Alter Hour is pleased to present its 5th release with Romania’s ever-rising Macarie returning to the label with his unique sound and broken take on minimal. Complete with a deep remix from renowned Vlad Arapasu.
Early support from Priku, Mihai Pol & Cosmjn.
NYC’s Jkriv delivers a package of proto and golden era house re-edits for longtime pals Pleasure of Love.
The Razor N Tape label co-founder has reliably delivered dancefloor ready cuts on Z Records, Glitterbox, Barefoot Beats, Rocksteady Disco as well as his own imprint. On his first Pleasure of Love release Jkriv explores house in all its NYC glory; extending the energy on mid-late 80s proto (Got a Thing, Don’t Take Your Love Away) and masterfully looping and building tension with underappreciated early 90s house (G.D., Feel It). Expert level re-rubs by one of NYC’s finest producers.
Empress Enigma:
The contradictory language of speech, rhythm and melody generate this musical paradox.
Drivetrain (Detroit, USA)
It Can Never Be The Same (Parts 1 & 2)
Deep and moody, Part 1 is driven by a captivating bass groove with lush, silky pads constructing a mesmerizing wall of sonic euphoria. The vocal hook echoes the commentary with one simple phrase.
The stripped down Part 2 replaces the drums with hand percussion while Drivetrain shows off his bass guitar chops charismatically with an emotional solo throughout.
Rennie Foster (Vancouver, CAN)
Guiding Light
A ghostly banger, poised in atmospheric essence. Shifting layers of sound harmonize to the unyielding bass line as Alejandra Garcia sprinkles vocal seasoning on top.
I Haven't Forgotten
Built on the foundation of a rock-solid bass progression, the ambience of melodic strings and piano blend an audio sedative accompanied by an airy vocal presence and bits of acid integration.
Paul Hammock es el artista por todos conocido como Cignol, sin lugar a dudas uno de los genuinos revolucionarios dentro del sonido electro de la última década y media. Sus trabajos llevan surcando nuestros Technics desde 2008 a través de los sellos de vanguardia electrónica del nuevo milenio.
En su decimocuarta referencia en vinilo, el sello Valenciano HC Records, tras una imparable y ecléctica línea editorial, publica el nuevo trabajo del genio de Dublín titulado Binary Choices. Un maxi en el que nos domina un profundo sentimiento de melancolía cósmica a través de cuatro cortes que nos sumergen en una odisea espacial.
Adentrarse en cada corte del vinilo es como viajar hasta diferentes cuerpos celestes y dejarse sorprender por su atmósfera ensoñadora, y es que solo es necesario que transcurran 58 segundos de Binary Choices, primer corte de la cara A, para sentirnos arropados por un sentimiento de suma nostalgia, alegría y futurismo. Una inteligente combinación de pads, sintes y brillantes percusiones que nos adentran en un astro inexplorado repleto de extrañas vegetaciones, increíbles seres multicolores y horizontes infinitos que activan nuestra sinestesia.
Un emocionante, decidido y contundente ritmo 4x4 a baja velocidad nos traspasa el alma al surcar la superficie de Broken Circle. Un recuerdo olvidado en forma de aterciopelado sonido se crea frente a nuestros ojos en la consecución del compendio de melodías intimistas que componen sus 4:14 minutos, en los que encuentra sosiego nuestra mente y bálsamo nuestro alma.
La cara B del vinilo regresa al cristalino, eléctrico y veloz ritmo roto con Momentum Gateway, track en el que sus dominantes y ácidas cadenas de bajos se enrollan y juegan en sincronía perfecta con sus diferentes capas de teclados y su vibrante e iridiscente pad.
En el último planeta al que nos transporta Cignol, suena en cada uno de sus parajes Validity Movement, track con el que nos dejamos guiar por su grueso y áspero bajo principal, que contrasta con los delicados sintes y atmósferas que lo rodean. Una experiencia sónica tan delicada, íntima y eficiente que podría servir tanto como banda sonora en la creación de un nuevo universo como en la contemplación de su ocaso final.
Finalmente, por un lado, el trabajo de master del lanzamiento ha sido llevado a cabo por Steve Voidloss en Black Monolith Studios en Londres y, por otro, Dani Requeni completa esta obra con la dirección del arte gráfico de la misma.
ENARCHY is the debut album by Leipzig-based producer and singer Maria die Ruhe. It is the result of a deep and thorough look the
artist took into both her own inner workings and the world around her. In 14 tracks, she explores different types of energy,
oscillating between head and heart. Final destination of this sometimes painful process of self- exploration is the embodiment of
her own power and creativity; the realization, that she manifests her role as catalyst, healer, and fighter for freedom and equality
by reporting on her experiences. These songs are about nothing less than that. And you can also dance to them.
In a musical sense, Maria surpasses herself compared to previous releases. She is bolder, more explorative and dissolves genre
boundaries. Acoustic instruments like the cello and the piano unite playfully with electronic beats. Her expressive voice speaks and
sings from the lowest lows to the loftiest heights. Her self-disclosing lyrics communicate the deepest messages of the soul. One can
tell right away: something is at stake here, this is about a real human living through something real, and now reporting from the
front lines of the human experience.
With lines like „Things are changing all the fucking time“ (ENARCHY) she posts a reminder for the current zeitgeist and the resulting
global uncertainty. „Some things need to be destroyed before they can heal“ is a demand for openness towards change, even if it is
challenging, requires energy, and leaves behind some scars.
In ART IS THE ONLY REAL TRANSLATION OF LIVING FOR ME, Maria uses sentences like „I’ve been trying to please you, I got headaches
and I still don’t fit“ to express her desperation with existing structures of injustice and the lack of livability of the artist lifestyle.
„Ah, you’re an artist - and what do you do professionally?“ Everyone loves music and art! When, o when, will the understanding
follow that there need to be people who make this art as a central part of their lives?
Frustration takes turns with hope and a growing acceptance of the self. In EQUALISTA, Maria discusses antiquated conditions like the
inequality between the sexes in a kind of manifesto, with a simple proposal for solution: „Let’s both be selfish and raise our
energies, to create a whole world with all the things we need.“
In WE BELONG TO NEVER, Maria sings about the everyday horror of toxic relationships. Lines like „Disengagement and rage, I’ve become such a slave.“ express the despair of the emptiness that results from a lack of affection. She also describes treacherous
narcissistic manipulation: „You cut me small just to feel tall.“
In SKIN, she confesses: „I’m not as enough as everyone else.“ and describes the long and painful way from rejecting her own body
to loving herself unconditionally. „I hate what I feel, while I pretend to be free“ means she doesn’t want to be reduced down to
her body, doesn’t want to be seen as an instagrammable, thoroughly designed product; she wants to be acknowledged as an
individual.
In LOST, she poses a question that many are currently forced to ask themselves: „What do we do with all this solitude?“ Maybe
making use of the reclusion by exploring the shadow self. „Can you cope with the truth?“
The conclusion: energy is being freed up through the means of self-experience and living through the personal darkness -
ENARCHY. The realization: every human being is self-determined and should simply do what they feel. It is everyone’s right to
choose their own life’s path. Here, intuition serves as a signpost. This is both feminine and strong.
ENARCHY celebrates an embodied anarchy by working through the personal shadow and the genuine, healthy integration of the
struggle survived - not as a destructive rebellion, but as a testament of shameless, joyful self-empowerment.
„In the end, I want to be alive, because in reality, I’m free.“
With a vast catalogue of releases under his belt, Netherlands mainstay artist TWR72 debuts on Room with Narrow EP, delivering an impactful, seriously effective release that's well accompanied by an immense remix from the up-and-coming Mathys Lenne.
The title track "Narrow" sets the tone for what's to come on the front side, with a rumbling kick and low end, destructive vocals and bleeps that make up a perfect tension builder for peak time slots. Adding his own sturdy, fiery and visceral vision of Techno, the young French artist proposes his version of "Narrow", adding an atmospheric tension and swank drum work to the original. Not for the faint-hearted.
On the B-side, TWR72's very own, characteristic sound brings "Generous" and "Exact", two slick, drummy and useful tools that will surely fit into a lot of DJ's bags.
Cremation Lily’s »Dreams Drenched in Static« exists at the horizon of consciousness and heavy experimental music. Through the use of frenetic vocal melodies, tape degradation, and guitar noise, the album documents the liminal moments at the edge of sleep, and the distressing thoughts that often accompany late-night R.E.M. disturbances. The lyrics were largely written at three in the morning and serve to evoke the depression and meditations on death that seem to haunt these early hours.
Based in London, England, Cremation Lily is the project of Zen Zsigo. Like many Flenser artists, the work of Cremation Lily is difficult to classify. The project began in 2009 as sample-based ambient music, but has evolved to incorporate more rock-oriented guitar instrumentation and influence from a wide range of genres such industrial, shoegaze, tape loops, noise, and power electronics.
Although rooted in electronic music, Cremation Lily shares similarities with Flenser artists like Planning For Burial and Have a Nice Life, as well as black metal. »Dreams Drenched in Static« is the first Cremation Lily album to rely primarily on guitar and vocal-based contributions, and is the project’s most intentional and developed work to date.
Trikk’s striking debut album Fauna & Flora cultivates a sense of scale, character and broad-minded musicianship across ten genre-fusing tracks. Just as its namesake spans the vast spectrum of life on Earth, so this expansive document draws from a diverse sound palette that jumps from widescreen psychedelia and industrial-crusted pop to baile funk and foreboding techno.
Partly descending from the club-focussed fare with which Trikk made his name, he also reaches for art-rock, punk and post-punk to expand on his electronic foundations.
“I wanted to create that feeling where there are these rays of light and total darkness, it’s a game
Holly Lester’s Duality Trax Label has quickly become synonymous for its blend of future facing sonics and mind-warping melodies, served together with a healthy dose of nostalgia. A label just as focused on making dancefloor destroyers as it is exploring left-leaning, personal projects, it’s within this duality where the label has found its success, never afraid to shy away from b side oddities or tracks edging more towards good-old-fashioned-fun.
DUALITY5 steers towards the latter, with Manchester based DJ & producer Aiden Francis providing the serotonin on tap with three lively dancefloor cuts, including a huge remix from Italy’s Matisa. Aiden had a big 2022, releasing music on Magic Carpet, Gestalt and beloved music platform and label Houseum, solidifying himself as one to watch in the euphoric unity of house, trance and techno.
Title track ‘Plastic Fantasy’ is the star of the show, a suitably sassy roller that places everyone's favorite blonde icon front left of the speakers. Subtle old school strings contrast with alien electronics, providing familiarity in an otherwise unfamiliar world. A bubble-gum vocal then rolls in cheekily over a driving bassline and dynamic percussion - used in a way I’m not sure the original creators had in mind. ‘Future Proof’ meanwhile demonstrates Aidens’ knack for contemporary progressive house music. With warm pads, swirling sonic textures and moments of blissful euphoria, it’s energetic enough to move a dancefloor, but gentle enough for home listening too.
The record comes to a close with ‘Aquamarine’, with Aiden opting in favour of free flowing breakbeats and mind expanding synths, together radiating a feeling of warmth and hope for days to come. Italian DJ and producer Matisa is on hand to round the EP off with a bass-heavy rendition of ‘Plastic Fantasy’ a no-holds-barred speed garage licked stomper, with the power to lure smokers back inside the club with their feet firmly planted on the dancefloor.
Hot on the heels of this year’s ‘Dyslexia Sound System’ album, Touch Sensitive is thrilled to share a three-track companion piece from Autumns - 'DSS Dubplate'. Autumns is the solo project of Derry’s Christian Donaghey. With a relentless release rate that mirrors the energy and intensity of his live shows, Donaghey has submitted a selection of skewed star turns for the likes of iDEAL, Death & Leisure, and Opal Tapes since his debut on Regis' Downwards label in 2014. Much like it's companion LP, 'DSS Dubplate' is heavily inspired by the On-U Sound label, the productions of Adrian Sherwood, and that cultural and musical sweet spot when the rockers met the post-punk crowd. Donaghey’s whip-crack beats, heavily effected vocals, shredded no-wave guitar, and clarinet squalls are shaped and shifted further into the endless expanse by his dubwise techniques on the board. As always with Donaghey's productions - these rhythms grip tight and don't let loose until the needle is on the run-out groove. Full-throttle! Autumns non-stop!
Franky Wah is now striking out on his own by starting his own label, SHÈN Recordings, which first surfaced at the beginning of 2022 and has since been used as an outlet for his productions. After a string of singles, he quietly put out the label's first album, aptly named This Is SHÈN.
Following the success of BLF001, Eastenderz highly anticipated sub-label Belief lets loose the second EP in the series.
Continue to expect consistent groove-driven tracks, made for the dancefloor. Highlighting the freshest of talents, alongside producers who have been on the radar for a while.
We belief.
DJ Support:
EAST END DUBS
ROSSI.
ARCHIE HAMILTON
2026 Repress
Kerri Chandler delivers ‘Lost & Found Vol.2’ this March, marking the second instalment of the series which focuses on tracks from his archives.
Kerri Chandler’s Kaoz Theory unveiled the label bosses ‘Spaces & Places’ LP in 2022, showcasing Kerri’s globetrotting career of the past few decades and featuring recordings produced on the dance floors of many leading clubs such as DC10, Sub Club, Rex, Printworks and more.
Here the label kicks off 2023 with a glimpse into Chandler’s archived material, offering up four cuts in his inimitable, iconic style.
‘Fluff Rehab’ leads the way and see Kerri offering up crisp drums, spiralling dub stabs and fluttering low-end pulsations throughout.
‘What If’ follows and tips the focus over to a more soulful feel, fusing a wandering bass line and airy textures with vocal chants, choppy keys, and a gritty drum groove.
‘Who Are You (Main Vox)’ then opens the B-side, retaining a similarly soul drenched feel, bringing Kerri’s own harmonious vocals into the mix alongside a crunchy, swinging rhythm and jazzy elements.
‘Dem Joy Ride’ rounds out the EP next, flipping the switch to a funk-infused, organic feel as brass lines, hypnotic keys, dynamic drums, and guitar licks collide across an ever unfolding five and a half minutes.
Dancing as an act of rebellion is the first Abraxas LP in collaboration with the Valencian label Soil Records. A compilation of the first project recordings released between 2020 and 2021 plus some new tracks and, in addition to this, a second vinyl by other darkwave electronic artists remixing the first one: Geistform, We Are Not Brothers, Ober Dada, Melting Dogmas, SMforma, HBK1, José Rodríguez, SOJ and PanDemian.
Abraxas is a halfway project between dark dance electronic music, philosophical reflection, socio-political activism and musical entrepreneurship. Its main goal is to shake bodies and minds by spreading messages of individual and social self-criticism from the point of view of duality, extremes and contradiction, inherent to the human being and capitalist society.
Italian DJ and producer Francis De Simone debuts on Lee Foss and Jamie Jones' label Hot Creations with London Bass. Having built a solid back catalogue in recent years, his first Hot Creations release embodies the dynamic sound of the Palermo-born artist, channelling chunky tech house and disco-flavoured melodies.
De Simone explains his creative thinking behind the EP. "These tracks fully express my devotion to music. I ranged a lot, trying to remember an 80's sound up to a more raw and synthetic groove with Latin vocals to embrace the different ethnic groups." Reflecting his thoughts to a tee, the title track rumbles with a massive bassline and chopped-up vocals that add an instant burst of energy. Things get weird on Saludos A Todos, as thumping kickdrums collide with a trippy melody and even trippier vocals, creating a wavey atmosphere. The ideal club curveball. On Off White, De Simone delivers a pacey number packed with burbling beats and clicky percussion, complemented by dreamy vocals. The hint is in the name on closing track, This Is Undergound. A big room delight, De Simone drops a stripped-back banger, where the lyrics do the talking in tandem with a driving bassline. An excellent addition to the Hot Creations discography.
Based in Palermo, Italy, Francis De Simone stems from a family of musicians. Having played the drums from age two, the versatile artist can make anything from rock, pop and jazz, but these days, De Simone pens electronic music. His father worked as a bouncer for various local discos and exposed De Simone to dance music from a young age, later inspiring him to produce house and techno with an uplifting tint. Releases on Glasgow Underground, LW Recordings and REALM Records have helped shape the profile of this flourishing artist, with plenty more to come further down the line.
SPF 50, real name Stephan Kimbel Olson, has graced New York’s finest sound systems with his deep, rolling club sets. In his numerous roles – DJ, engineer, party promoter, label head, producer and dancer – Stephan has become an essential contributor to New York’s nightlife culture, a fixture in the city’s extended sonic community.
On Social Life, his first release with NY label Bliss Point, Stephan has channeled two booming club workouts, each with modular synthesis evoking the organic: an unruly bassline snakes through the aural fauna of “Body Concept”, while breaks and acid fly by on “Liquid USB”, an intricate sonic constellation propelling through space, culminating in the release of classic house chords midway.
On the B side, Stephan takes us deeper into the unknown. “Grove Map” is world-building club ambiance aptly named after The Grove, a stage deep in the woods at New York’s Sustain-Release festival, where portals have long been known to be opened. “Iris (Bad Water Version)”, rounds out the offering, a drippy dub that time seems to slip off of, perfect for a melted warm up or come down.
