repressed !
RFBCOLOURS 002 bring L'Atelier on board. This pair from Amsterdam bring you a 4 track EP with a digi only bonus. It starts off with Again, which hits that great sample hard and gets the party started on a disco vibe with a house twist. Then theres XTC which carries on where the A1 left off. On the flip we see a serious piano workout on top of a a grooving drum arragement. To finish off the vinyl package we see Times Are Ruff take the remix on a deeper tip with some seriously crunchy basslines and rolling groove. Then if that wasnt enough theres a digital bonus that will warm up any willing club room.
Feedback:
Telonius (Gomma)
'thanks nice one'
Laurin Fedora (Sleazy McQueen (Morris Audio / Paper Recordings))
'I'm looking forward to this vinyl. Nice return to late 90s filter disco!'
kostas tassopoulos (Ekkohaus (2020 vision, morris audio, cargo edition, liebe detail))
'Solid house record, loving it, thanks....'
Harri (Sub Club)
'liking afew of these'
Gameboyz (Clouded Vision / Relish)
'we dont usually play this kind of house music, but this is very nice! will try! thanks!'
Sebastian Wilck (Sebastian Wilck, Watergate)
'times are ruff remix is strong! support'
Jonny Cade (2020 Vision / Leftroom)
'great house ep'
Tensnake
'wow, that's quite a killer, downloading thanks!'
Lauhaus Lanting (Polder / Intacto)
'nice ep guys, also diging the times are ruff mix. thanx!'
Julien Barthe (Plaisir de France, Pro-Zak Trax)
'yeah remmeber 2000'years'
Julien Sandre (Morris Audio)
'nice music'
Doc Martin (none)
'XTC for Me!!!!'
Tom Findlay (Groove Armada)
'great EP, a little bit of everything and in all the right places....'
Andrew Claristidge (Acid Washed (Records makers))
'good stuff...'
Mihai Popoviciu (Highgrade, Fear Of Flying, Hudd Traxx)
'again is cool for me!'
Dorian Paic (Raum Musik)
'xtc times are ruff remix is the one for me ! cheers Dorian.'
Hector Couto (Tribal Sessions)
'full support for this release! good music!!!'
Gianluca Pandullo (I-Robots)
'LAtelier - XTC (Times Are Ruff Remix) ! I-Robots approved!'
Suche:robot records
- An Alarming Start
- When H.a.n.k.- B And R- John Collide
- N.o.v.a
- Slimy Matter
- Theme From Optigan
- A Strange New World
- Wailin' On Soundwaves
- Solarsonata
- Flea Market On Planet P
- Lajka's Heart Rate
- Elektro Returns
- The Last 3 Minutes Of Mars
- A1: Dj Tennis - Hello Hello
- A2: Rudy With A Hoodie - Lovelovelove
- B1: Dj Tennis & Ashee - I Wanna Know
- B2: Easttown - Bubblicious
- C1: Josh Wink - Higher State Of Consciousness (M-High Edit)
- C2: Andre Zimmer - Simpli-City
- D1: Paurro - Bubbles
- D2: Vitess - Insane
- A | Redrago - She Got It Wrong (10")
- B | Redrago - Free The Drums (10")
Manfredi Romano, founder and A&R of Life and Death Records, has been a pivotal figure in electronic music for over two decades. This year marks an important milestone as he is invited to curate the upcoming fabric presents mix for fabric Records, a release that highlights his instinctive storytelling and the distinct musical identity he has cultivated throughout his career.
Manfredi’s journey began in Italy around the turn of the millennium, tour-managing punk bands and organizing left-field music events before completing his studies in computer science at the University of Pisa. He went on to form DAZE, Italy’s first booking agency dedicated exclusively to electronic music, laying the groundwork for what would become a globally influential presence in the scene.
In 2010, he shifted focus to his own artistic project, DJ Tennis, which quickly gained international recognition for its emotive blend of house, techno, and disco. Renowned for creating intimate atmospheres in even the largest spaces, DJ Tennis has performed at leading clubs such as Circoloco Ibiza, Fabric London, and Panorama Bar Berlin, and at major festivals including Sonar, Timewarp, Primavera Sound, and Coachella. His 2022 residency at Phonox in London further showcased his ability to shape dancefloors with nuance and depth. Since 2017, he has also co-founded and curated Rakastella, the celebrated Art Basel Miami festival created in partnership with Life and Death and Innervisions.
As a producer, DJ Tennis draws from early relationships with post-rock pioneers such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Tortoise, and Fugazi, channelling their influence into intricately layered electronic compositions. His work has appeared on respected labels including Kompakt, Rhythm Assault, Running Back, !K7, Cercle Records, Aus Music, and Circoloco Records, alongside frequent releases on Life and Death. His remix portfolio includes collaborations with Diplo, Boys Noize, Loco Dice, WhoMadeWho, and Acid Pauli, among many others. He has also previously contributed a DJ-Kicks mix, bringing his eclectic sensibilities to one of electronic music’s most beloved series.
After extended periods living in Miami, Berlin, and Barcelona, DJ Tennis now resides in Paris. Outside the studio and club environment, Manfredi is a passionate chef who has curated menus for charity events and collaborated with Beatport at ADE, Pioneer, and Resident Advisor. He is also an avid collector of bicycles, vintage action figures, and vinyl — his record collection now surpasses eleven thousand pieces.
With the forthcoming fabric presents DJ Tennis release, he offers a deeply personal, narrative-driven statement that reflects decades of crate-digging, boundary-pushing selections, and a lifelong devotion to sound. It marks a new chapter in his artistic evolution and stands as one of the year’s most anticipated entries in the iconic series.
The first single from DJ Tennis is a collaboration with long-time studio partner Ashee, and it immediately sets the tone for the mix: warm, seductive, rhythm-driven, and emotionally charged.
“I Wanna Know” is a sleek club track built around a pulsing groove and a steady, hypnotic rhythm. The low end is rounded and warm, giving the track a driving but understated momentum. Percussion is crisp and minimal, allowing the bassline and vocal elements to take center stage. The repeating, robotic earworm of a vocal hook, “I wanna know’ is the lynchpin to the track and will remain in your head long after the track has finished.
It’s the kind of record that warms up a room early in the night, sets the tone for a sunset beach set, or adds a lush, emotional peak during a more leftfield club moment.
2026 Repress
Bosconi Records, the Florence-based imprint run by Fabio Della Torre, is back with something truly special. Over the years, the label has built a reputation for pushing house, funk and electro in all their shades, always keeping a strong link between the local scene and international legends. And when it comes to legends, there are few names that shine brighter than Alexander Robotnick.
The Italian electro pioneer – aka Maurizio Dami – has already collaborated with Bosconi on The Hidden Game and Italcimenti Under Construction. Now he returns with My La(te)st EP, a vinyl-only release that pulls five standout cuts from his 2007 CD My La(te)st Album and finally makes them available on wax. All tracks have been remastered for the vinyl format, enhancing their depth and dynamics to deliver the best possible experience on wax.
The EP opens with “Jette Le Masque (Extended Version)”, driven by a pumping bassline and jagged sawtooth synths, with whispered French vocals by Robotnick himself. Stretched out and more DJ-friendly than the original, this version is tailor-made for the dancefloor.
On “We Love The Music” things get fun and funky: vocoder vocals, an electro-funk bounce and that unmistakable Robotnick irony. A killer cut to start a set on the right foot.
Flip the record and you dive into the acidic depths of “I’m Getting Lost In My Brain”. Old-school Chicago vibes, a hypnotic groove and basslines that just don’t quit – a peak-time weapon that feels raw and timeless.
Then comes “A Coffee Shop in Rotterdam”, one of those secret gems: melodic, laid-back and warm, built on a slapping bass and dreamy arpeggios. It has that Riviera house touch from the ’90s, but with Robotnick’s unmistakable twist.
Closing the EP is “Addio” – a track that wears its heart on its sleeve. Romantic, emotional, and driven by a bassline that nods back to Robotnick’s all-time classic Problèmes d’Amour. A perfect goodbye track, the kind that leaves a smile on your face as the lights come on.
This is a must-have for vinyl lovers and Robotnick fans alike – five cuts carefully remastered for the vinyl format, pressed exclusively on wax and ready to work the floor from start to finish. Don’t sleep on it: limited copies, vinyl only.
Inspired by a look back to futuristic tracks from the early 90's to the 50's in the US and the impact now of artificial intelligence on life today is the theme of this ep.
tags: electronic. techno and variations
Android Blaze : Looking at a future apocalypse. Referencing George
Orwell's 1984 and Blade Runner.
pre-mastered by DJ Sotofett. Mixing by Robotron . Mastered by
Manmade Mastering.
Kids and Batteries :Virtual kids searching for their souls online.
Real Synthetic Life : Referencing the 50's science fiction movie Forbidden
Planet.
2026 Repress !
“It 's curious… for over 20 years nobody was interested in these tracks. They were not played by DJs at all.” - Bloop Bloop is the short-lived techno project by Dirk Bittner and Dirk Jan Müller who are both part of the German psychedelic Krautrock band Electric Orange. Three decades later, Delirious Allusion sees the light of day on the new Brussels imprint Pinguin Society. The A-side features both the original and the mix ahead versions of Delirious Allusion (1997). The flip side offers ‘Robotic Operation’, a previously unreleased track by the duo from ‘98.
Idriss D returns to Memento Records with his brand new track "Oct. 13", kickstarting the label's 20th anniversary in 2026, a year that will see quite a few special events to celebrate this milestone.
True to his musical roots and upbringing, Idriss heads right into experimental territory here, merging different styles and vibes: echoes of the upbeat mid '00s Minimal Techno craze fuse masterfully with sci-fi sounds and robotic vocals, with glitchy percussions and an infectious funky bassline creating an irresistible groovy rhythm. It's a track that boldly encapsulates the history of the label, from its raw beginnings in Italy's underground clubs to the more sophisticated latest outputs, a nod to its past while looking at the future.
Mr. Marc Houle is onboard here on remix duties: the man responsible for tracks like Bay Of Figs and Techno Vocals graces the release with an outstanding production. Slightly speeding up the pace, Marc adds spacey acid synth melodies and frenetic vocal loops drenched in delay, making this even trippier and more energetic than the original.
Black and House Music fan Munir Nadir rounds off the EP with a personal rendition playing squelchy keyboard arpeggios and hard slapping synth stabs, bringing a musical live-session feel to his contribution.
- A1: Elektro Returns
- B1: I Am Elektro '25
It's a wild tribute to the chain- smoking Moto- Man from 1938 -- a character with so much hubris, he makes HAL 9000 look like a bundle of anxious circuits. On the A- side, "Elektro Returns" blasts off as a Clavioline- driven stomper with a bouncy beat and feverish chord changes. Think JEAN JACQUES PERREY on a bad LSD trip. On the other side, "I Am Elektro '25", reinvents their 2019 track of the same name. This fuzz- drenched pounder could have made THE VENTURES' Nokie Edwards wish he'd been built as a robot! Back from the future and outta space - LES ROBOTS return from their intergalactic journey! Moog on!
- A1: Yaw - Where Will You Be
- A2: Flying Lotus Feat Andreya Triana - Tea Leaf Dancers**
- A3: Les Sins - Grind**
- B1: Noir & Haze - Around (Solomun Vox)**
- B2: Julien Dyne Feat Mara Tk - Stained Glass Fresh Frozen
- B3: Jitwam - Keepyourbusinesstoyourself
- C1: Dopehead - Guttah Guttah
- C2: Talc - Robot's Return (Modern Sleepover Part 2)**
- C3: Peter Digital Orchestra - Jeux De Langues**
- C4: Jai Paul - Btstu**
- D1: Beady Belle - When My Anger Starts To Cry**
- D2: Daniel Bortz - Cuz You're The One**
- D3: Joeski Feat Jesánte - How Do I Go On**
- E1: Nightmares On Wax - Les Nuits
- E2: Slf & Merkin - Tag Team Triangle**
- E3: Lady Alma - It’s House Music
- F1: Tirogo - Disco Maniac
- F2: Kings Of Tomorrow Feat April - Fall For You (Sandy Rivera's Classic Mix)**
- F3: Soulful Session, Lynn Lockamy - Hostile Takeover **Moodymann Edit
In 2016, a year after the 50th entry in the long-running series, none other but the iconic Detroit artist, DJ and producer Moodymann stepped up to helm the next landmark edition of DJ-Kicks, his first ever multi-artist DJ mix compilation. Following !K7's 40 th anniversary, this classic DJ-Kicks mix is now being repressed on coke bottle clear vinyl.
Born Kenny Dixon Jr., Moodymann is a one-of-a-kind electronic music icon, hailing from, and wholly synonymous with the Motor City. He is an outspoken, impossibly charismatic artist who has been putting a distinctive and soulful stamp on house and techno since the early 90s. Melting together jazz, funk, soul, blues and rock in captivating ways, he is responsible for some of electronic music’s most definitive tracks, EPs and LPs on labels like Planet E, Peacefrog and his own KDJ and Mahogani Music imprints. As able to serve up the sweetest and most sensual sounds as he is the darkest and most depraved grooves, his own unique voice and stream of conscious musings infuse expertly sought-out samples for music that is decisively alive and authentic.
Across 75 minutes and 30 tracks, Moodymann does not disappoint: despite being a notorious vinyl fetishist, Dixon’s aim is to present music of quality, not to one-up fellow collectors. Rather than serving up ridiculously rare or hard- to-find records, he instead focuses on creating a libidinous, blues-drenched mood that takes in heart-breaking soul, gorgeous hip-hop and love-fuelled house.
In addition to cuts from his own creative circle, the mix features 11 exclusive Moodymann edits. Like everything Kenny Dixon Jr. touches, his DJ-Kicks showcases the taste, skill, and soul of a dance music original.
- A1: Uncanny Unit - El Futuro Está En Vuestras Manos
- A2: Allumynd - Mind Limits Broken
- A3: Fabio Vinuesa - Corrupted Data
- B1: Robot City - Intercom 82 (Bastardo)
- B2: Synth Alien - Electric Abyss
- B3: Vema-Diodes - Train Light
- C1: Univac - Helicon
- C2: Telephasycx! - Chaos Theory
- C3: Ørbitā Secundariā - Submodulo Ba73
- D1: Nightcrawler & Dark Vektor - Oscuridad-Sintetica
- D2: Shhgrr & Igal - Decadence
- D3: Estado De Bienestar Feat. Chayell Zen / Peter Bonne - Guardianes Del Tiempo (Danos Mucho Beis Mix)
El Elektro Compilado Padrísimo Vol. 1 is a double 12” compilation curated by Spanish artist Elektro’s Grandfather, Dark Vektor featuring his personal selection from today’s scene. A fearless snapshot of the Spaniard national electro scene. Established figures stand shoulder to shoulder with new blood, generating a current where tradition and innovation collide in sparks. Every track is a charged fragment of a collective identity, soldered into one unstoppable groove. A declaration that the Spanish electro underground is alive, mutating, and absolutely padrísimo. Presented in ONE-OFF truly limited edition of 300 copies lacquered pressed on 180 gr. high quality solid BLACK vinyl. All tracks have been specially remastered for vinyl by Daniel Hallhuber at Young and Cold Studios (Germany).
Have you noticed that Western music emphasises linear time? Melody is a continuous sequence of sounds. Harmony and rhythm follow a progression from beginning through climax and resolution. Is it possible to have an art that is based on non-linear time? Can we even experience non-linear time? Efrain Rozas' Still posed this question in the form of an installation made for quadraphonic sound, architecture and light. A document of his installation at Queenslab--part of a one-month residency with The Kitchen, New York City in April 2021--the album is a live, stereo room recording of Still as it was presented over three one-hour viewings. Efrain Rozas is a Peruvian interdisciplinary artist working with Latin American music, robotics, sculpture and installation. He holds a PhD in composition and ethnomusicology from New York University, and is a 2023-2024 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow. He has published Fusi?n: a soundtrack for Peru, a publication, video documentary, and music compilation; and has released several albums internationally via Names You can Trust, the Ethnomusicology Institute of Peru, the Embassy of Spain and Buh Records.
SKYLAX RECORDS presents a monumental new release by two of France’s most revered electronic music icons: ARNAUD REBOTINI & ACID WASHED. This record marks the first chapter of a secretive 4-part project — each release forming a piece of a bigger picture — a bold and mysterious tribute to the roots and future of rave culture. Following in the footsteps of Rebotini’s landmark album "Musical Component", this new project feels like a natural evolution — deepening his vision while expanding it into new sonic territories. Without giving too much away, this is SKYLAX BLACK 2 (after the LAXBLACK 1 "Winter Sequences EP" which marked the collaboration between Rebotini & Skylax) and features a set of four stunning tracks. On the A-side, Redshifts to Blueshifts opens the EP with an epic and soulful Detroit-style journey, evoking the finest moments of Underground Resistance — militant yet emotional, full of futuristic melancholy. 99 Shakes follows with a more direct club-driven assault, propelled by massive synth riffs and machine-gun rhythms, pushing the boundaries of dancefloor energy. Flip to the B-side and discover Futur Race, a pure electro odyssey à la Juan Atkins and early Metroplex (think 1985 sci-fi transmissions), sharp, robotic, and ultra-funky. Closing the EP is Gen Mix, a powerful and cinematic slice of what can only be called Wagnerian techno — intense, dramatic, orchestral in scope, and unmistakably Rebotini. This release is a statement — timeless and forward-thinking. This release is the first in a series — a mysterious and powerful journey through sound, vision, and legacy. What’s next? You’ll find out… one piece at a time.
- 1: Robot Stop (Live In Barcelona '25)
- 2: People Vultures (Live At The Caverns '3)
- 3: Mr. Beat (Live In London '19)
- 4: Invisible Face (Live In Chicago '23)
- 5: Big Fig Wasp (Live In Chicago '24)
- 6: Gamma Knife (Live In New Orleans '24)
- 7: Evil Death Roll (Live At Levitation '16)
- 8: Wah Wah (Live In Barcelona '24)
- 9: Road Train (Live In Austin '24)
Sour Grapes Records piece together the live LP of Nonagon Infinity on vinyl, with tracks made up of their sell outs shows across the years. The album features some of the best and most raucous live outings (Chicago, Barcelona, London) from each of the songs available on the infamous King Gizzard bootlegger series, one of the first of its kind. Available on red vinyl, with artwork designed by Jordan Warren.
- A1: Mauri & Dark Vektor - Somos Incomprendidos
- A2: Uranio Empobrecido - Sawtooth Rain
- A3: Spectrums Data Forces - Future Is Here
- B1: Spammerheads - Cold Dead Hands
- B2: Cuentoscuro - Escalextric
- C1: Siarem - Vectors
- C2: Uhf - Those Dark Whims
- D1: Promisingyoungster - Deep In My Soul
- D2: Robot City - Sos L'horta Sud
- D3: The Bandit - Feelings
We Are The Robots Vol. 01 – Hypnotica Colectiva 25
Hypnotica Colectiva drops a fresh wax cut: We Are The Robots Vol. 01 — a heavyweight double vinyl release that channels the raw energy of the crew’s legendary club nights and distills 15 years of sonic exploration across electro, broken beats, and IDM textures.
Marking catalogue number HCR025, the Valencia-based imprint doubles down on its underground ethos, curating a ten-track lineup from artists deeply connected to the collective’s orbit. Each contributor brings a distinct flavor of robotic sound design.
Every track has been handpicked for its club impact, conceptual depth, and ability to resonate with the aesthetic of We Are The Robots — a party series that’s been pushing uncompromising electro since 2010. Expect a full-spectrum journey: from cerebral synth workouts to gritty analog pressure, industrial atmospheres, shadowy breaks, and raw minimalism.
Artwork come courtesy of Dani Requeni, keeping the HC Records design language sharp and functional. Steve Voidloss handles mastering duties, ensuring each groove hits with precision.
Mastered by Voidloss at Black Monolith Studio, London.
Artwork, Label art & Designs by Dani Requeni.
All rights reserved.
HC RECORDS
València, 2025.
For the first time ever, Marcal's "Thought Control" is available on vinyl to commemorate Enemy Records' 20th anniversary. Previously only available digitally, the EP figures some of Marcal's biggest tracks such as "Seroto"and "Manta Ray." This ep is part of a limited series of reissues and first pressings from the label's back catalog, headed by Dustin Zahn.
"Thought Control" takes on a slightly deeper and heady direction than his previous output for Rekids or Uncage. However, the drums are still slammin' and every detail is crystal-clear. Marcal's natural progression shows he is more in control of his sound than ever before.
Manta Ray starts the EP with swinging drums and shots in the dark that will keep people marching through the night. Nevoa is the most melodic cut on the record. It's moody, wandering, and tripped out enough to disassociate you from reality. Robotic Thinking is as rigged as it is funky. The strong, pedaling, unified groove is laced with vowel formants and pulsing sinewaves. Closing out the EP is Seroto, a steady headsdown tribal workout for those trying to find their way through the late-night fog
- A1: Waiting For The Sign (Feat Lispector)
- A2: Patch 1985
- A3: Count To 10 (Feat Domotic)
- A4: Godbot
- A5: Skyway
- A6: Le Robot Gentilhomme
- B1: Ufo (Feat Lispector)
- B2: Cosmic Battle
- B3: Olympus
- B4: Shoppers On The Run
- B5: Postcard (Feat Kumisolo)
- B6: Melchiator
Emile Sornin has a robot in his life. It's not love, but it's not friendship either, and Forever Pavot is releasing an album documenting the affair on Born Bad. After a bunch of bold pop studio albums and a small stack of soundtracks, Emile needed a break. To put an end to it, he embarked with handyman extraordinaire Jonas Euvremer on the manufacture of an automaton destined to make his musician’s life easier. Melchior, who gave his name to the record, has the face of a ventriloquist's dummy, two plastic left hands, preppy clothes and a primitive logic circuit. This goodie two-shoes cousin of Bender’s is supposed to be doing the interviews and deal with socials for Emile. The plan worked admirably : Melchior is a perfect cover-boy, and his very existence has put our man back to work.
They set a path for phat electronic ventures (and by the way, mostly english-speaking). Sub- continental bass & massive drums, heavy-footed and unabashed : as much appreciated as unexpected. The half-android shares songwriting credits and vocal parts vocoded to perfection. Not a jealous lad, Melchior makes way for a guest of choice on “UFO” and “Waiting for the sign” : Lispector. Julie Margat sings and collaborated on the lyrics for these two bangers that provide a lot of context (robot angst is real). Kumisolo, our favorite Japanese « it » girl in Paris, also sent her “Postcard”, more vapour than song, unreal musical cotton candy of arrangements.
Domotic, who mixes and co-produces, gives a nice spin to “Count to 10”, a hip-hop/kraut crossover with a BEAK> flavour. The Forever Pavot, once a big-band, will be touring as a bass/ drums/keys & vocals trio, with Melchior as guest.
Record after record, Emile Sornin has become an increasingly literate musical illiterate. When needed, his music can still become a thicket of ancient and modern finds. « Le robot gentilhomme », a skillful pastiche of baroque composer Jean-Baptiste Lully, would stand a few rounds against Wendy Carlos. His love for oldies also shines through “Skyway”, a nod to the late Pierre Arvay, France’s Colonel Sanders of library music nuggets.
Forever Pavot may have gone wild, but remains indebted vis-à-vis the golden age of film music. Forebears deluxe Ennio Morricone & François de Roubaix make Hitchcock-style cameos: discreet appearances that you’ll watch out for (those syncopated cascades of syllables at the end of « UFO », and I guess we can indulge with some clavichord/ondioline Victoria sponge). His new flirt is all but a toxic relationship. « Melchior, Vol. 1 »: the robo-bromance is not over yet.
Drawing from over three decades in electronic music, DJ Rame (one third of the acclaimed Italian Pastaboys team) showcases his House Music expertise with this genre-blending original EP on Memento Records, going right back to the roots of club culture.
Title track Life 3 starts off with a dreamy pad intro and New York-house inspired piano chords, setting the mood for the dance floor and suddenly exploding into a bouncy, tension-and-release energetic swing, trippy percussions and rubberized synth rhythms.
Toyholic’s infectious bassline and syncopated beats match retro-futuristic synths and acid melodies, while Niwa’s faster pace and robotic vocal samples are drenched in 80s Electro Disco moods.
Stone Garden rounds off the release with a breakbeat groove, vintage analog sounds and mesmerizing stop-and-gos.
A visceral ode to the free spirit of the early warehouse parties that came to define an era of revolutionary music, these 4 tracks are one part raw emotion, one part contemporary sonic innovation.
- Hell Bent For Sæther
- The Walls Of Crystal Keep
- Unicorn
- Sternenfels Space Gate
- Everywhere I Rest My Head The Ground Is Shifting
- The Magic Balloon
Clear Vinyl. Mit ihrem Debüt The Empty Space Between A Seamount And Shock Headed Julia hinterließen The Black Cat's Eye 2023 ein bemerkenswertes Echo in der Szene - ein energetisches und atmosphärisches Werk, das Psychedelic- und Postrock-Elemente auf einzigartige Weise vereinte und schnell vergriffen war. Nun, zweieinhalb Jahre später, präsentiert das Frankfurter Quintett sein neues Album Decrypting Dreams Of Weird Animals And Strange Objects. Auch diesmal lotet die Band die Grenzbereiche zwischen Psychedelic-, Kraut- und Post-Rock aus. Die Musik oszilliert zwischen hypnotischem Drive, verträumten Gitarrenflächen und dynamischen Spannungsbögen. Das Album umfasst sechs Songs, deren Spannweite von fünf- bis zehnminütigen Klangreisen reicht. Neu ist, dass diesmal zwei Bandmitglieder Kompositionen beisteuerten: Neben Gitarrist und Bandgründer Christian Blaser stammt die Hälfte des Materials von Bassist Jens Cappel. Sein kraftvoller, direkter Stil ergänzt Blasers atmosphärischen Ansatz ideal. Blaser: ,Auf dem Debütalbum stammten alle Stücke von mir. Als Gründer der Band lag mein Fokus zunächst darauf, eine musikalische Vision und Richtung vorzugeben. Jens war zu diesem Zeitpunkt noch nicht so in die kreativen Prozesse eingebunden, obwohl er ein außerordentlich talentierter und umtriebiger Musiker ist. Er veröffentlicht regelmäßig großartige neue Musik auf den Bandcamp-Seiten seiner eigenen Projekte, zum Beispiel The Black Black Paint. Als es dann an das Schreiben neuer Songs für das zweite Album ging, brachte Jens einige wirklich tolle Demos mit ein." Stilistisch verbindet das Album, wie schon der Vorgänger, klassische 70er-Einflüsse mit zeitgenössischer Rockmusik - man hört Anklänge an Can, Motorpsycho, Neu!, Indie- und Stonerrock, aber auch an David Gilmours Gitarrenästhetik. Die Musik ist instrumental, einzig im finalen Stück ,The Magic Balloon" übernimmt Jens Cappel den Gesang. Ähnlich rätselhaft wie bei der ersten Platte klingt der Albumtitel: Decrypting Dreams Of Weird Animals And Strange Objects. Blaser erklärt: ,Der Titel ist inspiriert von einem faszinierenden Aspekt der US-amerikanischen TV-Serie Westworld. Dort werden humanoiden Robotern Gefühle und Träume einprogrammiert. Doch weil diese Androiden dadurch immer menschlicher werden, geraten sie außer Kontrolle - die Programmierer suchen daraufhin den Fehler in den von ihnen geschriebenen Quellcodes, analysieren die künstlichen Gefühle, Gedanken und Träume mithilfe ihrer Computerprogramme. Übertragen auf unsere Realität ist der Titel durchaus ironisch gemeint. Unsere moderne Technik vermittelt den Eindruck, wir könnten jeden Bereich unseres Lebens vollständig steuern. Selbstoptimierung und die Kapitalisierung des eigenen Ichs werden zum obersten Prinzip. Eine trügerische Illusion, denn wir sind nur winzige Teile eines größeren, für uns unergründlichen Ganzen. Vor diesem Hintergrund stellt sich die Frage: Was kann Kunst zu unserer Wahrnehmung der Welt beitragen? Welche Bedeutung hat es, sich mit musikalischen Mitteln auszudrücken? Durch Technik, Mathematik, Physik und reine Vernunft kommen wir dem Wunder des Lebens und dem Sinn unserer Existenz nicht wirklich näher. Was uns bleibt, ist das Ritual, die Beschwörung, die Ekstase. Musik, Tanz, Malerei, Geschichten - sie offenbaren für kurze Momente den wahren Kern des Lebens, richten unser Verhältnis dazu neu aus und verbinden uns mit dem Universum." Aufgenommen hat die Band wieder im Tonstudio Bieber in Offenbach am Main. Oli Rüger, Studiobetreiber und selbst Musiker, hat langjährige Erfahrung mit dem Aufnehmen von Gitarrenbands. Innerhalb von drei Tagen spielte die Band die Basic Tracks live ein, anschließend ergänzten sie diese durch Overdubs. Rüger war auch als Co-Produzent beteiligt. Cappel: ,Oli hat das richtige Händchen für die perfekte Balance zwischen rohen, heftigen und filigranen Sounds, ohne gleichzeitig den Blick für das große Ganze zu verlieren." Das Werk wurde final von Krautrock-Legende Eroc gemastert - eine passende Wahl für eine Band, die sich nicht nur als Erben der 70er sieht, sondern diese Tradition aktiv in die Gegenwart weiterdenkt. Das monochrome Cover-Artwork unterstreicht eindrucksvoll die dunkle Atmosphäre der Musik. Es verdeutlicht den konzeptionellen Ansatz der Band, Musik nicht nur als Klang, sondern als Raum, Konzept und visionäre Erzählform zu begreifen. Das Titelbild - eine scheinbar endlose Spirale, Symbol für DNA-Strukturen und Ewigkeit - wurde vom italienischen Grafiker Daniele Stochino entworfen. Die Innenseite des Gatefolds verbindet dieses Motiv mit einer Illustration des in Berlin lebenden Grafikers und Musikers Max Emil Hurlebaus. Durch farbige Akzente eröffnet sie kontrastreich neue Perspektiven.




















