Beats News

After the heaviest of years, it should be time to take a little weight off with the playful sounds of The Person. Mapping its own Bermuda Triangle between dub-pop, sugary synthwave and Balearic boogie, ‘Tide Life’ transports Compass Point to Soggy Bottom, providing maximum fun, sun and bitmap escapism.

The eagle-eared may recognise The Person from the aspirational Italo-rockers Steaming Jeans, whose chalet-ready romp on Bordello A Parigi scored a Winter Olympic gold back in early 2020. Now left to her own devices, Minna Wight swaps the slopes for a jet ski and takes a Wave Race from Summer Bay to Monkey Island across 11 cuts of vintage oddball pop.

Whether she’s borrowing Brenda’s Beach Balls for the dubby daydream of ‘Snail Cafe’ and ‘The Place’, serving lost library cues to SNES club scenes on ‘Barry R Reef’ and ‘Elastic Shoes’ or spinning high school slow jams into synth soul ballads like ‘Nice Feeling’, Minna disguises serious musicianship behind a naive aesthetic. Disarmed by charm, we’re powerless to resist her tidal pull.
Patrick Ryder

Earlier this year, Tom Trago established the DIY label Jong Nederlands as a vehicle for the improvised, straight-to-tape tracks he records every day at his home studio in Bergen, a sleepy town on the Netherlands’ North West coast. His intention was to surprise and inspire in equal measure, delivering emotive musical material crafted with a small selection of electronic instruments, drumcomputers and effects units.

It's down to this ethos that no two label releases follow the same direction – as listeners will discover when they tune in to this speedy sequel to JNL001, which hit stores early in the year. Opener “From Above” is poignant and melancholic, with bittersweet synth-strings, spacey motifs and bubbly lead lines riding a lo-fi drum machine groove, while the track that follows, “Young Janet”, offers warmth in morning-fresh musical sunshine via rich Rhodes motifs, chunky drums and sparkling synthesizer riffs.

Darkness, and late-night intensity is provided by title-track “You Deserve Better”, a mind-mangling, acid-fired excursion where trippy, razor-sharp TB-303 lines rise above tough but dusty drums and a suitably weighty bassline. Trago’s basement-bothering intent can also be heard loud and clear on the EP’s final excursion, “Passenger Seat”. Here he readies an imaginary starship for take-off, reaching for flighty, Italo-disco style lead lines, increasingly forthright motifs and the kind of crunchy electronic drums that have long been a feature of futuristic and far-sighted machine music.

The sleeves are all hand stamped by Pieter Bijwaard

Emika & Paul Frick collaborate and make magical music from pianos, a vibraphone robot and synths that play themselves

* Their music feels like rainbow drops, raining colour, light bouncing from crystal gemstones. Reminiscent of Erik Satie, Laruie Anderson, with a melodic glitchy nod to Aphex Twin.

* This is music that channels some seriously beautiful light. It’s a great record to both wake up to and reflect under the moonlight.

* CNCPT brings the Berlin experimental Techno vibes, turning them into what they perhaps should have always been (if Emika & Paul Frick weren’t so in love with sound art minimalism). A perfect match for the flipside.

* A very satisfying A & B realisation on the vinyl. Vinyl release includes sticker with the digital download + score book + synth midi files

* An experimental Berlin trio at it’s finest.

Pressed at Duophonic Germany, minimal wait times, amazing sounding TPs, family run, buying from us supports them also.

Crazy 12 Track Library Music Style Album On This Ace Italian Label. All Based Around Bumping Live Rhythms Triggering An Obscure Japanese Drum Synth Module..recorded In 2017.
.
It Was November 2017 When I Received A Call From An Old Friend, "hi Fabrizio, I Found A Rare Japanese Drum Machine, You Should Come And See It Before I Put This On Ebay." I Went To Check It Out And Immediately Realized It Had More Potential Than Just Drum Sounds Generation, It Was Able To Produce Quirky And Creepy Sounds If Triggered By Any Sound Source. So I Bought It And Brought In The Studio, Where Me And Alex Were Laying Down New Beats And Ideas. It Took Just Three Days Of Jams To Get The Skeleton Of This Record Done: I Programmed The Module To Receive Alex's Drum Hits And The Device Started Creating Synth Lines, Almost As It Was Speaking Its Own Language.i've Found A Soul In This Machine, And I Wanted To Bring It To Life In These Tracks, A Mix Of Arranged Compositions And Improvised Jams. No Root Keys, No Grids, No Clicks, Everything Came Out In An Instinctive And Natural Way

As Far As We Know It's The First Time This Synthesizer/drum Machine Is Been Used In This "improper" And New Way.

Left Ear are re-introducing another ten lost tracks from Nicholas Georgieff and Virgil Work, St Louis' basement electronics duo Workdub.
.
The release spans material from 1989-95 and includes recordings from their sole LP and both cassette albums. Workdub's music hardly fits into a vacuum and some might even say it's otherworldly. Tracks like Reach for the Stars' and Lunar Module' reflect dreams of space-age exploration, all the while their investigation into drum machines, synthesizers, samples and digital fx's matched with their organic live instrumentation work to create a unique atmospheric dubbed out sound.

12" + 7"

Montreal’s based KINDEST CUTS is without any kind of doubt one of the actual world's leading synthwave/synthpop acts. Perfect pop structures and outstandingly captive musical progressions in perefct combination with classical genre male deep lead voice, following the trace of early Depeche Mode or Camouflage. KINDEST CUTS "Keeping Distance" Ltd. Edition 12" EP + bonus 7" (vinyl edition) comes presented in a ONE-OFF truly limited edition of 200 copies lacquered pressed on 180 gr. high quality solid BLACK vinyl. All tracks have been specially remastered for LONG CUT vinyl by Daniel Hallhuber at Young and Cold Studios (Germany).

11 lo-fi minimal wave smasher with German vocals.

Originally self-released as a tape under the artist name Pest(e), this 1996 collection of IDM and analog electronics is in fact the debut Lowfish album. Intended as a demo, it caught the attention of infamous UK label Skam —but after months of fruitless phone tag with the label, it was time for Gregory De Rocher to strike out on his own. Dropping his Pest(e) moniker in favour of Lowfish, in 1997 De Rocher co-founded Suction Records with like-minded producer Jason Amm, aka Solvent. While that Test(e) tape wasn’t technically a Suction Records release, it served as the impetus for starting the label, and we’ve always referred to it as catalog # suction000.

Fans of mid/late-90s Artificial Intelligence classics from Autechre, Locust, Aphex Twin, u-Ziq, and Bola will recognize those hallmark sounds here, alongside traces of formative influence from Skinny Puppy, OMD, and Tangerine Dream. Recorded live to DAT with a bedroom full of analog classics (Roland Jupiter 6, TR-808, TR-606, Arp Odyssey, Korg MS-20), a sampler, and an arsenal of cheap FX units, the melodies here are lush and addictive, with layers of warm, lo-fi-ish (get it?) grit - often intentional, sometimes just a product of the process. Although largely on the armchair techno tip, the dense drum programming also nods to the burgeoning drum and bass movement, which De Rocher was firmly (but only briefly) obsessed with.

For the first time on vinyl and rightfully re-branded as a Lowfish release, we’re thrilled to have Test(e) officially join the Suction Records catalog

Lydmor's new album 'Capacity' is a musical maze full of alluring mysteries. At the same time, it is part of a process of liberation, which is about opening oneself up and discovering one's capacity. For her previous album, Lydmor travelled to Shanghai. But on her new album, Lydmor has mostly travelled deep into herself. 'Capacity' is a contrasting musical work where fiction and reality merge into a multifaceted sound universe. It is the electronic pop artist's most personal, complex and conceptual album to date. There is almost a David Lynch'ish cut about 'Capacity'. The album is like a winding maze where it is difficult to decipher what is real and what is an illusion. Like a book with countless narratives. Without conclusions. Ambiguous. Full of alluring mysteries, dreams, reflections and messages about gender, identity, love, guilt and liberation. Rich in contrasts: Black/white. Silence/noise. Weakness/strength. Fiction/reality. Labyrinth/compass.
Multiple media has compared the quirky voice to the likes of Grimes, Kate Bush or Björk but inevitably the comparisons fall short. (Kaltblut Magazine) - With brutal honesty, unbelievable vulnerability and yet dreamy, she sings the soul out in her pulsating electronic pop songs. The soft, bright voice is deceptive. Denmark's "hidden gem" is a must-listen. (Flux FM) - She is every bit as innovative as Madonna ever was when she started out. Lydmor ticks all the boxes; the girl has everything. For my money she’s the most ground-breaking, inventive artist in Europe right now, possibly in the world. (God Is In The TV, UK) - A unique artist who somehow manages to combine sophisticated and subtle balladry with strident electronic pop, I’ve declared previously that I believe she is only one step away from becoming a big name. Perhaps the feelings are supposed to be mutually inclusive, as the song swings musically from simply cold to complexly hot. It is one that does try to combine both sides of her song writing persona, the introverted balladry and the more elaborate, extrovert electro-pop. (Nordic Music Review) - Revolting pop pathos, primed with pumped up beats. (Negative White, Switzerland)

Seattle’s Profit Prison is back with a new 6-track EP.

The solo work of Parker Lautenschlager, previously in local hardcore and black metal bands as well as power electronics acts, was debuted by Dominick Fernow’s Hospital Productions in 2017 and his first full EP Six Strange Passions was released by Avant! approximately one year ago. Inspired by Franz Kafka as much as Kraftwerk, Profit Prison achieves a cold minimalism that speaks to the nightmarish dystopia in which it was created, even more so in the light of the political events that shook the US and Parker’s very hometown recently.

His new Dreams of a Dark Building continues on the dark path of its predecessor, mixing catchy synth melodies and gloomy atmospheres, all strengthened by 70’s disco-like Hi-NRG electronic beats for the perfect dungeon synth pop outcome.
The opener Cleric sports a riff that could have been written by the evil twin of Gershon Kingsley, A Premonition sounds like Ken Laszlo had joined the dark side. 120 Days is the main single of the EP and it’s just melancholically addictive, In This Hour Of Loss has got synths that would make Moroder proud. We could go on but we bet you got the score by now. If you’re in for the best umbriferous synth music, look no further.
Artwork by London-based talented young artist Hila Angelica.

RIYL: Kraftwerk, Experimental Products, Das Ding, Autumn, Fata Morgana.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONE AND NONE IS N TRANS HUMAN OBJECT (THO) //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// THE SUPERIOR FUNCTION ************************************************ X1N SAYS: //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// IN THE VAST SURFACE OF ALL MATHEMATICAL EQUATIONS, ONE CAN SENSE EVENTS WHICH SEEM TO COME FROM OTHER DIMENSIONS - RIPPLES AND PATTERNS. THE ZERO POINT NINE INFINITE NUMBER LINE NEVER REACHES ONE, YET IS ONE, NONETHELESS. 0.9999... READ THAT SEQUENCE LIKE A MANTRA. A MANTRA OF DEATH. //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// “I TALK IN ALPHA NUMERALS” ************************************************ ### denotes “end”. No more messages to follow.

“It’s not easy to transform a jam into a proper tune that haunts forever. The two Glaswegian friends MR TC and Lo Kindre are in possession of that special skill that can transform spontaneous tuned-in music into something significant without losing the gut feeling along the way.

As solo artists they have released on labels like Optimo Music, 12th Isle and Against Fascism Trax, and together released 'The Storm EP' in late 2018 on Vienna's Neubau. Now they continue their collaborative work on PHASE001 – an EP that also marks the launch of their own label that listens to the same name. The start-up brings four analogue tracks that courageously link cold waving synth-shocks, neon-light nonchalance and haunted spoken words; deep hypnotic musical witchcraft that peels itself out of the history of dark electronic music with a pulsating and haunting atmosphere.”

- Words by ML

Zombies are undead by nature and these ones seem to be not only not dead, but very much alive and active:
ZOMBIES IN MIAMI is a project created by Canibal & Jenouise and despite the name they are not crawling around Miami, but shining out their light from Mexico. The couple became one of the most prominent members of Mexico‘s vital electronic scene over the last decade. You can call their sound a rhythmic and synth-driven house and techno hybrid, with a disco and balearic twist, which is held together by the oh so sweet Italo Drama.
As the living dead always seemed to be a big inspiration for Italian filmmakers, the love seems mutual and the movie scores rubbed off on the other end as well. After highly acclaimed EPs and tracks for such diverse labels as Gerd Janson's Running Back, Jennifer Cardini's Correspondant, Prins Thomas's Internasjonal as well as Hippie Dance or Bordello A Parigi, now it’s time for the great couple’s first album: "2712" on Permanent Vacation. The vast experience of Zombies in Miami as a long lasting music production team, as well as
performing live acts around the world (which brought them to the some of the best clubs and festivals on this planet) culminates in 8 tracks that perfect their futuristic retro sound. An ideal match for Permanent Vacation! You probably won't find a better combination of Italo arpeggio lines, house pianos, disco drums as well as sun kissed and mythical soundscapes for your summer soundtrack.

Mothball Record in association with Bordello A Parigi is proud to present one of the strangest and most mysterious recordings from the whole Italo-Disco era. Sitting somewhere between goth, italo and new wave, “Space Melody” is a dedication to ancient Egypt and outer space.
The original EP was almost totally lost to the sands of time, until recently the original mastertape was unearthed by the artist and later painstakingly transferred by Rude 66.

The record is completed by new instrumental versions from the Danish Italo king Flemming Dalum and the Spanish italo duo Futuro.

Thinktank return to Stepback Records with another colony of underground styles. Hive Mind Mentality further expands on the diverse, unique in your face club tracks that Thinktank have made a signature of their sound.

First up on the A side is Them. Budding entomologists Vinnie and The Leph aka Thinktank have unearthed what some might say as Sci-Fi Classic Techno of The Atomic Age. Underpinned by a Sheffield style Bass crawl coupled with Bleeps that will crush any dancefloor. This is the electronic sound of nature running amok.

Burrowing further on the B side STW serves you Techno in it's most creative form - synth led with a sick groove and huge drum rhythms.

Last but not least - Waaaassps DG is a classic Thinktank track with a sting in it's tail. Snapping, clapping, alive and kicking. You will be buzzing when the break-beat drops.

A native of Poznan, the multi-instrumentalist composer/producer Waclaw Zimpel has steadily been gaining recognition as one of the most singular and original talents to have emerged from Poland in contemporary times. His second solo album 'Massive Oscillations' is set for release on January 31st, and is his first for the Amsterdam-based label Ongehoord. At various points Waclaw deploys bass clarinet, alto clarinet, electronics, prepared upright piano and Yuri Landman guitar object. Wojciech Traczyk adds double bass and Holly Hock provides vocals to 'Release', whist all tracks were mixed by James Holden, who according to Zimpel "added his magic touch". 'Massive Oscillations' is Zimpel's most accomplished album to date - a hypnotic and beguiling work given to moments of subtle euphoria. Gently rhythmic, repetetive but morphing grooves are decorated with elegant musical flourishes. An exquisite vertical listening experience, tracks rev like ignition on a motor. They swell, undulate and breathe in a non linear motion, hovering more than moving, or steadily levitating heavenwards. 'Massive Oscillations' is the result of a nine-day residency at the Willem Twee studio in Den Bosch, Netherlands. The longplayer is not only a consolidation of Zimpel's previous experiments, but is also driven by his curiosity and desire to explore new avenues and possibilities, striving to create an innovative musical vernacular. Inspired as much by jazz as electronics, minimalism and roots music from across the world, he doesn't so much blur boundaries as eradicate them altogether. "I was looking for new kinds of sounds and had an idea of where I wanted 'Massive Oscillations' to go," says Zimpel, "but that all changed the moment I started playing with the studio's collection of vintage synthesizers and electronic equipment." In keeping with his restless improvisational spirit, Zimpel jettisoned previous ideas and set about using the studio's array of oscillators, generators, sequencers, tape recorders and filters (alongside his beloved clarinet) to capitalize on opportunities the facility offered him. Subliminal factors were also at play: Having tuned the oscillators by ear for 'Sine Tapes' and title track 'Massive Oscillations', whilst attempting to work out melodies on his clarinet, Zimpel found he'd inadvertently arrived at a lower frequency than intended. By a happy accident, he realized he'd subconsciously been tuning in to the bells of St Jan's Cathedral, which is located close to the studio. "It was this kind of magical coincidence that really helped shape the recording", he recalls.

COSMOS is of the collaboration between two breakbeat lovers : GEORGE DINOSAUR and VENTURI.
All aboard the spaceship and be prepared for a wonderful analog synth journey. These four groovy, out of time, refreshing and dreamy tracks will bring you beyond the unknown frontier of dusty old synths landscapes. For sure, you will get the smile for the day .

Japanese 3 piece electronic band “D.A.N.”’s world wide debut single on mule musiq’s sister label “studio mule”. D.A.N. is a probably most successful japanese band in a electronic music scene at the mo-ment, they’ve performed with james blake, the xx, bonobo and name a few in japan. “Sundance” is a first single cut from their 2nd album (it’s released in only japan). It’s a electric boogie track which some people bring “the xx” to mind.

Mushrooming into Red Laser Corp's continuing & stringent program of providing the best modern Manctalo (TM) and related flavours, Luca Dell'Orso follows up his taster session on Red Laser EP9 (RL28) with a fully realised solo EP.

Based in Holland and obviously taking in the might of European dance influences that surround him, 'A New Paradigm' spawns a new natural genome, between Italo disco, Belgium new beat and our own, homegrown synth jizz that we've championed from the start. In short, rickety old drum boxes jostle with that favoured analogue machinery that powers all the big bombs from our infamous discotheque!

Hammered to death off Pharaoh Brunson's battered stix, the tracks here were snowballing on dancefloors so much before lockdown, the .wav was actually starting to see some binary wear and tear, so we chivvied along the pressing plants to get it on wax pronto; and despite much of our beloved industry suffering setbacks and turmoil at the moment, we've managed to beam it down to your decks just in the nick of time. Get in!

A wild obsession with big gated drums, jagged arps and darkly vocodered vox characterizes the EP; with moods veering from all-out, popper-huffing nihilism into star-gazing wanderlust with spontaneous combustions of nearby neutron stars thrown in for good measure.
Four tracks that epitomise our label's musical agenda: rugged and rumbly, charged and electric. Kinetic and mad functional, nocturnal body music with a head full of nitrates and a coital throb down under.
It should find perfect habitat at any late nite dance n drug den once we're allowed to get up close, sweaty and start reaching for the red lasers again...

Melbourne producer Adam McCoy, aka Citizen Maze, returns to Analogue Attic after his widely acclaimed 'Serenity in the Woods' from 2018.

The signature depth and versatility of McCoy's productions is again at the forefront in 'Northern Angelique', with 5 musically rich compositions that lend themselves to a broad range of listening occasions.
The first 3 tracks are contemplative and psychedelic, before the record takes on a deeper and darker tone for the remaining 2. Each track feels connected through a sense of simultaneous intensity and gentleness.
McCoy says it was the angelic nature of a vox synth, reflections from long beach walks in solitude and the thought of a flight to central Australia that inspired the release. Field recordings from coastal Southeast Asia feature throughout.
Hamish Mackay features on guitar..