Percussion mastermind Ploy arrives on Dekmantel with a double-pack of unbridled dancefloor heat that sees him reconnecting with his house roots.
Before he made a striking breakthrough as Ploy with wayward broken techno for Hessle Audio and Timedance, Samuel Smith's first releases as Samuel were leftfield house excursions. On this release for Dekmantel he wanted to reflect on a decade of releasing music and the many high-impact dancefloors he's shared with the label, from Selectors to De School, over the years.
The common denominator across these eight tracks is no-nonsense house, offering up grooves that will serve a DJ exactly what they want in the mix. At the same time, Ploy doesn't dilute the distinctive edge of his sound, from the abundance of perfectly balanced percussion to the nagging hooks of an off-key synth line dropped at just the right moment. Wry samples inject the mischievous humour he's always creeping into his craft. This is where dancefloor magic is nurtured, hitting the sweet spot between rock solid reliability and the wild card energy that brings a heads-down set to life.
From 'Admirer's big room peaks to 'It's Later Than You Think's cosmic incantations, this is the sound of Ploy showing exactly what it takes to make laser-focused club bombs without losing one iota of his inimitable style.
Search:hi tech root
South Londons’ indomitable Medlar delivers an ambitious new album
The long-time underground favourite has collaborated with the likes of Dele Sosimi, Rebekah Reid, Deevoenay, Finn Peters, Sam Virdie, Afla Sackey and Arnau Obiols on an album that finds him taking his production to new levels.
From roots playing illegal raves in the South West to building up a cultured catalogue that bounces between house and garage, Medlar has long been part of the underground conversation. He has dropped a previous album and many innovative remixes and edits for the likes of Billy Cobham and Shirley Lites, worked in the studio and on stage with Afro legend Dele Sosimi and most recently released an album under his own name that collected myriad different sonic sketches from the past 15 years.
Islands is an altogether different proposition that comes after establishing himself as a mix engineer and producer of other people's music. In that time, Medlar has honed his skills, learnt new tricks and grown more able to express himself in sound. The result is an album that explores a more electronic palette inspired by '80s fusion sounds whilst maintaining a loose, organic flow through his use of live instrumentation. “The idea for the LP was for a collection of music which could sit alone as club tracks, but would work equally well as part of a whole. The name Islands came from this, as there's some connecting ideas but the tracks sit independently in their own little sonic worlds. I took a lot of inspiration from early 80’s electronic music produced during early years of MIDI technology… proto house, jazz fusion, electronic disco and experimental ambient. I wanted to juxtapose some of these methods with more contemporary production and make something that's ultimately quite fun!” says Medlar of the record which could easily soundtrack a summer road trip.
Across 11 tracks, he blends old-school techniques like a fusion of live instruments, FM synthesis and MIDI triggered vocal samples with more contemporary touches such as punchy, club-friendly drums and dub inspired, speaker-wobbling low end. The result is less reliant on samples than his previous works and makes for a perfect blend of retro authenticity and future freshness.
For Record Store Day 2020, Far Out Recordings presents a special 'poisoned vinyl' edition of Ivan 'Mamão' Conti's critically acclaimed Poison Fruit album. The 180g splattered colour LP is accompanied by an exclusive bonus 7” with a previously unreleased track from the original Poison Fruit sessions ‘Katmandu, and ‘Ninho’, a track never before released on vinyl.
From an artist in their seventies, you probably wouldn’t expect to hear an album like this. But Brazilian drumming legend Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti has been experimenting and innovating for the last half a century. As one third of cult Rio jazz-funk trio Azymuth, Mamão was at the root of the group’s ‘samba doido’ (crazy samba) philosophy, which warped the traditional samba compass with jazz influences and space age electronics. Even with his lesser known jovem guarda group The Youngsters, Mamão was experimenting with tapes and delays to create unique, ahead-of-its-time sounds, way back in the sixties. More recently Mamão recorded an album with hip-hop royalty Madlib under the shared moniker ‘Jackson Conti’.
With his first album in over twenty years, and the first to be released on vinyl since his 1984 classic The Human Factor, Mamão shares his zany carioca character across eleven tracks of rootsy electronic samba and tripped out jazz, beats and dance music. Featuring Alex Malheiros and Kiko Continentino on a number of tracks, the Azymuth lifeblood runs deep, but venturing into the modern discotheque (as Mamão would call it), Poison Fruit also experiments with sounds more commonly associated with house and techno, with the help of London based producer Daniel Maunick (aka Dokta Venom) and Mamão's son Thiago Maranhão.
Take a bite of Mamão’s psychoactive Papaya and join the maestro on a weird and wonderful stroll through the Brazilian jung
Dekmantel UFO Series continues its resurgent form with a new album of bruising, industrial wave and techno from Broken English Club. UK techno mainstay Oliver Ho debuted his dark and brooding alias more than 10 years ago with a release on Jealous God under the guidance of the late, great Juan Mendez (Silent Servant) — Songs Of Love And Decay is explicitly dedicated to Mendez, whose influence runs deep in this seductively sinister corner of underground, independent electronic music.
Within the overarching aesthetic of the Broken English Club sound, Ho finds the freedom to deliver a full spectrum album as diverse as it is consistent. You can sense the shadow of his roots in 90s tribal techno punching through on 'Crawling' and 'Death Cult', while 'England Heretic' leans on thick swathes of analogue synthesis indebted to Giallo soundtracks and the ever-compelling lure of 80s synthwave. In its grinding layers of distortion and dubbed out vocals 'Vessel Of Skin' speaks more to the post-punk influences which have set Broken English Club apart since the outset. This isn't a purely retro-fetishist expedition, though — 'Pacific Island Kill' and 'Lost Gods' exude stark modernism in their sharply-angled sequences and dramatic sound design, moving beyond the functional demands of 4/4 dance music to reach to more cinematic zones.
These are but some of the approaches Ho burrows into as he shapes out the depth and breadth of his muse on Songs Of Love And Decay. It's marked by the undeniable impact of his production, perfected over a decades-deep career at the bleeding edge of machine music. At times the album celebrates the addictive thrust of the dancefloor, while elsewhere it relishes the tension of suspended animation. Throughout, the gritty veneer binds together this accomplished, uncompromising body of work as both a fierce artistic statement and a loving tribute to Mendez — an artist who equally embodied the darker side of the dance.
- Glistening
- She Emerges
- Bold And Undaunted Youth
- I’d Rather Be Tending My Sheep
- The Fancy Cannot Cheat So Well
- Only The Diceys
As a founding member of Dublin experimental folk group Lankum, Ian Lynch explores submerged leylines of music and song. Forging a musical path that is all at once dark, mysterious and foreboding, but ultimately transcendental. His new solo project One Leg One Eye sees him taking a fresh approach to musical arrangement culminating in a sound that is more rooted in the raw aesthetics of second wave black metal than contemporary folk. The project was born across 2021, a period in which Lynch was able to enjoy the freedom of experimenting and exploring different paths of sound design without expectation or pressure. Seeking out interesting settings to record music and gather field recordings, there are several environments, external and interior, whose respective essence have seeped into the spirit of the music and come to represent Lynch’s artistic approach and development with this singular debut album, …And Take The Black Worm With Me. Rediscovered spaces in Dublin and the familiar enclave of his bedroom are intrinsic to the distinct and sometimes harrowing atmosphere conjured throughout the album’s five enveloping compositions. One particular location, an abandoned factory where his father worked when Ian was a child, provided a space of great inspiration and intrigue during this time. Lynch frequently visited the large abandoned warehouse and sang with his shruti box, contented in his solitude. ‘I’d Rather Be Tending My Sheep’, grew into existence from those initial sessions, eventually finding a home as an emotive centrepiece to the album. Reflecting on the overall recording of …And Take The Black Worm With Me, Lynch says, “Everything I was doing with these songs was all kind of new to me; experimenting with different sounds, textures and palettes and seeing what I could come up with by piecing it all together. I spent about a year making the album. I loved the whole process because it was basically just me in my bedroom recording everything. The experience of recording like this and having my own time to do it was amazing. I could focus on recording a specific element and happily spend all day working on that one part, doing it as many times as I wanted. At the end of the day if it didn’t feel right, I could just try it again the next day. When you’re on your own you can spend as much time as you want on particular parts until you feel that it’s absolutely perfect. I found that to be a really liberating experience. It was probably my favourite experience recording music.” The collection of songs (and their chronology) featured on …And Take The Black Worm With Me tell a story unique to Lynch’s experiences with anxiety and recognising his shadow self. Whilst the album became an outlet of personal expression for Lynch, the overarching themes and subsequent journey to confront one’s internal dichotomy of light and dark before accepting this inherent duality is universally shared. The eerie and often unsettling world contained within the album’s texturally dense opener ‘Glistening, She Emerges’, driven by the captivating drone of distorted uilleann pipes, immediately immerses the listener in this transportive work. It descends with a great heaviness, yet woven throughout the arrangement is a fascinating and indescribable entity that draws you further into this otherworldly dimension. This mood continues as the tracklist progresses and transitions into Lynch’s haunting realisation of ‘Bold and Undaunted Youth’ which further demonstrates a cinematic influence to Lynch’s compositional style. Sonically, Lynch effectively builds an impressively vast terrain with brilliantly murky lo-fi recording techniques and an unshakable curiosity to move beyond conventional structures and play with the timbre of the instruments available to him. From recording hurdy-gurdy or concertina to tape and experimenting with loops and effects pedals to stitching field recordings together, there’s an intimacy established between Lynch and his audience established through the simultaneously eerie and beautiful tones courting through …And Take The Black Worm With Me. This culminates in ‘Only the Diceys’, the extraordinary closing track in which we reach a place of resolution mapped into the album’s narrative structure. Mixed by longtime collaborator John ‘Spud’ Murphy in his Dublin-based Guerrilla Sounds Studio and mastered by Harvey Birrell …And Take The Black Worm With Me features contributions from Ruth Clinton (Landless) on church organ and vocals by Laurie Shanaman (Ails, Ludicra). Of Shanaman’s participation, in particular, which further illustrates the lo-fi and DIY ethos to the recording, Lynch says, “Laurie is my favourite black metal vocalist of all time and so I reached out to her hoping to have her involved in some way. She did, and she features on the opening track by providing some incredible screams. She recorded them into her phone and sent them over to me; what appears on the album is literally a phone recording of her screaming in her kitchen!” …And Take The Black Worm With Me continues Ian Lynch’s groundbreaking work with Lankum; recontextualising traditional forms and generating new spheres of music in his wake, confirming his status as one of the most interesting and innovative artists working in Ireland today.
All songs recorded and mixed by Pat Lilley at Nexus Recording Studio in Waukesha
Wisconsin between 1998-1999. Songs 1,2, and 4 originally appeared on Parallel
Chlorophyll Regions (Highwater Records 005) 1998. Song 3 originally appeared on
Akarso/Seven Days of Samsara Split 7" (Ricky Schroeder Fan Club 001) 2000. Songs
5-8 originally appeared on Akarso/Faraquet Split CD (404 Records 002) 1999.
Milwaukee's underground scene of the late 1990s harbored many hidden gems, and
Akarso is certainly one of its finest. Blending elements of post-hardcore, math rock,
screamo, and noise rock, the trio quickly made a name for themselves during their
short yet intense existence. Their chaotic and intricate sound earned them a loyal
following within math and post-hardcore circles, and they toured extensively, leaving
behind a legacy that would influence the Midwest's underground music scene for
years to come. With Leave Quietly: 1997-1999, Akarso's complete recorded catalog has
been unearthed, giving listeners a chance to experience the raw energy and innovative
sound of a band that was well ahead of its time. Released through Expert Work
Records, this LP collects Akarso's recorded output from their brief but impactful run.
Featuring Nathan Lilley on vocals and guitar (who would later gain notoriety with Call
Me Lightning), Joe Wong on drums (now a prolific composer for TV and film and host
of The Trap Set ), and Greg Roteik on bass (of Key of Evil fame), the trio's musical
chemistry is undeniable. Their dynamic interplay and knack for combining dissonance
with technical precision is immediately apparent, and this collection serves as both a
time capsule and sheer example of their musical skills.
The songs feel unpolished in the best possible way, full of jagged guitar riffs, off-kilter
rhythms, and aggressive vocals. It's easy to hear why Akarso garnered attention
during their brief career: their music demanded attention. Tracks from the collection
highlight their ability to balance complex structures with visceral energy, reflecting
their post-hardcore roots while pushing into more experimental territory. At the heart
of Akarso's sound is their seamless blending of math rock's technical precision with
the ferocity of post-hardcore and noise rock. The intricate guitar work of Nathan Lilley,
coupled with the driving rhythms of Joe Wong and the powerful basslines of Greg
Roteik, creates a tense and unpredictable musical experience. Time signatures shift
without warning, dissonant riffs collide with frenetic drumming, and Lilley's vocals
pierce through the chaos with a cathartic and desperate intensity.
It's a challenging, chaotic, and emotionally charged album that captures the intensity
of Akarso's live performances and the raw energy of their songwriting. More than two
decades later, Akarso's music remains as vital and relevant as ever, and this collection
that their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of musici
Montreal mainstay Sabola (aka Adam Hodgins) brings his intricate sound to Garmo with Útilykt, a six-track odyssey through shadowy IDM textures, fractured techno rhythms, and breakbeat experiments. Spanning a wide range of tempos, the EP evokes the tension between isolation and expanse—its beats heavy with introspection yet reaching outward toward something vast and untamed. Rooted in the sensibilities of early 2000s drum and bass, Útilykt channels the raw energy of that era while weaving it into Sabola’s deeply atmospheric and modern sound.
The emerging Uruguayan label Eviterno Records marks its entrance into the scene with a dynamic debut split EP named “Vendiendo Uruguay por un Vintén” featuring two of the country’s most esmteemed producers, Stonem and Elías Sternin. Known for consistently delivering top-tier productions in recent years, they maintains their reputation with this impressive release.
Stonem on the A side is offering two meticulously crafted tracks rooted in groovy and functional tech house, perfect for the dancefloor. The journey begins with Banana Afair, a track whose resonant basslines are guaranteed to energize any crowd. Following this, Jolgorio takes a more cerebral turn, seamlessly blending acid sequences and intricate drum patterns while preserving the rhythmic groove, a testament to Stonem's alignment with the distinct Uruguayan sound.
On the B-side, Sternin continues the sonic exploration with Quema Madera, a hypnotic and acid-infused piece driven by commanding basslines—an essential tool for any DJ's arsenal. The release culminates with Acúfenos, where Sternin masterfully incorporates melodic elements while retaining his signature intensity, making it an ideal choice for an emotionally charged set closer.
This debut release from Eviterno Records stands as a bold statement, offering a compelling blend of groove, depth, and functional power, making it a must-have for any DJ and vynil enthusiasts.
Artwork by Clara Bonavita & Rina.
Master by Rob Smalls
Blend Mishkin & Soul Sugar - Theory of Mind
Cultural Collaboration Sparks New Sound:
Athens and Paris Unite for Soulful Jazz-Reggae Fusion Album.
A collaboration between two creative musical minds, Blend Mishkin from Athens meets Parisian Soul Sugar to co-create a genre-bending album titled “Theory of Mind”
This album features nine compositions which uniquely fuse vibes of jazz, soul, reggae, afro-beat and even some 70’s b-movie soundtrack all brought to life through the warm tones of vintage keyboard instruments such as the Hammond Organ, Clavinet and Fender Rhodes electric piano, played by virtuoso keyboardist Soul Sugar aka Guillaume Metenier paired with flawless orchestration, arrangements and production by Blend Mishkin.
Soul Sugar, a disciple of jazz master Dr. Lonnie Smith on the Hammond organ, known for his
intricate reggae-jazz masterful improvisation, brings a distinctive mellowness and complexity to the album. His use of the Hammond organ, Clavinet and Fender Rhodes electric piano adds a layer of depth and authenticity that transports listeners back to the golden age of soul and reggae. Blend Mishkin, a versatile artist, who has mixed and moved across reggae, dub, soul, as well as world music, introduces elements of funk and reggae rhythms to the mix. His production techniques, combined with the rich, analog sound of the vintage instruments, creates a sonic landscape that is both timeless and inspired.
Guest vocalists are featured in four out of nine tracks. Greek-French funk powerhouse Georges Perin delivers a heavy soul tune called “I Miss Those Days” , Fae Simon from London lays a velvety vocal on an old school steppers groove, Thaliah from Athens brings her smokey jazz flavour with “Moonlit Letter” and Jeffrey Diop from Senegal adds the perfect chant in “Big Boss in a Small Town”.
The recording sessions, split between Athens and Paris, were as much about cultural exchange as they were about musical experimentation. The result is a collection of tracks that resonate with the energy of live performance, while also echoing the rich musical background of both artists.
"We wanted to create something that felt organic and real," says Guillaume. "Using these incredible vintage instruments allowed us to tap into a sound that feels both timeless and brand new."
Blend adds, "This album is about mixing our roots, our sounds, and our experiences. It's a celebrationof music that transcends borders and eras."
“Theory of Mind” it's a cross-cultural journey. The project emerges from the vibrant, sun-soaked melodies of Athens with the sophisticated, urban grooves of Paris, resulting in a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
Sharpening his modernist, hybridised club sound with the restless energy he’s made his name on, Breaka returns with Aeoui. Nodding to the vowel-only vocal samples he scatters throughout his tracks, this much-anticipated second album reaffirms Charlie Baker’s reputation as a many-sided bass music innovator.
Since 2019, Breaka has been primarily shaping his own destiny by self-releasing most of his music, and it’s afforded him the space to evolve his sound on his own terms. In the wake of his 2022 debut LP We Move, the consistently prolific producer had been looking for a fitting window to channel his work into a second full-length. The opportunity arose when he struck on a fit of jet-lagged inspiration in late 2023 and laid down two of the new album’s key tunes, ‘squashy track’ and ‘yolo bass rewind’. Jutting out at a distinct angle from his other work, Breaka knew he’d found the anchor point around which to build out the next phase of his sonic evolution.
This productive period also aligned with a new studio space to work in, leading to the album’s striking double-dose opening of ‘Aeoui’ and ‘Are We There’. With the flavour of his new album established, Breaka was able to comb back through his reams of existing ideas and find the remaining pieces that fit the emerging puzzle. There are enduring influences which bind together the Breaka sound — footwork, techno and dancehall continue to guide the infectious floor-ready pressure of the record, but he worked free of stylistic concerns to find a vibe that remained true to his independent spirit.
It’s clear the Breaka DNA reaches beyond purist club music — his roots as a jazz drummer from an early age guide the expressive flair in his beat programming, while he took a more direct influence from a mind-blowing Sons Of Kemet gig in 2022 to make psychedelic centre-piece ‘Roundhouse’. Elsewhere ‘Cascara’ pays tribute to the Afro-Cuban rhythm of the same name, which he fused with amapiano’s lithe log drums and shakers, Brazilian percussion and edgy sound design to create a maverick soundsystem wrecker.
The collision of organic and synthetic, crisp forms and chaotic energy are captured perfectly in the cover artwork created with Jordan Core. It’s a savvy sum-up of where Breaka is at right now, continually building out with clear intentions while embracing the unpredictable energy of lived experiences and the ideas that get sparked along the way. That’s why Aeoui sounds like no one else out there but Breaka.
Roy Rosenfeld is a relentless innovator, continuously refining his craft in unparalleled ways. His distinct musical signature is instantly recognizable, yet he deftly ensures that each track offers a fresh perspective. Rosenfeld continues to assert his presence with the second release from his No Drama label, advancing sonic expression and audio techniques.
The opening track, Da Vision, introduces a rich blend of oriental motifs and unique, pitched synth lines set against a percussive, tribal backdrop. Unified by an unmistakable touch, this piece brings an exotic flair and unexpected vitality. Every detail in Da Vision reflects a meticulous approach. Rosenfeld offers a vibrant listening experience with every beat, creating a dynamic, organic flow. Rosenfeld's approach makes each moment in his track feel spontaneous and human.
The second track, Get Loose, is aptly titled, inviting listeners to shed the burdens of daily urban life. In an era of stress, congestion, and constant demands, his music offers an escape-a brief yet rejuvenating mini-vacation
from the urban hustle. Researchers have long explored the therapeutic power of music, and Get Loose stands as a testament to that potential. The track weaves a hypnotism uncompromising in its primal allure. Layered with a resonant mantra that pulses through consistent intervals, Rosenfeld merges cutting-edge production techniques with a deep-rooted respect for musical heritage, culminating in a melodic crescendo.
With this release, No Drama Records proves that Rosenfeld is as committed as ever to transforming music into an immersive, healing experience for the modern listener.
Guy J continues to redefine the boundaries with his Early Morning label, a space dedicated to showcasing forward-thinking artists whose creativity defies conventions. Among these is French producer Sébastien Léger, whose latest two-track release exemplifies his penchant for innovation and mastery of sound design.
The opening track, Koi Fish, delves into Leger's inner world, displaying his exceptional sound design skills. Symbolically rooted in qualities like resilience, prosperity, love, and transformation, the track is a collage of tribal didgeridoo textures intertwined with futuristic, dub-inspired effects. These elements converge on a spiritual plane, creating a soundscape that is both immersive and thought-provoking. The second piece, Gaufrette, is a melodic odyssey blending trance-inducing motifs with a touch of nostalgic dream house, reimagined with modern ingenuity. Synthesizer themes weave seamlessly with delicate piano lines, evoking a nineties-inspired euphoria that brims with creativity. The arrangement is meticulously crafted, with intricate percussion and a dynamic structure that continuously unveils fresh layers, technical ingenuity, and inventive ideas. This release highlights Leger's innovative spirit and reinforces Early Morning's status as a vanguard for transformative music that challenges and inspires.
Spanish imprint Clock Poets returns with its sixth release, a nicely curated three-track V.A. that brings together Dan Andrei, Root, and label founders Marco and Javier (Clock Poets). Aptly titled Surrealism, the EP explores different shades of minimal techno and micro-house, offering a dynamic range of textures and grooves.
Dan Andrei sets the tone with 'Si Un Ecou' (A1), a stripped-back, bass-heavy roller with a raw, hypnotic energy. Laced with eerie, Hitchcockian tension, the track simmers with understated menace until a burst of heavily modulated synth chords cuts through the groove like a sudden flash of light — turning the mood on its head. Subtle yet striking creative decisions like these highlight Andrei's refined sonic evolution. On (A2), Root's 'Apophis' is a swing-heavy slice of classic micro-house. Shuffling drum patterns dart unpredictably, locking the dancefloor into a stealthy groove while growling synth textures add an air of mystique and atmospheric tension. A nod to the golden era of the genre, yet firmly grounded in the present.
Clock Poets close the EP with 'Galaxy' (B1), a sprawling 14-minute live-recorded behemoth, through microscopic sound design and intricate rhythm programming. Filtered, syncopated drum patterns weave through evolving bass stabs and delicate melodic fragments, crafting a hypnotic groove that pulls listeners deeper with every loop.
"Surrealism" is a carefully balanced record with a range of moods and styles for the lovers of thoughtful minimal dance music, and yet another compelling addition to the Clock Poets catalogue — refined and immersive.
Mannequin Records proudly presents the debut release from Children Of The Night, a dynamic duo whose music is rooted in cinematic soundscapes. The project brings together Mexican techno producer Alejandro Barba, also known as Dellarge, and French documentary/film producer Pierre Labret, forging a distinctive creative partnership. Their collaboration masterfully combines dark, atmospheric elements with driving electronic rhythms, drawing heavily from the worlds of classic horror and psychological thrillers. The result is a collection of soundscapes that are as eerie as they are captivating, creating an immersive and haunting listening experience.
This album stands as an unconventional horror soundtrack for a film that never came to be—a tribute to the legendary Spanish filmmaker Jess Franco, known for his prolific work in the exploitation and horror genres. Born out of the quiet chaos of the pandemic, this project was originally intended to accompany a slasher film that was halted due to financial constraints. Despite the film’s cancellation, the duo pressed forward, turning the unfinished narrative into an imaginative auditory experience. The soundtrack will serve not only as a homage to Franco but also as a nod to Juan Mendez, better known by his alias Silent Servant, whose dark, minimalist electronic productions have left a deep mark on the underground music scene.
Dellarge and Labret’s creative process is shaped by an eclectic array of inspirations, pulling from both literature and cinema. They’ve cited films such as Franco’s "Paroxismus," "Gritos," and "Faceless" as vital to their sonic direction, as well as the eerie black-and-white imagery of F.W. Murnau's "Nosferatu." Additionally, the duo draws on the disturbing psychological tension of Stephen King’s "Carrie" and "Misery," and the surreal dystopian world of Stanislaw Lem's "Congreso de Futurología." The giallo horror aesthetics of Dario Argento's "Deep Red" also serve as a significant influence, merging surreal visuals with nerve-racking, visceral soundtracks—elements mirrored in Dellarge and Labret's own compositions.
The LP is not only rich with atmospheric storytelling but also boasts a range of remarkable remixes by prominent artists in the electronic music scene. Contributions from Alessandro Adriani, David Carretta, Legowelt, and Broken English Club inject new life into the original tracks, offering reinterpretations that span from industrial techno to Italo disco, further enhancing the project’s depth and versatility. Each remix complements the overarching horror theme while adding a modern, avant-garde twist to the duo’s work.
This debut album promises to be more than just a musical release—it's a vivid exploration of the horror genre through sound, creating a sensory experience that brings forgotten films, unrealized visions, and nightmarish stories to life through music. As the lines between fiction and reality blur, Dellarge and Labret invite listeners into a world where the echoes of lost films can finally be heard.
WAST unveils a powerful EP, a sonic journey between Indonesian waves and Breton storms. This essential return to his roots - surfing and the call of the open sea - finds him exploring hardware, delivering organic, hardgroove techno. Danceable yet introspective, physical and deep, it's a reflection of a rediscovered identity.
Legendary French DJ and producer The Hacker debuts on Radio Slave’s Rekids with the ‘Laser & Smoke’ EP on 21st February 2025. The two-track ‘Laser & Smoke’ EP harkens back to The Hacker’s early 90s roots in Detroit-inspired Electro & Techno. First, he starts with ‘Turborave’, a tasteful, bleepy cut with an unignorable bassline and muted dub chords that wash over its snappy groove. ‘Turborave’ is the kind of heads-down, lose-yourself dancefloor moment for the later hours before ‘Harmonia’ sees The Hacker play with high-voltage cables on the B-side. Charged-up zaps and zippy acid call and respond while bodied drum hits keep the rhythm moving, whistles and pads occasionally joining in.
Pioneering DJ and producer The Hacker is renowned for being a leading proponent of Electroclash in the early 2000s, his Techno and EBM-infused sound, and iconic collaborations with Miss Kittin. With releases on labels like Dark Entries, Mannequin Records, and Turbo, as well as remixes for Air, Soft Cell, Dave Clarke, and Front 242, The Hacker remains a vital force in electronic music. He now adds Radio Slave’s Rekids to his extensive discography for the first time via the ‘Laser & Smoke EP.
Radio Slave’s Rekids was founded in 2006 and has since spawned successful offshoots with the Techno-focused Rekids Special Projects in 2017 and its newest sublabel, REK’D, in 2024. With Matt Edwards as the sole A&R, Rekids has been crucial in developing early artist careers and has become a haven for established acts operating in House and adjacent genres, having recently featured the likes of Harry Romero, Hilit Kolet, William Kiss, Bushwacka, Mathias Kaden, Tiger Stripes, Tal Fussman, and many more.
Swedish talent Dold drops nuanced techno cuts on 10" via SHDW's Mutual Rytm X.
Stockholm-based Patrik Eriksson, aka Dold, is a cultured producer known for crafting hypnotic loops with a minimalist, emotive touch-bridging underground dancefloors and introspective listening.
As a DJ, producer, and co-founder of Arsenik, Dold has championed raw, unembellished techno since 2015. His releases on Key and Fuse blend Detroit techno's legacy with IDM's intricacy and ambient's ethereal tones, creating a style that is both timeless and forward-thinking. Whether it's crafting tapestry's recorded via hardware in the studio or performing live, Dold continues to innovate, honouring techno's roots while exploring its future, and his talent is on full display across his label debut on Mutual Rytm X.
'Grainy' opens the EP and showcases Dold's ability to craft deep and loopy techno with a stripped-back, emotive
edge. It's deft but enthralling, with innovative synths rising and falling through the minimal drums. 'Surface' is another compelling deep cut with hurried drum funk and subtle synth pulses, adding a futuristic edge to the groove. The fantastic 'Blush' brings smears of warm synth and machine soul to a dynamic dub techno rhythm that bends the
past with the present. Digital bonus cuts 'Dub at Heart (Club Version)' and 'Dub at Heart (Sofa Version)' offer
contrasting perspectives of the same track, with the first aiming directly for peak-time sessions, while the latter closes the package on a laid-back tip.
Repress!
Just six months after her huge Rave On Time EP, Charlotte de Witte is back on her own KNTXT label with another standout release featuring three thrilling new tracks.
Despite the global pandemic, Charlotte did not let up in 2020. Her label continued to serve up techno from the cutting edge, she held down various high profile streams during lockdown and also got voted as the World's Number 1 DJ by DJ Mag's Alternative Top 100 poll. After picking up the Best Producer title at the Red Bull Elektropedia Awards, her Selected EP picked up the silver medal in the Best EP category and she was awarded bronze in the Artist of the Year category. She ended the year with a spectacular set on the virtual Main Stage of Tomorrowland on New Year’s Eve and now races out of the blocks with yet another vital EP.
Says Charlotte, "I've always been fascinated by the high adrenaline racing world. Rapid movements, living in the moment, racing through life, eyes on the future. As far as concepts go for an EP, this is one of my favourite ones so far."
That plays out across the electrifying tracks, starting with ‘Doppler,' a heavyweight techno weapon with shuffling drums and urgent alarm like synths shooting over the bulky groove. It's one to keep you on edge as the strobes flash on a vast dance floor. 'RPM' ups the ante further with blistering acid lines flashing about the mix. Rooted drums roll on in unrelenting fashion and a lead synth takes you down a deep, dark rabbit hole. 'Formula' then rounds out in urgent fashion with the sound of revving engines, hammering hits and haunting melodic loops all making for a vast and vital wall of techno sound.
With this arresting and powerful new EP, Charlotte de Witte once again remains in techno's pole position.




















