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After more than a decade of deep, expansive productions on labels such as Detroit Underground and CPU, Annie Hall arrives on MUSAR for a record typically rich in texture and understated grooves.

Opening track 'Linium' immediately seduces listeners with a complex drum pattern that somehow feels spacious, subtly twisting and turning its way around Hall's analogue world. Dutch artist Mattheis maintains this understated feel but adds a soft, compelling kick in response on his suspenseful remix of 'Lavandula'. The original, moodier version of this cut the follows to open the B side, gradually erupting around a killer distorted bassline. The EP continues to hit a more urgent note with the tense machinations of 'Silene', where dense layers of stuttering, frenetic drums interweave with Hall's trademark, melancholy keys. The record concludes on a weightless, transcendent note with 'Santolina', taking each visceral element featured thus far and slowing each down, with affecting results.

Indebted to vintage electro and IDM, Hall's music is no throwback, always looking forward and moving dancefloors in the most unexpected ways.



DJ FEEDBACK

Early support from



Michael Mayer (Kompakt) : Nice vibes from Mattheis... will play for sure!

James Zabiela (Born Electric) : Linium is a nice one, thanks.

Arnaud Le Texier (Cocoon / Chronicle) : Nice music. Thx!

Marcel Dettmann (Ostgut Ton/MDR) : Thx!

Carl Craig (Planet E) : Thx!

Gonno (Beats In Space Records / Endless Flight) : I like Mattheis' :)

Thomas Hessler (Index Marcel Fengler) : Nice one! Thank you!

Slam (Soma) : Thanx

Âme (Innervisions) : Thanks

Blasha & Allatt (Meat Free / Manchester) : Amazing!

EREZ / John Byrun : A superb EP

Tom Lye (Melodic Distraction - Liverpool) : Big fan of the whole EP. Strong, building electro with different moods. Essential!

Afrodeutsche (NTS / LuckyMe / Skam) : Glitchy melodica... Right up my Strasse...

DJ Shiva / Noncompliant (Valence / Detroit Underground) : Stellar music here. Moving beyond "DJ music", this is just really fantastic to listen to in headphones. Gorgeous stuff.

Lonya (Asymmetric Recordings) : Great stuff here!

Nori (Posivision) : Cool work.

Cinnaman (Rush Hour / Naked Naked) : Lavandula and Santolina are my favorites! thanks

Dj Windows XP (E-Beamz) : Dope E.P. Will play Lavandula.

Ambivalent/LA-4A (Delft/Cocoon/Ovum) I'm a huge fan of Annie Hall and Mattheis!!! This is a FANTASTIC release!! One of my favorites of recent months just on first listen!!

Benoit C (Tsugi) : Linium for me

Ian Blevins (ESP Institute / Sulk Magic) : Linium and another bit of top work from Mattheis. Santolina is pushing my buttons too. Aphexy vibes.

Joe Europe (Ransom Note) : Very nice!

Azterisco: Very interesting record. Nice remix!

Oded Peled : What a fantastic release! Was hard to choose a favourite between Linium and the Mattheis Remix of Lavandula. Both will come in handy in my sets. ....Thanx a lot and keep em coming.

Naduve (Cocktail d'Amore / Disco Halal) : Both A1 and A2 are great!..Thanks.

Anastasia Kristensen (Nous) : I dig this a lot, it's a crazy well produced record.

Demia E.Clash (Darknet) : Such a good ep-.i love them all,quality production yess.

Pedro Martins (Karakter Records) : Nice EP overall. Linium, Silene, and Santolina are my favorites. Thank you so much!

Xinobi (Discotexas) : Great record. I'm specially enchanted by the original version o Lavandula. Congratulations.

Scan Mode (DJ Mag Spain) : Lavandula in both mixes for me

John Osborn (TANSTAAFL) : Can't pick a fav. it is all Devine. thank you.

Madloch (Sound Avenue) : Nice EP, Linium & Lavandula original are my favs, thanks.

DVS NME (Transient Force) : The standout track is Lavandula.

Mirror Box is the solo analog synth project of Dallas musician Sean Kirkpatrick. With an extensive resume that includes keyboard duties for Kill Rock Stars' 00s noise rock band The Paper Chase as well as his concurrent projects, dark post-punk-synth-rockers Nervous Curtains and darkwave duo Little Beards, Mirror Box is Kirkpatrick's first foray into the purely electronic realm. Blending together elements of Giallo moodiness, dub texture, techno propulsion, a passing nod to your favorite wave music, and a flare for the kosmiche, Mirror Box' debut release, Minimal Compliance EP, is a tour de force of the veteran musician's exploration of a wide range of influences and experience.

Released by Dallas-based Gavin Guthrie (TX Connect)'s TRU (Texas Recordings Underground), the 5-track EP kicks off with the immediately-gripping title track. A huge mid-tempo 808 beat drives the menacing Moog bass while cosmic synths explore the skies over gritty, urban terrain. 'The Body,' grounded by its stuttering and singular bass line, is an expansive reworking of a track from Little Beards' debut album which features Nan Kirkpatrick on the release's only vocal appearance. Side A closes with 'Destabilized Agent,' a retro-futurist dream that effortlessly voyages from Sagan's Cosmos to a melodic minimal wave refrain.

While the first side's lush synthesizers and sophisticated syncopation are somewhat of a departure for TRU, a label that has so far defined itself by bringing the electronic sounds of Texas' underground warehouse scene to dance floors across the sea, the flip side of the record is where the four hits the floor. 'Grifter React' opens with a hard kick and electro zaps, letting the rhythm take the lead until a distorted bass finally enters to provide the hook. Minimal Compliance EP finale, 'Critical Blitz,' weaves together all of Mirror Box' finer elements into a concise mission statement. Pulsing, hypnotic mono-synth, vintage mellotrons, classic hats and claps, sweeping production (courtesy of Alex Bhore at Dallas' Elmwood studios) and sparse synth melodies converge in dark analog pleasure that will guide you along like on a cool air-conditioned drive through a devilishly hot Texas night.:

To coincide with the release of their eagerly awaited debut album Gate Of Grief (now due out on 20 July), US dark electronic outfit WHITE RING release a double AA side 7' single of the two lead tracks on the album 'Leprosy' and 'Nothing'. Blending heavy, distorted electronics with eerie, unsettling vocals they push the boundaries further, subverting genre ideas and mashing them all together, with industrial, metal, rave, chopped and screwed, rap, grunge, neo folk, post punk and new wave all in the mix

'Leprosy' is brooding, abrasive and ethereal all at once, the track draws from a varied and challenging palette, steeped in existential dread. It was the first song they wrote for the album and features the vocals of co-founding member Kendra Malia. As Bryan Kurkimilis explains; 'This song was the first time we really wanted to start exploring aggression in our music.'

'Nothing' is underpinned by gothic 80s beats and sinister synth bass-lines. It crackles and fizzes with arcade bleeps with wraith-like melodies floating over the top. In this song, nothing is true and everything is permitted. It features the first collaboration with newcomer Adina Viarengo, who added her vocals in 2016 to the existing instrumental track that Bryan Kurkimilis created for the first set of WHITE RING demos in 2009.

WHITE RING were originally formed by Bryan Kurkimilis and Kendra Malia, before they were joined by Adina Viarengo, with Bryan and Adina currently touring as a duo. Gate Of Grief arrives a full eight years since their benchmark EP, Black Earth That Made Me, which sold out almost instantly, making their records some of the most highly sought after on the underground scene and earning them a cult following across the globe.

Swerving from aggressively abrasive to beautifully ethereal, musically they draw from varied and challenging palette, whilst tackling themes of loss and acceptance due to struggles with drug addiction and existential dread on a broader scope.

Dwelling on the outskirts of pop music, WHITE RING grew up in the age of the internet and were exposed to a huge range of music. They have developed a unique style while pushing the boundaries of accessibility and musical genre. They have created a piece of art that is brimming with symbolism and underlying tensions, that seduces and scares in equal measure.

teppas Records presents 'Osaka Steppas' Vol. 3, the third in a series of releases showcasing the Japanese underground dub movement. This edition features Osaka producers Hiroshi and Roots Masashi in collaboration with Spanish producer Ojah and well-respected UK singer Rudey Lee. The Osaka Steppas' raw and unrelenting sound developed in the subterranean clubs of Osaka, a port city famous for its counterculture night life. Inspired not only by the sounds of Jamaica, but also drawing inspiration from UK and European soundsystem culture with enough bassweight to test even the toughest of soundsystems. Presented in a beautifully designed full colour sleeve inspired by the works of the legendary ukiyo-e woodblock artist, Hokusai. This release is not to be missed.

Side A features an earth rocker riddim from Ojah & Hiroshi, with conscious lyrics sung by the legendary Rudey Lee.

Side B features a much sought after dubplate from Osaka producer Roots Masashi, a deep, dark & mystical steppa.

The new release features 6 tracks and follows Julien's critically acclaimed debut album, Fallen. Released in 2016, the autobiographical LP was a bold new direction for Julien, and the first release under his birth name. Over the years, the Apron Records boss' bold, experimental electronics, jagged club cuts and outside-the-box collaborations have seen him carve out a lane all of his own making. His debut LP was divided into two musically contrasting sides, and told the tale of a fallen angel though jazz-fusion, chiming soundscapes and dark acid-tinged techno.

Since his album release, Julien has continued his creative streak by playing across the globe, from Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai to Montreal and Melbourne, and further developing his label, which released a string of underground 12's in 2017 from the likes of Max Graef, Hanna, Molinaro and more.

On 'Bloodline', Steven continues the soundtrack style mood of 'Fallen' - channeling ominous analog techno, drifting synth-house masterpieces, warm soul and hints of new age. Both the title and artwork is a nod to the influence of Julien's family on his rich musical world and distinct nonconformist style, explaining how: 'the influence my family has given me growing up and my ancestors from Africa to native Indians from the Caribbean, has all played a big part in the music I create.'

Recorded in Apron Studios based in East London, each track on 'Bloodline' also features a tr808 or a piece of a 808, as a dedication to the iconic Japanese engineer Ikutaro Kakehashi, who passed away April 2017. The much-loved Roland founder and TR-808 creator revolutionised electronic music in the 1980s and 90s.

Three years since Profane's seminal album 'V.illan Mills' was recorded for Inperspective and it's long overdue that he returns to the label. This canadian native's unique style that somehow fuses the hip hop sensibilities of J.Dilla, the jazz/funk ideologies of Danny Breaks and the experimental truth of Squarepusher has been a breath of fresh air in recent years on the Underground D&B scene and these two new cuts from him are no exception. The experimentally epic breakbeat off tempo monstrosity of 'Drughmada' is a heady, giddy tapestry of beats and breaks with a sleazy sample and panic led overtones. 'West Newton Views' is a darker more minimal affair. A clunky, dubstep vibe which maintains moody intensity throughout. Tense and suspenseful.
The other side sees the triumphant return of Rome's Lynch Kingsley. This young, precocious talent has been a good friend to the label for a number of years and after making waves with his debut 'Eden EP' it was only a matter of time before his return. We are pleased to present 'Void', a dark journey through the breakbeat, sci-fi escapism of early 90's D&B which in time develops into a deep, break laden workout with gorgeous synths and fantasy atmospheres. A joy to behold.

Instant is the trio of Bernd Schöll (Bass, Vocals, Rhythm), Mike Hauer (Guitar, Synth, Percussion), and Marion Siekmann (Vocals) from Munich, Germany. They formed in 1980 after meeting through mutual friends attending the local art and graphic design school. The trio were dissatisfied with their surrounding musical environment. Inspired by the Velvet Underground, Kraftwerk, and Giorgio Moroder, they set out to create their own brand of Neue Deutsche Welle fusing Dada, disco, and Krautrock.

Over the course of 2 weeks in Summer 1980 the band teamed up with local producer Mario Strack to record 6 songs. These would make up their debut eponymous album that was originally self-released on 10' vinyl in 1981. They utilized a simple set up of guitar, bass, and keyboards, plus the BOSS DR-55 Dr. Rhythm drum machine. Metal scraps clanging appear on the tracks 'Do Not' and 'Optimate Minimum', and a washing machine was sampled on the track 'Joyboy', which features Marion reading from the appliance's instruction manual. The A-side features 4 tracks in 11 minute, while the B-side hosts 2 songs in the same stretch of time. 'Charade' features no wave saxophone accompaniment from Kai Taschner of Munich New Wave band Luna Set. Marion's vocals are between Nico's Teutonic chill and Alison Statton's (Young Marble Giants) playfulness, while Bernd takes a monotone approach. Lyrics for 'My Boy' and 'Everybody's Gotta Mutate' were adapted from 'Rotwang', a fragmented novel written by Tim Hildebrandt, one of the brothers famous for illustrating the works of Tolkien.

All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in a replica of the original jacket design, which features a neon red screen-printed drawing of a cut-out doll family on a stark white background. Each LP includes a postcard insert with lyrics.

Side A a long electro track from BRZ arranged with happy and positive elcetro vibes , BRZ is coming from the Tekno scene and produced this track exclusive for UMX
Side B starts with an offbeat electro track from Paulus8 , this track takes you to another world . B2 is a dark vibed electro track from Ocitin , this onwe will blow you of the dance floor

Go! Finger returns to the vinyl grooves again! And this time showing a more dramatic and darkest side. Holland's underground legends Das Ding and DJ Overdose, join forces, for the first time, to deliver "AM/PM". A puzzling split release composed of two pairs of gloomy, sinister and hard to classify gems of the finest west coast electro. Absolutely remarkable. A delightful and state of the art chiaoscuro of today's freshest dark electronics.

Mandala Trax aka Shingo Suwa and DJ Mori is releasing a first EP on Merkur Schallplatten.
Shingo has established the Label in 2008.
DJ Mori is working as resident DJ at suicide circus Berlin.
They often performed at many clubs in the city.
Their first collaboration includes two different versions of rave influenced techno remixes by Anna Bolena.

Anna is Music producer, Promoter and Video maker, she is an underground activist since the 80`s.
She runs the label Idroscalo Dischi since 1999 and since 2005 the Video Production Company Idroscalo Digitale.
They both are working as resident for Button's party at ://about blank.

A1, their very first track, is called 11pm. The main solid synth line features deep kick drums surrounded by dubby industrial effects in the background.
On A2 we find a heavy bottom groove, surrounded by echoes in a dark atmosphere. Hand claps and white noises are driving any techno floor.
The B Side includes two different version by Anna Bolena. She produced some 90's rave structures affected by her experimental senses.

Villa Åbo in the alternative solo project of Swedish musician and Villa Åbo in the alternative solo project of Swedish musician and producer Jan Svensson, who has been making electronic music for the better part of 30 years as the artist behind such aliases as Frak, Studio SS and Alvars Orkestra. Svensson also runs legendary Swedish dance and experimental music label Börft, the product of a mutual appreciation for Severed Heads and Terse Tapes. As Villa Åbo he released two records in 1997 on Börft and remained inactive for 17 years until the Dutch label Bio Rhythm coaxed him into revisiting the project and released a double 12 in 2014. Jan has since followed with a steady stream of 12' singles for Kontra-Musik, Noise In My Head and Radio Lundberg. 'Magnetic Moves' is Villa Åbo's debut album, originally released inan limited edition of 65 hand-numbered cassettes by Funeral Fog in 2016. Clocking in at over 46 minutes, this first-ever vinyl edition spreads the 8 ragged techno tracks across four sides for maximum loudness. Some songs are aggressively potent, with cyclical synth riffs and razor-sharp acid lines riding a heavy, funk-fuelled techno groove. Others tracks are more fluid, vintage Underground Resistance or Derrick May with killer drum machine workouts that come in handy as DJ tools. All songs have been remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The record is housed in a custom made jacket designed by Eloise Leigh, featuring a photograph of Jan's mother's house, the meaning behind 'Villa Åbo'. Each copy includes a double-sided postcard with notes.producer Jan Svensson, who has been making electronic music for the better part of 30 years as the artist behind such aliases as Frak, Studio SS and Alvars Orkestra. Svensson also runs legendary Swedish dance and experimental music label Börft, the product of a mutual appreciation for Severed Heads and Terse Tapes. As Villa Åbo he released two records in 1997 on Börft and remained inactive for 17 years until the Dutch label Bio Rhythm coaxed him into revisiting the project and released a double 12 in 2014. Jan has since followed with a steady stream of 12' singles for Kontra-Musik, Noise In My Head and Radio Lundberg.'Magnetic Moves' is Villa Åbo's debut album, originally released in an limited edition of 65 hand-numbered cassettes by Funeral Fog in 2016. Clocking in atover 46 minutes, this first-ever vinyl edition spreads the 8 rgged techno tracks across four sides for maximum loudness. Soe songs are aggressively potent, with cyclical synth riffs and razor-harp acid lines riding a heavy, funk-fuelled techno groove. Others tracks are more fluid, vintage Underground Resistance or Derrick May with killer drum machine workouts that come in handy as DJ tools. All songs have been remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The record is housed in a custom made jacket designed by Eloise Leigh, featuring a photograph of Jan's mother's house, the meaning behind 'Villa Åbo'. Each copy includes a double-sided postcard with notes.

Cryovac Recordings seeks out characters that give depth to the soundscape of Detroit's Underground. Cryovac individuals believe in their path and stand for their art. Ray7 is a multifaceted musical being surviving an ever evolving technosphere. He is an unknown hero that holds his own sonicly on any side of the planet. Ray7 provides the power needed for the Cryovac machine to hatch a new plot. Cryovac exists due to the efforts of craftsmen and artists that work together to make something unique
Side A starts with an ancient Zulu chant that provides protection as well as a funky sort of techno break pop. The next track grinds in to a ruff and gritty narration of ghetto mind-set under the influence of classic electro. A constant roll moves the last track into addition and subtraction inside of a spartan groove that breaks and turns with strength.
Side B opens with a busy 4/4 be-bop lackadaisically drifting with dreamy synth over the chatter of voice, hi-hats, and reverb broken down by a 303 buzzing. Track two is a dark and sloppy incomprehensible subliminal sing-a-long building and ebbing around a stark kick and clap.

Milan based collective Just This return with two VA releases to continue their 'Broken Promises' series. With the aim of documenting the progression of cultural movements, the label have pursued underground material since 2010. Broken Promises Part 3 and Part 4 are due for release on 1st December and 8th December respectively, and each feature four new tracks channelling refined techno with minimalist, ambient sentiments.
Hunter/Game open Part 3 with 'Distance', a meditative journey through ambient textures using expansive synths and vast acoustics. Next, Architectural brandishes 808 drums for a tense workout on 'Electric Soul'. On the B-side, label co-owner Pisetzky explores the darker side of minimal on 'Anterial', whilst Altman plays with moody bass and ricocheting percussion on 'Shapes'.
Part 4 opens with a shuffling rhythmic framework on Inland's 'Aechmea', followed by 'Zona', a pointillist groove by Ben Gibson, aka one half of the collaborative project Dyad. On My Flower's 'Kundal', a cyclical melody wanders through eerie acoustics whilst Hiver navigates a broken beat framework with glitchy distortions and dub echoes on 'Stellar Parallax Landing'. 

With its sixth release NEW YORK TRAX continues the mission of highlighting the jewels of the New York underground. Liquid Asset is a Philadelphia-born Brooklyn-based hardware virtuoso who has made a name for herself by virtue of appearances on labels such as E-Saggila's Summer Isle Brooklyn's own Primitive Languages
Jacktone and Acid Etch where she has recently delivered a furious 7' split with Isabella. Liquid Asset built her own 808 and 303 clones by hand. The modified 303 is particularly audible in the opening track of the record Ephemeral Nights' where she did not waste time on an intro and went straight to creating a sonic pandemonium by blending an airhorn sound with frenzy acid basslines and a hardcore-leaning 909 kick. Contact' is a merciless creature of the night with its relentless dark groove building up throughout this composition cannot easily be classified as a representation of any particular genre. Controlperception' opens the B side. Here Liquid Asset plays with a cheerful acid line over a dreamy landscape often punctured with bleeping sounds. Finally in Forgetmenot' two opposite sounding basslines intertwine creating a minimal yet very capturing composition to close this one of a kind record.

Camea returns with the third release on her Neverwhere imprint, titled 'Vanish', this Spring. In her new single, she digs deep on her drum machine into Studio 1-esque territory, using alluring classic minimal techno grooves as a back drop for her seductively soulful, selfconflicted vocals. Camea not only captures a timeless micro-house vibe in this piece, but she continues to push her sound forward as well as her love for avant-guard techno. Up next is Delft imprint boss, LA-4A, best known for his analogue vintage Roland drum machine productions. He has laid down an irresistible 303 break-beat club mix of Camea's track in the A2 spot. His dance cut of her vocals over bass driven percussion is a perfect counter piece to the original, and compliments the sound from his recent acid techno album 'Phonoautograph'. On the flip side, Berlin techno legend and Ostgut Ton/Berghain resident Tobias. gives his graceful interpretation. He has reworked the original into a tasteful, dark, spacious 8-minute minimal techno piece, with percolating panning and filters on the vocals. As usual with Tobias., he clearly conveys his undeniable expertise and instinct for exquisite dance music. With this release, Camea is also marking the 2nd anniversary of her cult Neverwhere Radio show this Spring, having produced twenty-four, two-hour episodes with exclusive DJ mixes and guests. The show currently has residencies on Digitally Imported, Tsugi Radio and Ibiza Sonica, and Camea has quickly established herself as a driving force in the left-field techno community, and a passionate advocate of underground radio.

Never one to rest, our pal The Revenge has been busy as always. His latest LP as 6th Borough Project Find Your Rhythm' recently dropped on Roar Groove, he created a beautifully delicate remix of Auntie Flo's Waiting for a (Woman)", had a change of scenery relocating from Scotland to Denmark and his collab EP with Dirt Crew, flush with Nachtbraker remixes was one of our biggest records of 2016! Amongst the action he's taken the time and a more in yer face' approach to write us his latest EP, a four-tracker of proper club tracks. Every Night' brims with raucous disco energy. The French Filter House' reminiscent gem's strings shimmer and funk horns hit heavy, a jam destined to wear holes in shoes. Grit' attends to the easy-going Disco grooves we love so much from The Revenge, plenty of shake and soul it's overflowing with good-mood energy. B-side opener Never Learn' gives us a glimpse of the darker end of The Revenge's spectrum. Subby toms rumble, tweaked out synths bleep and slide and delayed key stabs shift the party into smoke hazed, underground rave mode. The closing track Krokodille' brings that Bass n Electro gritty booming sound! The acidic lead wraps around sturdy drums. Straight forward with plenty of kick, what an ending to a high quality EP!

Bottom Forty's fifth release and second vinyl press showcases two French producers living and banging the drums in Berlin; a long time Bottom Forty favorite, La Fraicheur, teamed up with veteran producer and Leonizer record label ownerLeonard de Leonard. La Fraicheur, a producer of emotional and story-telling minimal techno, is seen here paired with Leonard de Leonard to turn up the heat on our first club-banger release track, 'Afraid of the Groove'. La Fraicheur and Leonard de Leonard beat the hell out of their analog Elektron to lay out a relentless whipping melody that demands a twirling dance floor while a classic minimal bass line, rhythm and 'she's uh-fraid of the groove' sample keep this track dark, dirty and underground.


In a beautiful contrast to the heart-pounding A-side, flip to the B-side for 'Une Place au Soleil'. Literally translated as 'a place in the sun', the saying is more about conveying the emotion of 'your hard work is putting you in a good place in life'. 'Une Place au Soleil' is a gorgeous deep house track filled with teasingly melodic stabs and subtle hardware sounds that come and go, crashing on the record like powerful but soothing waves on the hot beach sands. While 'Afraid of the Groove' may twist a peak-hour dance floor into a frenzy, 'Une Place au Soleil' will entrance them in the after hours, reminding dancers why electronic music is so beautiful and why dance floors can carry so much emotional release.


Yet another contrasting track, the remix of 'Afraid of the Groove' by the Milan based Elisa Bee, is what makes this record compact yet powerfully diverse for many dance floors. Entering the realm of ghetto-tech with pounding and distorted toms and kicks and fervent stabs, Elisa Bee's remix is like a rollercoaster that keeps ascending, building tension upon tension as it rides further into the sky, taking everyone along for the ride with it.

Not Waving takes 2017 by the scruff with his Populist EP, consolidating the myriad stripes of his acclaimed Animals album in four extended peaktime hammers forged for darkrooms, basements and warehouses alike.
If last year's LP saw you thru from day-into-night, or vice-versa, this one is aimed squarely at the gurny hours of abandon in between, with ferocious acid lines and jabbing drums stripped down and strapped up to prompt reckless behaviour on the 'floor.
Containing his first material written in the wake of Animals, the Populist EP is Alessio Natalizia a.k.a. Not Waving's strongest dancefloor statement since the one-sided Get Serious (2015) bullet.
It finds him taking the opportunity to make straight-up bangers, rather than 'songs', which were thoroughly tried and tested over successive tours of the USA and ountless shows in Europe too in
the last 9 months.
Too Many Freaks is an anthem in waiting, harnessing a barely-hinged sense of chaos between its careening synth lead, acid squabble and velvet-clad kicks, before the dry-rutting jag and plaintive vox of Vibe Killer takes a dog-grip like This Heat meeting Tuning Circuits.
Top marks go to the check-your-stylus intro for Control Myself on the B-side, which holds its fizzy line into a fetid crevice of what sounds Russell Haswell ramping with Powell, whereas the
crooked clampjaw groove of Ur Lucky Ur Still Alive pivots around a sample a lone raver at Atonal, Berlin 'who had no idea how she got there and what she did the night before'. A ruddy good night
all-round, then
Not Waving co-owns the Ecstatic label alongside Sam Willis. Not Waving is widely regarded a connoisseur of Italian new wave and post-punk music - he compiled the Mutazione (Italian
Electronic & New Wave Underground 1980-1988) set for Strut - and has issued a series of acclaimed, sought-after, playfully anachronistic twists on that sound since 2013.

Spanish techno master Reeko makes his mark on Detroit Underground with a release exploring the darker facets of humanity in mesmerizing fashion, with rhythm and drone taking equal importance. "Lovers and Bandits" sets side A off with a brutal broken march, hard kicks building slowly into caverns of sonic noise. "BDSM" twists the sounds of pleasure and pain into an endless dark delay, leading you to the edge and right into "Hard Sex Club", roiling with indecipherable voices and a hovering synth build that teases but never quite strikes.


Side B straightens the beat with "Slaughter", a searing background noise underpinning an evolving rotation of menace that pushes the beats forward into a pit of noise and sludge. "Sex With God" is a fierce techno rhythm, wet, crunchy, and percussive without the ubiquitous kick drum, building to a crescendo of heat and buzz. Finally, "Submissive Behavior" is a massive paranoid drone, prickly with hunger and menace. On "We Are Bandits", Reeko strips down his explorations of sound and texture to the barest essences, making for an unsettling and intriguing listen. Graphic design from The Designers Republic. This is the first release in a collaboration with tDR called DU-TDR/GRD with a grid font designed for 2016 - 2017 DU releases.