Lock, which Pitchfork praised for its “prismatic synth pop”, will be aware of the variegated nature of what they do. This album is just as colourful, with Neysa’s vocalwork sparking similarities to Kim Gordon’s off-kilter vocals, which they both ceremoniously jets through a post-electronica blender mixing stylized indie sleaze productions with 90s breakbeats.

While they might appear as a singular entity to others, UTO wrote large sections of this album apart, converging by the fireside to discuss the day’s work before coming together to hone and finish the songs. 2023 was, by their own admission, a difficult year, and that’s reflected in the Dantean themes expressed in songs such as the lead single ‘Zombie’, which arrived at the end of November as a taster for the new record; the latter’s dark heart is belied by the skittering beats, glitchy electronics and pummeling sequencers that elevate it from the void.

From fire, early man’s discovery, to AI, humanity’s next great adventure - with all of the wonders and complexities of human relationships in between - When all you want to do is be the fire part of fire really is about life, the universe and everything. Just remember, be the flame, not the moth.