Cerca:liquid art

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Daft Punk’s chart-topping third album Human After All, a Limited Edition 2LP gatefold version of the companion album Human After All Remixes is set for release on November 28, 2025. This marks the very first vinyl edition of the complete collection.

Human After All, the third album from Daft Punk, was originally released in March 2005. It was produced in just six weeks, a major departure from the timeline for their previous release, Discovery, which took over two years to produce. A year after the release of Human After All, a collection of Human After All remixes tracks was released on CD exclusively in Japan, including reworkings by Justice, Soulwax, and SebastiAn, among others. In June 2014, an expanded CD version was released (also exclusive to Japan) featuring additional remixes from artists such as Basement Jaxx and The Juan Maclean. The album was made available to stream internationally in August 2014.

Human After All Remixes will now be available for the first time on vinyl in limited quantities.

Reintroducing Soar - the alias of Christian Aebi, serial DIY taper and one-man orchestra from Langenthal, a fog-shrouded town in the Swiss provinces. Krautophobia, ambient lo-fi agriculture, analogue soul balm and slowspeed psych gelati-blitz cardboard pop only gesture towards the sound world he coaxed from his broken Tascam four-track recorder, in attics, churches, junkyards and at the kitchen table.

The spark for Soar was likely time and space, somewhere in the autumn of 1994. Armed with a cable salad of Sixties guitar/bass, fairground drums, mould-speckled organs and toy instruments, Aebi coaxed five albums, an unverified run of 25 cassettes, and a handful of gigs. Mostly issued through Zurich label Corazoo, the records arrived in hand-pasted sleeves, rough-cut reproductions of his teddy bear-fixated artwork that carried the same imperfect immediacy as the music. With Rudi Steiner, performances in galleries, clubs and halls bent into live sound-image happenings - part installation, part film, part flea-market-instrument theatre - invariably leaving the house engineers bewildered.

At the time of his untimely death in 2021, Aebi remained a village secret, his music passed quietly between friends and local ears. Now, Swiss graphic designer and Ghost Riders compiler Ivan Liechti has pieced together a portrait from the afterglow, gathering tangled audio formats, paintings, illustrations, photographs and notebooks with his family, former label and peers. What emerges is a first glimpse of Soar's intimate cosmos - brushing against Füxa, Spectrum, Dump, Stereolab and King Crimson, but orbiting a dimension entirely his own.

Theory Therapy is pleased to present ‘we’re here all the time’ by jp (aka J.P Wright) – the New York producer behind one of last year’s shinetiac remixes on the OST label, and a member of Housecraft Recordings’ trip-bient group Ahem.

Compiling several years of well-worn material, the Brooklyn artist’s debut solo LP was the result of many hours of hardware jams and happy accidents, later meticulously edited down into these seven arrangements. Blending first-thought-best-thought spontaneity with extended DAW labouring, Wright delivers some of the most immediate music yet on Theory Therapy.

The album is reminiscent of ’90s and early-’00s IDM. Syncopated rhythms and atmosphere swirl into a mutable whole, as hardcore breakbeat, ambient trance and acidic electro bleed together into a liquid mélange. The sequencing drifts from gauzy, ethereal openings into tensile, club-ready pressure before swerving toward moments of stillness – like lingering in an emptied club hours after the crowd has gone.

There’s a distinct physicality to the music too. Kick patterns jitter like loose live wires, delays ripple through the fog-soaked air, yet the album’s finest moments lie in its more subtle textures and tonal shifts. This is proper braindance that keeps you suspended in its pulse, caught in non-linear time. Wright lets the music wander in unpredictable arcs, moments folding back on themselves, stretching in multiple directions at once – tracing and retracing a memory that refuses to settle.

Mastered and cut by Beau Thomas

DJ Balaton continues to carve out his part in the puzzle with a fresh 4-tracker on LQL <3. With a nostalgic nod to Frankfurt, the producer shows that it doesn't take much, just the right touch, to install a badass groove. Spacious arrangements and carefully placed synths turn the EP into an echo of a different time in the club.

The title track "Back To The Mood" orbits around that secret open-air energy - one of those full-circle cuts for the crew. You are missing the water, baby is all there is to say about "Flow Key", rolling away at 127, disguised but with energy. "Reso 02" is the track we all wanted to finish but never did, grooving along with restrained intensity, shaping the EP into something personal and unique. Closing off, "Push Yourself" is Geoff White meets Herbert in a club-ready outfit.

All tracks produced by Julian Mosch, Master by Moomin, manufactured at intakt!, cut by Manmade, distributed by Wordandsound.

Artwork by Hannes & John & Printready by John.

Words courtesy of FOND/SOUND –

What makes チトチック/クラクラ (CHITOTIHC/KULA-kura) so fascinating is that, in some weird way, it’s a meeting of minds and musical language of disparate artists at the forefront of a new kind of groove. There might be no “L” in the Japanese language but that doesn’t stop it from trying to find a working substitute. Similarly, Chito enlisted members from his Asiabeat and East Pulse, others from Mu-Project, K2, and Adi, and brought in Haruomi Hosono to play mercurial bass. In the great expanse of experimental Japanese-made pop music all of them might have gone in “out-there” in separate directions but on this record it was Chito who pointed their focus all on the same track.

“Bayou (バイヨー)” presents this floating idea of dance music with beats and rhythms that hover among the ethereal. Other like “Scribble Dance (らくがき)” use Harry’s acid bass lines to dig cavernous grooves that only come up for air via adrenaline-fueled jumps by Haruo Kubota’s quite Adrian Belew-esque guitar lines. Perhaps, Discipline-era King Crimson is an apt comparison to what Chito and his crew pull off here.

Where Discipline signaled a way to reconcile the most out-there polymeter music of prog with the more satisfying parts of post-punk and the new electronic wave, so to do I think チトチック/クラクラ (CHITOTIHC/KULA-kura) has that bit of heart/spirit in mind. This is the out-there of Japanese experimental music satisfying the best parts of the, then, new electronic wave. It takes a certain degree of proficiency and sheer chutzpah to go from “11” to the wonderfully impressionistic, ambient minimalism of a track like “Sanghyang (サンヤン)”.

It’s the joy of not knowing what each new track will hold and just letting yourself follow the hard-working hands of such learned musicians that brings the most out of Chito’s vision. It’s this very liquid music that keeps you on your toes on tracks like “Astral Lamp (無影灯)”. Tracks like “Jagg-chagg (ジャグチャグ)” and “Filament (フィラメント)” present a fourth world music bifurcated in exponential parts by the glitch of newer, modern, electronic modalities, intersected by expressions by differing voices. Every track you switch to presents a new way to get lost in the many phases and places Chito wants you to travel to.

In the end, as always, it’s not the destination but the journey through it that plants this album in your memory. – Diego Olivas

dxrvo, hailing from Hannover, Germany, has made a name for himself in the electronic music scene by creating hypnotic, minimalist, and atmospheric techno sets. His music takes the dance floor on a captivating journey, characterized by driving beats, rhythmic basslines and repetitive sounds. With performances at renowned venues such as Tresor Berlin, PAL Hamburg, Doka Amsterdam, Watergate Berlin, and Terminal Lyon, he showcases his presence in theinternational techno landscape. As a founder of the Kollektiv Synergie, dxrvo is committed to inclusive events and the promotion of diverse artists. His production skills are evidenced by successful releases on labels like SYXT, Room Trax, Modern Minimal, and NYXII. More than just a DJ, dxrvo is an architect of sonic experiences, continuously redefining the boundaries of electronic music.


Linear Phase
With a two-decade career in music production, Carlos, better known as Linear Phase, has become an established artist in the global techno scene. His eclectic sound proposal, ranging from ambient / drone, through minimal / deep / hypnotic, to raw techno, has earned him the recognition of both critics and the public. His prolific career is reflected in the more than 50 releases under his belt in the last 5 years on several internationally renowned labels such as Molecular, Planet Rhythm, Newrhytmic, Drumcode LTD or Edit Select, to name a few, thus consolidating his presence in the global scene. His 5 years of experience in the world of modular eurorack has allowed him to develop a unique and personal sound, characterized by its depth, textures and enveloping atmospheres. In addition to his role as a producer, Linear Phase is co-creator of the Barcelona Modular Society, a space dedicated to the exploration and dissemination of experimental electronic music. Linear Phase is currently developing the creation of both its own label and its new studio, which will become a creative hub oriented to host all kinds of activities related to techno production. This space will feature the participation of renowned national and international producers, consolidating his commitment to the scene and his vision for the future.

Innmenal
Innmenal is a DJ and producer from Pinamar, Argentina. Resident from FAS Producciones he focuses into hypnotic sounds and chaotic rhythms. He has been playing across the Argentinian coastline spreading his sounds characteristics. With continous work and dedication Innmenal's tracks can be found in labels such as Concepto Hipnotico, Apical Records and Diffuse Reality. His first album called Metatron's Cube was released this year on the Diffuse Reality's Label. Another album is planned over this year along other releases on other labels. His last track Winds Of change was released on the label Modern Minimal with some support coming from Rødhad, Svreca, Developer, Richie Hawtin, Slam, Justine Perry, Arnaud Le Texier, Distant Echoes, Dax J, Hugo Rolan and more. He has shared the decks with Mariano DC doing warm up during last year. With more than 10 years behind the decks he's still digging into the deep hypnotic sounds with some agressive percussions to give the listener a journey through his cosmic sounds. So far Innmenal has been active in various labels like Diffuse Reality, Modern Minimal, KPLR, Space Travel, Rowan Underground and Habitat Musical.

Qaypz
Qaypz is a DJ and producer hailing from Arlon, Belgium. As a child of the 90s dance music era, his journey into electronic music began in 2000, ignited by his first I Love Techno Festival experience in Belgium and the underground rave scene that was thriving in his hometown Liège, where Jungle and D'n'B from UK were dominating. This era made Qaypz start mixing on turntables and embracing vinyl culture in 2003. Today, he's versatile, seamlessly transitioning between turntables, CDJs and DAW-based setups, incorporating hardware and controllers for a hybrid mix performance style. In his early years, he organized local rave parties and later moved to Eupen, the capital of East Belgium, where he founded the collective Krank'm'Haus. Qaypz's passion for underground sounds is evident in his productions. He crafts dark, industrial tracks characterized by powerful kicks, somber melodies and a driving rhythm. His performances have graced notable locations such as The Ground Club in Luxembourg, The Liquid Club in Malta and The Kulturzentrum Alterschlachthof in Eupen as well as underground events like La Nature, Eupen Musik Marathon Festivals in East Belgium and the Rummelstilzchen’s illegal rave party in Berlin-Rummelsburg just before the building demolition the day after. Qaypz is currently focusing on his label development and continue producing and mainly releasing his music on Krank'm'Haus Records.

Get ready to step back into the golden era of rave with "Hardcore Will Never Die," a high-octane EP that pays homage to the raw energy and unrelenting spirit of old-school breakbeat. This release is a love letter to the 90s – a time when dusty warehouse floors trembled under pounding kicks, chopped-up amen breaks, and speaker-shattering basslines.

From the opening track, you're thrown headfirst into a sonic storm of gritty samples, rave stabs, and relentless momentum. Each tune is soaked in nostalgia yet finely tuned for today’s floors, bridging the gap between classic hardcore aesthetics and modern production weight.

This isn’t just a revival – it’s a reminder. The underground never died. The breakbeat never faded. Hardcore will never die.

Expect dancefloor damage. Expect hands in the air. Expect the return of the rave.



>>> comes in different marbled colored 12 “ Vinyl and ONLY on Vinyl <<<

Shawn Rudiman returns to Pittsburgh Tracks with his first full length since 2021’s Flow State.

“Reality in Quotes” is a complete statement from beginning to end... in the artist’s own words:

"Our perception, rational thought and intellect are the only way we discern what we even dare call reality. You can use any information you like, but we make our own realities from moment to moment.

Thank you to: my lady for understanding me; Pittsburgh Tracks for the friendship and wanting to release this album; Chase Smith for the great equipment help; Angie Linder / DTM for the live gig help and representation.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this release, and any release I've done over the last 27 years. It's humbling to still be able to make music and to play out.

Reality is the only word in the language that should always be used in quotes."

Spanning 14 tracks, Serotonin includes standout singles like the acclaimed ‘Burn’ with Tom Walker, ‘Seventeen’ with YOTTO & White Lies, and ‘You & I’ with Nathan Nicholson. Written over several years in his studio, on tour, and at his childhood home in the Netherlands, the album’s creation spanned a period in Joris’s life that possessed significant emotional challenges, but as the title suggests, is firmly fixed on a strong sense of positivity and euphoria for the path ahead.

From ambient soundscapes, melodic house and immersive techno, Serotonin spans a rich emotional and sonic range—always warm, organic, and unmistakably Joris Voorn.

Marking more than two decades at the forefront of electronic music, Serotonin captures the sound of an artist in full bloom.

“This album really reflects how I’ve grown into my own sound,” says Voorn. “I’m not chasing trends—just making something honest, hopefully timeless, and able to move people on the dance floor. I want listeners to feel Serotonin—to let go, be free, even if just for a moment."

Veteran Japanese electronic music producer, AKIO NAGASE, a leading player in the Kansai underground music scene since the late 1990s teams up with Yukino Inamine, a gifted and young female singer from Okinawa who magically mixes traditional Ryukyu (Okinawa) folk songs with her sanshin (Okinawan Shamisen) playing into the modern age, to create this wonderful collaborative album, Yugafu ai KAJI. This album is set to be released on GLOCAL RECORDS, a record store/ record label run by Genta Minowa, an ex-staff at the record store, Disc Shop Zero in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo and who still continues to introduce a great selection of dubby, club music from his HQ in Harajuku.

AKIO NAGASE regularly organised parties at his own venue, as well as ran a record store of the same name while actively being part of the Kansai scene at legendary clubs such as Tsuru no Ma, Sound Channel, etc., the best of what was offered in the Kansai underground dance scene in the 2000s.

As an artist, he released his own productions out of labels such as Sound Channel and RUDIMENTS run by Minowa. His album, Make Dub was released in 2003 out of the label, Sound Channel featured an innovative, techno meets dancehall track, Dance Hall King which connected techno, acid house with reggae and dub. This album is an undiscovered gem whose sound still emulates freshness and originality today (my wish is for it to be reissued on vinyl!) After a brief hiatus of releasing music, he released the EP, Delusion out of Chillmountain Records, a label run by his friend, Ground in 2018 and at his own leisurely pace, he has been slowly but surely releasing material that oozes originality, expressed through a robust acid sound and a variety of elements such as afro and Ryukyu folk music that is then incorporated into the medium of dub. Recently, he has also started to gain international attention by releasing original material and remixes out of labels such as the UK label, Emotional Especial, etc.

For this album, NAGASE teams up with Yukino Inamine who brings her own distinctive singing and sanshin playing magic into this collaboration and they fuse electronic music sounds with Ryukyu folk songs to create this wonderfully imaginative album that has no precedence or equal. Apart from the song, Ishikawa Koiuta, all other songs are covers of Ryukyu folk standards that were handpicked by NAGASE from the repertoire of songs that Inamine regularly performs live. They met up when NAGASE was commissioned to remix one of her original compositions, Miyagi Kaigan that was released in 2023 and that evolved into a collaboration with a concept that mixed Inamine singing Ryukyu folk standards with a backing tracks produced by NAGASE. Whenever she went to the the Kansai area, she would work on the basic track material created by NAGASE at the dub master of Osaka, Soulfire’s studio, HAV who would then additionally edit her takes to create the finishing tracks.

This album, Yugafu ai KAJI opens with Shirahamabushi, a track that slowly builds with an interesting mix of slow acid techno and sanshin and then moves onto the easy-going electro dub of Tinsagu nu hana (it is actually a cover of the track of the same title that first appeared in the label sampler, Comuni ó n Especial that was released on Emotional Especial. NAGASE initially wanted to feature Inamine on vocals for this track but due to scheduling issues, it did not happen but with good fortune, the new version of this track is now included in this album). A side closes with the optimistic Balearic sounds of Tsuki nu Kaisha that converges immaculately with slow-mo steppers. It is also worth noting that the person who introduced NAGASE to Inamine was the Okinawa dub master, HARIKUYAMAKU. They met at a concert held by both him & Yukino Inamine hosted by BUN BUN THE MC at the venue, RAGGA CHANNEL. From this encounter, this album came into fruition and they also asked HARIKUYAMAKU to produce an earthy, traditional rootsy, dub version of Tsuki nu Kaisha that is included as the 3rd track on the B Side.

Ashimizubushi, the track that magically blends old school Chicago house ala TRAX with Ryukyu folk music starts off the B side and it carries on to an uplifting track with a Skaouse (ska + house) feel, Hounen Ondo. Inserted after HARIKUYAMAKU’s dub of Tsuki nu Kaisha, this album closes out with the song, ‘Ishikawa Koi Uta’, the only song written by Inamine who said that she wrote it after falling in love with chill-out music. It is an ambient dub track with a collage like flavour, reminiscent of early The Orb (remixed by Mad Professor) and the latter half of the track finishes off with a message presented by Masao Itokazu (her uncle) who received tutelage from the prior owner of her sanshin that Inamine plays, Moritomo Inamine (her grandfather).

Incidentally, the album title, YUGAFU ai Kaji is derived from an auspicious word from Okinawa, Yugafu which means fruitful year, happiness, prosperity and ai (indigo) is a word that Yukino found inspiration few years ago (she wears a Okinawan indigo clothing called kinonuno in the front cover of this album).

The unique indigo colouring produced by nature overlaps with the unique charm of the human personality, and she wanted to present that current along with the music so the name was integrated to ‘indigo wind’, and the two were connected to form the album title, ‘YUGAFU ai Kaji’.

The photo of the front cover was taken by a young, Uchinaanunishie—- (meaning a boy from Okinawa) 17 year old photographer named Ratio and the designer of this album is Anmonaito who is a childhood friend of Inamine who also did the artwork for her album, Miyagi Kaigan. And the mastering and cutting of this album was done by Rei Taguchi.

The cosmology existing in Yukino Inamine’s singing is fully amplified by AKIO NAGASE’s spacey, abundant with many ideas, dance machine beat~ambient music and all of these elements are organically linked by the adhesive effect of dub.

12 brand new, exclusively signed '92-93 oldskool hardcore style tracks to Rave Radio Records. It's authentic, and the genuine article when it comes to the true ruff style of the early 90's hardcore rave production. If you like mixing on the edgier side of hardcore, this is a release you'll want in your collection!\uc0\u8232 \u8232 Ruff Hardcore music from: Try Unity, Al Storm & Euphony, Billy Daniel Bunter & Sanxion, Secret Squirrel, Pete Cannon, Z-Neo, Jack Smooth, Liquid Crystal, Tim Reaper, Radicall, Stu Chapman & Blackmass Plastics and the sleeve artwork is by Aroe.

This release is part of a limited run of these superb early releases from Hyper-On Experience! All gloriously remastered, with brand new artwork - unmissable for any serious old skool raver or junglist...

Piano contemporary classical music.
Innovative approach to composition is a bridge from classical music traditions to modern sensibilities.
Inspired by: Debussy, Ravel, Glass, Sakamoto, Jarrett, Morricone, Tiersen.

Repress!

"Vision of Love 002," from Vision of Love Records, is a vibrant compilation that encapsulates sexy, groovy, and funky vibes. Featuring artists like Monsieur Van Pratt, Disco 86, C. Da Afro, Clean Is Good, The Move, and The Funk District, the album creates an alluring soundscape perfect for any setting. The tracks seamlessly blend slow, jazzy elements with infectious rhythms, inviting listeners to both relax and move. Monsieur Van Pratt's sultry melodies set the mood, while Disco 86 delivers captivating beats that keep the energy alive. C. Da Afro and Clean Is Good contribute playful, catchy hooks, and The Move and The Funk District add dynamic layers that enhance the overall groove. Together, these artists craft a collection that celebrates modern funk and jazz-infused dance music, making "Vision of Love 002" an essential experience for anyone looking to elevate their musical journey.

In 2020, when I had just started Future Retro London & was messaging producers I wanted to work with on tracks for the Meeting Of The Minds releases, I reached out to Worldwide Epidemic and we made "Losing Control" on Vol. 2 of Meeting Of The Minds, one of my favourites of the series.

I was quite keen on getting him back on the label at some point in the future & I can't remember exactly the chain of events that transpired during then and now (I'm sure I told him at some point to work on some music for me but I honestly can't remember how or when I did this, sorry Dan!) but around the start of 2023, he sent me Bells Of Arptazia & I knew it was perfect for the label.

Without a doubt, it's my favourite tune of his and to be honest, I'm actually a bit jealous of how lush and intricate that intro is and when I was in New Zealand on tour in March this year, he showed me the project file for it and the amount of detail that went into this tune, I'm really glad that he was willing to let me release this tune on Future Retro London.

To accompany his tune, there's remixes from Kloke, me & Dust-e-1, all taking the original into different directions to make for hopefully a well rounded release, representing a variety of styles & flavours.

Thanks to Liquid Silk for his fantastic track, to Kloke & Dust-e-1 for their remix work & to James Lacey (aka Pointless Illustrations) for the artwork.

Synths Below Sea Level is a new collection of tracks from the mystic and arcane tape archives of Danny Wolfers, best known as Legowelt. This release collects rare and unheard Legowelt tracks from 1994 to 2005, mastered by Mattias Fridell to sound as vibrant and unique as the artwork painted by Mr. Wolfers himself.

BEATALISTICS, the soulful South-German Drum & Bass label, run by Enea and MC Fava, is celebrating its 100th release. ONEHUNDRED reflects on almost one and a half decades of label back catalogue with a 29 tunes strong 'best of' various artists digital compilation. Included are also 6 brand new tunes which are packed on a vinyl sampler In addition. Featured is orchestral DnB pioneer KEENO who puts his magic hands of 'Sarah', taken off FAVA's Destiny EP with Smote & Becca Jane Grey and rounds up the meaningful song with his cinematic trademark sound . FAVA also adds some decent chants to COMMAND STRANGE'S 'Kindness Flow, a positive and uplifting liquid roller that is going to make your soul smile for sure. Long time label friend PAUL SG, head honcho of the brilliant soul driven Austrian imprint Jazzsticks delivers one of his signature amen break soul-rollers with 'Pale White Boy'. Label boss ENEA can't be missed on here and literally delivers the 'Heat' with his contribution. Beatalistics sticks to the label philosophy and supports local talents and important label representatives DAVA and MOJOMAN.'Pictures' delivers dancefloor vibes with a deep bassline and strong vocal arrangement and proves that Dava is one to watch out for in the near future. MOJOMAN maintains a desire to dance with the hypnotizing 'Pillers of Nah', following his unmistakably melodic and hymnal style.

Soulful hip hop instrumentals from Italy on Best Record-affiliated Quattro Bambole! "The "Moderna Sonorizzazioni" series by Quattro Bambole Music continues its investigation of the infinite expressive possibilities of instrumental hip-hop, recognizing it as the most contemporary form of library music. After the first two chapters - signed by Biga and JayBee Vibes - the third volume of the series, "Sport & Calcio", features the Roman producer Delphi for whom there was a lot of anticipation on the part of both Italian and scattered beatmakers everywhere in Europe and the United States. With the subtitle which is already a declaration of intent ''Tales of a boy from Rome....'' etc. etc., "Sport & Calcio" is an instrumental fresco in which football and sport become narrative pretexts to evoke images, memories and suggestions. The twelve tracks that make up the album are real cinematic sketches, in which Delphi (born Valerio Del Prete) combines raw beats, nostalgic loops, sample-delia and a narrative that evokes family Sundays, spent on the street as well as stadium, and the heat of the crowded stands. Therefore a work that is musically declined based on moments and emotions.. ''Sport & Calcio'' is therefore a deliberately introspective and not very ''danceable'' work. Sound photographs, short descriptions, themes, small fragments associated with television reports on sport... with which the artist touches chords that allow him to express a different compositional depth, a conceptual work, more descriptive and functional to the line of "Moderna Sonorizzazioni" series."

Oversized custom cut LP jackets (13” / 33.02 cm width)
Silkscreened with bespoke iridescent citrus green ink by Mark Rice
Short story by Natalia Zuluaga

Flexi 7”:
steaming mescaline (extended mix by bad lsd trips)
Citrus green metallic foil stamp
Pressed in full stereo
Edition of 150

I.

bad lsd trips is the collaborative duo of makers doris dana and domingo castillo flores. Respectively the two have fostered practices that have sprawled out through various approaches and, whether in the lanes of the musical or the contemporary arts, the phenomenology of the social and inclusive prevails. On ultrafest, this motif continues through the psychedelia of its eight time-defying recordings, welcoming the listener into an open temporal architecture of the stereo field as a signifier of environment. It is worth noting that the group began collaborating in Miami, Florida with longer form improvisations recorded to a stereo cassette deck. In these recordings, the paved geographical sprawl and oceanic view permeated the approach to amassing long swaths of sound material. Listening back on that work at the time of this writing, each track feels as though one is walking into an active space, arriving to an event already in full swing and finding your place inside of it. On ultrafest (this album) something different occurs. The space and events are built around you as you move through the record.

II.

The name of the album is ultrafest, which should effectively provoke your mind's eye the imagery of young people dancing, salivating, grinding, and imbibing chemical compounds to the perversely formalized musical genres of “Electronic Dance Music” and latter-era Dubstep often heard in European Uber rides and energy drink commercials. A far distance from the icy and machinic reverie of Techno’s finest rave eras or the notable historical contributions of Miami’s cerebral producers to IDM’s global output, ultrafest is a libidinal catharsis as festival scaled to a multinational corporation of hedonistic excess. The festival has been a hallmark of Miami cultural industry production and optical enticement for tourism, purportedly bringing in nearly a billion dollars in revenue to the city since 2012. Scores of documentation exist wherein this decadent escapism leaves the concertgoer, usually in some neon garment on a near nude body potentially adorned with fluffy faux fur leg warmers, facing a comedown from the combination of volume, sun, dehydration, and methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine. This MDMA experience characterizes an aspect of the way bad lsd trips employs vocals and pitch on this album. The detached, high octaved longing of a high pitched vocal is decoupled from its typical auditory body of song. High-pass clicks and pops touch the (h)air on the back of the neck, promising goosebumps and teasing towards euphoric rushes of dopamine, yet also exist decoupled from the body of song. As the dopamine depletes and the sun imposes itself, Miami’s downtown of skeleton real estate is your company as you meander towards your parked vehicle to rest your fatigued senses, elevated heart rate, and quench the need for air conditioning on your skin. The immediacy of bombastic social immersion to architectural alienation palpable here.

III...

- Nick Klein