Techno News

Tense, at times eerie Sci Fi Electro from Melbourne's Tx on his Debut EP. Being fascinated with the exploration of space and new landscapes, he dedicates the second Save The Books release to the Cassini research mission around Saturn and her moons. Unsuccessful scans for life, the final descent of the probe and an imagined journey through the warm salt water sea under the ice surface of the moon Enceladus are the themes of the three tunes and we can feel it. (We're afraid, Dave.)

The X CLUB. beasts have busted out of Brisbane, Australia with Steel City Dance Discs Volume 22.

Buckle in as the renegades, known individually as DJ Speed/Jesse Patrick and NORA DRUM, take us on a manic hoon through electro, rave and jungle-informed techno.

Although this is only their first vinyl offence, their criminal record is a hefty one. The delinquents are charged with lawless breaks, aggravated synth chaos, verbal sample assault and series of twisted bass infringements.

Repress..!

After a mini-hiatus, Lunar Disko Records returns with a four track EP featuring two of our favourite producers, VC-118A, and Delta Funktionen....VC-118A aka Samuel van Dijk returns on Lunar Disko, guiding the listener into deeper realms of sound via three more expertly crafted electro tracks. Aficionado's of VC-118A's deep sound will be particularly pleased with this latest installment of emotive electronics from the VC-118A project.
Delta Funktionen makes his Lunar debut and completes the EP with a killer techno / electro remix of 'Vlucht Naar Nachtschade'. DF combines rough 808 drums and a deep moog-like bass with VC-118A's sparse and spacious sound to devastating effect.

0.9999...//READ THAT SEQUENCE LIKE A MANTRA After their successful collaboration on “<3”, AtomTM and X1N are back, this time presenting the 4 track EP “0.9”. It contains both the opening and closing tracks of “<3” as well as their corresponding mutations. While “0.9 (Almost a Unit)” was remixed by Esplendor Geométrico, “Almost a Unit (0.9)” got reworked by Peter van Hoesen. “Both renditions contribute amplified iterations of inherent attributes of <3” as X1N eloquently states. On a side note it may be mentioned that in mathematics, the expression “0.999..” is considered being identical to 1. Meditating over that very fact may tell you a lot about our current reality. #HardCodePop //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// PROXIMITY IS DESTINY DREAMS AS SEARCH ENGINES X

Sin Hilo goes back to vinyl and electro in its ninth reference signed by White Solar Dog. Vinyl and electro are both in our DNA since the beginning of the label and we were willing to release them again. To start this new year 2021, Sin Hilo delivers the debut of a new alias that has a promising year to come. White Solar Dog is Computah!’s new project. He’s been into electronic music since 1996, and active as Computah! since 2002. With more than two decades of analogical exploration and collecting records, Computah! has played in practically all clubs in Barcelona, and he has also presented along with Vj Render sophisticated audiovisual live experiences.

For all these reasons, Sin Hilo was expecting White Solar Dog’s debut, and we’re more than satisfied with being the label selected to make it happen. In addition, the release culminates with three international remixers that contribute with even more electro tones: MOY, Paul Blackford and Voiron are the three artists in charge of completing the nine tracks of the record with their wise and lucid tracks.

From the sensuality of Love Is The Message to the deepness and tension of Through All Dimensions, each White Solar Dog’s track is a unique piece in its genre, with a complex and elaborated structure that shows how the artist is a huge electro connoisseur in all its spectrums and variations.

White Solar Dog and the particular clima generated by each of its tracks is a must for electro lovers and a privileged invitation to those who are desiring to discover it in its maximum splendor.

Following on from 2018’s acclaimed ‘Actualisation’, ‘The Deep End’ builds upon the acid house influences of the former but ventures into many new paths. Hip hop, techno, drum ‘n’ bass and other ‘genres’ sneak into the creative palette whilst also staying true to the band mantra of throwing the rule book out of the window, as far as ‘genres’ or ‘boundaries’ are concerned.

The album was penned over the Spring of 2019 by Mark Emmerson (vocals/guitar/synths). Again, Roland 303/808 synths, bass and vocals were key tools for writing, whilst the Roland SH01a found its way onto the team sheet, as well as a sampler for the first time.
Recording commenced in March 2019, the ethos being rehearsing and recording a track as soon as it was written with mixing taking place on each track shortly after. By July 2019 85% of the album was completed, the final track laid down in January 2020.
 
The album was again recorded at Whitewood Studios, Liverpool, with Rob Whiteley, the album produced alongside long-time collaborator Ross Halden (Ghost Town Studios, Leeds) with frontman Mark Emmerson, with mastering via Dean Honer (All Seeing I/I Monster/The Moonlandingz).

Lead track ‘CHI-03’ gives the album its first sucker punch moment. A track born out of listening to late 80s hip hip records on loop before allowing the 303 to take on the co-lead vocal role alongside the addition of the sampler. A beat again designed to make people move, with enough Lucid sonics to stamp the band signature.

‘Leave Me In The Dark’ takes a 7 minute journey that taps into places the band have been before. No mean feat when that is a melting pot of dub, drum ‘n’ bass, jungle and enough raw power to know that this is a Lucid Dream track.

Side 2 kicks off with ‘Fight To Survive’. A beat belonging in 80s New York, keys more suited to the East Coast counterparts of the time, another statement. ‘It’s a campaign of hate, campaign of hate’.

‘Sunrise’ then takes the album on another tangent. The Lucid Dream tapped into acid house on ‘Actualisation’ but this track is acid/Balearic in its purest form. Another track that begs for communal celebration, when the opportunity permits.
‘High and Wild’ closes the album. The 9 minutes within don’t share the optimism and ‘highs’ displayed in the 35 minutes prior but doesn’t suffer any for it either. The most ‘conventional’ and only guitar based song on the album, this track won’t be found near a dance floor. More suited for the days after, when the highest highs bring the real lows.
 
The Lucid Dream formed in Carlisle, Cumbria, in 2008. A string of sold-out 7″s was followed by the debut longer player, ‘Songs Of Lies and Deceit‘, in August 2013. The album gained critical acclaim from the likes of Uncut, Q, Rocksound, Clash, The Quietus, and leading French culture magazine, ‘Les Inrocks‘, to name a few. The initial vinyl pressing of the debut album (500 copies) sold out within 2 days, and was backed by a main stage slot at Kendal Calling, and supports to Death In Vegas and A Place To Bury Strangers (full UK tour).
 
The band’s 2nd album (‘The Lucid Dream’) was released in March 2015 to further acclaim. This included 2 BBC 6 Music sessions and plays across most shows on the station, as well as plays from BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 .Further press followed from Uncut, The Skinny, Louder Than War, and Drowned In Sound, who named the album #7 UK album of 2015. Supports to Clinic and A Place To Bury Strangers also coincided.
 
 3rd album, ‘Compulsion Songs’ was released in September 2016, on Holy Are You Recordings. The vinyl pressing of the album sold-out within a day, prompting an immediate 2nd press, with pre-sales of the album topping 1,000 before release. The album was backed by a headline UK tour, and a main slot at Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia (for which they were singled out for major plaudits from The Quietus, The Skinny and Drowned In Sound). The album again received acclaim from the likes of Mojo, Uncut, Classic Rock Magazine, BBC Radio 2 (and across the board on BBC 6 Music (Lauren Laverne, Marc Riley, Tom Ravenscroft, Gideon Coe, Stuart Maconie).

4th album, ‘Actualisation’, was released in October 2018 and continued their musical development whilst also becoming their most commercially successful record yet. The self-released Carlisle album made a dent in the physical Official UK album chart as well as gaining huge plaudits in the shape of legendary influence Andrew Weatherall (who included ‘SX1000’ in his NTS summer mix) and again BBC Radio 6 Music (‘SX1000’ being included in the best songs of 2018, courtesy of Radcliffe/Maconie).
Sold out UK headline dates coincided as well as The Lucid Dream being selected as UK tour support to US psych legends, Wooden Shjips. The album tour wrapped up with main stage support to New Order at Bluedot Festival.

Splendid album, a melt of electrpo trance and techno. Sweet tunes !

On 6 th November Bristolian master Krust presents 'The Edge Of Everything' – his first album in 14 years. The pre-eminent electronic icon – who continuously prolifically blew minds throughout the 90s and 00s – has now fully returned from a long break, rejuvenated and artistically liberated.

The album appears if beamed-in from the edge of the universe, way beyond the precipice in a metaphysical netherworld. This is Krust as futurist revisionist, making exhilarating, standout music of depth and substance, which is unlike anything else, above-and-beyond floor-focussed confines. Krust’s music is more individualistic; closer to the vivid brushstrokes of a fauvist painting, and less like a diagram on a grid.

The sound is unmistakably Krust, but now wider, deeper, freer, more intense and more fully-realised. If past anthems like ‘Warhead’ and ‘Soul In Motion’ gave you a peek through the creator’s doors of perception, here they are flung wide open, pulling you across into awe-inspiring new worlds.

It’s clear this electronic icon who constantly and prolifically blew minds throughout the 90s and 00s is back, and on his best ever form, having explored radical new philosophical, mental and creative processes.

Keen to seek new paths and subvert the norm, Krust opted to release via Crosstown Rebels following the fervid advances of Damian Lazarus. The pair have a longstanding history, which began when the label owner played drum & bass in his former DJ duo, PM Scientists.

Co-Accused kick things off on their label with sonic grooves from another galaxy! The title track ‘Psychonaut Society’ sends you on a deep space exploration of electro with driving, Detroit dreaminess. The Jensen Interceptor remix is a darker trip with wicked drums and sinister synth work. On the flip side it’s a sonic assault with ‘Wormhole Warzone’ taking you on a hypnotic relentless techno journey. ‘Restricted Access’ closes off the EP with futuristic electro funk that will have you dislocating hips on the dance floor!

All tracks played by Dave Clarke giving it the Baron stamp of approval

The first in a series of various artists to be released by Details Sound - The Spirit Of The Age Vol. 1 is a personal attempt to represent "the spirit" of this moment, an eye on the sea, where the initial intention of powerful and dynamic body music is changing, leaving room for a more contemplative and reflective way of dancing, where large places give space to the little ones, taking back the original spirit of being together. On the A side, Anatolian Weapons opens with A Series Of Changes - a progression of looped vocals and acidic basslines that culminate in a full, liberating rhythm. Following A Hand Modern Cage focuses on a more hypnotic and evocative soundtrack that can perfectly match an atmospheric opening. On the flip Gamma Intel’s Note To My Love deliver a mix of broken and electro rhythms that are part of the artist signature sound, ending with an intricate weave of melodic basslines. The last track Dense And Ragged is signed by the renowned london-based duo Vactrol Park who set the mood for a distopyan trip in 2049.

Following 2018’s debut, Giles Armstrong ‘finally’ returns to First Cut with three killer cuts.

From the woozy break beat techno of ‘The Bunny’ throughout the left field ‘Corridor of Uncertainty’ and the gritty electro of ‘Blazed In Slur’, the ninth release on First Cut showcases Giles’ considerable talent.

The third release of our Electro Acid Series is ready for landing.

Again Serge Geyzel and johnfaustus have some fantastic stories to tell.
More space adventures are coming your way. It is time for the return of the Space Gate!

Serge Geyzel side

A1 - Fail.Stop!
Identification has been sent to the Space Gate. Is something wrong? The only answer we receive is "Fail.Stop!"

A2 - Phonotrauma
Are we sending the wrong codes or is something distorting our transmission?

A3 - Safe Way To The Abyss
We have to find a safe way to make the hyperjump or all is lost!

johnfaustus side

B1 - Landing
A nearby moon might help us send out a clear signal. Let's land on the surface and make it work.

B2 - Shift
Will the shift in signal make The Space Gate accept our identification?

Illustrated by Six Nexus Six
Mastered by Stefan ZMK

LIMITED Transparent Blue 12" Limited

Much talked about project, now release is finally coming into fruition. Morphology approached Exalt with the idea of releasing one of their tracks. Roll forward a year and this 4 track EP comes with 2 brand new original Morphology tracks and stellar remixes from John Shima and B12 legend Steven Rutter.

In the beginning, there was just a box of tapes and “Fate’s Gentle Hand.”

It was the autumn of 2010, and an anonymous figure known only as the Head Technician, an employee of Pye Corner Audio Transcription Services (“Magnetically aligning ferrous particles since 1970”), found himself at an auction in the village of Coldred, pop. 110. He was on the hunt for tobacco pipes when he chanced across a trio of boxes listed in the auction catalog, which described their contents only as “archived magnetic recordings.” The sole bidder, he won the lot, and upon receipt of his purchase took possession of an unspecified number of mouldering cassettes and ¼" reel-to-reel tapes. The collection contained no identifying information save for a single phrase scrawled on each box: “Black Mill Sessions.” And so, armed with razors, eyedroppers, and a bevy of solid-state circuitry, the Head Technician sat down at his machines and got to work.

Whether anyone believed it or not, this was the framing device surrounding Pye Corner Audio’s Black Mill Tapes Volume I: Avant Shards, which took the mysterious tactics of artists like Boards of Canada and Burial and raised them exponentially. Much like the narrator of a 19th century novel, the anonymous Head Technician purported merely to be the messenger of secondhand sounds. These were not compositions, we were told; they were tape transfers—“transcriptions” of an unknown author, slathered

Berlin’s Swarm Intelligence joins NEW YORK TRAX Imports to release four fierce, off-beat techno and electro cuts. Tense atmospherics, uncompromising levels of distortion and stark, astute beats constitute a distinctive sound that Swarm Intelligence has been honing for more than a decade seeing him release on labels such as VOITAX, Ad Noiseam, Earwiggle and many more. The Dublin-born, Berlin-based producer is certainly no stranger to the techno world and his reputation of performing menacing live sets and deploying emphatic productions will leave an enduring impression on any listener. ‘NEW YORK TRAX Imports 04’ sees Swarm Intelligence join the New York Trax sub-label following the likes of Drvg Cvltvre, Endlec, Dawid Dahl and Another Alias. ‘Bury’ begins proceedings with powerful, syncopated drums fused with growling oscillations and haunting leads before intense vibrations scattered around resilient percussion and machine-like synth swirls take the focus in ‘Extraction’. On the flip, ‘Verloren’ maintains the sinister atmospherics through distorted kicks, eerie modulations and alarming feels until ‘Reach’ which recorded live, rounds things off with shooting, laser zaps, dramatic soundscapes and broken rhythms emphatically closing this fiery four track EP.

Marking Voitax's 25th release "Venice Pavillion", Farron delivers a beautiful blend of electronics that straddle the lines between jungle, IDM, electro, and techno. The A-Side kicks off with rough breaks, moody Reese basses, and fast footwork rhythms that crown the EP with its very own sparkling character - modern jungle topped with dystopian pads and pressing basslines are perfectly melted into the break-fuelled ride. The flip side doesn't cool things down - fluid drum patterns and hammering toms are continually chased by dramatic synths, with a constant weight brought to the table by the chunky low ends. The energy is maintained throughout, as jungle and electro live side by side in harmony in the track list before the release is brought to an emotional halt with a classy ambient piece.

Fresh from his recent Feel My Bicep collaboration with Extrawelt, the tireless Irish electro advocate DeFeKT returns to the Winthorpe stable for a four track EP titled Don't Stop. Kicking off with the infectious low bass vibrations of the title track, DeFeKT showcases a faster'n'bouncier style with prominent Detroit-isms in Cyber Control, while on the flip takes a more stomping Techno route in Big Smoke and sees us out with the aquatic Drex-style roller Cosmic Rays.

Clear Vinyl

Detroit Underground label head Kero returns to his sonic roots with the first of the Detroit Map Series originally featured on the limited DUTT-181 Series functional record player designed by Neubau Berlin. As a kick-start, Kero reveals Highways—a 5-track extended player of (abstract) electronics that is cleverly pulled together with a downbeat flow and tracks aptly sub-titled as major freeway arteries of the Motor City.


"Davison" commutes through glitch bits, bobbles, and broken beats flickering back and forth as it eventually opens midway through the traffic jam and hopscotched potholes with a synthesized melodic stream. Fisher displays its minimized techno flurry and rumbling low-end growl tempered by subtle blips'n bleeps and clinical precision. Southfield busts apart with modular maneuvering and heavy percussion showcasing an opportunity for Kero to cruise in the passing lane as the piece gradually mutates into a crunchy experimental electro epic. Lodge ebbs and flows with The Detroit Escalator Company-styled minimalism felt many miles away from its source. Chrysler expands and contracts with its 7-minute acid-electronic sprawl—here we see Kero carefully downshift to allow an ambient undercurrent to traverse a moonlit sky in the late night hours creating perhaps the finest soundtrack to (minimal) Detroit-inspired techno of yesteryear with a thumping heartbeat. ~PDS

Probably the poppiest release on Return To Disorder yet by French Electro legend dynArec. The most danceable machine funk you can imagine.

Repress

New to the Clone West Coast Series, Gen-Y twists the Ghetto Tech idiom with a definate West Coast feel on this versatile 6 track EP. Ranging from the uptempo breaks on ''Saturn flow'', the weirdly P-funk styled ''OK, OK'' to the more introverted, downtempo ''Feel Like We Used 2'' this EP is a fresh take on things from this talented new producer.