quête:l ow

Six songs that are worth it. Manic electropunk that somehow - consciously or as collateral damage - manages to pack that seventies goblin horror movie vibe (on one track it's also a video game soundtrack) into catchy and contemporary songs that just move forward. Big guitars, big synthesizer, big drum beats and those nasty melodies that can still accelerate demons in 2023. A bit of VOLT could be mentioned as a reference, but the band from mighty, mighty Offenbach (for a world career I would suggest Frankfurt) clearly has its own flair and, despite the home recording, seems so powerful that it hurts. Compared to the Bandcamp stream on vinyl and a decent system, “Havana Syndrome” sounds much more powerful. The almost cheap beatbox is the real icing on the cake, because the guitar, the bass and, above all, that divinely played synthesizer are so amazing that I'm inclined to want a child from a band for the first time. I'll tell you straight away, it won't be pretty, but at least it'll be talented. Exquisite 12”, which especially calls for a second helping! Shortly before the ten points, but there is still something going on.

Liza Lo creates her own intimate and poetic musical world. Lo is a singer-songwriter, producer and musician based in London. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Daughter, Maro and Billie Marten, she carries you into a place of reflection and calm with her raw vocal and honest songwriting. Her new album 'Familiar' was recorded by Jon Kelly (Paul McCartney, Kate Bush) with the band and her in Studio 13 in West London.

Maintaining the intimacy of the messages of the songs is executed by gently supporting the lyrics and structure with a laid back, open band feel and delicate string arrangements, leaving you with a gentle hug for early mornings of reflection. Lo blends her upbringing in Spain and the Netherlands freely in her newly found sound. Her latest EP 'flourish' was featured on Spotify's New Music Friday UK, NL and BE as well as in 'the most beautiful songs in the world' playlist.

On their spellbinding sophomore album, "Whispers in the Speech Machine," the young Ohio siblings from The Laughing Chimes fully embrace their Southern Gothic influences, cannily balancing the light of their infectious pop with the shadow of their rust belt environs. While attending an afterschool music program at their local opera house, Evan and his brother Quinn began recording The Laughing Chimes' debut album "In This Town," released in 2020. A string of well-received digital singles and a cassette EP for Slumberland followed, dazzling savvy pop fans with their Paisley Underground-inflected jangle that owes as much to the Flying Nun sound as it does to 80s Athens, GA.

The eight assured songs of "Whispers in the Speech Machine" prove The Laughing Chimes deserve the attention and accolades, while their approaches to songwriting and sonic aesthetics continue to evolve. "Southeast Ohio is the foothills of Appalachia, so it has this indescribable mood and atmosphere to it," guitarist/vocalist Evan Seurkamp told The Big Takeover. "Sometimes there's a haunting weight of decay you want to escape, but at the same time there is some sort of strange romanticism surrounding ghost towns. We've tried to channel those moods to add more regional flavor into our sound."

Having haunted stages across the UK for the best part of a decade, the critical success of their 2024 sophomore full-length `Acts of Harm' gave caustic shoegaze outft Outlander pause to refect on their astounding 2019 debut, `The Valium Machine', soon to be reissued by Pelagic Records on vinyl for the frst time. Written and recorded in 2018 over a handful of studio sessions in Stoke-on-Trent, `The Valium Machine' was a formative experience for Outlander in more ways than one. Prior to working on the album, the band would happily describe themselves as your standard, straight-down-the-middle post rock band but an openness to new infuences from the `90s slowcore and shoegaze scenes, the delicate, textural introduction of vocals and the pivotal decision to track the album in sprawling, full-band takes lead Outlander to fundamentally redefne their sound and scale; adding a pointed sense of dynamic and discordant dirge that lead to the four-piece sharing stages with trailblazing genre heavyweights Bossk and Grivo as well as breathtaking performances at festivals like Dunk! (BE) and ArcTanGent (UK). With beautiful artwork produced in partnership with street photographer Richard Lambert documenting the colourful, everyday life of their beloved Birmingham, the initial run of `The Valium Machine' was limited to a criminally small 50 CDs through tiny local imprint FOMA. Now, fve years later, Outlander owe their panoramic pace and formidable, funereal sound to those few days spent in Stoke- on-Trent and the band, along with Pelagic Records, believe this nascent recording deserves to be heard by many, many more. FOR FANS OF: Duster, Codeine, Swervedriver, Catherine Wheel, Kowloon Walled City

Having haunted stages across the UK for the best part of a decade, the critical success of their 2024 sophomore full-length `Acts of Harm' gave caustic shoegaze outft Outlander pause to refect on their astounding 2019 debut, `The Valium Machine', soon to be reissued by Pelagic Records on vinyl for the frst time. Written and recorded in 2018 over a handful of studio sessions in Stoke-on-Trent, `The Valium Machine' was a formative experience for Outlander in more ways than one. Prior to working on the album, the band would happily describe themselves as your standard, straight-down-the-middle post rock band but an openness to new infuences from the `90s slowcore and shoegaze scenes, the delicate, textural introduction of vocals and the pivotal decision to track the album in sprawling, full-band takes lead Outlander to fundamentally redefne their sound and scale; adding a pointed sense of dynamic and discordant dirge that lead to the four-piece sharing stages with trailblazing genre heavyweights Bossk and Grivo as well as breathtaking performances at festivals like Dunk! (BE) and ArcTanGent (UK). With beautiful artwork produced in partnership with street photographer Richard Lambert documenting the colourful, everyday life of their beloved Birmingham, the initial run of `The Valium Machine' was limited to a criminally small 50 CDs through tiny local imprint FOMA. Now, fve years later, Outlander owe their panoramic pace and formidable, funereal sound to those few days spent in Stoke- on-Trent and the band, along with Pelagic Records, believe this nascent recording deserves to be heard by many, many more. FOR FANS OF: Duster, Codeine, Swervedriver, Catherine Wheel, Kowloon Walled City

After a string of celebrated releases for labels like Eglo, Neroli, and Sounds Familiar, Patrick Gibin unveils his debut album on his own Mother Tongue imprint, showcasing his signature dedication to all things deep and soulful.


Standout collaborations include tracks with Kaidi Tatham, such as “Gear Up Rudi!” and “Let It Go,” with Kaidi also delivering a rare vocal performance on the title track. Patrick’s early house and acid influences shine on “No Matter What” and “Joint Purpose (Alternative Mix),” while his notorious love for boogie is on full display in “Team Spirit” and the Sandra St. Victor collaboration, “Come Mornin’.”


Sandra, best known as the powerhouse voice of The Family Stand, brings her unmistakable vocal brilliance to the album, enhancing its emotional depth and soulful energy. The album closes with the mellow outro “In This Together,” another title that shows the mindframe and ethic behind Mother Tongue in all its endeavours. This collective spirit is further reflected in the contributions of Italian talents Edoardo della Bitta and Alberto Lincetto, whose musical artistry added a vital dimension to the album’s rich and soulful sound.
It’s all about Strength in Numbers!

On Hardcore, James Mapley-Brittle (GRRL) and Nick Sanborn (Made of Oak), meld their love of late-night club music to make mind-bending high-energy dance music. GRRL is one of the brightest emerging stars in the underground arts space and a regular collaborator with PC Music, NTS, and more; Sanborn is better known as one half of the Grammy-nominated electronic pop duo Sylvan Esso. First sparked during DJ sets in North Carolina basements, the duo's unique creative chemistry has grown exponentially since the 2022 release of their debut EP, Inertia. GRRL x Made of Oak's glitched-out sounds have been featured on Adult Swim, Fortnite, and with their own sample pack on Splice. Finding new fans in the likes of Björk, Arca, AG Cook, Porter Robinson, Barker and DJs across the world, GRRL x Made of Oak is an exhilarating experience that will shake the speakers and get any after-hours dance floor moving.

The Dub Pistols reissue journey continues and some could argue we’ve saved the best for last. Originally released on CD in 2012, the tour-de-force of ‘Worshipping The Dollar’ is finally receiving the vinyl treatment it deserves.

Including festival big hitters such as Mucky Weekend, Alive and Bad Card, this outstanding LP is being pressed on stunning blue and white splatter vinyl and it sounds better than ever. With its hard-hitting beats, infectious melodies, and socially conscious lyrics, 'Worshipping The Dollar' still acts as a commentary on the current state of our world and the detrimental effects of greed. The album features collaborations with legendary artists such as Rodney P, Red Star Lion, and Lindy Layton, adding an extra layer of depth to an already dynamic sound.

From their early beginnings as a soundsystem project, Dub Pistols have grown into a party-rocking live band that ignites festivals and venues. Main man Barry Ashworth has even gone a step further by developing his own hugely successful ‘Mucky Weekender’ festival named after Worshipping The Dollar’s lead single. Mucky by name, Mucky by nature - the festival certainly isn’t for the light hearted!

‘Worshipping The Dollar’ serves as a testament to Dub Pistols’ enduring spirit and tenacity and you can now pre order the album on how it was originally meant to be listened – on glorious vinyl.

a Alive feat. Red Star Lion 04:42
b West End Story feat. Akala 03:42
c Mucky Weekend feat. Rodders 05:08
d Bang Bang feat. Ashley Slater [03:33]
[e] Rubadub feat. Lindy & Dan Bushall [05:00]
[f] New Skank feat. T.K. [04:18]
[g] Rocksteady feat. Rodney P & LIndy [04:20]
[h] Countermeasure feat. T.K. [04:40]
[i] Gunshot feat. Darrison & Rodders [05:42]
[j] Bad Card feat. Dan Boskills [05:22]
[04:16]

Voodoos and Taboos are back with a bold new release on their own label, pushing boundaries with a fusion of Mediterranean influences, tribal grooves, and sexy vocals.

This time, the duo ventures into new territory, blending house-inspired beats with Balearic vibes and electro textures, creating a dynamic and fresh sound which confirms their personal touch. The A1 track features a captivating collaboration with Brazilian vocalist Lourene, adding a unique vocal dimension to their signature style.

Limited edition, no repress — grab your copy before it’s gone!

Taking our time has become a sort of ESP modus operandi, often proving that when variables are left to cook long enough—relationships, styles, politics, moments in culture—we may collectively yield a more considered result. Once in a 'Blue Moon', we set sights on a record that conducts some strange voodoo, some rare combination of elements that commands our entire being. Entering our atmosphere with a concise 6-track debut, dub technician Brendon Moeller has brought us exactly that. Although we’ve long been admirers Brendon’s work, separated by only a few degrees—he and ESP’s Lovefingers are the same age and shared a decade of salad days in New York City—it took another decade before enough courage was mustered to suggest we actually work together. Our reticence has seen Brendon’s aesthetic and palette evolve over the years, and the label has simultaneously sculpted a tone of its own, but now we’re more than proud to finally marry his highly refined output with our, let’s say, “deliberate” appetite. 'Blue Moon' touches everywhere Brendon has been as an artist—from the obtuse corners of ambient to IDM, dub techno to liquid drones and bass—yet the vocabulary is honed and succinct, relying on a very intentional handful of expressions. This is almost an exercise in restraint, all 6 tracks are delivered from a disciplined and committed point-of-view, but what we find most captivating is the exploration that this allows in terms of depth, texture, fluidity and pacing. There is a complexity hidden in plain sight that begs to be studied, a comfort that allows us to slip inside like a warm bath, an addictive tingling sensation that we must prolong indefinitely. Even as we write this testimonial, the album is going on a fourth repeat and we languish the intervening silence between tracks. This is being under the spell of Brendon’s 'Blue Moon'.

With her new “Let Me Be Your Fantasy” remix package, Anané continues to solidify her position as one of the most talented and charismatic recording artists in the world today. It’s never easy to take on a classic disco tune, which in this case is a song originally released in 1978 by The Love Symphony Orchestra. But working with producers Two Soul Fusion (Louie Vega and Josh Milan), Anané has crafted a new version of this song that retains the glamour of disco while also injecting a raw toughness and rhythm perfectly suited for today’s dancefloors. As is her custom on her remix packages, Anané has pulled together an outstanding team of producers to lay down their own very unique and high impact mixes, including Masters At Work, Dimitri From Paris, Mousse T, Blackchild and Moplen.

It's fair to say this label, this producer has had more than their fair share of hits over the years.
Hitting you straight in the heart (and hips) sometimes and occasionally (and that's all your own fault) going over-your-head.

Regardless.
Whether rummaging around the sonic fringes or incanting pure dancefloor moments like this, Bitter End always, always deliver.
Adjustment->Love is the best thing we've heard this year.
The rest of the EP 'filler' is also better than anything else you're likely to encounter on a 12" this side of 2025.
Don't be an idiot - while everyone else if toeing the line, try your best to colour outside of it.

DJ support - East End Dubs, Archie Hamilton, Sidney Charles, Alisha

Eastenderz welcomes Louden with a four-track journey that’s ready to push boundaries. With punchy grooves, hypnotic textures and an unmistakable drive, this collection showcases Louden’s unique approach to defining his own sound. Each track unfolds with precision and depth, capturing his attention to detail while maintaining an infectious, dancefloor-ready vibe.This release is set to become a standout in any collection.

This was definitely NOT on our bingo card for 2024, but here we are !
A monster collaboration with prolific sonic wonder Keita Sano and our very own Eddie C !
Monumental clubbery that's already laying waste to dark spaces.
Mega limited hand-stamped 12"

Following that heavyweight debut release, we're thrilled to load up the second Upgrade weapons pack !!

Three cuts from Leeds DJ and label boss Buckley and one from  Pikes and Cafe Del Mar resident S/A/M...

All different in their own right from the bass heavy peak time action of 'I like', to the the more old school vibes of 'Nude Night' on the A Side.
Side two see's a cheeky upgrade with 'Daft Sandwich' and finishes with the heads down breaky affair of 'Real Man' from S/A/M.

After the worldwide success of Toribio's "Bring Dat Jazz" 12", selling over 1K units worldwide - the mainstay NYC producer returns with another record on his own BDA Imprint (in collaboration with A-Trak and Chromeo's label Juliet) for a special 12" with a Crackzat remix.
"Daylight" is a warm, uplifting deep house jam with skippy beats, warm rhodes, bass and percussion. Vocals come from Toribio's sister Sharin
with an uplifting message referencing classic 90s house lyricism.
Originally released digitally in 2024, the raw humility of that song won the hearts of listeners the world over, with nods from Resident Advisor and Spotify's coveted Pollen playlist.

Coming in next on the 12", the always on Crackazat turns up the musicality even further, with cascading pianos and strings that anchor the emotion of "Daylight", with a sly bassline nod to Speed Garage sounds. Another hit from Bristol's masterful jazz-house expert.
Also included on the 12" is Toribio's stripped down, deep-in the groove Alternate Mix.

Securing his place in the scene as a mainstay after consecutively acclaimed releases on his own record label and beyond as well as lengthy touring around the globe's best venues, Altinbas returns to Token the only way he knows how. The Fuse resident's ethereal mark on driven techno comes this time with an aquatic touch, diving further into his bubbly architecture and melodic intrigue.

'Voyage' can mean many things; the past few years have been an incessant trip across the world's greatest sound systems and most dedicated audiences for the Belgian producer, or then perhaps it's a reference to the climactic and emotional nature of his productions. In any case, it's also the title track for his third EP on Token Records. Balancing warmth and anticipation, Altinbas is able pack in all the elements of a timeless record while still providing the space to breathe. Smooth and introspective, 'Voyage' kicks off the EP on a cloud of a club roller. 'Stygious Night' shares the first side with a more minimal but nonetheless effective approach. The tonal synth work on this record begs for a powerfully round system worthy of only the best dancefloors, and the space that washes around in the background gives it true dimension. Maintaining minimalism with structure through drum arrangement, 'Stygious Night' is reminiscent of a not so distant past in Berlin crafted with a clearly modern approach. As the record flips, 'Venus Ballroom' takes us by surprise with an uncommonly resonant sound at the forefront. This stylistic switch blends perfectly with historic tracks on the label that have come to define its sound since 2007. Hypnotic, psychotic, quirky, and mental - 'Venus Ballroom' proves a deep understanding of the music and appreciation of versatility. 'Psychosphere' closes down the EP with a classic sound of dissonant stabs to resonate through a foggy room. Altinbas highlights his sound with frantic clap sequences and short rides to keep his percussion rolling but dry while his synths create the acoustic he's been known to craft for the past few years. To have everyone agree on level of taste and technical capability is tough, which is why this certainly won't be the last time Altinbas will team up with Token to roll out his cutting-edge work.

*press Release From David Katz*

The Hardest Working Reggae Band In Southern England, Dubheart Is On A Mission To Spread Messages Of Peace, Love, Unity And Resistance Through A Heady Stew Of Contemporary Roots Reggae, Delivered On Live Instruments With A Hefty Dose Of Dub In The Mix. Cool Under Pressure, Their Latest Offering, Is The Band's Most Compelling Set To Date, A 'showcase'-style Album Where Every Vocal Track Is Followed By Its Dub Counterpart, And The Vital Contribution Of The Brassica Horns—from Rising London Ska Band Chainska Brassica—is Another Intriguing Element That Makes This Album Tougher Than The Rest.

Drawing On The Foundations Laid By Jamaican Stalwarts Such As Burning Spear, Dennis Brown And Culture, Dub Pioneers Like Scientist And Jah Shaka, Plus Newer Vanguards Such As Tarrus Riley, Grounation And Conscious Sounds, Dubheart Has Crafted A Distinctly Appealing Style That Is Very Much Their Own, Based On The Organic Presentation Of Their Musical Vision. Indeed, This Fully Self-contained Five-piece Is Firmly Engrained In The Neo-roots Movement Of The Present, With A Sound That Faces Ever Forwards.

The South Coast-based Band Was First Formed Back In 1999, And Slowly Built A Following Through Their Intense Live Performances, Which Always Harnessed A Live Dub Element. Their First Ep, the Solid Foundation Rhythm,' Issued On Their Own Karnatone Label In 2011 And Featuring Dub Mixes By Russ D Of The Disciples, Became A Regular Part Of Jah Shaka's Live Playlists. It Was Followed By The 7' 45, we Chant,' Featuring The Band's Charismatic Bristol-based Lead Singer, Tenja (who Originally Hails From France), The Track Becoming An Underground Anthem In Japan (via Rob Smith, Aka Rsd). Dubheart's First Album, Mental Slavery, Was Released In 2013, A Momentous Year That Also Saw The Band Win The European Reggae Contest Staged By Rototom Sunsplash, Leading To A European Tour With Festival Appearances At Summerjam (germany), Reggae Sun Ska (france), Overjam (slovenia), Sudoweste (portugal), United Islands (czech Republic) And The Sardinia Reggae Festival, As Well As Rototom In Spain. Then, In 2015, Karnatone Issued The Dub Companion To Mental Slavery, Mixed Down In A Heavy Dubwise Fashion By Drummer Gavin Sant, Otherwise Known As Fullness, The Band Was Then Invited To Participate In The Bbc Television Show, The Uk's Best Part-time Band, Leading To Their Ep Of Cover Tunes, 2016's full Time Pressure,' Again With Dub Versions From Fullness. part Of The Band's Appeal Lies In Its Tightness As A Recording And Performing Unit, When You See Them Live, You Understand That This Band Of Brothers Is On A Higher Mission, United In Their Wish To Use Music As A Means Of Upliftment. And That Sentiment Is Entirely Evident On Cool Under Pressure. The Melodic Bass Grooves Of Mark Shepherd Act As The Perfect Buffer To The Furious Rolls And Expressive Drum Patterns Of Fullness, David 'daddy U' Mountjoy Adds Scintillating Melodies On Keyboards, Including Some Delightful Wurlitzer Lines, And Richard Ramsey's Guitar Licks Tend Towards The Understated, Aside From The Occasional Solo Pyrotechnics, As Heard Here On rocky Road.' And On Songs Like can't Wait,' watcha Gonna Do' And The Title Track, The Brassica Horns Add Further Melodic Depth Through Fanfares Of Treble Brass Texture. with The Rhythms Laid Entirely Through Live Recording Sessions Cut At Fullness' Home Studio In Bournemouth (with Horn And Wurlitzer Overdubs Done Elsewhere), Cool Under Pressure Reveals Dubheart As A Band On The Rise, Heading For Unstoppable Heights.

The Dub Deconstructions On The Disc Allow The Listener To Hear The Exceptional Quality Of Their Playing, Emphasizing Each Member's Individual Talent, While The Lyrics Tackle Subjects We Can All Relate To, With watcha Gonna Do' Addressing Social Inequalities, can't Wait' Alluding To The Refugee Crisis, rocky Road' Imploring Everyone To Hold Strong In Trying Times, And rise Up' Calling For Direct Action Against The Unjust System That Rules Our Lands. Overall, The Outstanding Title Track cool Under Pressure' Really Sums Up The Band's Ethos: The System May Burden Us With The Stresses Of Censure And Control, But Our Obligation Is To Stay True To Ourselves And Resist. And The Music Can Help Us To Achieve This.

Midori Hirano and Brueder Selke"s debut album Split Scale unites two artists who share both inimitable skill and depth of expression. Pillars of Berlin"s new music community and globally lauded composers, they each share a background in classical tradition while practicing on the cutting edge of modern music. Split Scale is an elegant emotive ambient album built primarily from pianos and cello and electronics. After tracks on Longform Editions and the creation and curation of the Q3Ambientfest, this power pairing should be an immediate hit with fans of quality ambient or minimal modern music. As Brueder Selke, the polymath duo brothers Daniel and Sebastian Selke"s interdisciplinary partnerships are vast and include classical institutions like the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie and Filmorchester Babelsberg. The brothers have additionally been working as musical directors of the Schaffrath Chamber Orchestra and curating their own festival Q3Ambientfest which has featured the likes of fellow artists such as Laura Cannell, Mabe Fratti/Resina, Jules Reidy, Grand River, Yair Elazar Glotman, and now-collaborator Midori Hirano. Midori Hirano"s mastery of sound sculpting has put her in high demand as a composer for film and television, including recent soundtracks for All or Nothing, Tokito, and a documentary on the Premier League, alongside astounding collaborations with artists including Hprizm of Anti Pop Consortium and Ilpo Väisänen of Pan Sonic. In addition to her own composing, Hirano has remixed the likes of Robot Koch and Rival Consoles. Split Scale, the group"s first album together, follows a series of live collaborations. The artists chose a simple concept, following a western scale from beginning to end, and from this created a suite of sublime, synesthetic soundscapes and cinematic movements. The vivid tapestry of sound and color is luminous and emotive.

Midori Hirano and Brueder Selke"s debut album Split Scale unites two artists who share both inimitable skill and depth of expression. Pillars of Berlin"s new music community and globally lauded composers, they each share a background in classical tradition while practicing on the cutting edge of modern music. Split Scale is an elegant emotive ambient album built primarily from pianos and cello and electronics. After tracks on Longform Editions and the creation and curation of the Q3Ambientfest, this power pairing should be an immediate hit with fans of quality ambient or minimal modern music. As Brueder Selke, the polymath duo brothers Daniel and Sebastian Selke"s interdisciplinary partnerships are vast and include classical institutions like the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie and Filmorchester Babelsberg. The brothers have additionally been working as musical directors of the Schaffrath Chamber Orchestra and curating their own festival Q3Ambientfest which has featured the likes of fellow artists such as Laura Cannell, Mabe Fratti/Resina, Jules Reidy, Grand River, Yair Elazar Glotman, and now-collaborator Midori Hirano. Midori Hirano"s mastery of sound sculpting has put her in high demand as a composer for film and television, including recent soundtracks for All or Nothing, Tokito, and a documentary on the Premier League, alongside astounding collaborations with artists including Hprizm of Anti Pop Consortium and Ilpo Väisänen of Pan Sonic. In addition to her own composing, Hirano has remixed the likes of Robot Koch and Rival Consoles. Split Scale, the group"s first album together, follows a series of live collaborations. The artists chose a simple concept, following a western scale from beginning to end, and from this created a suite of sublime, synesthetic soundscapes and cinematic movements. The vivid tapestry of sound and color is luminous and emotive.