Anders Hajem makes his space•lab debut with four cuts primed for dark rooms, deep forests and open skies.
Opening the EP, E44Z is a driving techno cruncher, pairing serrated riffs with soaring synth lines and relentless momentum. X66Y follows with a growling, psy-infused workout, weaving sci-fi textures through its propulsive groove. On the flip, A44Z tunnels deeper, its hypnotic groove rising and falling through the journey. Closing the release, the title track Absorbe strips things back with spacious, eerie sound design, understated percussion and a deep, rolling bassline that lingers long after the final beat.
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Jonathan Kaspar returns to Crosstown Rebels with an eclectic four-tracker that shows his stylistic range. The EP features his own vocals, as well as some long-time personal secret weapons.
After an intense touring summer with acclaimed gigs, including Fusion Festival, Fabric London, Else Berlin or Woodstock 69 Bloemendaal, Jonathan Kaspar lands back on Crosstown Rebels. After remixing CRM head Damian Lazarus with two different versions in 2025 and his last massive "We Come EP” to the label in 2024, Jonathan is in a purple patch right now with upcoming remixes for the likes of Âme and Acid Pauli. This upcoming release reveals different sides to his sound while still feeling connected as one body of work.
Opener 'Take Control' will be familiar to fans who have seen Kaspar play recently - it's stripped back but tense, with a searching lead synth and tight, dusty tech drums that grip you and never let up. 'The Reason Why' came to life when Bákayan's incredible vocals were added to the deep, dreamy groove, bringing a smoky soul and human warmth that tugs at the heart. 'Play With Me' and 'I Love Your Voice' both feature Kaspar's own vocals: the former is a subtle, late-night grower that unfolds with trippy synth details and sci-fi motifs. The closer is a deeply immersive and widescreen mid-tempo sound that carries a heartfelt reminder to hold on to the voices of the people who love you when everything else gets loud.
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Fort Romeau debuts on Rekids with the ‘Lovin’ U’ EP.
The British producer's three-track release lands this September. London-based DJ and producer Fort Romeau arrives on Rekids with the ‘Lovin’ U’ EP, releasing 11th September 2026. Opening the release, the title track beams sunshine through 8-bit melodies and a repeating, hypnotic vocal shot through with tasteful echoes, all underpinned by a tight drum groove. ‘No Limit’ dives into more of that endless depth, its vocal sample floating over the groove as delectable piano keys bring the party. Closing things out, the Trip Mix of ‘Breathe’ eases the pace, snappy rhythms laying the foundation while dubby chords spring through a track built for daydreaming.
Fort Romeau, aka Michael Greene, has spent more than a decade shaping a sound that blends deep house, hypnotic techno and ambient influences. His productions have appeared on labels including Ghostly International, Running Back, Live at Robert Johnson, Cocoon and Permanent Vacation, alongside more than 100 remixes for a wide range of artists. As a DJ, he's contributed mixes to BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix, the Resident Advisor Podcast and Circoloco Radio, while his latest EP for Rawax became one of Juno's bestselling records of 2026.
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- A1: S.P.Y. - Rock Da House (Alibi Remix)
- A2: TANTRON - Trigger Sequence
- A3: Nu Tone, SOLAH - Clarity
- A4: Unglued - Wrong Phase, Right Time
- B1: Inside Info, Kemal - Iceberg
- B2: Winslow, Gabriella Bongo, Elsa - Pieces Of Me
- B3: Hugh Hardie - Challenger
- B4: Sudley, Degs - Breathe Again
- C1: Bop, Subwave - Elastic Dreams
- C2: Nu Logic - Chromium
- C3: Makoto, Elle Shimada - Astral Travelling
- C4: Nixxy Rain - Salsa Stepper
- D1: Hoax, So What, Dynamite MC - Thread The Needle
- D2: Fred V - Vortex
- D3: Waeys - U & Me
- D4: P Money, Whiney - Photo Finish
- E1: Logistics - Hyperspace
- E2: Fonts - Falling
- E3: Formula - Stone Cold
- E4: hayve, Anaïs, Laminar, Skyelle - Redline
- F1: IYRE, Makoto - SKYLINE FEVER
- F2: Urbandawn - Superhiem
- F3: Metrik - Dawnbreaker (Subsonic Remix)
- F4: TANTRON, Nakamura Minami - Turbo Fire
Proudly partnering with the globally acclaimed Forza Horizon gaming series for the fifth time, Hospital Records once again bring their D&B A-game to the world of racing & gaming with a whopping 24-track soundtrack that's getting pressed to a pristine 3x12 triple gatefold vinyl product. For both Forza & Hospital fans alike, this is a physical piece of both D&B and gaming history.
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A deep cut from the extensive back catalogue of South African group Splash, significant artists in the narrative of the country’s fiercely independent Gallo Record Company, CWPT presents two uplifting mixes of 1990’s ‘An Eye For An Eye’, arranged by a modern day hero of the craft, Lipelis.
Originally released in parallel with the official beginning of the end of South Africa’s decades-long Apartheid, lead vocalist Daniel Tshanda dispels the philosophy of the track’s title, instead offering a still poignant call for unity; “An eye for an eye is no good… Let’s live together as one.”
Lipelis’s carefully crafted take retains this sentiment front and centre, while nudging the arrangement toward contemporary dancefloors, enriching a steady and bubbling mix of colourful keys, bubblegum percussion and a lifting backing chorus that includes another Gallo sensation, Dalom Kids.
These same voices form the spiritual centre of Lipelis’s 12” dub version, which further demonstrates the track’s irresistible rhythm, making space for complimentary piano melodies from Lipelis, alongside collaborator Eugene Piankov. Here, sunsetting piano lines dance with the analogue techniques of Lipelis’s own production instincts, forging a blissful tribute to a potent moment in South African musical history.
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- A1: Franco Falsini, UBJ - Out Of The Sun
- A2: Mreux, Omar J - The Silence
- B1: M S.B. - Heart Thinks Wide
- B2: Mamukata - Earth Dance Theme
- B3: Sigillum S vs Out Of Body Experience - Password To Paradise
- C1: Francesco Passantino - Mono Synth
- C2: Activator Dj & Spettrale - The Indipendence Pray
- D1: Almamegretta - Alma Dub
- D2: Surya - Serial Piller
- D3: Massimo Giacon - Uaaargh
Still hot on the heels of compiling the first volume of the Italian Dancefloor Outsiders, and moved by the urge to explore new musical landscapes and discover sounds produced in subsequent years, we decided to continue our quest of tracking an alternative map of what was happen- ing in the Italian electronic music scene. This second volume takes inspiration from the concept of “Mezzanotte Mezzogiorno” (literally “from Midnight to Midday”), a term first used for a now legendary party held in 1992 at Club Imperi- ale in Tirrenia, Tuscany. The owner of the club, Roberto Pannocchia, was eager to attract a different kind of audience to his venue and so decided to extend the closing time until midday, well beyond the Italian law limits. But as Imperiale was a members club, he was allowed to do it, and he already knew that this act would forever shape the Italian club scene. "Mezzanotte Mezzogiorno" was then used to describe long dancing marathons that lasted for the whole weekend, spread across clubs, after-parties and more off-the-grid open air venues but, most of all, became the symbol of an era. The music ranged from slow, pitched-down landscapes to epic techno progressions, filling both feverishly packed big rooms and colourful chillout zones. A parabola of musical move- ments related to specific genres was born, reaching its peak and then fading towards the end of the millenium.
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Almost Starlight is the extraordinary new album by Jem Finer (hurdy-gurdy) and John Matthias (violin). Produced by Jay Auborn and recorded in a Medieval Church, deep in the Devon countryside, in the Summer of 2025, the music is suffused with light, heat and the natural acoustics of the space.
The album defies categorisation; forced to pigeon hole it the nearest approximation would be ‘modern-classical’ but this ignores its myriad influences and explorations which encompass inspiration from Arvo Pärt through Terry Riley to Can via Delius, Alice Coltrane and a subtle reimagining of electronic music played purely with acoustic instruments, bending and shaping their possibilities in surprising and unexpected directions.
Jay Auborn plays cello on a number of the compositions and his production opens up and expands the music through a skilled and imaginative use of space, paying homage to the atmosphere of the church; ‘the sound evolved… chasing the imagined acoustics of that church in my mind; a place for worshipping light with sound.’
Almost Starlight will be released on the 4th September by Touch, available as CD, vinyl, cassette and on streaming platforms.
BIOS OF THE ARTISTS
Jem Finer
Since studying computer science in the 1970s, Jem Finer has worked in various fields, including photography, film, experimental and popular music, sound recording, sculpture and installation.
Much of his work relates to systems, extended processes and extremes of scale and includes Longplayer, a musical composition repeating once every 1000 years, and the Gurdy and Hurdy stones, ancient rocks set upright in fields in East Sussex and Gloucestershire with Jimmy Cauty. Their work together includes a band, The Standing Stones, whose most recent release is Twa Sisters, featuring Iona Zajac and Daragh Lynch.
He was a founder member of The Pogues, with whom he has played, written and recorded since 1981.
Recent music revolves around a fascination with the hurdy-gurdy and includes hrdy-grdy, a cassette released by Benedict Drew’s Thanet Tape Centre. His latest collaboration, with John Matthias, Almost Starlight, will be released by Touch in September 2026.
John Matthias
Since studying Theoretical Physics in the late 1980s and 1990s, John has created music and sound in many forms, including for installation, popular music, music for film, for dance and orchestra.
Much of John’s work plays with the physics of complex systems but he is also greatly influenced by stories and song. John has collaborated with Matthew Herbert, Stanley Donwood, Jay Auborn, Radiohead, Thom Yorke, Nick Ryan and many others to create music with a variety of textures and sonorities. He is particularly interested in simplicity and form and how context informs the way music sounds.
His latest collaboration, with Jem Finer, Almost Starlight, will be released by Touch in September 2026.
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- A1: The Nod Factor (DJP Remix)
- B1: How Many Emcees (Must Get Dissed)
The Toxic Funk series keeps pushing the boundaries of funk and hip-hop on wax, and Volume 23 welcomes DJP with two heavyweight remix cuts tailor-made for party-rocking DJs and golden-era hip-hop lovers alike. Packed with dusty breaks, sharp cuts and undeniable boom-bap energy, this 7” delivers pure underground flavor from start to finish.
On the A-side, The Nod Factor (DJP Remix) flips a true hip-hop classic into a groove-heavy breakbeat weapon loaded with crisp drums, funky rhythms and that unmistakable head-nodding swing. DJP injects fresh energy into the timeless vocal flows while keeping the raw essence fully intact.
The B-side, How Many Emcees (Must Get Dissed) (DJP Remix) dives even deeper into rugged East Coast vibes with rolling breaks, punchy basslines and expertly chopped funk elements that hit hard on any sound system. DJP balances classic hip-hop attitude with dancefloor-ready funk pressure, making this another essential weapon for selectors who like their beats raw and funky.
Toxic Funk Vol. 23 continues the series’ tradition of bringing heavyweight grooves to 7” vinyl, serving up another limited edition double-sider for crate diggers, breakbeat heads and party DJs worldwide.
b B1: How Many Emcees (Must Get Dissed) [DJP Remix]
[b] B1 | How Many Emcees (Must Get Dissed) [DJP Remix]
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- A1: Summer Knights
- A2: Waves
- A3: FromdaTomb$ (Feat. Chuck Strangers)
- A4: Survival Tactics (Feat. Capital STEEZ
- A5: Killuminati (Feat. Capital STEEZ)
- B1: Hardknock (Feat CJ Fly)
- B2: World Domination
- B3: Pennyroyal
- B4: Funky Ho'$
- C1: Daily Routine
- C2: Snakes (Feat. T'nah Apex)
- C3: Don't Front (Feat. CJ Fly)
- C4: Righteous Minds
- D1: Where It’$ At? (Feat. Kirk Knight)
- D2: Third Eye Sh*t (Feat Pro Era, Capital STEEZ, CJ Fly, Chuck Strangers, Dyemond Lewis, Nyck Caution, Kirk Knight, Rokamouth & Dessy Hinds)
Originally released in 2012, 1999 is the definitive debut mixtape from Brooklyn MC Joey Bada$$ that helped reshape the modern underground rap landscape. Leaning heavily into the golden era sound, a 17-year-old Joey earned instant critical acclaim by paying flawless homage to the 90s. Beyond timeless standout tracks like “Waves,” “Survival Tactics,” and “Snakes,” the 15-track mixtape boasts production from icons like Chuck Strangers, Lord Finesse, MF DOOM, and J Dilla. It remains a crucial time capsule for the Pro Era collective, featuring memorable verses from Kirk Knight, CJ Fly, Nyck Caution, Rokamouth, Dessy Hinds, Dyemond Lewis, T’nah Apex, and the late Capital STEEZ. A classic that still sounds as fresh today as it did a decade ago. Pro Era Forever.
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Matthew Antico is the American techno head behind the PS11 alias and he has a fine array of outboard gear in his studio, as anyone who has seen his socials can attest. Here they are all hooked up and work in overdrive from the off as supple rhythms meet dance floor clout in deep underground caverns. 'Stratos' has that anxious, pent-up energy that never resolves, while 'Mile High' hits harder and more insistently but with molten dub chords. 'Mid Point' is a serene and spacious sound with a broken beat and widescreen outlook and 'Mariana Trench' sinks you into the darkness you would associate with the world's deepest ocean. 'Timble Snake' cranks up the suspense with tight loops and inky bass.
It's time for no.7 in the Disco Combine vinyl only series, with two heavy hitters re-worked and re-mixed from the tapes by Dave 'Love' Lee. On the A is 'Not This Time (Baby) (Give Me Some Moore Mix)' a much loved slice of Philly Disco,Aabsolutely bursting with lush orchestral arrangements. This classic jam has been given a noticeably different refresh, with a show-stopping acapella intro and more of the less heard instrumental passages. Speaking of classic, on the B is 'Jammin' Up In Smoke (Ready Steady Eddie Mix)' a Harris Machine, gospel charged chuggerAwhich is given a more groove based mix, which builds up instrumentally before hitting some falsetto vocals half way through, leading to a big hands in the air finale. Stay still if you can!!
With Foreverglades, Miami’s independent rap cornerstone Pouya delivers a cohesive, highly anticipated body of work that serves as a gritty love letter to the Sunshine State. Moving away from the claustrophobic trap beats that defined the early SoundCloud era, Pouya steps fully into his veteran status by embracing a distinctly rich and organic Southern sonic palette. The album's title plays heavily on the Florida Everglades, signaling a destination that is both a permanent state of mind and a humid, unforgiving landscape where only the strongest survive. Over the course of 12 tracks, the project balances hazy nostalgia with modern underground rap execution, highlighting Pouya's sharp technical growth and deep roots in his hometown culture.
The production on Foreverglades is remarkably cohesive, leaning into thick basslines, melting instrumentation, and classic Southern rap influences that give the tracks a heavy, atmospheric depth. Behind the boards, the album leans on a talented collective of underground producers—including Alexis Martin, Boohmii, Esthetic Gloom, and Oleg—who construct a soundscape that is both menacingly smooth and psychedelic. Rather than relying on the frantic tempos of his early catalog, the backdrops here allow Pouya to showcase his immense vocal versatility. He flows effortlessly, seamlessly shifting from his signature rapid-fire, triplet-flow delivery to a more grounded, melodic cadence that mirrors the thick humidity of the Florida landscape.
Lyrically, Foreverglades is a self-reflective journey that finds Pouya confronting the psychological realities of a decade-long independent career. While his trademark dark humor and raw bravado remain intact, they are balanced by a vulnerable perspective on success, mortal anxieties, and the paranoia that comes with staying independent in a shifting industry. The tracklist is meticulously curated, anchored by atmospheric standouts like "Found You," "Florida Baby," "In My City," and the Rocci-assisted "Burnt Down." By anchoring the project with raw storytelling and a distinct sonic identity, Foreverglades stands as a defining moment in Pouya's discography—a project best experienced with the bass turned all the way up and the windows rolled down.
1xLP, pressed on Whirlpool colored vinyl, includes 12x12 double-sided insert.
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- 1: Conductor
- 2: Coast Starlight
- 3: Alvin Loving
- 4: Vellum Paper
- 5: Apparition on 3rd Street
- 6: Time Lines
Windy & Carl Meet Optigan Conservatory is a purposefully misleading title for the first collaborative work from four friends who met close to thirty years prior. All active participants in Michigan independent music circles since the early ’90s, Windy & Carl are well-known for their foundational contributions to drift and guitar-born ambient sounds, with songs characterized by deep connections to the natural world and a hard to pin down yet impossible to miss emotional vulnerability.
Optigan Conservatory is another duo, made up of Frank Rotondo (leader of Detroit area free music ensemble Laughing Gas) and Fred Thomas (songwriter and producer most often associated with his band Saturday Looks Good To Me), who have been making minimalistic and time-defiant electro-acoustic sounds since 2016. The album came together almost effortlessly in a very short timeframe, but the idea had been building steam for many a year.
In the last days of 2024, Windy & Carl and Optigan Conservatory got together, falling into a mode of sound creation that was almost hyper-natural. Without any discussion outside of the usual stream of jokes and chatter, the quartet set up and started communicating. Added to Windy & Carl’s hovering augmented chord voicings and vaporous guitar drones were electric piano and synth bedding from Frank & Fred. After the initial sessions, all involved parties took time to consider what they’d made, adding new layers and editing the pieces into more definitive articulations.
A beautiful and hermetic energy larger than the sum of its parts is captured in the process. There are echoes of the earliest releases from Windy & Carl as well as refractions of the same opacity that surfaced in the early kranky catalogue.
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Intriguing Siberian B-Boy roots informed Anton LTF's first solo album last year and its mix of funk, hip-hop and early turntablism influences really worked. He's back now with a tidy two-tracker on Soul Service Sabrosura that leans into Latin funk. It's raw, direct and charged up tackle for once again getting under the skin of b-boys and girls thanks to the killer breaks. 'Garra' is lit up with shuffling percussive keys and rhythms and big brass horns, while 'Aroma Sunset' is more pared back and loose. There's a celebratory vibe that's smoother and more languorous, with sunny flutes leading the way and irresistible Latin charm in the ways the keys dance.
It is a real testament to the enduring quality of the early tech house blueprint laid down by Eddie Richards that whether he drops reissues of his early classics or more recent sounds, they always sell out. This EP arrived last summer and soon flew off the shelves os it is back once again on purple vinyl this time and sounding as fearsome as ever. 'Destiny' is roomy, with swung drums bringing a pendulous groove as twanging modulations and freaky vocals linger in the spaces. 'The Soul' is quicker and fleshes out with broad synth stokes and a bubbly low end. It's pure dancing tackle with a moody soul.
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“I like to work with a variety of instruments and set ups,” says Mark Van Hoen, sometimes known as Locust or Autocreation but here working under his own name on the excellent Plan For A Miracle, his first physical release of solo music since 2018’s Invisible Threads. ”Sometimes it’s literally in my studio, with all the hardware electronics available. Sometimes the laptop, using software instruments. Some of the tracks on this record were recorded in the desert (Joshua Tree) using a 4-track tape machine and small modular synthesiser set up. Each track was recorded in different location using different instruments, which accounts for the distinction between each piece. It’s also about my own reaction to my environment, and what’s going on in my life at the time.”
The Croydon-born Van Hoen started musical life in the early 1990s, signing for R&S records in 1993 but developing his own, myriad and distinctive style across a range of releases on Touch, Editions Mego and other labels, using a battery of instruments, including analogue synthesizers and taking a number of different approaches to recording, rather than ploughing a single sonic furrow. He has worked on a number of collaborations, including with Nick Holton and Neil Halstead of Slowdive, under the moniker of Black Hearted Brother - their Stars Are Our Home was released in 2013. “I have known Neil Halstead since 1992,” says Van Hoen. “He shared a house with me for a couple of years, and the music I was making and listening to along with clubs I was attending had an influence particularly on Pygmalion, the final Slowdive album on Creation.”
Each track on Plan For A Miracle does indeed sound like a world unto itself, a mini-environment, a weather condition, an ecosystem created for the moment. It’s a collection of tracks recorded over the past few years, released on Bandcamp - despite his apparent absence, Van Hoen works constantly. Opener “Climates”, in its exquisite limpidity, feels like a homage to Brian Eno, one of his most formative influences in his teen years, commencing with Music For Films, which he bought in 1979. “This Is For Them”, feels like a ghostlike throwback to early drum & bass or electronica, reminiscent of his own, earliest outings. “There have been a number of requests from labels to make some more music like my very early releases on R&S,” says Van Hoen. “This is part of ‘letting go’ and realising that there’s nothing less creative about going back to those styles again.”
“Pencil Of Spheres” is something else again, a magnificent, imaginary glass structure, shimmering, refracting, without visible means of suspension, a thing of impossible beauty. “Electric Lights” evokes an abandoned fairground, its lights still pulsating, its music lingering. “The Underpass”, meanwhile, insofar as it reminds of anything at all, is faintly reminiscent of Cluster or Neu’s! West German ambience, the urban mundane rendered magical, the sodium lights, the whitewashed walls. The reverberant, faintly oriental chimes of “Insight” transport us yet again, burgeoning and intensifying.
The landscapes, the skyscapes rendered on Plan For A Miracle feel unpopulated as a rule - but when he does introduce vocal elements, Van Hoen has a history of doing so to spectacular effect - think of “Real Love” from 1998’s Playing With Time, the seductive intonation of its title recurring throughout like a series of massive holograms, echoing, stuttering, breaking up, surging. Here, there are just the faintest of vocals, barely distinct, disquieting. “There’s been a bit of a game changer in recent times,” explains Van Hoen. “AI software that enables you to extract vocals and instrument parts from virtually any recording. That means sampling individual parts from existing sources is no longer limited to the original mix exposing certain parts soloed. The vocal parts I use are from multiple sources and often pitch shifted altered rhythmically and melodically.“ There’s further vocal chatter on “I Really Do”, proceeding at a faster pace as if giving chase, or being pursued - distant, enigmatic. “The Music”, meanwhile, its beat tolling, lost in its own fog of static, features a curious intonation, like the ghost of a lost Walker Brother.
Sadly, the album’s title is in reference to a personal tragedy on Van Hoen’s part - the loss of his wife. Titles such as “I Won’t Give Up”, which faintly reminds of another Eno masterpiece, Another Green World, in its nautical hurly-bury, or the pastoral strains of “Mrs Who”, heavily clouded with sadness, seem to allude to this. “In fact the record was recorded entirely before she passed away,” says Van Hoen, “most of it before she even became very ill. The title was given to the album when it started to look like she wasn’t going to make it beyond a few months. It was something Osho said - “plan for a miracle” - so it was a statement of hope. Unfortunately it was not to be.” Although the album is non-thematic, non-specific in its atmospheres, sound paintings, elegant structures it most certainly stands as a magnificent monument to Osho’s memory.
-David Stubbs.
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UK underground heavyweight Ploy unleashes his second release on Dekmantel with a brand new four track EP. The release sees the dynamic producer continue to push the envelope with his own flavour of driving, sexy, Ploy house. Putting every ounce of his production prowess on show while proving yet again that Ploy is a force to be reckoned with both in the studio alike. Making tracks for DJs has always been the source of inspiration for Ploy and this is no different with each offering carrying its weight and then some. Straight up, no frills house music that oozes quality by doing the simple things well.
Kicking off the record is title track 'Glizzy', an arpeggiated tech house tool built for the hours that you lose yourself on the dancefloor. From the off Ploy puts his ear for percussive dynamism on show with the understated subtleties of this opener. Thematic sampling, nuanced arrangement and odd ball melodies combine to set Glizzy apart with a gentle nod to hot dog lovers worldwide.
The EP follows suit with A2 'Global Underground'. A contemporary progressive house roller, which rips through the atmosphere with melodic blasts, unrelenting groove, and a powerful bassline.
Offering an equally effective double B-side, B1 is 'Yesterday Now Tomorrow', which sees Ploy lean on his production mastery with entangled percussion and expertly dosed sampling. The result is a swinging heavy house burner that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
Lastly on the EP is ‘SlowanDip’. A heavily swung, percussive chugger to warm up a dancefloor, paired with a bassline to test the system, this B2 closes out a stellar second showing on Dekmantel for Ploy.
The record arrives at the crest of festival season and is primed to soundtrack dancefloors around the world under the glistening Summer sun. Ploy has quickly carved out a reputation for his unmistakable, drum driven take on house music, and Glizzy only sharpens that identity further. Focused, effective and built with DJs firmly in mind, the EP captures an artist operating with total confidence, delivering four tracks that prove Ploy isn’t just part of the conversation, he’s pushing it forward.
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When a British alt-soul and art-pop duo collaborates with Filipino musical royalty, the result is a blinding flash of artistic spirit that transcends geographical andgenerational barriers.
For Margate-based act Thandii, a chaotic whirlwind of a trip to Manila allowed Graham Godfrey and Jess Berry to explore a new cultural context of song- writing. After several prolific years of self-released albums together, they took the opportunity to channel Graham’s Filipino heritage through an ambitious project proposed by the label Sama Sama Records: for Thandii to make their next album with the most recorded drummer in the Philippines, Jun Regalado.
Now in his late 70s, Regalado has recently gained more recognition internationally after the reissue of his track ‘Pinoy Funk’ (from the Soundway compilation Ayo Ke Disco in 2024), along with the discovery of nearly 500 album appearances that are now finding themselves in the collections of younger generations. And on Coco Okayo - the first time he has collaborated outside of his contemporaries - Regalado effectively passes the torch.
In exploring a sound born of the diaspora with roots in British soul music, Coco Okayo makes full use of the polymath abilities of Thandii. While they provide vocals, percussion, flutes and production, they still manage to carve out space for regular Margate collaborators (including keyboardist Steve Pringle, Graham’s bandmate in Pigeon), as well as tapping Filipino connections in the United States such as Wyn Avillas and Ian Santillano.
“It’s a new genre coming from Filipino diaspora artists paying tribute to the Manila sound of the 70s,” say Thandii, “but combining it with modern day post-punk- disco, beat-driven-art-pop music coming from the small seaside town of Margate”. However the listener might interpret it, it’s clear that Coco Okayo is not stuck between worlds, but rather, has built a utopian world of its own.
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Frazer Ray lands on Time Is Now with Masha EP. Four tracks of killer, stripped back FWD facing proto/future garage effortlessly pushing the sound into a new direction.
FACTS:
1. Frazer Ray knows how to make a dance. IYKYK…. Recently he’s been shelling Live UKG cooked right in front of you on a custom modular rig. Mad energy. 100% party business.
2. Frazer Ray knows a thing or two about making UK soundsystem music. The artist FKA Soundbwoy Killah is now a decade deep in his discography. And first as ‘Soundbwoy Killah’ and now as ‘Frazer Ray’ he is 2 for 2 with aliases that never miss.
3. New Frazer Ray is always something to get excited about. For 10+ years he’s kept it super tight. Quality over quantity. Always holding dubplates. When releases have landed they drop on only the best labels; including both Rinse and Rinse’s new INGRAM imprint, Ninja Tune’s Technicolour imprint, Sneaker Social Club, Interplanetary Criminal’s Locked On and IPC & Main Phase’s ATW Records. (side note - his Soundbowy Killah - ‘Halcyon Daze’ LP on Sneaker is IMO an all time classic - do not sleep on that one). Aaaannd… if the dubplates got too heavy he’s also occasionally dropped weight on his own U-Phorix label.
Also…..what has always struck me about Frazer’s music is that it’s simultaneously integral in the hardcode continuum while also pushing it forward. It’s always complete. Fully formed. You never bristle. There’s no failed experiments. Just a firm nod to the future for anyone looking.
OK… Run the tracks.
Masha’s vocal licks tell it straight, this one is “Fire”. Proper club business to test the stacks. The drums roll steady in front of a wall of sub bass. A killer mix of post dubstep era goodness, techno sound design and the shuffle & swing of proto dubstep.
Settle Down There’s something 90’s tek step about this one. Dark and moody with a wall of bass. It bristles with texture and atmosphere before – a moment of reprieve in this absolute weapon – Frazer opens up into a dubwise oasis before skittering back into the darkness.
Syren Song is exactly what it says on the tin, alluring Dancehall vocals chatter and roll. Who knew auto-tune and Garage paired so well… Frazer did that’s who.
No Reasons Left is an ethereal closer for the end of the night / start of the morning after. Gliding warm & introspective dubwise breaks with a Reese bassline that hangs in the space between garage and hardcore.
Frazer says…
“This EP feels like I've finally nailed integrating my modular setup (and VCV rack for all you nerds out there) into my productions. I wanted to create deeper production while still ensuring the tracks translate well in the club.”
If this is only the beginning then strap in.
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In 2001, Shin’ichi Ogawa of Sugar Plant was working for the SAL Disc record label and came up with the idea of doing an E2-E4 tribute album with his friends. This album would come off the back of a Neil Young tribute album which might have seemed odd but these two artists, Neil Young and Ashra (Manuel Göttsching), would be played regularly as equals at after-parties that Shini’ichi would throw at his house. Longtime friend and collaborator, Taro Yoda, noted that the eclecticism of these after-parties were influenced by the variety of parties they were attending at the time, from the legendary Japanese open-air rave party Life Force to Cream at Amnesia in Ibiza. Taro was obsessed with European trance and left-field downtempo while the two members of Sugar Plant were into ’70s soul—especially Marvin Gaye and William DeVaughn and at the same time, they were listening to Phish and the Grateful Dead too. All three of them were of course inspired by the DJ’ing and selections of Larry Levan.
A- Side – Sugar Plant – “Just Be There” – Production began in my home studio. Since I was frequently attending a house party called “Life Force” (with DJ Nick the Record as the resident DJ) at the time, I thought deep house would be the perfect style for a Sugar Plant cover.
I looped a two-chord electric piano track and applied filters using plugins and outboard gear to create a “sound I could listen to forever.” I recorded the bass on guitar and converted it to an analog synth (Doepfer MS-404).
From there, I layered synths improvisationally, listening to the track over and over again to make fine adjustments. I think I worked on it for days, mostly late at night.
I recorded the guitar at the very end of the track. After playing it a few times ad lib without any set plan, I suddenly had the idea to add vocals during the bridge, so I set up a mic in my hallway and recorded them.
I think this track is packed with the emotions I felt when listening to “E2-E4” back then, as well as the vibe I experienced at that party. – Shin’ichi Ogawa
- A1: Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
- A2: Hounds Of Love
- A3: The Big Sky (7" Mix)
- A4: Mother Stands For Comfort
- A5: Cloudbusting
- B1: And Dream Of Sheep
- B2: Under Ice
- B3: Waking The Witch
- B4: Watching You Without Me
- B5: Jig Of Life
- B6: Hello Earth
- B7: The Morning Fog
expected to be published on 14.09.2026
2026 Repress
Celebrating dubwise origins, Mole Audio delivers two fresh remixes of their very first release: Andy Martin ft. Gavsborg's Plato & Caves.
Gavsborg is a towering figure in Jamaica's dancehall scene. So when Andy found an acapella, he set to work on a renegade edit. Subsequently approved and embraced by Gavborg himself, Andy's interpretation provided the launch point for Mole Audio - and is re-envisioned twice more here.
Paired with the original A-side, the B-side remix comes courtesy of south London’s legendary Dub War. Benny ill & Bill Robin are progenitors of the original London Dubstep sound, and their Dub War releases on Tempa are highly prized among collectors.. Pairing hypnotic beats with spacious textures, an insistent analog bass line weaves its way through an infectiously dystopian atmosphere.
Taking a minimalistic house-driven approach, Andy's all-new Mad Magnetism Version brings Gavsborg's original vocal to a prime time environment. Sizzling high hats and diving bass drops combine to keep the dancefloor in motion before insistent dub chords further elevate the urgent atmosphere.
Combined with the original and Nit Yardman's remix, the resulting package once again showcases Mole Audio's unique approach to modern dub aesthetics.
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- 1: Evergreen
- 2: Wisdom
- 3: Crushed
- 4: That Girl Suicide
- 5: Wasted
- 6: Everyone Says
- 7: Short Wave
- 8: She Made Me
- 9: Hyperventilation
- 10: Records
- 11: I Love You
- 12: End of the Day
- 13: Outback
- 14: She's Gone
Originally released in 1995 Methodrone was the first Brian Jonestown Massacre album. Redolent with the spirit of such high priests of effects and delay as Loop, Spaceman 3, and My Bloody Valentine, not to mention a fair dollop of the Jesus and Mary Chain ,over 70 minutes long Methodrone clearly is the sum of its influences..
expected to be published on 14.09.2026
'Baroque Sunburst is proud to present Melaponica, the unique and unheard music of the interdisciplinary Brazilian artist João Machado, entirely created by electronically processing the recordings of stingless bees.
'Machado's work with field recordings of native bees form a sound library held in international collections such as the British Library and the Animal Sound Archive in Berlin, and his research into stingless bee communication has unfolded into experimental electronic music, finally finding its way on vinyl for the first time.
'Within its 40 minutes of never-stopping music, Melaponica reveals its unique sonic universe, flawlessly moving from complex percussive rhythms to melodies and soundscapes that seem to come as much from earth as from outer space. With an impressive ability to explore the potential of its original audio sources while pushing it to the limits, João Machado's idea of music never loses musicality and groove, even in its more intimate moments.'
expected to be published on 14.09.2026
"Dance On", the latest single from Canopy continues the label's enthusiasm for re-issuing vintage Afro-tropical funk, reggae & disco, paired with modern remixes and remakes.
Two long out of print and previously un-reissued musical gems from Malian musician Nawari, get an overdue second life. Those gems being the eponymous "Dance On", an upbeat Afro-reggae-disco dancer originally self-released in 1987, and "Fanta Cini", originally released in 1989, which takes a deeper, tougher "proto-Afro-electro-funk" direction.
Sharing creative duties is Russian producer Valique, aka "V" from the best-selling "V's edits series, appearing on Canopy for the first time with a strong contribution to the label. Taking the title tune he reimagined & recreated it, building from Nawari's vocals and recording live horns, skanking guitars and percussion, blended with his signature classy production: crisp, warm, groovy & punchy.
Valique turns in 3 different mixes of Dance On, ranging from reggae disco, to cosmic Afro beat, timbale percussion workouts and beyond.
The release spans a range of moods, segueing between the past & present, organic and electronic, proving itself to be well suited for many environments, from the kitchen party to the bars, clubs & festivals of the world.
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Samosa Records brings the heat just in time for the summer months with Volume 3 of the electrifying ‘Earth, Wind & Funk’ series – landing a slick four tracker that will relieve you of your socks and undergarments…
Kicking Vol.3 off is Roberto Telll with ‘It’s Magic’ – an unstoppable, bass driven leviathan of a track with perfectly balanced vocals and groovy, punchy beats. ‘It’s Magic’ straddles that sweet spot of disco flavour expertly infused with a peppery funk spice. Mesmerising.
Track 2 sees the welcome return of label favourites and fellow Italian groove machine Dirtyelements with ‘Get On Down’ (De Gama Re-Groove). The mid-tempo calypso rhythm on this slice of leg-wobbling perfection is outrageously infectious. Dirtyelements has yet another solid, stomping disco builder bursting out of the lab with a mission to cause mayhem.
On Side B, Marco Corona swoops in with his 126bpm sonic torpedo ‘Eat Me!’ From the start, ‘Eat Me!’ drums its way into your subconscious with a powerful bass drum and tribal tinted percussion. Before you know it, you’re over the border into house territory – expertly picked vocal loops and builds make this one insanely irresistible.
Closing out the EP with ‘Hey Jee’ is Italian producer extraordinaire Frank Virgilio. Step into Mr Virgilio’s taxi whilst he whisks you through downtown Manhattan en route to the best night out in town. Soaring strings, slick bass work and nimble beats are the dress code – but, don’t worry, Frank always gets you in.
Raising the Samosa bar yet again, ‘Earth, Wind & Funk Vol. 3’ is a cool antidote for those hot summer nights under the stars – best served with your favourite cocktail.
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* Originally released on the Crispy music label in 1995, from Dun Specialists, a collaboration between Chris Petter and Dougie Wardrop out of Conscious Sounds studio, London.
* `Dub to Dub Break to Break’, the first in a series of three, is a wildly varied selection of dubs, utilising funky breakbeats, hip hop-inspired beats and samples galore.
* Out of press for 31 years.
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- A1: Indica Fields (5:21)
- A2: Appleby Fair (12:52)
- B1: Northern Earth (18:10)
Northern Earth is Dean McPhee's sixth full-length album and the second release on his own label, Bass Ritual. Expanding on the low-end focus of 2024's Astral Gold and last year's The Bradford Boar on the Folklore Tapes label, Northern Earth integrates overdriven guitar, a wooden snare drum pedal and a powerful 18-inch subwoofer, pushing his sound further beyond the sparse fingerpicked solo guitar of his earlier releases. Drawing on influences from psychedelic rock, British folk, dub and underground electronic music, the album's three expansive compositions - including the side-long title track - were honed through live performance and recorded live with no overdubs at McPhee's home in Bradford. His solo setup - stacked valve amps, subwoofer, guitar, percussion pedals and expansive pedalboard - now functions as a single self-contained instrument, layering hypnotic basslines, ritualistic loops and fluid melodies with physical weight and a deep sense of space.
“At this point in his career, each new Dean McPhee release feels like a legitimate event” – Brainwashed
“There’s really no one else who can create (and sustain) the darkly seductive mood that’s embedded within his work.” - Aquarium Drunkard
“Dean McPhee stands out as a true one-off in a crowded field.” - Loud & Quiet
expected to be published on 11.09.2026
Self-made producer Farron debuts on Delsin's Inertia series. Growing up in Southern Germany, Farron has a long history with electronic music, releasing under multiple aliases and for many labels. Since 2015 he launched his own Shaw Cuts imprint as his own personal playground for releasing his own music and from his likeminded peers. Over ten years later it became an essential catalogue for DJ's who are into forward-thinking broken and dub heavy techno. His 'Since Eleven' EP emphasizes this typical sound, four tracks of playful, dub driven classy techno.
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- A1: Lock Keeper (3:37)
- A2: Chalk Lines (2:40)
- A3: Amy’s Dream (3:13)
- A4: Kentish Soul 3:04)
- B1: Acres Long (3:14)
- B2: Connaught Jazz (3:03)
- B3: Cobbled Steps (3:03
- B4: Curtain Call (3:11)
Funky DL returns with Camden to Covent Garden, an eight-track instrumental journey through two of London’s most culturally influential locations. Camden’s history of independent music, fashion and creative expression meets Covent Garden’s legacy as a centre for performance and the birthplace of a defining era of UK Hip-Hop culture. Built through the foundations of hip-hop production after digging, sampling, chopping and rearranging, the album transforms fragments of sound into a cohesive musical journey. Featuring titles inspired by the spirit and character of these locations, including “Lock Keeper,” “Chalk Lines,” “Amy’s Dream,” “Connaught Jazz” and “Acres Long” A refined, atmospheric and deeply crafted jazz hip-hop instrumental vinyl release from one of the UK’s respected independent Hip-Hop producers.
expected to be published on 11.09.2026
Recorded in Los Angeles over the course of a single day at a studio in the Eagle Rock neighborhood, Dois Desertos was produced by Mario Caldato Jr. and emerged without a predetermined plan or schedule. The project took shape during Portuguese musician João Pimenta Gomes' stay in Los Angeles with his family. During that time, through Rodrigo Amarante, João met Mario and Samantha Caldato, as well as musicians Abe Rounds (drums and percussion) and Gabe Noel (bass and cello). From those encounters, the album began to unfold organically.
Working from simple scores—some containing little more than chord progressions—the sessions left plenty of room for improvisation. Every performance was captured live, in a single take, with no overdubs. The mixing process, also carried out live by Mario Caldato Jr., followed the same philosophy: effects and level adjustments were performed in real time and printed directly to the final two-track master.
At the heart of the album's sound is the Cristal Baschet, a rare instrument played by rubbing glass rods with the hands, causing metal resonators to vibrate and produce an ethereal, resonant tone. João describes its sound as "a trace, almost like a shadow." Rather than taking the lead, the instrument serves as a textural foundation, while the bass and cello carry the melodic lines. Some of these melodies are original compositions, while others draw from traditional Portuguese fado, reimagined through an open and exploratory approach.
The album has a dreamlike atmosphere, reflecting the perspective of someone experiencing Los Angeles from the outside—not in a rush to belong, but fully receptive to the city's unique energy. Two films helped shape this imaginary landscape: Model Shop (Jacques Demy, 1969), in which the French filmmaker uses Los Angeles as a pretext to simply observe and inhabit the city, and Thom Andersen's Los Angeles Plays Itself. The result is Dois Desertos, an album that, in João's own words, "could never have been made anywhere else."
With Dois Desertos, João Pimenta Gomes invites listeners into a deeply immersive experience, revealing a more exploratory side of his artistic practice while reinforcing Amor in Sound's commitment to releasing original works that engage with the many languages of contemporary music.
expected to be published on 11.09.2026
- 1: Come To Mama
- 2: I Don't Lend My Man
- 3: I Needed Somebody
- 4: Stand By Woman
- 5: It Was Jealousy
- 6: Doctor Love Power
- 7: You Can't Hold A Man
- 8: Beware
- 9: Put Yourself In My Place
- 10: Love Played A Game
MEMPHIS, TN — Fat Possum Records and Hi Records are proud to announce the first vinyl pressing in half a century of Ann Peebles' 1975 album Tellin' It, fully remastered and recovered from the Hi Records vault, where it had sat untouched for decades. Available on vinyl in stores September 11, 2026 and can be pre-ordered now and also available streaming everywhere now.
Peebles was at the height of her career when she recorded Tellin' It — coming off her biggest hit, "I Can't Stand the Rain," the year before. Produced by Willie Mitchell at Royal Studios in Memphis, with the grooves that defined the label's sound, backed by Howard Grimes' drumming and the Memphis Horns.
"Peebles and Mitchell don't just recast "Rain" 10 different times—instead, they lean into the supple support laid down by the Hi Rhythm Section, who have plenty more uptempo grooves to offer." Andy Beta, Bandcamp
The original master tapes were sent to John Nicholson at Nashville Tape Transfer for their first listen in fifty years. From there, the project stayed close to home: remastered by Clay Jones in Taylor, MS, then back to Memphis for lacquers cuts by Jeff Powell (Take Out Vinyl), and was pressed & plated at Memphis Record Pressing.
expected to be published on 11.09.2026
orange in white splatter coloured vinyl
GoldFord’s soul music is rooted in truth. His raw, unvarnished songs are a balance of introspection and catharsis, grappling with heartbreak, healing, and the quiet revelations that come with growth. After spending a decade in corporate America, the St. Louis native (now based in Los Angeles) turned to music as a means of survival following a devastating personal loss. “I was more afraid of dying with regret than I was of failing,” he says of his decision to finally choose the path at 30, a choice that set his entire trajectory in motion.
That initial fearlessness has since fueled extraordinary momentum. With over 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, GoldFord has rapidly become one of the most compelling emerging voices in contemporary music.
expected to be published on 11.09.2026
- 1: Over the Edge
- 2: Doom Town
- 3: So Young
- 4: Messenger
- 5: Romeo
- 6: Now Is the Time
- 7: What Is
- 8: No One Wants an Alien
- 9: The Lonely One
- 10: No Generation Gap
- 11: This Time
The bleak, hard-driven third LP by the Wipers (originally released in 1983) offers Greg Sage at his most chased and breathless, lashing out with sharp staccato notes as if melody were his only defense. The 3rd LP from the PDX punks finds them tightening up their sound to create what is arguably the Wipers' definitive album statement. Kurt Cobain listed it in his top 50 albums of all time. A distant cousin of the preceding Youth of America but undoubtedly no less excellent and no less venomous, Over the Edge is a return to the easily digestible song lengths of Is This Real?; however, it all but leaves that debut in its wake. On the strength of some brave/smart radio stations that decided to play this album's "Romeo" (a propulsive horn-flecked slammer in the vein of "Youth of America"), Wipers solidified their status as a certifiable force in the American underground of the early '80s. Songs like "Messenger" and "What Is" show Greg Sage's increasing skill as a pop songwriter. Despite the fusion of punk and pop, the record hardly mirrors the bands that would later be called punk-pop. In fact, this collision of the two elements makes what followed decades later seem twee.
expected to be published on 11.09.2026
- A1: Dawn
- A2: Cycles
- A3: Fire on the Water (feat. Arooj Aftab)
- A4: Drift
- B1: Talk to Me (feat. Nicole Miglis)
- B2: Uncasually
- B3: Always on Your Side (feat. Joy Crookes)
- B4: Youth’s Fountain (feat. Nilüfer Yanya)
- C1: Shokoufeh
- C2: Can’t You See (feat. Aanya Martin)
- C3: ID700
- D1: Me and You
- D2: Equinoctial (feat. Ichiko Aoba)
- D3: Mercury (feat. Kanako Yamamoto)
Coloured Vinyl[35,50 €]
Bonobo alias Simon Green returns with "Distance In Static", his new album, which will be released on September 11, 2026, by Ninja Tune.
On "Distance In Static", Bonobo collaborates with a characteristically impressive lineup of artists, including Arooj Aftab, Joy Crookes, Nilüfer Yanya, Ichiko Aoba, Nicole Miglis (Hundred Waters), and Aanya Martin. The lyrics are written in English, Urdu, and Japanese, while historical Iranian samples and guzheng recordings stand alongside Bonobo's carefully crafted instrumental sounds. These were created during recording sessions in Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, and beyond: a significant part of the album was completed at Neil Young's legendary Broken Arrow Ranch in California, where he had retreated for several weeks earlier this year.
The album's title - "Distance In Static" - aptly describes Bonobo's current situation: it evokes images of distorted transmissions and fleeting frequencies, memory fragments and glimmers of meaning that echo through more than two decades at the forefront of electronic music. He sees the traces of his work reflected in a younger generation rediscovering trip-hop, downtempo, and experimental electronic music of the 1990s from a contemporary perspective. "I think the beginning of my work is relevant to younger people today," he says. "I liked the idea of listening for a distant signal - finding something in the noise," he continues. The entire album conveys the feeling of a search for transcendence: music that hovers between intimacy and vastness, the familiar and the unknown.
Within the universe of "Distance In Static", there is also a sense that this album marks something truly monumental. It is a moment of transition, a celebration of Bonobo's 25th anniversary, but perhaps also his last album in the traditional sense: with numerous guest contributions and a multi-year world tour with a full live band.
Whatever comes next, one thing is certain: "Distance In Static" is arguably Bonobo's best album to date; as ambitious and forward-thinking as ever and a reminder of why he has influenced so many people so strongly for so long.
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- A1: Dawn
- A2: Cycles
- A3: Fire on the Water (feat. Arooj Aftab)
- A4: Drift
- B1: Talk to Me (feat. Nicole Miglis)
- B2: Uncasually
- B3: Always on Your Side (feat. Joy Crookes)
- B4: Youth’s Fountain (feat. Nilüfer Yanya)
- C1: Shokoufeh
- C2: Can’t You See (feat. Aanya Martin)
- C3: ID700
- D1: Me and You
- D2: Equinoctial (feat. Ichiko Aoba)
- D3: Mercury (feat. Kanako Yamamoto)
Black Vinyl[34,03 €]
Bonobo alias Simon Green returns with "Distance In Static", his new album, which will be released on September 11, 2026, by Ninja Tune.
On "Distance In Static", Bonobo collaborates with a characteristically impressive lineup of artists, including Arooj Aftab, Joy Crookes, Nilüfer Yanya, Ichiko Aoba, Nicole Miglis (Hundred Waters), and Aanya Martin. The lyrics are written in English, Urdu, and Japanese, while historical Iranian samples and guzheng recordings stand alongside Bonobo's carefully crafted instrumental sounds. These were created during recording sessions in Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, and beyond: a significant part of the album was completed at Neil Young's legendary Broken Arrow Ranch in California, where he had retreated for several weeks earlier this year.
The album's title - "Distance In Static" - aptly describes Bonobo's current situation: it evokes images of distorted transmissions and fleeting frequencies, memory fragments and glimmers of meaning that echo through more than two decades at the forefront of electronic music. He sees the traces of his work reflected in a younger generation rediscovering trip-hop, downtempo, and experimental electronic music of the 1990s from a contemporary perspective. "I think the beginning of my work is relevant to younger people today," he says. "I liked the idea of listening for a distant signal - finding something in the noise," he continues. The entire album conveys the feeling of a search for transcendence: music that hovers between intimacy and vastness, the familiar and the unknown.
Within the universe of "Distance In Static", there is also a sense that this album marks something truly monumental. It is a moment of transition, a celebration of Bonobo's 25th anniversary, but perhaps also his last album in the traditional sense: with numerous guest contributions and a multi-year world tour with a full live band.
Whatever comes next, one thing is certain: "Distance In Static" is arguably Bonobo's best album to date; as ambitious and forward-thinking as ever and a reminder of why he has influenced so many people so strongly for so long.
Order now and we will order the item for you at our supplier.
Bei ihrer Ankunft in den USA anlässlich der ersten landesweiten Tournee von The Tubs sagte Frontmann Owen Williams gegenüber dem ,New Yorker": ,Wir sind hier, um das Land zu vereinen. Wir werden so etwa dreimal kommen. Bis dann, denke ich, wird dieser Ort anfangen zu heilen." Und genau das taten sie dann auch voller Freude: Sie quetschten sich in einen Transporter und durchquerten die Vereinigten Staaten kreuz und quer, um den Massen ihren literarischen, verschlafenen, lebensmüden, ,Nacht-deines-Lebens`- Hochseilakt zu präsentieren, als dieser am dringendsten gebraucht wurde. Den Tubs hat es nie an Ehrgeiz gefehlt - auf ,Hard Life" geht es ihnen darum, das ,Tub-ullar"-Erlebnis zu verkomplizieren. Nachdem sie ihre Chemie über zwei vorherige Alben, Hunderte von Auftritten und ein ständig wachsendes Universum von Bands aus dem Londoner Gob Nation Collective (The TSG, Sniffany & The Nits, Spike und Garden Centre) perfektioniert haben, dringt die in London ansässige keltische Jangle-Boyband - Williams (Gesang, Gitarre, Keyboards, Bass), Dan Lucas (Gitarre), Taylor Stewart (Schlagzeug) und Max Warren (Bass) - dringen noch tiefer in das schillernde Herz des virtuosen Indie-Rocks vor. Zu ihnen gesellen sich die regelmäßigen Mitstreiter Lan McArdle (Gesang), George Nicholls (Gitarre) und Rachel Kenedy (Keyboards), die alle schon seit den Tagen von Joanna Gruesome an verschiedenen Projekten im Umfeld von ,The Tubs" mitgewirkt haben; doch das Geheimnis der Üppigkeit von ,Hard Life" ist die Mitwirkung des Geigers Chris Haigh, eines Musiklehrers und Session-Musikers, der mit dem Steps-Hit ,5, 6, 7, 8" unauslöschliche Spuren im britischen Pop hinterlassen hat. In Anlehnung an Williams' Einsatz von Trillern in den Gesangsmelodien untermalt Haighs Geige den wehmütigen Gesang des Sängers wie ein blauer Fleck. Bei ,Stoop to Me", dem folkigsten und klimperndsten Popsong des Albums, ergänzen Haighs Licks Williams in seinen selbstironischsten Momenten - das schiefe Lächeln eines Mannes, der versucht, nicht zu zeigen, wie sehr ihn die unerwiderte Liebe verletzt. Beim Album-Opener und Titelsong ,Hard Life" ist es die Süße der aufsteigenden Geigenlinien im Mix, die die Härte von Williams' Texten mit den mitreißenden Hymnen von The Tubs verbindet. Die harte Linie, die Williams hier und an anderen Stellen auf ,Hard Life" einschlägt, stellt die Vorstellung vom typischen Tubs-Song weiter auf den Kopf. Die Figur, die den Hörern von ,Cotton Crown" und ,Dead Meat" vertraut ist - um Williams: ,die Nabelschau über romantische Erniedrigung, Londoner Elend und die Demütigungen von Trauer und Zwangsstörungen" - ist nach wie vor präsent, doch ebenso gibt es eine zweite Stimme, die härter und erfahrener ist. ,Die zweite Figur hat nicht viel Zeit für die erste", erklärt Williams, ,und hält ihm oft seine Selbstgefälligkeit und Unreife vor; manchmal zu Recht, manchmal zu Unrecht." Es ist dieser Nörgler, der auf der Lead-Single ,Who's Gonna Love You Now?" im Mittelpunkt steht. Seine Fragen - von der im Titel genannten bis hin zu konkreteren Sorgen wie ,Wer bezahlt die Miete?" - stehen in spöttischem Gegensatz zu Ideen wie dem Umzug in die Stadt und dem Beginn eines wirklich erfüllten Lebens. Obwohl Williams den Griesgram spielt, ist der Song ein echter Raver, bei dem Gitarren über einem von Orgelklängen erhellten Horizont erklingen. ,Es ist dein Leben", singt Williams, während das Leben unter ihm vor sich hin tuckert und dabei außerordentlich lebhaft klingt. Er hätte wohl wenig Mitgefühl für den liebeskranken Williams aus ,If You Don't Love Me" - verdammt, seine gesamte Existenz wirkt wie eine Warnung, dass die Art von romantischen Verstrickungen, unter denen man in jungen Jahren leidet, in Einsamkeit, Scheitern und einem Posteingang enden wird, der mit ungelesenen Substacks überfüllt ist. Auf ,Hard Life" streiten diese Stimmen, bedrängen sich gegenseitig, verschmelzen miteinander und lösen sich wieder voneinander, manchmal sogar im Laufe eines einzigen Songs. Sie sind zwei Seiten derselben Medaille, Menschen, die Trauer, Enttäuschung, Reue und Scham erlebt haben und als veränderte Menschen aus den Trümmern hervorgehen. ,Mich interessiert, wie Mitgefühl und Geduld für jemanden, der leidet, immer irgendwann zu Ende gehen", sagt Williams. ,Wie das sowohl etwas Gutes und Befreiendes als auch etwas Trauriges und Brutales sein kann. Aber im Grunde sind es einfach nur Popsongs." Exquisite, unwiderstehliche Popsongs. Man höre sie sich so lange an, bis die Heilung beginnt, und dann noch einmal.
expected to be published on 11.09.2026







































