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Tokyo producer Calm supplies a steady shore's lapping of sound with his next album, Ambient Jazz, not far after his previous records Before and Quiet Music Under The Moon. After a period of sharp emotional whiplash, Calm sets in again to moll the nerves here, serving a full plate of smooth new age and sonic draperies, recalling the night time jazz chasms of John Hassell especially. Between prefectures Tokyo and Yamagata, trusted collaborators are once again folded in, Calm asking them to prioritise tone over improvisation; saxophonist Kato takes central improv stage again on the plainly titled 'Jazz Acid 2' and 'After Dark', while deeper sus-chord shades stark jazz on the likes of 'Space Ritual'.

I Never Knew Love sees Detroit house mainstay Chez Damier return to the iconic KMS catalogue with a timeless house classic, now available again on fresh 12” vinyl.

A staple of the deeper side of Detroit house, the release combines soulful vocals, warm grooves and refined production, reflecting the signature sound that has defined Chez Damier’s work across decades.

This edition features standout versions including the MK Extended Club Mix from Marc Kinchen, alongside additional extended mixes and a reconstructed version of Help Myself by Carl Craig, offering strong depth and versatility for DJs.

As a key release from the KMS catalogue, this record continues to hold lasting appeal across both classic house collectors and DJs seeking authentic Detroit-rooted material.

Back on fresh 12" vinyl, this repress brings an essential Chez Damier release back into circulation for a new generation of listeners.

An essential catalogue piece for stores supporting classic house and Detroit heritage releases.

KSRX003 introduces French producers Benales and Clotur. On the A-side, Benales delivers direct, groove-led tracks with solid low-end and tight drums, built for club use. On the B-side, Clotur takes over with a deeper, more hypnotic approach and a raw edge. The B2 switches to breakbeat, adding a different angle without losing flow. Straightforward tools for the floor.

Ancient Infinity Orchestra return with their third album, It’s Always About Liberation, a new record that deepens the vision of their acclaimed recent work while moving into darker, more searching emotional territory.

Conceived as a partner to It’s Always About Love, this new body of work shares its predecessor’s generosity and spiritual openness, but carries a different charge. Where the previous album focused on healing and warmth, It’s Always About Liberation is largely animated by struggle, perseverance and the desire for transformation while still offering a path to betterment. It is music made in full awareness of a fractured world, yet unwilling to surrender to it.

Like It’s Always About Love the album title draws inspiration from words spoken by Moor Mother during their 2024 We Out Here festival performance that deeply affected bandleader Ozzy Moysey: “It’s always about love / It’s always about liberation.” Those twin ideas became a framework for the two albums Ancient Infinity Orchestra were creating. If one album explored love as repair, this one explores liberation as movement, continually striving toward freedom, clarity and deeper connection.
The 16-member ensemble is led by double bassist and composer Ozzy, with a distinctive line-up that explains their sound better than any artificial genre divisions: two double basses, harp, saxophones, clarinets, violin, viola, cello, oboe, flutes, mandolin, congas, piano, drum kit, with bells, shakers and other percussion instruments scattered on the floor of live sets and recording sessions, ready for members to use whenever the spirit takes them.

This orchestration, and the overlap between membership and friendship, gives Ancient Infinity Orchestra a sound that is at once expansive and intimate, earthy, and cosmic, constantly shifting yet grounded in shared intention. The attention to intention and the inviting sonic world connects the music to artists ranging from Alabaster dePlume to Gondwana label boss Matthew Halsall.
Gradually, the Orchestra became a grounding force in the emerging jazz scene in Leeds, bringing together individuals from different musical backgrounds co-founding the Café Oto-inspired Limpet Club or co-hosting the monthly Sonic Plunge (‘a platform for adventurous experimentation’) and co-founding the Leeds Improvisers Orchestra. Additionally, the ensemble acted as a bridge between musicians in Brighton and Leeds, after Ozzy spent a stint back on the south coast between 2020 and 2022.

Their debut, River of Light, was a vibrant celebration of togetherness recorded in three days and released on Gondwana in 2023. A Maida Vale session for Jamie Cullum’s BBC Radio 2 show brought them to a broader audience, as did bookings at North Sea Jazz Festival and Gretchen, Berlin. Since then, Ancient Infinity Orchestra has become a by-word for music that could be framed as ‘spiritual jazz’. Whilst Ozzy avoids the phrase when describing his music, he’s crystal clear that his heroes are associated with those words – citing Art Ensemble of Chicago, Pharoah Saunders, Coltrane (Alice and John), and Don Cherry as major influences.

Across trance-like meditations, rising grooves, moments of grief and collective uplift, It’s Always About Liberation speaks to the battle within the mind as much as the inequalities of the wider world. It acknowledges the darkness but lets connection and creativity have the last word Ancient Infinity Orchestra is a gathering of voices, traditions, and energies converging into something timeless. Their music is a journey inward and outward, always reaching toward the universal.

Manytra records brings a Full Collision (Cult Collective) production !
A meeting point between Dark Acid Freetekno and downtempo hardcore...
4 Superb tunes. Aesthetic tekno !

Here is the latest record from Konformer, Konformer II, the follow up to Konformer 1!

3 years in the making Konformer II is a further & deeper probe of the world of electronic influenced instrumental, psychedelic Krautrock from the Nuremberg based trio, recorded at Frank Mollena's Lonestar Studios.
Rainer Ruder (bass), Andreas Berg (drums) and & Kristian Krauss (keyboards) continue their exploration with a bass loop anchored odyssey, a trip into the future with a firm nod to the past.

Released on Before I Die 03/07/26 on limited Black Vinyl LP with a full colour art book featuring artworks from independent artists from the city.

The band will commence a short UK Tour of Southern & Northern Grassroots venues from the end of August 2026 culminating in a performance at Manchester Psych Fest on Saturday 5th September.

OMRI. returns to Crosstown Rebels with his latest three-track release, ‘Signals’. Out on 24th July 2026, the in-demand DJ/producer follows up one of the label’s standout tracks of recent years with a collection of hypnotic, after-hours club cuts.

OMRI.’s relationship with Damian Lazarus’s Crosstown Rebels imprint began last summer when he made his debut with ‘Nothing Wrong’, a record that quickly became one of the imprint’s defining releases of the season while being awarded Pete Tong’s Essential New Tune on BBC Radio 1, and introduced his distinctive blend of understated yet driving dancefloor psychedelia to a wider audience. Returning to the label a year later, following a prolific run of recent releases on the likes of Hot Creations, TSZR, Higher Ground and AFFAIRS, plus his own burgeoning Collecting Dots Records imprint, his ‘Signals’ EP picks up where that breakthrough left off, while pushing deeper into his unmistakable sonic world.

Opening the release, the title track ‘Signals’ is quintessential OMRI. throughout. Rolling low-end pressure, spiralling effects, and an infectious female vocal hook all combine to create a track that feels playful and hypnotic. Built with a light touch yet packed with personality, it showcases the instinctive groove-led approach that has become central to his rise. On the flip, The Space dives further into late-night territory, pairing punchy drums and a wicked bassline with warped, stuttering vocal fragments that drift in and out of focus. Meanwhile, Scenius closes the EP through crisp percussion, acid-dipped textures, and cleverly manipulated samples, steadily drawing listeners deeper into its hallucinatory atmosphere.

Enamour returns to Crosstown Rebels with his latest EP ‘What U Said’, featuring SAM SHI. Featuring a remix from recent Crosstown signees Bonafique, the US producer continues his evolving relationship with the label following his 2025 contribution to SPIRITS VII and earlier remix work for bullet tooth.

LA-based DJ/producer Enamour has long operated outside of fi xed lanes and guidelines, shaping a sound defi ned by melodic depth and a psychedelic edge that translates across both club systems and through headphones. With regular support across his work from the likes of Solomun, CamelPhat, Hernán Cattáneo, Lee Burridge, and Damian Lazarus, alongside remixes for RÜFÜS DU SOL, RY X, and Lane 8, his catalogue reflects a balance of reach and individuality.

"What U Said" is about the moment language turns physical; when words create a chemical reaction you can’t take back” says Enamour. “It taps into the same quirky energy as my other records on the label, which I think heightens the feeling of surprise as the instrumental meanders underneath SAM SHI’s vocal It’s a track that pairs Enamour’s textured, immersive production with fellow LA-based artist SAM SHI’s vocal presence, shifting through atmospheres and rhythmic drive.

Making a return to the label, in-demand duo Bonafique step in on remix duties, reworking the original into a more hypnotic, groove-led interpretation built for deeper club moments. Closing track ‘Dip’ has already become a fixture in Enamour’s sets, operating as a trippy counterpoint to the vocal-led A-side and employing commanding drums, oscillating synths and a driving energy made to capture dancefloors. “‘Dip is a fan favourite and secret weapon that’s been a staple in mine and others’ sets for quite a while now,” he adds. “Balancing out the release with this one felt like the right time to finally get it out into the wild.”

Not only were Derek Cannon and Hardy Thrower a music /songwriting duo from San Diego in California, they were also cousins. Its not often our paths come across such a duo that didnt sing on their own compositions.

Derek Cannon a prolific Trumpet player and Hardy a lyricist put these tracks together circa 1981 with a view to getting them a record deal. They paid for the sessions themselves and went into Golden track studio's located in Santee East San Deigo with a host of singers and musicians.

What came out was just two stunning mid temp hanuting ballad songs with exquisite playing and vocals. From the opening west coast waves crashing on the into of "Think It Over" you are already closing your eye's and painting a picture of the unfolding love story. James Higgins was hired for the vocals on this track and delivers such subtle tone's that are complimited by keyboards by Bill Santos.

Then wait until the flute solo by Ken Abady. Boy i fucking love this song. Its what soul music should be about. Love it stuff like this got recorded in 1982 when their heads could have easily been turned by what was happening in the music world.

"Im In Love With You" is slightly more uptmepo but not by a whole heal. Cannon And Thrower were far too soulful to just throw a 4/4 drum beat on the hope of a top ten winner. They cut way more deeper and soulful than that. Roosevelt Carter was hired for this vocal performance and not letting the duo down performs a beautiful take of the duo's love song. I think special shout out must go the female backing singers of Julie Reyes, Cynthia Hammond and Jamice Garcia.

The two songs were sent to none other than Lou Rawls in hope he may sign them to his record company. This never happened and the tape was later sold on an estate sale of Lou's. The buyer was Christian Peintner who was so kind to lend us the tapes and make this 45 happen. So thanks to him for allowing us to preserve the Cannon And Thrower legacy.

“WAR.POEM” was recorded at THE ROCK NOIR studio in 2025/2026 as a reaction to a piece I read on the Israeli military use of FLECHETTE SHELLS in Gaza, this led to a much deeper study of the 20th/21st century history of war. The album was composed entirely using a TAPE O MATIC 710 reel to reel from 1958, a 1960’s mayfaair JVC reel to reel, aa 1965 G.E. solid state portable reel to reel from 1965, a portable 1970’s Panasonic cassette player, a ring modulator as well as various other effects and synths.
The loop that is the basis for WAR POEM ZERO which takes up the whole of side one, happened by accident when I put a reel on the wrong way up, it produced aa sound of such great melancholy and beauty, I just let it play…
This album owes a debt to “SWANSONG” by NURSE WITH WOUND from the album “A MISSING SENSE” where experimental sound is used as an anti war protest.
Chris Connelly 2026
You are unlikely to hear a record of such brutal intensity, or indeed authenticity as this. To call it “old school industrial” would be to do it a disservice, but also not THAT wide of the mark. It is packaged sympathetically to Chris’ previous release for the label, the long sold out LP “White Phosphorous”.
It is limited to 300 copies pressed in military grey vinyl.

Tipped by many as a true DJ’s DJ, London’s Isaac Carter has a sound that sits between heritage and reinterpretation. Drawing from the iconic hubs of Chicago and Detroit, his productions reframe classic influences with a contemporary UK perspective, prioritising groove, swing, and a stripped, functional edge.

At the heart of his work, Carter has developed his Ochi imprint, where his deeper material has circulated within a select circle of DJs, with love from names such as Ben UFO, Raresh, and Joy Orbison. A controlled outlet for ideas shaped specifically for club use, that approach also carries over into his sets, playing at the likes of DC10, Glastonbury, and Love International.

Fresh from his appearance for the London favourites at FUSE’s annual Open Air showcase, Enzo Siragusa now welcomes him to the label for the first time as he brings a collection of cuts that journey into varying corners of the house sphere.

The ‘Disconnected’ EP brings five tracks built around direct function and contrast. ‘Disconnected’ opens with rolling low-end pressure and slinking drums, loaded with swing, setting a clear rhythmic foundation for the project. ‘Bad Girl’ shifts into a more playful space, led by vocal fragments, hazy chords and dubby tones. On the B-side, ‘What We Do’ leans into crisp repetition sitting beneath shifting, trippy movement, followed by ‘Loopy’, which strips things back into a reduced late-night percussive trip.

Footjob welcomes a vibrant new release from Sheffield’s own Adelphi Music Factory, delivering a EP that radiates pure dancefloor energy.
Known for their uplifting blend of classic house, disco influences, and soulful club aesthetics, Adelphi Music Factory continue to carve out a distinct space between nostalgia and forward-thinking production. With previous releases championed across underground and crossover scenes alike, their sound bridges raw house sensibilities with infectious musicality.
The Sneaking Out The Back EP features four tracks crafted for both peak-time moments and deeper dancefloor journeys.

2026 Repress

Mihai Popoviciu, one of the most esteemed names in the deep house and minimal scene, is set to unveil his anticipated new album, ‘Puzzle Box’, on Bondage Music. As one of the label’s core artists, Popoviciu returns for his second full-length album release on the imprint following his successful 2016 album, ‘Home’ - available on vinyl from 15th November 2024.

With a career spanning over a decade and with releases on numerous influential labels such as 8Bit to Berg Audio, Popoviciu has firmly established himself as a go-to within the minimal-leaning realms of house music. Known for intricate soundscapes and deep, hypnotic grooves, his work continues to captivate audiences globally. On ‘Puzzle Box’, he delves deeper into his signature stripped-back yet soulful aesthetic, offering a diverse collection of tracks that traverse through various sonic textures.

“With Puzzle Box, each track unlocks something deeper with every listen” - Mihai Popoviciu.

Consisting of thirteen tracks in total, ‘Puzzle Box’ showcases the Romanian’s sound to its fullest. On the vinyl edition, fans are treated to standout tracks like ‘Batiscaf’, ‘Storm Rider’, and ‘Far Gone’ — vinyl-only gems that capture Popoviciu’s talent for layering subtle, dubby tones with groovy rhythms. The opening track, ‘They All Say’, sets the mood with smooth, atmospheric beats with a skippy groove, followed by the dynamic “Video” and the driving, pulsating energy of “Frankfurt.”

Popoviciu’s skill in crafting versatile productions is showcased throughout the album, with each track offering something unique.
From the sleek, melodic strains of ‘Puzzle Box’ to the hypnotic, rolling basslines of ‘Kinetic’, this LP is a journey into his meticulously constructed sound. The digital version also features the bonus track ‘Body Count 2’, offering a final, rhythmic flourish to round off the release.
‘Puzzle Box’ further cements Mihai Popoviciu’s role as a mainstay on Bondage Music, a label which continues to champion forward-thinking, minimal-leaning house music. With this latest LP, Popoviciu once again proves why he remains a favourite, building on his storied career with another masterclass in refined, deep electronic music.

In 2016, with the blessing of David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti, Xiu Xiu released and toured the surprisingly successful album and concert, Plays the Music of Twin Peaks. Out of respect and deference to the beloved series, the band decided to put the concert to rest in 2018. After the recent and untimely passing of David Lynch, Xiu Xiu began to receive several high-profile requests to revive their interpretation of this iconic music. However, in wanting to always try to follow, honor, and continue to be inspired by the incredibly high bar of artistic challenge set by Lynch, Xiu Xiu is instead going deeper. Eraserhead Xiu Xiu is a new live concert with an accompanying film and full-length album that uses field recordings, concert-specific homemade instruments, organ, modular synths, vocals, flashlights, electrical interference, and elements of musique concrète to express the bizarre emotionality, conflicted sexuality, relentless darkness, and singularly unsettled moonscape of this most incredible of midnight masterpieces. The album itself is a masterpiece in sound collage and experimentation, with tracks like “Tetra” and “Sleep Synth” shifting from minimal auditory sensations to a clobbering, grotesque cacophony. The album’s closing track, “In Heaven,” is a beautiful rendition of Peter Ivers’ original composition, with Stewart’s delicate and soft vocals showcasing the elegance and wonder found in Lynch’s directorial debut, Eraserhead. Eraserhead’s original sound design and score by Alan Splet and Lynch guide Xiu Xiu’s expanded interpretation, reflecting their influence as fans and musicians. The original film gives birth to Xiu Xiu’s visual lens, through which audiences are baffled and pummeled by the band’s imaginary unused auxiliary footage.

Is it a short-term art installation, an exploded tribute to a cinematic triumph, an epitaph to an idol via an entirely new work? Yes. Is it intense, odd, curious, and shrouded in the gloomiest of nights? Of course. After all, it is Eraserhead.

CROWD welcomes Gina Demarchi with 'Other Side', a driving 4-track EP that adds a new voice to the label's growing roster. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Gina Demarchi has spent the last nine years refining her signature hypnotic blend of tribal-infused grooves, rolling percussion and emotionally charged energy, showcasing a sound rooted in 2000s techno and dubbed chords. As a resident at the event series Fungi and founder of her own label Seduction, she has built a strong reputation through performances all across South America, Europe, Australia, Asia and beyond. Opening track 'Never Enough' immediately sets the tone. Powered by a tom-driven bassline, huge open hats and uplifting chord melodies, it moves with a propulsive forward energy that plants the listener firmly on the dancefloor from the first bar. Next up on the A-side is 'I'm In Love', where endlessly echoing warm chords churn above a pulsing low end while marching claps and driving percussion lock the track into pure peak-time territory, serving as a reliable anchor for any uncompromising techno set. The title track 'Other Side' leans deeper and groovier, combining a gliding bassline with swinging chord stabs and crisp percussion that give full focus to the track's powerful low-end movement. Sitting somewhere between hypnotic and relentless, it is perhaps the clearest expression of what makes Gina Demarchi's sound so compelling. Closing cut 'Lonely' strips things back but lands with maximum impact: fast-paced chord repetitions, tight closed hats and sub-heavy drums generate a sense of momentum, creating a track that feels explosive and intense without relying on excessive speed. With 'Other Side', Gina Demarchi delivers a high-impact debut that reflects both the raw spirit of her unmistakable sound and the identity of the CROWD universe. The 11th release of the label is another statement from a label that has consistently refused to follow trends, instead carving out a singular identity rooted in raw energy. Join us for a high energy release party on July 5th 2026 al Le Sucre in Lyon!

First release from the brand new label Modular Dreams run by Sound Synthesis & UTR head honcho JDSK. This label will focus more on the deeper dreamy electro side of Sound Synthesis. MD 101 features 4 high quality cutz that will surely stand the test of time.. Limited hand stamped copies, no repress!

After a brief hiatus, Nuances de Nuit returns with Lucho's 'RioGroove'; a tightly woven trio of deeper cuts, perfect for the hazy dancefloor and after-hours alike.

Two Lucho originals and a stripped-back, slow burning reinterpretation from Rumps.

Fedo serves up an assortment of styles wrapped in mystery and vivid texture. The dive opens with dark minimal laced with glitches and misdirection, followed by a more tech-leaning structure. From there, the overall sound design pushes into deeper realms of the trip, accessible only to experienced divers. It all closes with a deep ballad — floating pitch and colourful pads carrying you back to the surface.

Baby Ford perfected the minimal sound with his impeccable early run of releases. Now, one of them gets reissued many years on and it still sounds as strikingly new as ever, not least because it has been remastered by the legendary Dubplates & Mastering in Berlin. The sought-after EP from Peter Adshead emerged during his shift toward stripped-back techno and tech-house and captures a deeper, more hypnotic side of his craft. 'Serpentine Tale' coils through hissing rhythms and shadowy bass pressure, while 'Night D3 Died' pairs crunchy drums with mournful synth chords. Closing cut 'The Introducer' drifts into warm, spacious territory.

A reflective mood shapes this new ENSOULED compilation, which leans into thoughtful deep house and rhythmic exploration. Italian producer Kikko Esse sets the tone with 'Nightfall Chroma', a spiritual cut guided by warm chords and the sort of slow burn groove that is like sinking into a lush bath, and is later reworked by Alton Miller, whose Detroit-rooted style adds some lovely swing. On the reverse, Cee ElAssaad and Masaki Morii deliver 'Tribe', a more prickly percussive cut underscored by dub effects and spoken word. Hugo LX closes the 12" with a deeper club reinterpretation that keeps you locked.

Due to demand, ‘Completely Deep Patterns’, the 2025 debut album of the Deep Patterns project of Bristol producer Ben Dubuisson, is to be reissued as a full vinyl release on 14th July. Originally released on very limited edition lathe-cut vinyl, tracks from Deep Patterns have been supported on BBC 6 Music, FIP, Jazz FM, KEXP, NTS, Rinse FM, and SWU; with Electronic Sound magazine describing it as “An immersive 1970s soul bath scented by lo-fi hip hop and dub” and Twisted Soul calling it “Nothing short of a triumph…indicative of its architect’s boundless talents and fascinating vision”.

Lush, late-night tracks rooted in hip-hop foundations, live instrumentation, rare samples, and recurring motifs; the album was crafted in collaboration with a revolving cast of musicians Dubuisson has built deep connections with over the years, including BEAK> bassist Billy Fuller, Dan Harris on piano, Jamichael on flute, and vocals from The Epoch House Choir. Sliding between soul, jazz, library, and cinematic soundtracks, the album is filtered through a gritty, modern Bristol lens. At its heart, it’s a meditation on loss, longing, and the strange beauty of the world we’ve made for ourselves. From running cult Bristol record shop Purple Penguin and co-founding the city’s influential club Native, to his releases as Hundred Strong, Dubuisson has long championed soulful, forward-thinking music. Having collaborated with everyone from Taskforce and A-Trak to Joseph Malik, Alison Crockett, Amp Fiddler and Boca 45; ‘Completely Deep Patterns’sees him push deeper still, weaving a sonic world that feels both timeless and freshly alive.

Tropidelicos is the electrifying new album from Houston/Denver powerhouse duo Gio Chamba, a kaleidoscopic fusion of cumbia, psych-funk, and global bass. Fueled by hypnotic percussion and cosmic guitar lines , the record embodies the next wave of Latin futurism — rooted in tradition yet exploding into vibrant, genre-defying sound.
Pressed on limited-edition 1×LP “Mango Viper Swirl” colored vinyl, Tropidelicos captures the radiant heat and joy of Gio Chamba’s live energy—music made for movement, community, and spiritual release. From sweaty dance floors to desert sunsets, every groove invites you deeper into the tropidelic revolution.

Tywi steps forward on People & Places with Suspended Memories. Pulling together years of studio exploration, the four-track EP offers the most complete reflection of the Welsh producer’s sound to date.

Drawing on dub soundscapes and a spectrum of progressive influences, each track tells a different story. The title track, Suspended Memories, brings together murky atmospherics and an infectious bassline, drawing the listener deeper with an understated sense of tension. Off Axis leans into a more driving energy, offsetting the EP’s introspective core, while Night Seeker settles into a subtler groove, capturing those early dancefloor moments as tension begins to build. Closing track Onko adds weight and resolution, its name nodding to the Japanese concept of learning from the past – an idea that runs through the release as a whole.

Between Tides marks the next chapter for Deep Steppe—a various artists cut balancing forward motion with the deeper foundation the label’s built on. The A-side leans into a newer lane. Mungo Sound Machine opens with a direct, no-frills party starter. Ballan follows, bringing an overseas touch that stretches the palette—loose, rolling, and just off-center in the right way. On the flip, things return to deeper territory. Kerouac kicks off the B-side with a funky, stripped-back groover—effective across a range of settings. Closing the record, Adam Rose, Miro, & JJ Selects come together on a collaborative tune. Subtle, patient, and dialed in. Two sides, one current.

River Songs sees Al Wootton head deeper into esoteric rhythmic territory. Polyrhythmic hand percussion and bells are offset with modular synthesis and narcotic sound design that evokes the mysteries of the rainforest and the inherent psychedelia of nature. A heady dance floor river ride through unknown and uncharted spaces.

Straight from the weedy fields of swampville Bruxelles we bring you 8 ‘tranches de vie’ of deep zone-hall by weirdtronic bass veteran Michael Crabbé’s best fitting sound costume to date: the mighty Rudi J! You might know him from earlier outfits but that’s not the main issue here. Rudi J is!

When this swamp thing touches the pads, it’s off-road after three seconds, even if you’re in the middle of Europe’s capital. Mixing analog dirt and digital sound bits in a very loose and personal take on dancehall, we’re pretty far away from the dance floor but definitely swinging. It’s a trippy affair wandering around concrete flowers with a deep ambient flavor, but it’s edgy.

A hot summer fever dream following his own lusty path, full of life and wonder but with something sinister hiding around every corner. Often reaching for the stars, a deeper shade of bass keeps things nicely grounded. These sounds are built with a sound system in mind and bass culture at heart. Even if you can definitely surf on it from your couch, picking out all of its ear-pricking details, it will very much come alive on a big sound.

A layered affair with almost jazzy and orchestral elements peeping through the stereo-field, spectral and dissonant but also playful. Like early dubstep, some of these tunes can destroy a clubsound, keeping you skunking out in pedestrian mode and snorting up the atmospherics, finally forgetting about that damn phone.

Under the moniker Trace Mountains, Dave Benton writes music that asks large questions in quietly profound ways. On the project’s earliest release, the 2014 compilation Buttery Sprouts & Other Songs, these thoughts appeared as lo-fi scraps of wit andtenderness. But by the time A Partner to Lean On, Trace Mountains’ debut full-length, arrived in 2018, Benton’s perceptive indie rock had matured into more existential meditations about identity, existence, and finding sense in an increasingly chaotic world.
In the two years since A Partner to Lean On, Benton’s life has undergone several large changes, namely the dissolution of LVL UP, the indie rock quartet he co-founded in college, and a move to Kingston, a small city in New York’s Hudson Valley. Composed during—but not directly inspired by—this transition, Trace Mountains’ second record, Lost in the Country, reflects Benton’s need toreconnect with his inner world.

Prompted by an urge to access a more authentic voice, Lost in the Country finds Benton digging deeper into candid songwriting. “I wanted to open myself up and write lyrics that are a little bit more direct,” he explains. “I write a lot of songs that are about myself and a lot of songs that aren’t, but on this record, the focus is turned inward either way.” The result is Trace Mountains’ strongest and most assured record yet, 10 songs driven by a desire for introspection and self-discovery. The backdrop for this insularity is an expanse of wide blue skies, seas of trees, and winding roads, ideal locales for thoughts to blossom into greater reflections of the outer world. The slow-burning “Absurdity,” which Benton modestly says is about “hiking and standing in the country,” uses the sublimity of the wilderness to comment on technology’s inescapable presence. Similarly, the driving opener “Rock & Roll” transforms the premise of a “simple song about being a rocker” into a stream-of-consciousness, apocalyptic poem about delusions, regrets, and getting lost in your own limited perspective. This self-examination culminates with the record’s ambitious and anthemic title track. Channeling the cosmic sprawl of the War on Drugs or Kurt Vile, Benton recalls a moment of deep loneliness and depression outside a concert venue in the Netherlands, and how an unexpected moment of compassion led to a moment of awakening.
Despite its frequently bucolic setting, Lost in the Country’s underlying current is an urgent commitment to Trace Mountains and “finding a creative process that requires me to be honest with myself.” “I know I sing to forget, I sing to hold my breath, to feel the thumping in my chest,” Benton sings on “Cooper’s Dream.”This line is “rooted in the importance of music in my life, it’s definitely a reflection on that and how I can keep it in my life, because if I’m not careful and I don’t nurture it, I could lose it.” The self-imposed pressure has been empowering for Benton. “I really like having full control in making a record, deciding what songs are going to be on it, as well as shaping the vibe or narrative of the whole thing,” he says. “It brings a peace of mind knowing that I am responsible for just my voice.”

There are records that follow the rules, and others that rewrite them in real time. With O R G A S M A N I A, Byron The Aquarius returns to Skylax with a deeper, freer and more unpredictable statement — where jazz instinct meets raw machine funk, and structure dissolves into pure feeling. Rooted in the lineage of Detroit yet never confined by it, Byron operates in that rare zone where house music becomes expression rather than format. His sound doesn’t chase functionality — it breathes, it stretches, it resists. The EP opens with Back 2 Zion (Tomorrow), a spiritual and meditative journey built on loose drums and luminous chords, carrying a sense of elevation — early morning music where the dancefloor begins to think again. Enter the Co$mos (Fool) pushes further into abstraction, with drifting synths and broken rhythms unfolding in a non-linear structure, navigating between Sun Ra’s cosmic language and Detroit futurism. On the flip, Mr. Captain Crunchhh brings a raw, playful energy — crunchy textures, off-grid swing and an almost improvised groove, alive and unpredictable, a leftfield tool designed to disrupt expectations. Finally, O R G A S M A N I A stands as the centerpiece — hypnotic, sensual and immersive, locking into a deep repetitive groove while evolving in subtle layers, a late-night body experience guided by a sharp musical mind. Across four tracks, Byron The Aquarius confirms his unique position between jazz musician, house producer and sonic storyteller, with a trajectory spanning Sound Signature, Axis, Eglo, Apron and Shall Not Fade, continuing to resonate from Detroit to Berlin and beyond. Artwork by H5 — the iconic studio behind Daft Punk, Air and Vitalic — reinforces Skylax’s timeless and art-driven identity. This is not fast music, this is not algorithm music — this is music for those who still listen. Strictly for the heads. Vinyl only. No repress. Skylax Records.

Rafael makes a statement on his Crosstown Rebels debut with his latest two-track release, ‘Gotta Be Cool’. Out on 26th June 2026, the rising talent lands on Damian Lazarus’ imprint with one of the year’s most sought-after IDs, backed by a collaborative B-side alongside close friend N.O.Y. Long before its release, Rafael’s ‘Gotta Be Cool’ had already taken on a life of its own. Passed between dancefloors and the subject of track ID requests for months, the record became a recurring standout moment in Damian Lazarus’ sets, the kind of track that cuts through instantly without needing explanation. Now officially arriving via Crosstown Rebels, the in-demand DJ/producer’s highly anticipated label debut captures the instinctive approach that has quickly put him on the radar through releases on Beltools, Hot Creations, SZR, Planet X and Maccabi House.

Built around slow-blooming synth flourishes and vocal chants that evoke playful, almost childlike memories, it balances emotional weight with direct club energy - a combination that has made it one of the standout records in the label boss’s sets throughout the year.

On the flip, ‘Teder’ sees Rafael team up with close friend and studio collaborator N.O.Y. for a deeper, more understated cut shaped by layered percussion, fluid grooves, and loose, after-hours energy. ‘Teder,’ made together with my close friend and studio partner N.O.Y, represents a more underground side of the EP,” Rafael adds. “The track is named after the studio complex we work from, and it was actually the first record we created there together. I feel like both tracks showcase two different sides of me as a producer and DJ, with one more direct and euphoric, the other deeper and more underground.”

The shape-shifting sound of Low End Activist continues to pivot around an axis of bassweight pressure with the launch of their self-titled label – the appropriate vessel to take them deeper into sci-fi scented sonics with an ‘ardcore swagger. Previous drops on Sneaker Social Club and Seagrave have seen the shadowy technician mangling grime, jungle and dubstep tropes with all the grit and flair of the most visionary sample sorcerers. At times, they’ve built their beatscapes up around fierce MC spots from such legends as Flowdan and Trim, but while there’s more to come on the vocal tip for the LEA series, this first installment works in a strictly instrumental fashion.

Hi-tech breakbeat de/re-construction is the focus across all three tracks on LEA001, with atmospheres so densely rendered you can feel them sticking to your skin like the sweat of a well-slicked basement session. ‘Engineers Origins’ emits pure darkcore energy and icy stabs of future-shock industrialism, while ‘Look Up’ shivers with off-key orchestrations. ‘Probability 1’ gets deep in the break edit and throws in an iconic low end rumble that should spark intense reveries amongst anyone with even a passing appreciation for bass. Like the most potent foundational jungle, all three tracks swerve regimented structure in favour of moody exploration around a suite of themes and sounds, slipping time in style and setting up the LEA series for further intense sonic treatments to come.

‘Phase Drift’ is a sonic exploration that contrasts light and dark. Side A shines with the dub-infused warmth of Colour and the vibrant bassline of Scope. While Side B delves into deeper territory, featuring the hypnotic percussion of Splinter and the underground grooves of Nt, creating a darker, more immersive atmosphere.

Expand is the fourth release from French producer Antoine Bourachot. The EP features five original tracks, including the standout singles Sailing Away and Who Said?, with soulful vocals form Sodade.

Also included are two special live recordings of Sailing Away and Who Said?, captured at the legendary Motorbass studio in Paris with a ten-piece band.

The release closes with a bonus track, Far Too Long.

Barcelona-based DJ Gamba lands on the Parti-Pillz imprint with his ‘Transform Your Consciousness’ EP, a carefully crafted release that blends fast-paced modern electro with flashes of futuristic house across four high-energy cuts.

From the relentless drive of the title track and the warped textures of “Planet Gro (Hip-House Cut)” to the deeper hypnotic groove of “Most U Ever Lost” and the smooth, house-leaning momentum of “Temptation Voice In My Head,” the EP showcases Gamba’s forward-thinking approach while adding a strong new chapter to the Parti-Pillz catalogue.

Running Hot returns with the third release on his own imprint, delivering four more cuts aimed squarely at the dancefloor.

From the tribal-leaning, peak-time energy of “Body Language” to the deeper swing of “My Love” on the A-side, the record shifts gears into the sunlit grooves of “Horse Of The Year” and the percussive bounce of “Sambódromo”. Equally at home on the festival stage or in a sweat-soaked basement.

Voltage Desire is a five-track EP from Lazer Man moving between raw tension and subtle warmth.

Side A opens with "Woman's Need", an electro house cut built around a rock-inflected bassline and guitar tones that carry a dusty, wide-open edge. "Reactivation" follows with a deeper, more hypnotic approach: pitched-down vocals loop and drift over chords that keep pulling you further in. Side A closes with "Sunris Techy", the most groove-driven of the three, a funky bassline locked in dialogue with shifting synthlines and samples.

Side B shifts into collaborative territory. "Sweet Tide", produced under the Wave Catchers alias with Baldov, is a nostalgic track that will awaken past memories and feelings. The record closes with "Idée Discousu", a co-production with Koffi that blends synthpop with a spooky edge and a story told through vocoder.

Steve Bug and Pornbugs team up on Behind The Glass / On The Swing with remixes from Mihai Popoviciu and Markus Homm.

Unsung House hero, Steve Bug has been there and done it all. Arguably Germany’s most important pioneer, his label Poker Flat has been an epoch-defining imprint. Celebrating 20 years of Bondage Pornbugs are mixing in different circles with recent releases for Selador and Acker Dub, showcasing their crossover appeal with a new generation of DJs.

Opening with ‘On The Swing’ we are delighted by classic deep vibes with a modern twist. Grooevsome and warm, this will get the floor going anywhere in the world. On remix duties, Mihai Popoviciu drops his trademark style, smoothing out the bumps for a deeper ride.

Next up, ‘Behind The Glass’ takes a similar path. Soulful warmth exudes from the speakers as the bumpy bass and echoing keys mark time. Reaching a crescendo with muted acid undertones in the second half keeps attention high and the dancefloor full and happy. For his remix, Markus Homm takes it deeper with shades of Detroit. Liquid cool for the later floors.

R&B outsider Zsela joins forces with inc. no world's Daniel Aged and film composer Taul Katz on '4 Dreams', a billowing ambient-neoclassical hallucination that'll tickle fans of Mary Lattimore, Malibu, Nala Sinephro, Gigi Masin. If you only know Zsela thanks to her dramatic 2024 debut album 'Big For You', the mostly beatless, fully reflective '4 Dreams' might come as a surprise. But look a little further back in her catalogue and things will fall into place; remember 'Angels Pharmacy' and Remembrance' from Actress's 'Karma & Desire'? That was Zsela on vocals, so she's got priors. '4 Dreams' started life as the soundtrack to 'Seven Heavenly Senses', an art exhibition from last year at Paris's Hôtel de la Marine, but has since taken on a life of its own. Zsela's breaths are stretched and sculpted into warm, washing biomechanical pads on the opening dream, left to weather tinny arpeggiated FM synths and muggy bass drones. So far, so predictable. But Zsela muddles proceedings with her confident delivery, layering her voice into jazzy, R&B inflected key changes that keep you guessing. Imagine an astral plane answer to Dawn Richard's ambient-inflected pop and you'll have some idea of where this is headed.

Then 'Dream 2' takes an unexpected diversion, the vocals replaced by swirling harp flourishes and the kind of floating synth stabs that draw a core logic from classic Ambient - Harold Budd, Laraaji et al - then adding extra colors just where necessary. And on 'Dream 3', faint, almost folk-y strings enter the frame, calling out from beyond the horizon, almost blotted out by a synth part that's in the thrall of Gigi Masin's legendary 'Clouds' - the track that ended up being repurposed by Björk on 'It's In Our Hands'. Zsela, Katz and Aged keep that momentum for the final track, too, letting cinematic strings echo around subtle synths and vanishing rhythms, hitting those hypnagogic, tranquil notes that so much contemporary ambient music seems to avoid. 'Cause at its heart, '4 Dreams' is deeper than that, a record that's entrenched in jazz, soul and classical minimalism rather than throwaway numbing music, of the contemporary variety.

" 'Stay' by Shakespears Sister stands as one of the most creatively and commercially powerful singles of the early '90s, dominating the UK Singles Chart for eight consecutive weeks, one of the longest-running number-one hits of its era.

" 'Stay' was a defining cultural and artistic statement, the track's dramatic structure and accompanying video shifting from a delicate ballad into a theatrical, gothic climax.

" Decades later, 'Stay' continues to win new fans through chart re-entries and renewed popularity, most recently cited by Charli XCX as a key influence on her soundtrack for Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights'.

[a] A1. Stay [Radio Mix]
[b] A2. Stay [Andre Betts 12" Remix]
[c] A3. Stay [Acoustic Version]
[d] B1. The Trouble with Andre [Luke Mornay Sweeter Mix]
[e] B2. The Trouble with Andre [Luke Mornay Deeper Mix]
[f] B3. The Trouble with Andre [Chris Thomas Remix]