Search:deep moments

After teaming up on Smile Sessions with "L'Orologio" last year, JKS and Lacchesi are back at it with their new "High & Dry EP." The four-track project bridges their worlds perfectly. JKS bringing his trademark high-octane energy, Lacchesi diving deep into darker, more textured sound. A sharp mix of dancefloor weapons and introspective moments harmonizing their respective label's artistic directions.

Dropping via both Smile Sessions and Maison Close Records, High & Dry EP is another solid proof of the creative spark between these two French-born producers. Driving rhythms, haunting atmospheres, and a touch of melancholy, all stitched together for an intense, late-night journey.

Welcoming London-based artist House on the Strand to the Eastern Nurseries fold following his impressive 2024 debut, "Heroine", Ruben Elbrond-Palmer channels a sombre, cinematic sense of sound with "Unrest".

Interpolating the visual sensibilities of some of his favourite artists, filmmakers, and photographers into the sonic field, Elbrond-Palmer’s palette cuts loose from the percussive elements of his previous work, blending analogue synthesis with repurposed guitars, haunting melodies, and field recordings that call to mind the hazy delirium of a dusty summer’s day. Sitting at its core, "Unrest" places harmony front and centre, with each sombre movement rising and falling as electric fences hum, helicopters hover overhead, and unknown events are set in motion.

Deceptively simple, the resultant album is gestalt—an elegy of melancholic moments, lost to the world.

Mastered by Ike Zwanniken of Hysterical Love Project - mainstay mastering engineer behind majority of INDEX, Co:Clear & Theory Therapy Releases

Established in 2019, Eastern Nurseries is a platform for deeply emotional contemporary electronic music based between Porto and Newcastle upon Tyne. Curated by Rui P. Andrade (aka Canadian Rifles) and Christopher Macarthur Owen (aka Burning Pyre).

The label has released a steady yet considered magna of records from Hasfeldt, Emma Acs, innerinnerlife and VAs encompassing the likes of Conna Harraway, Severin Black & Slowfoam.

Eastern Nurseries no. 41

Written & produced by Ruben Elbrond-Palmer

Recorded in London, Kobaek & Aude, 2019-2024

Mastered by Ike Zwanikken

Cover photo by Andrew Weathers

“I've always dreamed of making an album where I could bring together artists I deeply admire, curating voices, energies, and sensibilities that have inspired me,” says Brussels-born producer and multidisciplinary artist ShunGu of his new record, Faith in the Unknown. “It took time, and it grew into something very human, rooted in trust, patience, and creative risk. These songs are conversations, not just between me and the artists, but between worlds, eras, and ways of feeling.”
That spirit of dialogue and discovery is what defines Faith in the Unknown. Emerging from years of steady, meticulous work in the underground, the album is both a bold statement of identity and an invitation into Shungu’s world. Across 14 tracks, each a self-contained vignette, ShunGu guides the listener through shifting moods and perspectives- moments of intimacy, defiance, reflection and release, coalescing into a much larger story.
His distinct touch threads through the surefire cast of collaborators - Pink Siifu, Liv.e, Fly Anakin, Chester Watson, Fatima, Maxo, Navy Blue, Dreamcastmoe, Ruqqiyah, Zekeultra and Goya Gumbani — each track unfolding as a new dimension in the same universe.
ShunGu has long been a boundary-pusher, known for weaving jazz-inflected samples, skilfully constructed textures, and MPC-driven grooves into production that feels timeless yet untethered. With Faith in the Unknown he pushes further still: a project as much about collective energy as it is about personal vision. It’s a leap into uncertainty, carried by trust in the process and the people involved.
From the lo-fi beat tapes that first won him a cult following, to collaborations that span the globe, Shungu has forged a body of work rooted in exploration and community. Faith in the Unknown crystallises those qualities into his most ambitious statement yet; a record that doesn’t just blur boundaries between genres, but asks what happens when vulnerability and experimentation are treated as shared ground.
The result is a record that trades in subtlety. Each artistic contribution adds its own shade to the larger mosaic, pulling the listener deeper into an expanding narrative. If Faith in the Unknown has a message, it’s that art can thrive in uncertainty - that in the spaces where trust, risk, and vulnerability intersect, something entirely new can emerge.

“I've always dreamed of making an album where I could bring together artists I deeply admire, curating voices, energies, and sensibilities that have inspired me,” says Brussels-born producer and multidisciplinary artist ShunGu of his new record, Faith in the Unknown. “It took time, and it grew into something very human, rooted in trust, patience, and creative risk. These songs are conversations, not just between me and the artists, but between worlds, eras, and ways of feeling.”
That spirit of dialogue and discovery is what defines Faith in the Unknown. Emerging from years of steady, meticulous work in the underground, the album is both a bold statement of identity and an invitation into Shungu’s world. Across 14 tracks, each a self-contained vignette, ShunGu guides the listener through shifting moods and perspectives- moments of intimacy, defiance, reflection and release, coalescing into a much larger story.
His distinct touch threads through the surefire cast of collaborators - Pink Siifu, Liv.e, Fly Anakin, Chester Watson, Fatima, Maxo, Navy Blue, Dreamcastmoe, Ruqqiyah, Zekeultra and Goya Gumbani — each track unfolding as a new dimension in the same universe.
ShunGu has long been a boundary-pusher, known for weaving jazz-inflected samples, skilfully constructed textures, and MPC-driven grooves into production that feels timeless yet untethered. With Faith in the Unknown he pushes further still: a project as much about collective energy as it is about personal vision. It’s a leap into uncertainty, carried by trust in the process and the people involved.
From the lo-fi beat tapes that first won him a cult following, to collaborations that span the globe, Shungu has forged a body of work rooted in exploration and community. Faith in the Unknown crystallises those qualities into his most ambitious statement yet; a record that doesn’t just blur boundaries between genres, but asks what happens when vulnerability and experimentation are treated as shared ground.
The result is a record that trades in subtlety. Each artistic contribution adds its own shade to the larger mosaic, pulling the listener deeper into an expanding narrative. If Faith in the Unknown has a message, it’s that art can thrive in uncertainty - that in the spaces where trust, risk, and vulnerability intersect, something entirely new can emerge.

Jacksonville returns with Heavy & Gold, a powerful five-track EP rooted in the raw energy of underground house and analog machine funk. Produced by Chris Lyth, the record blends Chicago-influenced drum programming, hypnotic basslines and deep melodic textures into a set of highly functional DJ cuts built for the dancefloor. The EP moves between muscular jack tracks and deeper hypnotic moments, balancing driving groove architecture with subtle emotional tension. Heavy & Gold opens with the title track, a dense and rolling house cut driven by heavy drums and warm synth layers, before Just Another High delivers a tighter, more stripped-down groove with classic underground swing. Rapido pushes the energy further with a direct, rhythmic workout built for peak-time transitions. On the flip side, Parallel Love expands into a deeper and more atmospheric territory with evolving textures and hypnotic momentum, while closing track Miz & Ida delivers a long, hypnotic groove combining analog warmth and late-night dancefloor pressure. True to the Skylax philosophy, this release focuses on timeless groove design rather than trends, offering DJs and collectors a record built to last in the bag for years. Written and produced by Chris Lyth with executive production by Hardrock Striker and artwork by H5 (Simon Renaud), Heavy & Gold continues the Skylax tradition of uncompromising underground house music.

Efde's first release on Voyage Direct. Here he gets a chance to showcase his trademark sound on an expansive, four-track E.P for the Amsterdam-based label.
Some may be familiar with Efde's work through his occasional 12' singles for Nordik Netrecords and Soweso, where he distilled a variety of influences - think dreamy, ultra-deep house, the Chicago bump of Chez Damier, and the sci-fi pulse of Detroit - into tracks that had a distinctive vibe all of their own.

My Bleep' is arguably his most stunning production yet: a spine-tingling re-imagining of Detroit futurism built around sparkling, intertwined melody lines, dusty drum machine rhythms, hissing hi-hats and throbbing, analogue bass. While a thing of rare beauty, it also comes blessed with moments of sweaty percussive intensity, with stacked snare hits that increase in energy as the track progresses. The original's inherent beauty is emphasized further on the accompanying Ambient Mix', which recalls the glory days of Pete Namlook's FAX Records in the early 1990s.

There's more far-sighted dancefloor futurism to be found on the flip, where the spacey chord progressions, sprightly synth-bass and restless rhythms of Just Did It' capture the spirit of both the Motor City, and the classic UK techno-funk of Dave Angel and Luke Slater. A fine EP is completed by the ultra-deep shuffle of CMP135', which successfully draws on Efde's love of bumpin' U.S deep house whilst retaining the intergalactic sounds that are such a key part of the Dutchman's club-ready productions.

French producer stuckinwaveforms makes his casa voyager debut with a cohesive album that threads together a fresh take across multiple genres. Each track is crafted with precision, bridging heavy-beat energy and deep listening moments. Tested and approved!

The 12-track record is the first album on SHDW's influential label and explores the past, present, and future of techno.

Planet X label head and 20-year scene veteran Exos, hailing from Iceland, draws on his native country's influences in his work, which explores the interplay between light and dark, warmth and cold. His high-octane sounds over the last 20 years have appeared on vital imprints like Tresor, X/OZ, and, of course, Mutual Rytm, with his releases for
the label having been extremely well received, garnering support from the scene's key DJs. Whether dubby or hard, his techno is always authentic and channels the purity of the 90s style. This new album follows Exos's inaugural X-Release, the Infrared 10", the Icebreaker 12" from last year, and his track on the latest Federation of Rytm IV compilation. It's a real journey through all facets of his sound, including a trip back to his dub techno roots, ambient
explorations, and emotional vocal pieces with lifelong memories fused into sounds that reflect the artist's decades spent in Iceland.

'Sweet Dreams' opens with an atmospheric intro in the form of a 28-year-old collaboration with his father. This full-bodied analogue ambient piece is rich with the mysterious tones of the Nord Modular and was recorded during their shared studio days at D17 in Reykjavik. The title track is a hypnotic, linear groove with icy synth modulations and glistening melodies. 'Hinn Vioforli' then brings dub warmth while 'State of Mind' recalls the spirit of the legendary Reykjavik club 'Thomsen', a cornerstone of Iceland's late 90s underground scene. 'Glaour Og Reifur' and
'Fogur Er Hlioin'pay homage to the echoes of ancient Viking heritage, 'North of January' conveys the cold of Exos's homeland, and 'Hvarvetna' brings textured percussion and darker undertones before '101 After Dark' slows to a bass-heavy broken beat exploration of texture and post-dubstep pressure.

After the heady and atmospheric sound of 'The Dolphin Oracle', another key collaboration comes with 'Freefall', an emotional breakbeat piece featuring vocalist Amelia Rodriguez,' who also lends her voice to 'Shock', a magnificent track that channels Exos's modern techno energy. The album closes with a haunting paradox, 'Paradise Lost,' questioning whether our sweet dreams are truly moments of bliss or simply reflections of what we've already left behind. The three bonus digital cuts offer sleek minimalism, punchy deep techno, and suspenseful ambient.

Shurale continues its deep exploration of abstract rhythm and texture with Numina by o.utlier. Four pieces that move between drones, breaks and spacious techno, unfolding slowly and deliberately.
It’s music that feels weightless and intense at the same time, crafted for deep listening and late moments when time starts to dissolve.

Continuing his refraction of the rave continuum into pointedly dislocated, delicately bruising sound system meditations, Low End Activist returns to Peak Oil with a second instalment in his Airdrop series. This time around, he channels the ghosts of foundational tech-step and the quantum leaps of late-90s D&B to provide the inspirational fuel for his skeletal, astral constructions. A strong stylistic thread continues to weave through the LEA output from his earlier self-released EPs and Sneaker Social Club albums, where haunted atmospherics, blown out subs and snatches of breaks dart around each other in empty dancehalls, but the finer point of the sound design and synthesis makes very specific references to landmark moments in hardcore's evolution.

By weaving his own autobiography into the music, the Activist maintains a fundamental theme of his work to date. 'Colin's Golf', 'Smithy's Porsche,' 'Merv's Lazy Eye' and 'Brillo's Teeth' are all personal codes harking back to the formative Oxford rave scene. With the framework in place, he uses textures, timbres and studio tricks from scene-leading pioneers and local heroes of the era as ingredients in thoroughly modernist concoctions. None of the reference points are deployed as literal callbacks — they're waymarkers for the creative process and faint triggers bedded deep into Airdrop II's strange formations. Fleeting sonics might trigger latent memories for those who were there. For everyone else, Airdrop II is another step further along rave's eternally unspooling odyssey, guided by decades of precedents on a path into the future.

After the seminal Musica da Discoteca trilogy, l’oggetto continues his exploration of electronic music subcultures with DANCE. This new series expands his research into the mutual connections between Italian and American sound cultures that gave birth to house music in the ’90s, while venturing into more introspective territories between Balearic beats, deep house, and techno.

The new 12” EP, DANCE vol.2, unfolds across four tracks that capture the night’s shifting moods and tempos, balancing collective euphoria with moments of personal transcendence. Seksy Tango opens with staccato synths and rounded basslines, channeling Mediterranean swagger and the faded glow of a summer night on the Italian Riviera. Smoothismi’s percussive groove and jazz-infused Rhodes warm bodies and souls, while analog-filtered pads sweep through the after-hours. In Tek, sharp stabs reverberate through the concrete pillars of an abandoned warehouse, as digital flutes shimmer like dawn breaking over an illegal rave. The EP closes with Enigmatico, a downtempo drift into the liminal space of the chillout room, reconnecting dancers to their surroundings and themselves.

l’oggetto is the musical side of NY-based Italian multidisciplinary artist Marco Scozzaro. With roots in ’90s subcultures, he DJs and produces underground house music, blending jazz/funk grooves, electronic transcendence, and a distinctly Italian vibe. Together with Pietro Di, and true to a shared DIY ethos, he co-founded MKDF Records to release and distribute his uncompromising sound.

A fresh take on the 2020 gem from Alex Attias featuring Georgia Anne Muldrow and Kid K. This latest release brings three dynamic remixes from the mighty Kaidi Tatham, Stephane Attias, and El Mustang, each crafted for distinct moments on the dance floor.
Kaidi Tatham delivers a vibrant boogie-infused rework bursting with soulful energy. A joyful, groove-heavy ride that’s already a favorite here at Visions.
Stephane Attias steps in with a deep house interpretation, dubbed out and laced with hypnotic vocal touches and slick keys courtesy of Sean McCabe. El Mustang (Alex Attias himself) ventures into darker territory with a stripped-back broken beat version, perfect for those late-night sessions when the mood shifts and the rhythm deepens.

2025 Repress

In 2013 Voyage Direct released Tom Trago’s ‘Hidden Heart of Gold’, an expansive trip into intergalactic deep house territory that ranks as one of his most emotionally charged moments to date.

Hidden Heart Of Gold is undeniably special. A typically spacey and quietly soulful dancefloor epic that stretches out majestically over 13 spellbinding minutes. It was a highlight in many of Trago’s club sets for the best part of 12 months prior to release..

Virtual waves of ambient chords shimmer between the speakers, rising and falling as if drifting through time and space. Meanwhile, eyes-closed melodies reminiscent of classic stargazing techno and disembodied vocal samples ride a tough but unfussy machine drum rhythm and addictive bassline. There are well-timed breakdowns and a gradual, enveloping build towards a heart-breaking climax. Many listeners may feel contrasting emotions; a sense of undiluted joy while dancing, perhaps, but also the odd pang of melancholy when listening on headphones. It's that kind of record.

The tracks intergalactic, emotion-rich inspirations are explored further on the flipside Ambient Mix, a winding, beatless excursion brimming with hazy, late night beauty. Gentle and immersive, it offers a grandiose, never-ending world in which to shed your inhibitions. Shorn of the originals dancefloor paraphernalia, Tom's emotive, wide-eyed vision comes to the fore ¿ all sensual chords, far-sighted pads and gentle, outer-space melodies. Like the A-side club version, it may just take your breath away.

Next up on The Underground Pulse, we’re thrilled to announce our second vinyl release:

Party Mood EP by the talented Italian artist YU (@ruggieriyuri).



This 5-track release captures YU’s signature versatility and vibrant energy, featuring four deep, club-ready cuts pressed on wax:

- Fantasmagoric
- Selecting Moments
- Party Mood
- Up Rainbow

We’re incredibly excited about this release and deeply grateful to all the DJs and selectors already supporting it in their sets.

Activity FM returns with AFM002, a high-impact VA exploring the outer edges of electro and breaks. On the A-side, two US heavyweights lead the charge: Detroit’s AMX kicks off with Out My Mind, a sleek and soulful cut with razor-sharp bass and icy vocals, followed by Florida’s Exzakt, a true legend, who drops Fvck That Sh1t - a no-holds-barred club weapon full of pressure and punch.

On the flip, Venezuelan pioneers step in: ARA-U (London-based), head of No Static / Automatic, delivers Feels Like Dancing, a gritty analog heater dripping with machine funk, while Barcelona’s Phran, co-founder of ACA and Vimana, closes with Archivo Criminal, a playful yet driving track built for deep, late-night moments.

Activity FM returns with AFM002, a high-impact VA exploring the outer edges of electro and breaks. On the A-side, two US heavyweights lead the charge: Detroit’s AMX kicks off with Out My Mind, a sleek and soulful cut with razor-sharp bass and icy vocals, followed by Florida’s Exzakt, a true legend, who drops Fvck That Sh1t - a no-holds-barred club weapon full of pressure and punch.

On the flip, Venezuelan pioneers step in: ARA-U (London-based), head of No Static / Automatic, delivers Feels Like Dancing, a gritty analog heater dripping with machine funk, while Barcelona’s Phran, co-founder of ACA and Vimana, closes with Archivo Criminal, a playful yet driving track built for deep, late-night moments.

12” vinyl, full sleeve artwork with Mordançage front cover artwork by artist Jo Torres, design & centre labels by Ciaran birch. Limited run of 300.

“Singing Vessels” draws inspiration from the sonorities and aesthetics of Amazonian medicine ceremonies and traditional Andean music. At its heart is a collection of clay whistles from ancient South America, whose timbres conjure the vibrant soundworld of the Andes. The piece also incorporates shamanic instruments from the Amazon, such as the shacapa — a bundle of dry leaves whose rustling produces a deep, soothing texture with remarkable sensory resonance.

Interwoven with generative electronics, live looping and synthesisers, these organic timbres create evolving psychoacoustic spaces where the mystery of nature meets inner realms of perception and consciousness. The piece unfolds as a ceremonial passage through a shamanic ritual: beginning in a dense jungle of sounding entities, rising into moments of cathartic purging, dissolving into states of blessing and communion, and finally returning to the here and now with renewed awareness.

Nervio Cosmico is an electroacoustic experimental duo based in Bristol, formed by Chilean composer Daniel Linker and Italian sound artist Matteo Amadio. Blending acoustic instruments from ancient South American shamanic traditions with live looping, generative sound design, and live electronics, they craft sonic journeys that explore perception, consciousness, and a spiritual connection with nature.

Figure is celebrating its 150th release with a loaded triple vinyl compilation, showcasing artists both old and new to the label – a testament to what the Figure sound is today. The cover art has been commissioned from Berlin-based graffiti artist Erik Winkler, whose spray-painted work is adorning the thick triple-pocket sleeve housing three colored records.

The compilation features some important recent additions to our growing roster: both Jancen and Arthur Robert deliver their unique take on tunneling techno, be it searing or psychedelic. And Brazilian shape-shifter Vinicius Honorio carves out his own gliding bass frequencies while A-STS relies classic drum machine bleep hypnosis.

Label head Len Faki’s own energetic appearance echoes his versatile style found on his recent album release. The all-out production featuring strings and quirky synths sits in contrast with Jeroen Search & Decoder - a pairing of veterans, whose minimal hardware sound slowly builds over trippy acid loops. The flipside belongs to a younger generation of producers, namely IGLO turning out a superb techno roller teeming with life and lush with details. The duo of Munich brothers Glaskin already remixed Faki for his Fusion album, their first original release on Figure comes a skillful blend of distorted stabs and deep grooves.

Equally refined but with a harder edge to it, Scheermann practices a dark, minimalist approach where each element gets time to shine for maximum effect. His bleak track is aptly paired with a rare solo release of Obscure Shape whose fractures of a dreamy, twinkly melody make for one of the most emotional moments of the compilation. The final side holds Roman Poncet’s seasoned understanding of groove, balancing perfectly the dubby stabs and vocal chops for a dazzlingly perfect loop. The final tones to this milestone release come courtesy of another of Figure’s bright new voices: Arkan manages to conjure up a powerful sense of progression, where colourful synths converge in harmonies over an effortlessly bouncing beat.

It is a rare moment for an independent label to make to number 150. But to keep finding new talent who help re-shape the signature sound while expanding the family roster, that’s a true blessing. This package shows how Figure is growing and adapting as a label, staying relevant as one of the leading voices in modern techno.

Berlin-based duo Brigade returns with their sophomore effort, having spent the intervening years refining their approach to sample-based composition. Where 2022's "Hard Times, Soft Music" established their credentials as purveyors of comfort food electronics, „Unlimited Dreams Corporation“ finds the pair digging deeper into the archives, constructing elaborate sonic collages from decades of discarded vinyl.The fictional corporate framework, a company peddling bespoke dream experiences, works as an aesthetic guide, appropriate for 2025.

The fourteen tracks unfold with the patience of bedroom producers who understand that the best plunderphonic work happens in the margins. Brigade layers found sounds and field recordings with careful restraint, creating pockets of warmth that invite repeated listening. The broken beat rhythms feel lived-in rather than showy, while the more ambient moments provide necessary breathing room. It's headphone music that rewards attention without demanding it, the kind of record that reveals new details months after initial discovery.

Marking its 10th release, Sounds of Sirius Music presents a deep, curated journey from a constellation of close producer friends, each adding their own energy to the label’s evolving sound.

The record opens with Akela's hypnotic Ritual33, followed by Daniel Meister, who delivers his signature minimal groove. On the flip, rising New Zealand talent Isaac Denny teams up with label founder Herman Saiz on a track that blends raw expression with a refined touch.

LUKEA closes the release with a deep, laid-back, galactic cut that lands the record with style. A milestone release shaped for introspective moments and late-night floors alike.