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“The Long Transition From Death To Wisdom” marks a new chapter in Dmitry’s evolving sonic world – a contemplative, slow‑burning journey through grief, memory, and the quiet emergence of clarity. Rooted in a brooding fusion of shoegaze, goth, and darkwave, the album drifts through washed out guitars, spectral synths, and poignant vocals – its emotional landscape suspended between sadness and awakening. On vocal duties is Dmitry’s longtime collaborator Valeria Simonova, whose presence deepens the album’s atmosphere. Each track feels like a step forward in the ritual of becoming aware of one’s own existence, moving through silence and ancient memories toward a sense of spiritual renewal.

The album opens with the mysticism and layered metaphors of “Liar,” before descending into the ancient, biblical presence of “Serpent Queen.” Midway, “Zenith” rises with shimmering synths and steady, triumphant percussion, while “Echoes of Yesterday” lingers in celestial melancholy, dissolving the boundary between remembrance and insight. The Bside begins with “The Other Side of Life,” a threshold into a quieter, more reflective space, followed by the meditative, ritual like ambience of “Shrine of Ruins.” Closing track “Cold” offers a final exhale from the fading realm of the past – an acceptance shaped by distance, time, and the erosion of old wounds.

An array of musicians contributed to the recoding of the album: Mathys Dubois (No One Is Innocent, exBlack Strobe), Loïc Maurin (M83), Victor Sologub (Deadушки, Странные Игры), Alexander Titov (Кино, Аквариум), Ben Easton (Deary), and others. The album was mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell.

The arrival of REAL, Vol. 1 marks a seismic shift in the global music landscape, uniting two of Nigeria’s most formidable forces for a project that defines the current zenith of Afrobeats. This collaborative effort sees Wizkid, the smooth-talking pioneer of the genre’s international expansion, and Asake, the "Mr. Money" whose neo-Fuji sound redefined the street-pop aesthetic, finding a middle ground between luxury and grit. The project serves as a sonic bridge between eras, blending the minimalist, high-fashion sensibilities of Wizkid’s recent output with the high-octane, choir-backed energy that has made Asake a household name. It is less of a competition and more of a conversation between two masters of their craft, exploring themes of spiritual gratitude, the weight of superstardom, and the unyielding pulse of Lagos.

With soundscapes both cinematic and deeply rhythmic, the production moves beyond standard club formulas, opting instead for a sophisticated fusion of traditional Yoruba percussion, shimmering synths, and the heavy, resonant log drums of Amapiano. Wizkid provides the effortless, melodic swagger that acts as the project's anchor, while Asake injects a spiritual intensity through his signature layered chanting and rapid-fire flows.

Ultimately, REAL, Vol. 1 is a celebration of authenticity in an era of global crossover. By stripping away the pressure of conforming to Western pop standards, Wizkid and Asake have created a body of work that is unapologetically Nigerian yet universally resonant. It captures the spirit of a city that never sleeps and the ambition of two artists who have conquered the world without losing their souls. This is more than just a collection of hits; it is a blueprint for the future of African music, proving that when Wizkid and Asake occupy the same frequency, the result is nothing short of legendary.

Wer ist Born At Midnite und warum sollte dich das interessieren? Born At Midnite sind keine gewöhnlichen Drag-and-Drop-Produzenten, sondern eine vertikal integrierte Songmaschine. Mit Samplern, künstlichen Drums, Tonbandgeräten und hauseigenem Artwork, alles im Homeoffice-Tempo; seit einem halben Jahrzehnt steuert das Duo aus Montreal ganz lässig auf den Status der ,coolsten Band der Szene" zu. Indem sie den allgegenwärtigen Narzissmus und die Selbstverliebtheit unserer Zeit ausspielen - und sich gleichzeitig darüber lustig machen -, flicken die Jungs eine Art ungesponserten ,Product-Placement-Punk" zusammen. Also sag mir, was hat es mit ihrem Debütalbum auf sich? Was ist das Gegenteil eines Wunsches, der mit einem schrecklichen Fluch einhergeht? Es ist etwas, das niemand wollte, das aber vor ewiger Verdammnis schützt; es ist ,Eternal BAM Nation", das lang erwartete und doch schnell zusammengestellte Debütalbum von Born At Midnite. Und du weißt, dass diese elfeinhalb Songs den Kern der Sache treffen.

State of Minds compilation features Finnish artists working across house, electro, and techno. Industry veterans Freestyle Man (Sasse), Ender, and Phonogenic, along with label co-founder RV820, highlight a range of sounds from hypnotic house to Detroit techno, reflecting the diversity and depth of Finland’s electronic scene. Four tracks of the highest quality, this album sampler from Meltdown Deejays is not to be missed!

Arpy Brown & Kapote Announce Collaborative Album Memento Ludi via Toy Tonics

A sun-drenched fusion of yacht rock, house and modern indie dance energy – out June 26, 2026
BERLIN, GERMANY — Toy Tonics is proud to announce Memento Ludi, the first collaborative album by label founder Kapote and multi-instrumentalist producer Arpy Brown, arriving June 26, 2026.
The album is a funk-driven journey that bridges the warmth of 1970s analog recordings with the pulse of contemporary dance music. Blending neo-soul grooves, yacht rock harmonies and modern house rhythms, Memento Ludi captures the spirit of classic musicianship within a forward-looking club context.

But Memento Ludi is more than a typical house record. The album moves fluidly between dancefloor tracks and fully developed songs. Every instrument was performed live by the artists themselves: guitars, bass, keyboards and percussion recorded in the studio by Arpy and Kapote. After jamming and recording the basis of every song in a live procedure they carefully resample the parts to create the organic, human touch that defines the Toy Tonics sound.

The title Memento Ludi — Latin for “remember to play” — reflects the album’s philosophy: bringing joy, spontaneity and musicality back into dance music at a time when many club tracks feel increasingly mechanical and formulaic.

The collaboration arrives during a particularly busy moment for both artists. While spending countless hours in the studio, Kapote and Arpy Brown have also maintained intensive international touring schedules with the Toy Tonics crew, road-testing many of the tracks as “secret weapons” in their DJ sets from Melbourne to Los Angeles via their homebase Berlin.

“We wanted to make a record that felt like a lost studio session from 1978 — resampled and synthesised in 2026,” says Kapote.

Mr Bongo are thrilled to have one of the leading lights in contemporary soul joining the label. Melbourne-based vocalist, musician, and songwriter Ella Thompson is an artist whose name is being championed by some of the best in the business. She’s been building a reputation as one to watch, with two standout releases on Hopestreet Recordings, Domino EP in 2023 and Ripple On The Wing LP in 2024, alongside a heavy touring schedule and a stacked list of support slots and collaborations.

For this new 7” single, Ella collaborates with a selection of artists at the forefront of Naarm/Melbourne’s soulful DIY community. Featuring members of Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo, Liam McGorry from Temporary Blessings (College Of Knowledge) joins Ella as co-writer and co-producer, with go-to Melbourne engineer Henry Jenkins also producing and recording the track.

Bridging the worlds of classic and contemporary soul, Ella’s songwriting is drenched in emotion and personal experience. With a timeless feel that is hard to tie to any particular period, she has crafted a sound that instantly hits deep. It’s warm, tasteful and distinctly Ella. That talent has also seen her tour with Mark Ronson, and support other contemporary greats like Jalen Ngonda, Lee Fields, and Thee Sacred Souls.

‘Promise To Keep’ is the first taste of Ella’s new material on this 7” single. An irrepressible upbeat groover that echoes mid-to-late-sixties vocal groups. That influence though never overpowers Ella’s own unique creative voice or distinct sense of self. She draws from it, but the colour is all her own. The song tells a story of being carried by the current that keeps us moving, giving us courage. A commitment to oneself that speaks to action shaped by vision, and the pull of following what feels correct even when the distance is far.

The flip side finds Ella in a different mood. ‘Change Of Heart’ is a heavy sweet-soul ballad. Rich in drama, Ella’s falsetto vocals build to a stunning climax in the final section, with triumphant horns that signal the release of letting go. The lyrics reflect on temporality and impermanence, and the way moments can be missed or arrive with synchronicity. It’s that bittersweet paradox of triumph and sadness, where everything contains its opposite: absence and presence, innocence and experience. The song is underpinned by a brooding production quality and atmospheric, beat-heavy flavour that Surprise Chef and cinematic soul fans will relish.

Mixed by Wayne Gordon (Daptone, Womack Sisters), ‘Promise to Keep’ and ‘Change of Heart’ are a glimpse of things to come from Ella. Keep an eye open for more new music incoming from this phenomenal artist at the top of her game.

Capturing the full scope of the Straw Hat Crew’s journey into the Grand Line, this collection brings together the massive, high energy score by award winning composers Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli. From the shores of Loguetown to the snowy peaks of Drum Island, every moment of the voyage is brought to life through soaring orchestral arrangements and unforgettable pirate anthems.

2LP Audiophile Black Vinyl: Two 12 inch records pressed on high quality black vinyl for a classic look and superior sound fidelity, delivering every orchestral swell with crystal clear precision.

Double CD Set: Two discs featuring the complete original score and songs, presented in a premium compact format.

Premium Packaging: A double gatefold jacket for the vinyl edition and a three fold digipack for the CD, both showcasing vibrant cinematic artwork of Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew.

Complete Soundtrack: Over 40 tracks spanning the entire second season, including character themes, emotional moments and epic battle motifs.

Whether at home or on your own journey, this release is the perfect way to keep the spirit of adventure alive, immersing you fully in the world of One Piece.

Netflix’s epic high seas pirate adventure, ONE PIECE, returns for Season 2, unleashing fiercer adversaries and the most perilous quests yet. Luffy and the Straw Hats set sail for the extraordinary Grand Line, a legendary stretch of sea where danger and wonder await at every turn. As they journey through this unpredictable realm in search of the world’s greatest treasure, they will encounter bizarre islands and a host of formidable new enemies

We are pleased to announce the upcoming reissue of the critically acclaimed fifth album by the iconic French duo AIR, titled Pocket Symphony.

Originally released in 2007 and produced by long-time collaborator Nigel Godrich, this album represents a refined and introspective milestone in Air's career.

The record masterfully blends delicate electronics with traditional Japanese instrumentation, creating a soundscape that is both intimate and cinematic.

Mit Tether veröffentlicht die preisgekrönte Saxophonistin, Improvisatorin und Komponistin Alden Hellmuth ihr neues Album - der kraftvolle Nachfolger zu Good Intentions, das als Debut Album of the Year International beim Deutschen Jazzpreis ausgezeichnet wurde. Hellmuth, Absolventin des renommierten Herbie Hancock Institute, verbindet hier kompositorische Präzision mit einem markanten, modernen Bandsound. Das Herzstück von Tether ist ein seltenes Zwei-Bass-Quartett, getragen von zwei der radikalsten Musiker der LA-Szene: Logan Kane, ein genreübergreifender Bassist zwischen Jazz, Avantgarde und Punk-Funk, und Miller Wrenn, einer der furchtlosesten Improvisatoren der Westküste. An den Drums sorgt Justin Brown für energetische Dynamik - ein herausragender Musiker, der u. a. mit Ambrose Akinmusire, Christian McBride und Vijay Iyer gearbeitet hat. Besondere Gäste wie Paul Cornish, Finalist großer internationaler Klavierwettbewerbe und auf Blue Note veröffentlicht, sowie Yakiv Tsvietinskyi, eine prägende Stimme des modernen ukrainischen Jazz, erweitern den Klang zusätzlich. Tether ist ein energiegeladenes, modernes Jazzalbum, das Avantgarde-Mut, kompositorische Tiefe und unmittelbare Spielfreude vereint. Hellmuths Quartett erschafft eine kraftvolle, eigenständige Klangwelt zwischen Modern Jazz, zeitgenössischer Improvisation und experimentellen Low-End-Texturen.

Laid Back in Top Form: New Music Flowing After 47 Years
After 47 years together, the iconic Danish duo Laid Back continue to defy expectations, entering a new and remarkably productive creative phase.
Their upcoming album, Born to Fly, captures their unmistakable sound while showcasing a renewed sense of energy and inspiration

“We feel like we are meant to make music. And when we play music, it feels like we’re flying,” says John Guldberg, reflecting on the album’s title and spirit.

Long known for their unhurried approach to releasing music, Laid Back now find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Guldberg describes a surge in creativity that has
turned their process on its head.
“It’s kind of funny — Laid Back has always taken its time making records. We’ve been behind schedule for most of our career. Now it’s the opposite:
I’m actually starting to worry about whether I’ll have time to release everything I’ve got in me,” he says.

Their current workflow reflects this momentum. Guldberg develops initial ideas,which he shares with Tim Stahl, who then brings them to life with vocals and instrumentation.
“When he sends me something and I start singing and playing on it, that’s when it really becomes Laid Back,” says Stahl.

The duo’s creative output has accelerated to such an extent that even ahead of the release of Born to Fly, they already have enough material prepared for more than a double album for their next project.

“It’s about making the most of the time you have left. I used to feel there was plenty of time and no need to rush. Now time feels much more valuable,” Guldberg adds
.
Alongside their creative resurgence, Laid Back are also seeing a shift in their audience demographics. Streaming data and live performances indicate a growing younger fanbase — a development that has taken the duo by surprise.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back out on stage. We still have the urge to perform, and we love making people happy. That’s what our music is for,” says Stahl.
Born to Fly is set for release across CD, vinyl, and digital formats. Laid Back will also perform in selected cities across Europe later this year 2026.

“We hope people can hear that we’ve grown — and that it still makes sense for us to make new music,” says Guldberg.

Gadea’s original soundtrack to In the Beginning, the new animated short film by director Ala Nunu, unfolds across three surreal, yet surprisingly real, stories about people and the world around them: a lunar probe’s tardigrade cargo, 16th-century myths surrounding birds of paradise, and Hong Kong’s pandemic-driven hamster cull. The film is a tonally absurd documentary-fiction essay on anthropocentrism and the human need to control narratives.

This is Gadea’s first musical accompaniment for animation. Collaborating with Marina Herlop on vocals, Gadea’s sonic palette sits somewhere between field-recording minimalism, chamber electro-acoustics, and the more fragile end of speculative composition.

The artists at Stax Records were no more immune to the Beatles’ charm than the rest of the United States. From the mid-1960s onward, numerous Beatles covers were laid down for the label. Available wide on vinyl for the first time, this 8 track LP collection includes vocal and instrumental performances that deliver an eclectic cross-section of soulful Beatles covers by legendary Stax Records artists, including Otis Redding, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Isaac Hayes, Carla Thomas, and David Porter.

Detroit producer, Shawescape Renegade, comes to Tresor Records with Exoframe, a five-track EP of pure techno and electro, including a remix by Arpanet.
As with so many forerunners and peers in the Detroit techno world, Shawescape Renegade, is a deep thinking and a world-building story teller and Exoframe uses the traditional sci-fi narrative to explore recent thought Shaw has had on the potential hidden costs of technological
evolution: what happens when overspecialisation leads to a dead end; when inflexibility means a return to the old forms becomes difficult.
The EP opens with 78 Light Years From Earth, an effects-laden slab of electro that pulls the percussion into other dimensions. Mechanus 9 brings a techno edge before Terraformers Warning unleashes a bass-driven beast.
A fast-paced remodel of Terraformer’s Warning from Gerald Donald’s Arpanet project follows, before the EP is closed out with another bassline-forward track, Ignition One, an updated version of the Shawescape cut that soundtracked the section of the Black To Techno
documentary focussed on the Detroit’s Jit dance scene. The strong symbiosis between Jit and Techno is a foundational part of Detroit’s culture and a community tie and suggests that while technology may lead to stagnation, the cultural muscle memory offers a path back to
authenticity.
In a thoughtful nod to the praxis of the DJ, the vinyl versions of A1 & B1 are five BPM slower than the digital, moving the music to between 128BPM and 151BPM on a standard Technics turntable and opening it up for play in a greater range of club environs.
It’s this deep respect for the artistry and traditions of Detroit’s longstanding music and dance scenes that mark Shawescape Renegade out as one of the true inheritors of the city’s heritage.

Mark Jenkin, der BAFTA-preisgekrönte Regisseur, Editor, Drehbuchautor, Kameramann und Musiker, präsentiert auf Invada Records den Score zu seinem neuen Film Rose of Nevada. Das Album erscheint auf einfarbig gelbem Vinyl und enthält ein beidseitig bedrucktes 12"-Inlay. Jenkin nimmt unter britischen Spielfilmregisseuren eine Sonderstellung ein - nicht zuletzt durch seine analoge Arbeitsweise: Alle drei seiner Spielfilme wurden auf 16mm mit einer mechanischen Bolex-Kamera gedreht. Neben seinen vielfältigen Rollen als Autor, Regisseur, Kameramann und Editor zeichnet er erneut auch für das Sounddesign und die Komposition der Originalmusik verantwortlich. Der neue Score spiegelt die im Film angewandten Techniken wider: Analoge Synthesizer ziehen die Hörerinnen und Hörer in nebelhafte, hypnotische Klanglandschaften und feine, subtile Bewegungen hinein. Komponiert, produziert, aufgenommen und eingespielt von Mark Jenkin - unter Verwendung von Synthesizern, Gitarre, Percussion sowie Loops und Effekten - erinnern die Field Recordings an den Kontext, in dem die Musik ursprünglich entstanden ist. Während der Score zwischen ruhigen, ambienten Klangmeeren und aufbrausenden Stürmen oszilliert, behauptet er zugleich seine Wirkung als kraftvolles, eigenständiges Werk. Die physische Veröffentlichung des Scores folgt auf Jenkins dritten Spielfilm: Rose of Nevada, ein Zeitreise-Film, startet am 24. April in den Kinos in Großbritannien und Irland, gefolgt von einer Veröffentlichung auf BFI Blu-ray sowie auf dem BFI Player im Sommer.

Die einflussreiche experimentelle Indie-Rock-Band aus Olympia, Washington ist bekannt für ihre minimalistische "Love-Rock"-Ästhetik, die Lo-Fi, Noise-Pop und Punk miteinander verbindet. Critters Encore ist die erste Platte seit Jahren der DIY-Pioniere. Tiere in den Vororten: die Kaninchen, die Krähe, der Regenwurm und das Eichhörnchen. Die ,hämmernde Pop-Maschine mit unerbittlicher Unbefangenheit" ist zurück. Cool Media, Fuzzy Media, Marshall McLuhan fährt auf Roy Orbisons Motorrad mit. Hektische, ängstliche Katharsis Gitarren, die am Rande des Vergessens balancieren und eine Stimme, die dich auch nach dem Aufwachen noch verfolgt während sie die Erde berührt. Die ,Love-Rock"-Revolution trifft auf die Verbindung zwischen den Arten in unserer modernen Spielwelt.

,Future Development" ist das dritte Album von Del The Funky Homosapien und war nach seinem Weggang vom Major-Label Elektra sein erstes Solo-Album für sein Independent-Label Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings. Ursprünglich 1997 auf Kassette veröffentlicht und später 2002 auf CD und Vinyl neu aufgelegt, stützte sich das Album größtenteils auf Dels eigene Produktion sowie Beiträge von Hiero Crew-Mitgliedern A-Plus, Opio und Toure. Der einzige Gastbeitrag auf dem Album stammt von Crew-Mitglied Casual, der Del auf dem energetischen ,Checking Out The Rivalry" begleitet. Klanglich schlägt ,Future Development" eine Brücke zwischen den funklastigen Stilen von Dels Debüt und den dunkleren, futuristischeren Texturen, die er auf ,No Need for Alarm" erkundete. Textlich verfeinert Del sein rasantes Wortspiel mit einer schärferen thematischen Ausrichtung und beschäftigt sich mit dem Leben in Oakland, gesellschaftlichen Beobachtungen und der Hip-Hop-Kultur - alles mit einer Mischung aus Humor, straßenkluger Einsicht und mehrsilbiger Gewandtheit. Letztendlich fängt das Album einen Schnappschuss seiner Entwicklung vom rohen Talent zu einem konzeptionell gereifteren Songwriter ein. Es bleibt ein bedeutendes und unterschätztes Kapitel in Dels Entwicklung, das die frühen Keime der Kreativität und Unabhängigkeit zeigt, die einen Großteil seiner weiteren Karriere prägen sollten.

First released back in 1998, Random Factor's Too Fast Into The Future returns to wax and serves as a reminder of just how far UK mainstay Carl Finlow was already thinking ahead. The album was also a standout moment in the Leeds-based 20/20 Vision label catalogue that threads house, techno and electro into something more unsettled and brilliant. 'Lead Me Blind' and the title track fold processed vocals into stark machine rhythms, while 'First Principles' and 'When Daylight Fades' remain DJ touchstones. There is tension in every bar and introspection rubbing against dancefloor drive. Decades on, it still bangs.

Few names carry as much weight in German techno as Alexander Kowalski. A producer and live performer since early 90, his work has shaped the sound of an era, from his early days at Tresor through to releases on Kanzleramt and MORD, and a live reputation that has held firm across three decades on stages worldwide.
Now Kowalski opens his own imprint. Cycles Music launches with Live II, and the choice of format makes perfect sense. Two sides, two cuts, no detours. Techno built from the same instinct that has made his live sets a benchmark in the underground for as long as most people can remember.
CYC001 is not an introduction. It's a continuation, and a clear statement of what Cycles Music is here to do.

Aaron Coyes (PEAKING LIGHTS, LEISURE CONNECTION, NTS) is back with part 2 of this 3 part series under the EXOTIC GARDENS moniker.

This time, the listener finds themselves sauntering into the post-noon hours with a little more grit: Acid synths, distorted phones ringing, some hungover spoken word samples and even the sounds of a Monchichi if you listen closely enough.

But at the heart of it all remains the same backbone that made his 2024 "MORNING DUBS" a surprise hit for Pinchy and Friends: infectiously deep, perfectly produced psychedelic dub
grooves.

Coyes has had a busy year. He released another Exotic Gardens EP on the Emotional Response label, indulging his more distorted, shoe gaze and post punk passions (and sounding much different to his work with P&F). He also worked with fellow P&F artist COYOTE on the "Love Letters" EP. (2025- Is It Balaeric???)

Now that we are 2/3rds into the day, one can only wonder…what will the EVENING bring???

Fiscal man of mystery, Clive From Accounts is back!
Fresh off the heels of his well received debut album on Razor N Tape, “The Very Best of Clive From Accounts” comes his new concoction, “Income Trax Vol. 1”.
The 3 track EP kicks off with “I’ve Been Waiting“, a 90s piano laden up-tempo house track with a twist of soulful sampled flute and vocals.
“Every Time” is a filtered deep disco house roller built around lush string samples, live bass and soulful vocal cuts. It’s sleek, assured and festival-ready.
“Superfine” clocks in and turns the energy up. A snappy pop-disco number powered by punchy strings, big vocal hooks and catchy synths. Operating somewhere between the dancefloor and the stationery cupboard.