Cerca:sub dub

Leng Records proudly presents Everything You’re About to Hear Is True: Volume 1, a compilation carefully curated by Rotation Soundsystem. Brought together by Rotation founders Dean Meredith and Ben Shenton, alongside the Wrekin Havoc trio of Rob J, Stuart Robinson, and Rich Hall, this debut volume captures the collective’s shared vision – shaped by decades of crate-digging.

Founded in 2013, Rotation has grown from a modest gathering in Staffordshire into a thriving community of like-minded music lovers, attracting heads and partygoers from across the UK – and well beyond. What began as an intimate affair has evolved into a full-scale, three-day celebration, now held in a grand yurt and powered by a bespoke six-way sound system. The rig features four Klipschorns, two JBLs with twin 18” and 15” sub reinforcements, compression horns, and an Isonoe 420 mixer.

Meredith explains: “With the help of my brother, Martin, I’m constantly looking at ways to improve the setup. I love the way Larry Levan did that at The Paradise Garage. We have a few things that are custom-made. I want our system to be unique to us.”

According to regular attendee, DJ and writer Steve KIW: “In the right hands, the sound system at Rotation – very much Dean’s labour of love – is untouchable. The comparisons with Mancuso’s Loft come easily because they are deserved. There isn’t a bad spot in the yurt. Wherever you are, it sounds incredible.”

As the dancing continues through the weekend, the DJ line-up has grown to match the occasion. Guests and headliners have included a roll call of legendary selectors: Bill Brewster, Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy, Phil Mison, Nick The Record, Ruf Dug, Mark Seven, and The Idjut Boys — the latter playing a marathon 10-hour set in 2024. The parties have also featured live performances from Emperor Machine, Quinn Lamont Luke, Reuben Vaun Smith, and Orbs of Light.

Presented on gatefold double vinyl, this lovingly assembled collection is the result of decades spent digging through dusty crates, reflecting the selectors’ deep-rooted passion for uncovering rare gems and overlooked treasures. Decidedly European in spirit, the album brings together 14 rarities with standout selections from Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Germany, and France. The vast majority of tracks are true obscurities, and nearly every one is a mid-tempo bumper.

“This has been a long time coming – something we’ve always dreamed of doing. We’re incredibly thankful to Leng Records, who understand our vision and what we’re trying to build. This compilation pulls together some of our favourite tracks from over the years. It’s not just a playlist – it’s a journey, a window into the sound of Rotation,” says Meredith.

DJ support - Alix Perez, Fracture, Lenzman, Kyle Hall, Doc Scott.

Introducing a new remix EP series from Rosebay Music aiming to connect the dots between soulful D&B and more disparate styles, tempos and scenes - with remixes coming in from a carefully selected group of artists reinterpreting tunes from the catalogue in fresh and unexpected ways.

Detroit’s Kyle Hall has been 1 of the cities main ambassadors of soulful, gritty house & techno over the last 15 years. Here he’s joined by instrumentalist Ian Fink to deliver a classic slice of deep and raw Detroit house music in his remix of Submorphics - Blastoff. This unforeseen linkup between Kyle Hall and Submorphics represents a rare joining of forces between 2 Detroit-born artists who have both repped their hometown’s aesthetic quite heavily in their respective scenes.

Noodles142 is the new alias of D&B star Satl - making fresh bangers fusing UKG, techno, dubstep and bass music in a classic-yet-futuristic way. Here he flips Submorphics - Hey Baby into deep, dark and dubby 140 territory paying homage to middle-of-the-night Detroit grittyness.

Primitive Instinct has quickly become one of the hottest upcoming names in D&B, repping Bristol with ultra-modern production, swinging drums, gorgeous synth work and amazing vocal sample manipulation. His stellar EP on The North Quarter convinced Rosebay to get him to remix Submorphics - Cinerama; and the result is a truly infectious dancefloor weapon.

The final remix comes from one of the current stars of 1985 Music: Trail. Repping the Toulouse D&B scene over the last few years, Trail has a unique knack for melody, harmony and groove that sets him apart from other modern liquid artists. Here he flips Submorphics, Zar & aya dia’s modern classic “Another Level Of Love” into a trippy and experimental heater. A diverse and eclectic selection of remixes from some very intriguing artists each existing in their own lane. Enjoy the ride!

Representing the spirit of the underground in Dubai, Shadi Megallaa is a multifaceted music lover whose unwavering passion for music permeates throughout all of his endeavours. A pioneer of Dubai’s electronic music culture, Shadi’s roots lie with the foundations of modern day electronica: all shades of house, techno and beyond. His commitment to preserving and evolving the culture is inherent in his record shop, The Flip Side, which has been intrinsic to the growth and development of music culture in Dubai. As a DJ and producer he draws on a multitude of experience, diverse taste and a refined ear that has instilled the ability to craft compelling productions. On Spirits Of The Deep we find Shadi exploring the deeper side of electronic music, creating layers of vibration designed to immerse the listener in layers of positive vibration.

As prescribed by Shadi himself, we start the traditional way, with Side B (the info side), where ‘Microgravity’ transports us into the cosmos. Soothing sonics envelop a taut low end with crisp percussion and swathes of pad work cultivating an interstellar atmosphere. Subtly shifting layers keep you locked into a groove, as the track maintains its energetic pulse. The synth lines increase with intensity midway through, adding more potency. Across almost nine minutes Shadi takes us on an excursion beyond the stars…

This is followed by ‘G-Dub’, a smooth jazz-inflected piece full of soul nourishing goodness. Intuitive drum programming with a groove-laced low end form the propulsive backbone of this track. The dreamlike melodic elements are almost transcendent in their illuminating impact. With all of its elements combined, ‘G-Dub’ is a glorious foray into the depths of true deep house. Shadi keeps things interesting throughout, adding and subtracting layers to complement the pace. Those hi-hats and intermittent cymbal crashes are especially impactful. A delight.

On the flip we have ‘Pressure’, where Shadi’s UK breaks influence comes through. A characterful vocal sample features throughout the intro before we enter a world of unusual sounds. The beats are, once again, impeccably executed, accompanied by a dubby bassline and an ever-evolving cacophony of squelchy sounds and chirps. Running at just over 9 ½ minutes, ‘Pressure’ sees Shadi flexing his creative muscles with a heady, expansive composition that invites us on a deep musical trip.

Finally, ‘The Poet’ closes out the EP on an emotive tip. The track is dedicated to the Palestinian poet and activist Refaat Alareer, who was killed during an airstrike on Gaza in December 2023. It utilises Refaat’s powerful poem If I Must Die, with the spinetingling words taking centre stage, as Shadi’s beats, bass and bright pads provide the backdrop. A piano-led melody appears in the latter part of the track, amplifying its emotionally-charged atmosphere. A wonderfully imagined homage to a martyr for peace. As the samples state, Let it bring hope…

Nathalie Duchene & Radio Slave team up for summer anthem ‘We Are Youth’. CASSIMM remixes the track.

The Belgium-born, Paris-based Nathalie Duchene joins Radio Slave’s Rekids via a collaboration with the label boss himself. ‘We Are Youth’ lands 11th July 2025 and includes a remix from CASSIMM.

Embodying the spirit of summer with glistening piano keys, vibrant strings, and a snazzy bassline, Nathalie Duchene & Radio Slave's ‘We Are Youth’ brims with feeling. The vocal, sung by Radio Slave’s daughter, adds a layer of innocent nostalgia that clings to joyful memories. Rekids regular CASSIMM steps in for a remix, upping the tempo and flipping the track into a disco infused House cut.

Founded in 2006, Radio Slave’s Rekids has since launched the Techno-focused Rekids Special Projects in 2017 and its latest sublabel, REK’D, in 2024. With Matt Edwards as the sole A&R, Rekids has been instrumental in developing emerging artists and remains a trusted home for House and adjacent sounds, recently featuring names such as Tiger Stripes, Tal Fussman, Oliver Dollar, The Hacker, and more.

NZO goes sick on a standout debut album for Demdike Stare’s DDS, distilling 2-step UKG, R&B and computerised funk within whirring mechanisms adjacent to mutant jungle and footwork - the proper good stuff.

On ‘Come Alive’ SoYo’s NZO bruks wild but tight on nine tunes chiselled from a distinctive percussive palette cut into fidgety, soulful samples. She dances in and around the cracks of myriad styles with a canny grasp of limb-animating, rhythmic diffraction; all stop/start rhythms and stuttering diva-vocaloids arranged with a rudely shatterproof, grooving pliability. More simply put: it’s dance music for those who like to get super loose and freaky with it.

Chopped up and stitched together over six months in Sheffield, it’s not hard to hear a lineage of advanced Afro-American rhythm science that also feeds into SND’s jerky-but-sexy angularities, and subsequently Rian Treanor’s rugged pugilism, now morphing back to the source, but heavily skewed with it. Her judicious sampling of R&B gems is offset in obliquely funked-up structures in ways that knowingly mess with conditioned anticipations yet never lose sight of the ‘floor, and we’re here for it.

Jumping in with the writhing darkside tekkerz of ‘Rolling Around’ and clocking out with a standout downbeat pearl ‘Looking For’, we hear her displace amapiano closer to halfstep D&B in ‘AXMM’, and decimate 2-step like Akufen on ‘CFML’, while ‘K-space baum bap’ appears to dart in the spaces between UKG and singeli, and the sloshing congas, bass motifs and dub chords of ‘Deadweight’ settle to a sort of aqueous UKF.

Robot Says E is a meticulously assembled four-track compilation that connects the tactile groove of dub tech house with the lucid propulsion of contemporary techno. The release is divided over two contrasting but complementary sides, presenting an impressive palette for those who move purposefully and listen intently. Side A kicks off in an immersive warm atmosphere; A1. Tvardovsky – Eleven and A2. Spectral Model – Plasma both deliver deep low-end foundations, atmospheric dub textures, and clean dancefloor-ready production quality. The sound is fluid, minimalist, and very physical; perfectly complimentary to subtle intensity and groove-based hypnosis.



On the flip, the energy shifts. B1. Rene Lorenzo – Reflections and B2. Kirill Matveev – Code Redeemed push off in much faster, gliding, terrain – where flow and high-speed rhythms embrace their high velocity, and deep repetition creates a trance-like state. This is techno that feels both expressive and “summer-in-the-city” active and is meant to enhance your sensory plates and keep you energized. Easily executed, future forward designed and mood-blissfully transformative, WRSE1 VA –What Robot Says E is not just a VA, it's a sonically-derived blueprint for refined dance music going forward.

Berlin’s ZentaSkai continues his slew of limited-run 200-copy vinyl releases via his Mask Records this July, presenting the ‘JIMMY’ EP, and following up last year’s ‘Bob’ EP and two instalments from his Cuddling Monsters project with Laura Merino Allue.

Across the four tracks on ‘JIMMY’, ZentaSkai delves deep, placing mysterious, foreboding synths over crunchy taped drums and exploring a variety of tempos. Dub influences are rife, its elements echoing across carefully laid-out Techno grooves while minimal shifts subtly build the energy. With ‘JIMMY’, ZentaSkai once again offers a journey through sound already supported by Luke Slater, Blasha & Allatt, Truncate, Elisa Bee, and many more. ZentaSkai (aka No Mad Ronin, Matt Nowak, and MASK) is a German DJ and producer active since 1997. Based out of his studio in Berlin, ZentaSkai runs the Zaijenroots label and, since 2017, the Mask sub-label, which houses his stunning 2023 ‘Architecture of the Mind’ LP as well as his Cuddling Monsters alias - with other credits including a release on Jerome Sydenham’s Ibadan Records and support from the likes of Richie Hawtin, Joseph Capriati, Marcel Dettmann, Luke Slater, Laurant Garnier, DVS1, Ben Sims and Radio Slave.

Lars Huismann drops fourth essential release on Mutual Rytm with 'Catharsis', following his successful 'Sounds From The Past' trilogy.

German producer Lars Huismann has a percussive and groove-driven take on techno that often comes with scintillating melodies and separates him from others amongst the genre. His releases have come on labels such as Dolly and Soma; however, he has also quickly become an essential member of the Mutual Rytm family, having contributed to the label's 'Federation Of Rytm III' VA as well as serving up a trio of forward-thinking EPs in the form of his 'Sounds From The Past' trilogy. Delivering yet more stellar material on SHDW's thriving imprint, his latest EP delivers the newest evolution in his sound while maintaining his signature sonic essence.

The hunched techno funk of 'Divergence' kicks off with plenty of plenty up energy and tight, bouncy synth vamps, while 'Portal' goes deep into a futuristic landscape with static-laced synths and oversized hi-hat ringlets that ramp up the pressure. The mighty 'Neural' is brilliantly functional and linear techno with a playful synth that rides up and down the mix as the sleek and slamming drums race onwards. 'Riot' brings some extra raved-up madness with serrated synths and raw percussive energy, and 'Technician' then slips into a deeper, more paired back sound with liquid synth lashing about the mix as dubby undercurrents power along the punchy rhythms and freaky vocals bring the menace. Digital bonus cuts 'Incognito', a fizzing, busy, textured techno workout, and the machine soul of 'Submerged' close out this high-grade EP in style.

Facta and K-LONE’s Wisdom Teeth imprint returns to the V/A format with ‘Pattern Gardening’: a new collaborative project that leans head-first into the label’s love of minimal-, micro- and tech-house, carving out the label’s distinct, contemporary take on the sound - one that swims between warm, bleepy, rolling, dubby, psychedelic and bass-heavy channels across its duration. The vinyl sampler brings together 6 highlights from the wider 22 track digital project. Wisdom Teeth heads Facta and K-LONE appear alongside longtime label associate Lurka and new signees Polygonia, rRoxymore, Sub Basics and Jichael Mackson.

By now, Wisdom Teeth and its founders are well known for their unabashed love of minimal and tech house, which - alongside ambient, UK club music, experimental electronics and a broad palette of other influences - makes up a key cornerstone of their distinctive sound. The duo’s DJ sets often see them mixing ‘00s gems from labels like Perlon, Mosaic, Minibar and a:rpia:r with more contemporary club sounds, creating a hybrid style that sits somewhere between Balearic terraces and dark UK club basements. Likewise, the label has become known as a go-to outlet for artists occupying a similar crossover space, with names like Jorg Kuning, Parris, Steevio, Duckett, Leif and LUXE all known for pushing house and techno into experimental and refreshing new territories.

‘Pattern Gardening’ follows loosely on from the label’s previous V/A releases ‘To Illustrate’ (2021) and ‘Club Moss’ (2023), which explored downtempo (100bpm) and uptempo (150-170bpm) styles respectively. Here, the focus is fixed on lush, groovy, quirky 4x4 jams, joining the dots between a global spread of producers that bring new energy and perspective to these well-explored frameworks.

As is always the case with Wisdom Teeth’s output, the results fit somewhere between the club and a more contemplative, home-listening headspace, with texture, melody and mood afforded as much significance as rhythm and functionality.

The artwork features photography by Hong Kong-based photographer Jimi Chiu, who captures seemingly ordinary corners of city life in glossy, cinematic detail.

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO MOXIE AND THE LOVE INTERNATIONAL X TEST PRESSING TEAM FOR WINNING THE BEST COMPILATION IN THE DJ MAG BEST OF BRITISH AWARDS 2025


“I feel really chuffed as a lot of work went into building this compilation,” beams Moxie, when we congratulate her on the award. “I also worked alongside a great team, including Dave Harvey, Ellie Stokes, Chez de Milo and everyone at Prime Distribution. I’d been manifesting working on a project like this for years, so when it all came together I was so happy with it. But to have recognition from the DJ Mag public vote is the cherry on the cake.”


Few artists have shaped their local scene quite like Alice Moxom under her celebrated Moxie alias. A born-and-bred Londoner, Moxie is a dance music powerhouse whose influence runs deep—from the grassroots to global stages. Her trajectory spans early teenage years digging for garage records, to dubstep sets at legendary club nights, to running her long-standing and beloved NTS Radio residency. For over a decade, she’s been a midweek staple on NTS, championing deep house, Detroit techno, and all things dubby, groovy, and percussive, while regularly platforming artists through guest mixes and interviews with icons like Jeff Mills, Four Tet, and Or:la.

Her latest endeavor, the Love International compilation, brings that wealth of experience to life. 'I’d secretly been manifesting this for a while,' Moxie admits. 'Love International has such a specific energy, and I wanted the compilation to reflect that—dubby, fun, euphoric, deep. It’s all the styles of music I love, pulled together in harmony. Being at Love International always feels like coming home. Whether it’s dancing in Barbarellas or sharing a smile with a stranger on the dancefloor, there’s this sense of unity that’s hard to describe. That’s why I chose ‘U Skladu’ for the sleeve—because that’s what it feels like: in harmony.'

In celebration of Pride Month, Kinga struts to Dark Entries with “Sexy Boy,” a steamy Canadian pop gem. Inspired by gender-bending pop stars of the 1980s like Boy George and Janet Jackson, a young Tomas Fussey aka Kinga ditched his “schoolboy appearance” to adopt an edgier, androgynous style. Immersed in Calgary nightlife, he became acquainted with sexy synthpop and disco songs like Madonna’s “Everybody,” Divine’s “Native Love,” and the Flirts’ “Passion” - songs which still linger in his mind. He began writing music: “It was 80s. Everyone was making a record. So I made one too.” In 1988 he teamed up with keyboardist Dan Madison and veteran producer Bob Gallo to make “Elevator Operator” and “Sexy Boy.” Kinga was surprised when the B-side “Sexy Boy” garnered substantial radio play from CFNY in Toronto. But he notes: “They saw the obvious... My physical appearance supported the lyrics.” In 1989, Amok Records backed a new “Late Night Dance Mix” version of “Sexy Boy.” Almost every part was re-recorded or remade, including Kinga’s vocals. The new version surprised Kinga with its slick production and moody atmosphere. Sales were disappointing, and Kinga stated “It was not the sound of the moment.” But these deeper house-inflected grooves feel like the sound of our current moment. This release of Sexy Boy includes five different mixes, including the original 7” mix, three versions from the 12”, and the previously unreleased “TV Mix”. Sexy Boy comes sleeved in a reproduction of the original artwork and includes an insert with liner notes and lyrics, as well as an 8x10 glossy press photo of the sexy boy himself.

The Collective Cuts sub-label of Cinthie’s 803 Crystal Grooves makes a welcome return
with a fresh VA package, featuring Willy Mikkelson, Luca Olivotto, Batch One and Roque
(CRP).
Since its inception back in 2020, Cinthie’s Collective Cuts imprint has welcome the likes of
KETTAMA, 9th House, S3A, UC Beatz, Anaxander, Azuni and many more onto the label. Here
the story continues with more dynamic house jams from Cinthie’s coterie of underground
artists from across the globe.
Nashville, USA’s WiLLY MiKK leads with Devastate, laying the foundations for the records
with a classic Hip House vibe, fusing crisp drums, bright stabs and bumpy bass with
choppy hip hop vocals. Small Great Things head honcho Luca Olivotto follows with
‘Passion’, the Berlin based Italian delivers his refreshing disco-tinged House aesthetic via
funky guitar licks, bright chord melodies, ethereal pad textures and shuffled drums.
Batch One’s ‘When U R Free’ follows to open the flip side, merging snaking arpeggios and
bouncy bass notes with uplifting piano lines and a raw, robust rhythm section. Spanish
artist based out of Basel, Switzerland Roque (CRP) then concludes the package with ‘Bring
It Down’, perfectly rounding things out on a deeper tip, raw, reduced drums carry the
groove alongside an amalgamation of chopped vocal chants, dubbed out stabs and tension
building strings.

2026 Repress

For their debut EP on Tectonic, Beatrice M. drops four deep, dubby cuts bringing weighted bass energy together with techno sensibilities and advanced percussive manoeuvres. Elegant but powerful tracks built for sound systems and curious ears!

Midnight Swim is an ode to the “softer” club sounds, repetitive aquatic grooves that remind Beatrice of their go-to sport: swimming. No phones, just back and forth in the cold water, settling into a mechanical groove. The opening track, Oval, carries its title from the appreciation of soft edges, little distortion, minimal rhythmic pattern.

Upon hearing Pinch’s tune 136 Trek, (itself a nod to Zinc’s 138 Trek), Beatrice decided to name a tune 132 Trek, to continue the lineage of their musical heritage. The tune was already called Trek because it was made after moving from France and spending their first months in London, and realising “everything is a bloody trek”!! 

The EP’s title track is about warm-up music and enjoying the earlier hours of the party - a quick immersion and then time for bed, rather than banging club tracks all night long. Beatrice likes to show up early at the club, watch it fill and then leave as it packs out. Midnight Swim is a dip into a roller. 

The last tune of the EP features Sub Basics, the first artist to have a vinyl release on Beatrice’s own label, Bait, and one of their biggest musical inspirations. Sub Basics’ immersive progressive sounds fit simultaneously in the deep techno world and the dubstep world. A beautiful in-between.

Second reference from Madrid-based label Proper Balance, this time in charge of UK producer Sub basics

The EP consists of 4 tracks on the 115bpm spectrum that range from the deep and obscure vibes of Gauze to more bright downtempo infused tracks Hemisphere and Axis as well as a slowed down dubstep track such as Bounce. All tracks written and produced by Tom aka Sub basics between years 2017 and 2018.

2026 Repress

KiNK & Raredub launch new sub-label Raw on SHDW's Mutual Rytm with bold two-tracker 'You And Me', backed by a VIP remix of 'Time To Change' from Paul Woolford aka Special Request.

Following their standout debut on Spectra with 'Time To Change', Bulgaria's finest dance music export KiNK & Raredub return to the Mutual Rytm universe to launch the label's new sub-series: Mutual Rytm Raw. Their latest release, 'You And Me', marks the next step in their collaboration - two stripped-back yet anthemic cuts that embody their signature sound: "Rude Boy Techno", a fusion of techno's drive with the swing and grit of UK Garage. Both versions of 'You And Me' are built for the floor, combining sharp percussion, catchy vocal hooks, and powerful low-end pressure - minimal in structure but rich in character and groove.

Rounding off the release is a standout VIP remix from Paul Woolford aka Special Request - one of his infamous 'Variation in Production' versions - offering a stripped yet high-impact reinterpretation of KiNK & Raredub's previous single 'Time To Change'. Raw, rolling, and unmistakably shaped by his UK Garage-influenced style.

Repress, Clear Orange Vinyl

Internationally acclaimed producer and DJ Tripmastaz is proud to announce the launch of his sublabel, Respect The Craft.Legacy, a heartfelt tribute to his early creative roots. Marking a significant milestone in his career, the first release on the new sublabel revisits and completes his unreleased projects from the early 2000s.

This series encapsulates an era of raw creativity and innovation, showcasing tracks that were originally started between 2000 and 2004. Until now, these works have remained unfinished and unheard—hidden gems from Tripmastaz’s studio archives. Through the new label, the producer has brought these ideas to life, meticulously completing each track while staying true to the essence of the time they were created.

The series bridges the past and present, blending the raw energy of the early 2000s with today’s refined production techniques. The debut release drops soon, promising a timeless tech & deep underground sound.

“This is a closure for me—an opportunity to honor my creative journey and give these tracks the life they deserve,” Tripmastaz explains. “The early 2000s were a formative period for me as an artist, and these records embody the passion and ideas that shaped my path. Completing and releasing them now feels like a full-circle moment.”

Check The Description Before Asking For A Track ID is a thoughtfully curated four-track journey through modern deep tech house, balancing forward-thinking sound design with emotional depth and dancefloor functionality. The release unfolds across two distinct yet complementary sides, guiding the listener through evolving textures, moods, and states of energy.

On Side A, A1. Overt – Annular and A2. Third Echo – 31th Session introduce a spacious and immersive atmosphere. Built around shimmering arpeggios, airy melodies, and fluid progression, both tracks explore a subtle interplay between progressive motion, trance-like elements, and dub-infused textures. The result is a weightless yet driving experience — refined, hypnotic, and perfectly balanced for setting a tone that feels both futuristic and deeply engaging.

The B-side shifts into more introspective territory. B1. Eric Louis – Grooving In The Future and B2. Severin – Shiti bring a melancholic edge, focusing on emotive melodies and transitional energy. These tracks are crafted for pivotal moments within a set — where the atmosphere deepens, emotions unfold, and the narrative takes a new direction. Warm, bouncy grooves intertwine with cooler, more restrained tones, creating a contrast that feels both elegant and expressive.

Spanning a wide emotional and rhythmic spectrum, NRP006 is a versatile tool for selectors — designed to navigate the subtle shifts of a dancefloor with precision, intention, and depth.

NOREPRESS is a division of MixCult Records. Limited Edition.

Wh0 arrives on Rekids with ‘Girls & Boys’. The Grammy-nominated producer’s next single comes with a remix from Catz ‘n Dogz.

Wh0 lands on Radio Slave’s Rekids with new single, 'Girls & Boys', out 13th June 2025. A full-throttle piano jam, the track distils a range of House styles into one expressive, infectious, modern-day classic. Powered by a raw, rolling bassline and loopy chords, it brings unrelenting energy built to raise hands in the air all summer long.

Polish duo Catz ‘n Dogz step up on remix duties with a chunky dub mix. Stripping things back, they reimagine the original into a thudding Techno cut, complete with eerie vocal chops and a deliciously deep, driving groove.

Formerly a member of legendary House duo The Rhythm Masters, Wh0 has since made his mark as a solo act with sold-out shows at places like Printworks, XOYO and Fabric. The Wh0 Plays and Wh0 Worx label boss boasts production credits for artists like Ten City, Royksopp and Idris Elba and collaborations with the likes of David Penn, David Morales and Nile Rodgers, with his work often topping digital charts and his Spotify clocking up more than a million streams a month.
Radio Slave’s Rekids was founded in 2006 and has since spawned successful off shoots with the Techno-focused Rekids Special Projects in 2017 and its newest sublabel, REK’D, in 2024. With Matt Edwards as the sole A&R, Rekids has been crucial in developing early artist careers and has become a haven for established acts operating in House and adjacent genres, having recently featured the likes of Harry Romero, Tal Fussman, Spencer Parker, The Hacker, and many more.

BLIS701 by Chain Selector is a carefully honed two-track release from BLACKINSTOCK Records, a division of MixCult Records, showcasing Chain Selector’s mastery in blending emotional depth with atmospheric finesse. Designed for those who appreciate subtlety and sonic craft, this release moves between introspective melodies and immersive dub textures with remarkable control.

On Side A, School Days is a tender and timeless composition—melodic, cinematic, and evocative. It gently stirs memory and emotion, creating a world where every sound breathes with intent. On the flip, Autumn Guide opens a more shadowed dimension. Built on layered tension and low-end pulses, it introduces a restrained, dub-heavy soundscape ideal for setting the tone of a deeper set.
With BLIS701, Chain Selector delivers a refined double-sided vinyl, one to reflect, one to explore. Both tracks stand as elegant tools for shaping atmosphere with poise and intention.

Limited 7" Edition

VA – Memories. Untold is a delicate and emotionally rich compilation from TAMIZDAT, capturing the subtle beauty of deep and tech house with a gentle, melancholic twist. Thoughtfully curated for sunset sessions and introspective moments, this four-track vinyl release drifts between ambient textures, melodic phrasing, and dubby undertones—crafted for open-air environments and graceful transitions.

A1. Joshua Pendergrass – The Leopard (Frederick Ansgar Remix) opens the record with an ambient-infused deep house piece—warm, slow-moving, and deeply involving. It invites the listener into a calm, curious, and emotionally attentive state.
A2. Dubsud – Memories (BarBQ Remix) follows with a more upbeat, melodic character. Playful yet refined, it offers a bright continuation of the journey, carrying momentum without losing its emotional depth.
On the flip, B1. Heward, Kirill Matveev – Your Gentle Breath emerges like a breeze—floaty, nuanced, and ideal for that golden-hour moment. It’s an elegant piece full of space, subtlety, and feeling.
B2. Nj Helder – Gazi closes the release with dubby warmth and light breakbeat elements, a soothing yet rhythmically engaging finale—like the last light fading over a distant horizon.

Featuring label mastermind Kirill Matveev, MixCult regulars Heward, Joshua Pendergrass, BarBQ, and Dubsud, the record is further elevated by South African talent Nj Helder, whose presence brings a soulful character to its closing chapter.
Memories. Untold is evocative, chilled, and designed for those who seek emotional connection through sound—a graceful companion for deep listening and open skies.
TAMIZDAT is a division of MixCult Records

2026 Repress

Deetron is a venerated veteran who has been crafting sublime house and techno for three decades on a range of influential labels. 2025 brought another busy year for him, with another standout EP on Ilian Tape followed by his latest album which landed via Running Back in October. Back in 2024, he dropped his 'Translate Rhythms' EP on Mutual Rytm's X series and now takes charge of the second release on SHDW's new sub-label Mutual Rytm Raw - following the first 12" 'You And Me', which was a true summer anthem courtesy of KiNK & Raredub.

In its original form, the bright, expressive 'Flow' is a fulsome techno cut that pairs a driving rhythm with sophisticated synths. It sparkles with cosmic energy, while a textured, screwy lead winds through the mix and euphoric female vocals burst out to big emotional reactions. The 'Chord Dub' is a tight, bouncy rework with vamping chords lighting up the drums with real warmth and soul, while the 'Breakbeat Mix' fizzes with rich, old school energy. The dusty breakbeats demand physical reactions, while the pads bring a grand sense of scale and the vocals tug at the heart. All three are classy, effective and offer yet more timeless sounds.

Mihail P – Phantom Broadcast EP

Mihail P delivers four tracks of machine-driven techno exploring classic 90s aesthetics while moving freely between electro, breakbeat and deep house sensibilities. The Phantom Broadcast EP channels the spirit of early 90s records with evolving rhythms, dubby textures and emotive chord work.

“Pulse Memory” opens with a deep electro-techno roller, constantly shifting its rhythmic framework while weaving in subtle deep house elements, recalling moments from the back catalogue of Pacific Records. “Tempest” begins with dubby 909 drums and rolling hats before unexpectedly transforming mid-track into a breakbeat sequence, eventually looping back to its original structure and closing with a distinctly Detroit-influenced finale.

On the B-side, “Cat TV” pushes the tempo to 138 BPM with breakbeat rhythms, 808 low-end pressure and constantly evolving Detroit-style chords. The track builds intensity before easing into melodic tones towards the end, creating a reflective closing passage. “Sights Unseen” blends deep house and techno foundations with a rising acid line that gradually takes center stage, supported by rolling percussion and a driving bassline that keeps the groove energetic while retaining a deep emotional core.

Functional and atmospheric dancefloor material for DJs navigating the deeper and more hypnotic corners of techno.

"Bordeaux-based emerging talent Salomee deals in menacing and moody atmospheres, drawing on a range of techno, electro, house, and the ill-lit corners in between. Hypnotizing and neon-tinged melodies drive her tracks: these are bare bones, high on repetition, and very compelling. They come backed by elaborate and agile drum rhythms, composed with a rawness that references the most seasoned inspirations. The Before Time Began EP sees the artist further develop her sangfroid aesthetics with four tracks that assuredly reach beyond bunkers and basements. On Sacred Gatherings, several entrancing, alternating arpeggios work up a spark against a backdrop of tightly choreographed kicks and SH101 patterns. When the cut rises to a peak, a salvo of vocal chops drops - a rare event in Salomee's discography, even though the samples are rearranged beyond recognition. Before Time Began utilizes a similar palette, but this time, an undercurrent of melancholy seems to propel the track. A leisurely modulated, dubby sub segment amplifies the theme. By The Sea combines dark bass sequences and strings as gloomy as a fog horn with vivid 909 drums. The highs of the lavishly programmed hats and claps and the intense lead provide a slug of energy. It is a rendition of trance, manipulating both the genre's and the artist's signifiers. On Love Prevails, a slowly filtered, heavily delayed lead is spread atop a Bristol techno style beat. An array of cinematographic chords and subtly mixed gasps inject this closing track with a precarious balance, one that explores the tension between yearning and relief."

Coming correct with a heavily garnished follow-up to his first drop of neo-junglist delicacies, Skins is back with a second volume of Sauce Direct. The name tells you all you need to know about the school of breakbeat science he's coming from, but the learned craft of drum edits is offset by a mischievous thirst for disruption, presenting the matter on this platter as a stand-out serving on the plentiful menu of modern-day jungle.

'Strictly Hardcore' brings together the heavy weather of quintessential dub techno with deft, stepped breaks for a brooding heads down tear-out while 'Lost In The Sauce' revels in vintage synth melancholia as a unique backdrop to Skins' own brand of rabid Amen chops.

'Reaper's Kiss' switches stance with some heavy sub wobble and the teased flicker of Apaches in a patient half-time roll out of serious soundsystem reverence. There's space for some snappier breaks in the second half, but this cut is testament to Sauce Direct being a space for wider ideas beyond textbook jungle.

'Double Dose' keeps the stylistic dexterity on lock with a swerve towards trance-speckled lead lines, deployed with a necessary restraint to play nice on top of the nimble breaks. It's an approach which could be so easily overcooked - in Skins' hands the balance of flavours is on point, capping off another essential round in this must-check series of white label delicacies for heads with real taste.

Can’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Gotta go through it. And somewhere out there in the Pitch black beyond all darkness lies Peace & Purpose. The horizon you never quite crest until the inevitable end. Breathe deep — this fearful moment is the most alive you’re ever gonna feel. For the last decade, Crack Cloud’s vision has grown ever more expansive, more cinematic. Last go around, they dropped from The Heavens and then performed with their bare backs to an endless darkening desert. Now they’ve crammed all that life into some metallic and strange object called Peace & Purpose. All the terror of living. All the helplessness. All the raw human will. All glued and screwed and locked into this impossible tactile shape of dungeon dub; sour milk vox; Avant-protest music. Music arm wrestling itself to the ground. Far afield of beauty. The discordant symphony of factory farming and grim timber of the meat processing plant. The grinding din of the cogs. And yet, never giving up in spite of all good sense. Even in death, we are a coterie of survivors. Look now: There’s Terry Fox on his one-legged Marathon of Hope across The Great White North while cancer spreads through his lungs. A self-annihilating drive to feel alive. Rage against the dying of the light, they say. Well, how ‘bout it then!??! Peace & Purpose is not in any way some art project meditation on Punk Rock. It is Punk Rock. Terrifying, inspiring, vital, invigorating and most importantly, utterly unexpected. Every goddamn stupid day is a sublime slice of fresh hell. That’s the point. Gotta go through it. Wishing you Peace & Purpose — if only in that last big breath.

2026 Repress

On Explorations 03, Sam Goku continues his journey into deep, left-field club music, delivering four tracks that drift between dubby house and finely tuned electronica. Warm basslines, spacious rhythms and subtle melodic details form the foundation, while his unmistakable Sam Goku twist adds an emotional, exploratory edge throughout. Designed for late-night floors as well as introspective listening, Explorations 03 captures a fluid, forward-thinking sound that feels both grounded and otherworldly—another refined chapter in Sam Goku’s evolving sonic universe on Permanent Vacation.

2026 Repress

Baby Ford is back being reissued again and we couldn't be happier about it. Few have ever matched the matter levels he achieved when it comes to deep minimal and tech house fusions. This latest on his own Trelik takes the form of three classic cuts from two much sought-after EPs - Built In and All That Nothing. The title cut is a shimmering and sublime fusion of rubbing low ends and icy hi-hats. 'All That Nothing' then picks up the pace with more dub influences and swaying drums and 'Plaza' has a tech house edge that makes for more driving grooves.

A1. Cirkel Square - Can’t Stand You
666 Recordings brings back Cirkel square to the A side.
A deep dive into hypnotic dub, where layered electronic sounds pulse and shimmer.
Each echoing hook line and delayed rhythm draws you deeper, creating a mesmerizing, immersive experience that lingers long after the last beat.

A2. Cirkel Square – Zeus Overture
This track captures the essence of lazy, sun-drenched days along the Greek coastline. Soft percussion mimics the rhythm of waves lapping against the shore. Every note evokes the golden light and quiet serenity of a Mediterranean afternoon.

B1. Tony Waller – We Control
Representing Brighton on the South coast of England Tony Waller delivers a track that evokes the raw energy of the old-school warehouse. Deep basslines resonate beneath sharp synths that cut through the air, transporting you to an underground world of midnight exploration.

B2. Pat Waller – Mupa
Also representing Brighton delivers the final track that envelops you in a dreamlike state.
With intricate soundscapes, subtle melodies and a shadowy beat that guides you deeper inward, like a nocturnal journey through mystery and stillness.

Evighet proudly presents its sixth release, EVIGHET006, featuring the distinctive sound of Healing Force Project, the long-running creative vision of Italian artist Antonio Marini. For more than a decade, Healing Force Project has explored the intersections between electronic experimentation, free jazz and electroacoustic research. His work unfolds with a rare sense of spontaneity and depth, merging intuition and technical precision into a sound language that feels timeless and deeply personal. Over the years, this unique approach has earned him a cult reputation across the underground and avant-garde music scenes. EVIGHET006 is the result of a free creative process, a series of recordings shaped by intuition rather than concept or structure. Within this collection, elements of jazz, drill-inspired beats and dubstep textures emerge and intertwine. The music alternates between dark tonalities and unexpected shifts toward melodic and almost folkloric moments, inviting the listener into an evolving, immersive experience. A highlight, “Playing Tabla and Smoking Weed with Aliens”, reveals the hypnotic pulse of the tabla, guiding the piece through a steady percussive flow that feels both ancient and futuristic. Elsewhere, rhythmic improvisations and fragmented breaks form intricate layers that dissolve and reform with subtle tension. With this release, Healing Force Project continues to move along his own path, shaping sound as a form of exploration and reflection. EVIGHET006 captures an artist in constant evolution, translating instinct into form and intuition into movement.

Alien D, aka Daniel Creahan, is a staple in the NYC underground, known for his releases on labels including Lillerne, 1432 R and Banlieue Records. On his latest album, For the Early Hours of a World in Bloom – his first for Theory Therapy – Creahan takes us deeper into the dubby landscapes of his previous work, with a renewed focus on groove and movement.

Where Lillerne’s Spiritual World leaned toward ambient abstraction, Early Hours pulses with kinetic energy, with tracks like “Soil Dub” and “Sleepy’s Gambit” propelling us forward with dubwise rhythms crafted for the dancefloor.

The album thrives on its infectious, steady groove, with repeating phrases and subtle shifts that keep the music in constant motion. Nowhere is this more evident than on the gentle roller, “Breather.” Over 13 minutes, Creahan lets small variations in tone and a propulsive low-end evolve gradually alongside Ben Seretan’s guitar.

While Early Hours embraces a more rhythmic direction, it still retains the eccentricity and atmosphere that defines Alien D’s sound. Conceived in the first days after the COVID lockdown, there’s a hopeful quality to the music – flickering tones, soft percussive elements and organic textures that hover just behind the beat – making it feel both intimate and expansive. It’s as though Creahan has bottled those transcendent moments that can occur during the early hours of a party, when everything feels suspended in a state of potential.

Run time - 33 minutes



Credits:

Written & produced by Daniel Creahan

Guitar on 'Breather' by Ben Seretan

Mastered by Special Guest DJ

Cover & design by Gary Hunter

Second offering from Leo Gibbon’s MUDLINE imprint sees the producer reunite with grime’s perennial wild card, Trim, for a two-sided pressure test that flexes both restraint and raw power in equal measure.

On Side A – Orbit Step, Gibbon leans into the emotive end of the 140 spectrum — all reflective pads, sci-fi shimmer, and subbed-out swing — with Trim delivering a rare, inward-facing performance. It’s grime as meditation, anchored by subtle tek textures and lyrical ambiguity. The accompanying acapella, exclusive to the vinyl, is a potent bonus.

Side B – Danny and Darren flips the script entirely. It’s a no-frills, floor-ready juggernaut — grime at its most ballistic. Trim in full yardman mode here, riding the riddim with relentless intent. It’s sweaty, chaotic, made for late sets and soundsystem abuse.

Instrumentals included on both sides, giving extra room for exploration and dubplate mischief.

A bold second chapter from MUDLINE, Orbit Step builds on the promise of Happy Lovers and underlines Gibbon’s growing prowess in crafting versatile 140 tools with personality — while Trim, as ever, shapeshifts with ease.

Oslo-based label Boring Crew Records (BCR) makes its vinyl debut with the Prærien EP. The EP showcases the label’s diverse range and vision, with six tracks that span various moods and genres, setting the stage for what’s to come.

BCR01 kicks off with Oasen by Anders Hajem, a dark and chugging track. The title track, Prærien, seamlessly picks up where Oasen left off, delving deeper into the atmosphere with a hypnotic bassline and subtle tension. Perkules rounds off the A-side with his Oasen remix, stripping it down into a raw, minimal version with a heavy(!) bottom-end.

On the B-side, Henrik Villard’s Cowgirl hits hard with raw and gritty drums, with a touch of dubbed-out vocals. Woodfall Temple follows, enveloping listeners in its tribal and slight meditative energy. Canadian producer Cooper Saver then closes the EP with his mesmerizing remix of Woodfall Temple, ramping up the tempo with layered synth lines that create an irresistible, trance-like atmosphere.

Boring Crew Records’ Prærien EP offers a captivating and dynamic introduction, teasing more exciting releases on the horizon.

Explosive UK producer Bullet Tooth — one of the most talked-about names in bass music for 2025 — crashes onto Time Is Now, the cutting-edge sister label of Shall Not Fade, with a thunderous three-track EP that delivers nothing short of pure, sub-heavy chaos. Known for his genre-warping blend of UKG, breaks, jungle, and grime-inflected basslines, Bullet Tooth has been making serious waves in the underground with his uncompromising sound and high-octane DJ sets.

Drawing influence from the raw energy of early dubstep and the precision of modern UK club sounds, Bullet Tooth’s productions are built to devastate dancefloors — and this latest release is no exception. Packed with seismic low-end pressure, razor-sharp percussion, and twisted vocal chops, each track is a statement of intent from a producer firmly in his stride.

This marks Bullet Tooth’s debut on Time Is Now, a label that has rapidly become a cornerstone of the UK’s contemporary bass scene. Since its launch, Time Is Now has earned a reputation for championing the next generation of bass-heavy innovators — from UKG and breaks to jungle and speed garage — offering a platform for artists who push the boundaries of sound system culture with forward-thinking flair.

With this release, Bullet Tooth not only cements his place among the UK’s most exciting producers but also adds another essential entry to Time Is Now’s ever-growing catalogue of future classics.

We’re hyped to welcome back the French producer Carriego, who already made waves with a standout EP on our sister label Cosa Vostra. This time, he lands on Griffé with a four-tracker that dives deep into stripped-back grooves, rhythmic precision, and textured soundscapes.

True to his style, Carriego merges Detroit roots with early 2000s minimal vibes—tight drum machine programming, detailed sound design, and a strong focus on mood and arrangement. The drums hit with intent, and every element feels built for purpose.

The EP unfolds like a proper journey: Hazard sets the tone with tension and space—ideal for an opening move. The Bridge follows up with drive and pressure, perfect for peak-time intensity. Curtain Call brings in a hypnotic, late-night energy, subtly nodding to the Time Passages spirit—refined, trippy, and deep. Then comes Seems Like to close the ride—more introspective, with a dub techno edge that lets everything breathe again.

Techno, minimal, electro, dub—Carriego connects the dots without forcing it. Just functional, thoughtful club music that works on multiple levels.

Tresor resident DJs LNS and DJ Sotofett have for some years been developing a style at the club‘s Globus floor, and their new EP is a die cut of exactly the classic techno, electro, and house music they play.
Here are no productions drenched in reverb, no hi-fi obsessions or generic algorithmic patterns – this is Globus Trax, the duo's third release on Tresor Records, four tracks consisting of real TR-909 workouts, rude and driving basslines, live runs through the mixing desk, and a Blake Baxter cover version with LNS on vocals.
LNS & DJ Sotofett programmed an EP to perfectly fit their warehouse style of DJing, bringing out colour and variation in a spectrum more similar to a club compilation than a dogmatically reduced concept. With a single repeated vocal sample, Globus Trax opens bombastically with ClickClickClick, a dub -infused UK garage house track anyone in the world can easily describe in the course of a second.
Following this comes Gearbox which is a hefty slab of big room electro featuring a centerpiece arpeggio and the warmest harmonic pads on the EP's four tracks, which not-so-subtly makes reference to the pioneering band that shares a name with Globus and Tresor's home, the Kraftwerk.
The house vibe returns on Destination 909, which is nothing but a manifesto for the TR-909, where the beloved drum machine's jacking beats meet galactic strings and synthetic bass, only to be ripped apart in a slamming break that sees the machine take centre stage as it cuts in-and-out of the mix, again a clear nod to the duo’s sets in the club.
LNS steps up on vocal duties and DJ Sotofett keeps the 909 running for their final cut, taking a deeper dive into the realms of classic techno and paying tribute to “The Prince of Techno” Blake Baxter by covering his Reach Out originally released on Tresor Records in 1995.
The 12” was cut by DJ Sotofett himself at Manmade Mastering, where he resurrects the lost art of late-90s loud cuts with sonic presence and punch, optimal for the club-focused 12” format, and is the first to come in the new Tresor Sleeve, boasting an embossed logo on either side.

For our 16th records,

From Paris to Balkans Vol.2 is the 2nd chapter of this special serie,
a compilation with 4 tracks from similar styles, deep, dubtechno and minimal.


The opening track Aeki, signed by Sublee, is a combination of techno and deep-minimal where deepness meets energy,


Chorganic by Petit Batou is an assembly of magnificent chords and hypnotic synths which intertwine on a deep groove


Opium's Dust Yard, is a journey into his meticulous and melodic sound from deep-house


Atmo's Shyam, is an hypno travel with dancing drums and fx, which enhance the trippy groove of the work


4 unique tracks to play on any dancefloor


Vinyl Only

It’s a follow-up long in the making as Ukrainian artist Volodymyr Gnatenko re-enters Kalahari orbit.

Somewhere between submerged video game OST and ritual incantation, Mershiy LP recalls the finest psychoacoustic ambient dub the ‘90s had to offer. Less direct than the previous album, allowing space for IDM introspection and some proper contemplation. A mind-melt but keeping it widescreen and pretty meticulous throughout.

Imagined vistas shot in pristine 4K, impeccably crafted with close listening in mind. Repeated listens reveal more insectoid detail and a knack for detailed sonic immersion.

A 6-track zone-out where diaphanous texture makes way for ominous dread as the narrative unfurls. Balancing urges and inclinations with a fathomless churn of acid, trance, dub and pointelist electronics.

Written and Produced by Volodymyr Gnatenko
Design by Susanne Janssen.
Mastered and cut by Anne Taegert at Dubplates And Mastering.
Distributed by One Eye Witness.
2025

Peter Saville says of Sub-Culture "LABEL ONLY was specified in 1985 due to time pressure around the original release and as a consequence, a sleeve design for the re-release has no actual precedent. However, exploring the principle 'the solution is in the problem’ has led to the subliminal evocation of a sleeve that is still LABEL ONLY”.

Dr Packer once again works his magic, this time breathing new life into Mikki’s 1985 boogie-funk masterpiece Dance Lover. With his deep knowledge of disco, funk, and soul, the Ausie remix maestro delivers a sublime update that effortlessly bridges the gap between the past and present.

Staying true to the essence of the original, Dr Packer’s rework retains the flawless synth lines and Mikki’s powerhouse vocals, elevating them with finesse. The groove is deeper, the beats are heavier, and the energy is dialed up, making this an essential addition to any DJ’s arsenal.

Rolling basslines, crisp percussion, and a refined yet powerful disco-funk vibe, Dr Packer has crafted a mix that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original or discovering Dance Lover for the first time, this rework is a must-have.

When you’re running a label, a demo occasionally comes across your desk that makes you reconsider everything you thought your label was all about. For Balmat, such was the case with this stunning album from Stephen Vitiello, Brendan Canty, and Hahn Rowe. It sounds like nothing we’ve released so far—and that very otherness opened up a whole new world of possibilities for us.

Fans of ambient, experimental electronic music, and sound art will be familiar with Vitiello, a New York native, long based in Virginia, who has collaborated with a cross-generational list of greats: Taylor Deupree, Steve Roden, Lawrence English, Tetsu Inoue, Nam June Paik, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Pauline Oliveros, and many more. On labels like 12k, Room40, and Sub Rosa, he has explored a wide range of minimalism, microsound, lowercase, ambient, improv, and other styles. But this album is something different. It may begin in ambient-adjacent territory, but it quickly veers off, and it just keeps zigzagging, taking on elements of krautrock, post-punk, dub, and the groove-heavy interplay of groups like Natural Information Society and 75 Dollar Bill.

This stylistic turn is thanks in large part to Vitiello’s choice of collaborators. “We’re coming from three different schools,” Vitiello says: “sound art, art rock, and punk rock.”

Active since the early 1980s, Rowe—a violinist, guitarist, and producer/engineer—has played with, or manned the boards for, a frankly jaw-dropping list of musicians: Herbie Hancock, Gil Scott-Heron, the Last Poets, Roy Ayers, John Zorn, Glenn Branca, Swans, Live Skull, Brian Eno, David Byrne, Anohni, R.E.M., Yoko Ono, and many more. But he might be most closely associated with Hugo Largo, a one-of-a-kind New York quartet—two basses, vocals, and Rowe’s violin—that in the late 1980s helped lay the groundwork for what would eventually become known as post-rock.

Canty, of course, is the legendary drummer of Fugazi, the visionary DC post-hardcore group, as well as Rites of Spring before them, and, currently, the Messthetics, a Dischord-signed instrumental trio with guitarist Anthony Pirog and Fugazi bassist Joe Lally.

Vitiello’s trio first collaborated on First, a 17-minute piece released on the Longform Editions label in 2023. Second picks up where the freeform drift of First left off, channeling the trio’s exploratory energies into more intentionally structured tracks and—in a real first for Balmat—some almost shockingly muscular grooves. “Sometimes my projects are more conceptually driven,” Vitiello says, “but I think this was more musically geared. I just wanted to open up the references and bring in an incredible drummer, bring in some melodies, and I’m sort of the center.” But his collaborators, he stresses, are “vastly creative in making anything I might suggest better.”

Like its predecessor, Second took shape in phases, shifting between improvisation and collage. Vitiello laid down the skeleton of the music at home, sketching out initial ideas on Rhodes keyboard and acoustic and electric guitar; he then fed the parts through samplers and his modular system, recording 10- or 20-minute jams. Once he had edited them into more structured forms, he hit the studio with Canty, who added not just drums but also bass and piano; finally, Vitiello took the results of those sessions to Rowe, who played violin, viola, electric bass, and 12-string acoustic and bowed electric guitar, and assisted in some of the final structuring and mixdown.

A few more surprises along the way: Reanimator’s Don Godwin, the studio engineer where Vitiello recorded with Canty, contributed what he calls “resonant dustpan”; and none other than Animal Collective’s Geologist, who just happened to be in the studio that day, sits in on hurdy gurdy on “Mrphgtrs1,” the album’s gorgeous, stunningly atmospheric drone closer. “I love these chance encounters,” Vitiello says. “Somebody I admire, a group I admire—that was an unexpected gift.”

An unexpected gift is a great way of describing Second as a whole: three veteran musicians venturing outside their usual zones and finding a new collaborative language together. The results can’t be neatly slotted into any given genre; they belong not to any given category, but to the spirit of conversation itself.