Returning to Iceland to focus on fresh material, Kiasmos will release new EP 'Blurred' through Erased Tapes on October 6th.
Janus Rasmussen explains: "To write new material felt like a new beginning for us after two years of touring. The plan was to write something a tad darker than our previous stuff. Spring in Reykjavík had other plans though, as this turned out to be our brightest release to date." Remixes on the EP come from Bonobo and Stimming, each taking Kiasmos' music in fresh directions
Spoiled Drama reemerges exhibiting their darker side on "This is Our Mission", their debut on the label embodiment of Berlin's Fleisch collective. The five track EP exhibits a unique range and dexterity, blurring lines between the realms of techno, EBM, acid and electro with a touch of maladjusted pop and post-punk. From the anxious beat and shimmering tones of "Another Death Experience" to the ritualistic war drums and heavily distorted vocals of "Kisses Are Out of Fashion", expect to feel dizzied, unnerved, yet beckoned to move. The eponymous track closes out the EP in an undeniably Drexciyan fashion, low-pitched vocals emerging from watery depths in lush sweeping pads and dissonant melodies. A mission accomplished with style.
After dropping several tracks and performing at select festivals throughout the years, Ólafur Arnalds and Janus Rasmussen dedicated the year 2014 to explore the area in-between Ólafur's more acoustic, piano-based solo work and Janus's synth-heavy electro pop, with their collaborative electronic project Kiasmos.
By focusing solely on their self-titled debut album, Ólafur and Janus have been able to combine and further develop their unique sound aesthetics to complete an album driven by their mutual love for electronic music. Made in Ólafur's newly build studio in Reykjavík, Iceland, a majority of the album was recorded using acoustic instruments next to a variety of synthesisers, drum machines and tape delays. It features a live drummer, string quartet and Ólafur performing on the grand piano, producing an ambient, textured sound, which makes it a perfect home listen and equally danceable record. If you listen closely, you can spot them record the thumb piano, finger snapping and even the sound of the metal grinder of a lighter slowly to replace the usual electronic hi-hat sounds, giving the album a far more intimate and unique atmosphere.
We decided to start almost completely over with this record, so most of the material is written this year with the idea of making a record that can stand as one piece rather than a collection of songs. I am very excited to get a proper record out exploring a different territory than I am used to. I touch a lot on electronic genres in my own music but never have the opportunity to go full out electronic like we do here.' - Ólafur Arnalds
The Kiasmos project has been around since 2007, but because of all our other projects we never really got the time to sit down and write all the tracks we always wanted to. So when we early this year finally found the time to sit down and make a full length album there was so much we wanted to try out. The result surprised us a bit, it's deeper and more emotional than we imagined it to be, but that's the beauty of being able to make an album.' - Janus Rasmussen
Long-term Erased Tapes graphics collaborator Torsten Posselt at Feld Studios in Berlin created the cover artwork. Feld Studios was a natural choice for Kiasmos, seeing he also designed the cover for their Thrown EP, released previously.
Kiasmos is made up of Icelandic BAFTA-winning composer Ólafur Arnalds, known for his unique blend of minimal piano and string compositions with electronic sounds, and Janus Rasmussen from the Faroe Islands, known as the mastermind of the electro-pop outfit Bloodgroup. Based in Reykjavík, Arnalds used to work as a sound engineer, often for Rasmussen's other projects, where the two musicians discovered their common love for minimal, experimental music. They eventually became best friends, often hanging out in their studio, exploring electronic sounds.
Tom Flynn marks his first appearance on Exit Strategy, starting off with a strong package of four tracks. Each of them tends towards a slightly different side of his ecstatic and clean production style - making this a very coherent well balanced collection of killers.
Brett Johnson returns on HOUSEWAX. This time the he teamed up with Mikey V to deliver a superb Track called "Runaway".
The ten inch contains the main vocal mix and a dub version - worth to check!
RAWAX proudly welcomes Gal Perez & Hadas Cohen aka RRZ & Dasco to the Family!
The very talented duo from Tel Aviv delivers on the "Memories EP" some serious House tracks which convinced us from the first moment.
On top they present here Chicago Master and CHIWAX artist, Mr. Boo Williams with his interpretation of the track "Brighter".
Strong debut release - more to come!
Group Rhoda is the solo electronic music project of Mara Barenbaum, based out of Oakland, California. The project started around 2009 with a debut album 'Out of Time, Out of Touch' in 2012 on Night School Records and '12th House' in 2013 on Not Not Fun. She is also one half of Max and Mara who released the album 'Less Ness' in 2013 on Dark Entries Records. She is committed to live performance, situated within the analog synthesizer and drum machine medium.
'Wilderless' is Group Rhoda's third full length and first for Dark Entries Records. Each of the these 7 songs draw forth tones of tropical darkwave and soft industrial, while negating the sound of conformity and control. The album explore themes of societal and spiritual displacement, contemporary serfdom, the depths of empathy, regeneration through destruction, and the tyranny of claiming recognition and power. Lyrics are poetically expressed through allegory and explore archetypes rooted more in abstract observation rather than hard line experience. Through transgression and imagination, Group Rhoda explores the arc of songwriting interwoven into stark electronic environments, and creates a bridge between the corporeal and the dream worlds.
Each song was mixed by Mark Pistel at Room 5 in San Francisco and mastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Each LP is packaged in a jacket featuring a colorful custom made collage by Hugo Barros and includes a full color sticker and digital download card.
Office Recordings continues to surprise us. After Baaz' Techno-/Ambient-hybrid on Office 011 the label from Berlin comes up with a stunning new and anonymous project called 'One Day' featuring four also unnamed tracks. The A-side of the record starts off with a with a superb Deep Techno track which tempts us with very emotional pads and a strong kick and bass fundament - an irresistible combination. A2 goes in the same direction but feels like the slightly mellower and softer brother of its predecessor - a little bit moody but still straightforward at the same time. The flip side is dedicated to two freestyle electronic tracks standing in the tradition of the best Warp offerings from their heyday in the 90s. We're talking charming melodies and sparse but elaborate rhythmic patterns. The record comes in a hand stamped and with a lovely artwork also hand made by Office art director Super Quiet. All tracks have been mastered and cut by sound engineering proficient Pole at Scape Mastering.
Limited to 200 copies on yellow, labelless vinyl is the latest release on Leipzig's Minor Label, fusing the creative forces of the two artists that have been responsible for a main part of the labels output throughout the past two years. Whilst Yvat fuses heavy distortion, beat twisting and melodious Electronica in a kind of Aphex Twin-manner on the A-side we see Tlic explore cold, grinding, sci-fi'ish soundspheres based on a slow, pounding 4/4 foundation on his B1 tune "Digital Kautschuk" whilst things are speeding up with "Homeo Sapiens" on B2 to a not less grinding effect. Frosty.
Earth, Wind & Fire are obviously one of the greatest bands of all-time and both of these remixes are works of art in their own right. On the A side we have the much in-demand Blaze 'Shelter' remix of "Fantasy" which stretches this classic to 8.55 and finishes with an unbelievable Phillip Bailey acappella.
As though that wasn't enough we've put the much sought-after Masters At Work remix of "Can't Hide Love" - a staple records since its debut in 2002.
Drumcode continues its commitment to releasing the scene's most cutting-edge techno. With releases this year already from Adam Beyer, Pig&Dan, Alan Fitzpatrick, Dense & Pika and Julian Jeweil, this July see's the return of Enrico Sangiuliano with 'Astral Projection'.
After his remix of Moby's of 'Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad' back in November last year, Enrico sought creative inspiration from his travels, transcending that into his productions and long studio sessions during the winter months. The result brings a mind and body melting release from the Italian producer.
The title track 'Astral Projection' is a captivating, big room techno masterpiece. Deep reverberations punch alongside a sinisterly crisp percussive drive. Launching into a groove laden synth modulation of low end textures, it breaks down into an ethereal amalgamation of pads and synths before the vocal launches, taking this track to another level.
'Blooming Era' has destructive dancefloor intent. There is no holding back with the low end synth modulation which Enrico has mastered to perfection. A tightly woven percussive flare moulds flawlessly with the rolling oscillations of the beast of this track.
If you have seen label head honcho Adam Beyer playing anywhere on the globe in the last 5 months, this has been a peak time favourite. Road-tested to the max, and with much success.
Maybe it's just you: jumping around from joyful reveries to passages of melancholia, from uncanny
revelations to the grey routines. Or maybe it's just the music: a dusty cosmic theme with a bit of
the 80s' electronic flavour, warping your state of mind on the slick drum rolling, electro tingles
and obsessive sci fi bleeps.We call it Moodswing: Sublee's electronic visions for Contemporan.
Our next release subtil009 is coming from Andrei Catalin Bumbu alias HANSEL
He is also part of the new generation of Dj's and producers from Romania. The 3 Track Combination Sounds good for the Dancefloor with one long a side and 2 tracks back on the
b side!
This record will keep any point of the night!
We are happy to get this Guy to our subtil family and to our roster.
Darien Dean is a soul singer who needs no introductions. His last album, Departures' is already rocking the soul charts, thanks to his classic songwriting and live instrumentation,
we can say that this isn't just soul music, it's music that has a soul.
Someone is You' is defnitely one of the gems of this album, thanks to the amazing Avery Sunshine on vocals, this track is one of the hottest nu-soul single for the summer 2017!
Restive Plaggona is the music project of the Corfu-based artist Dimitris Doukas -also producing under Matriarchy Roots, Leftina Osha and Plaggona-. After releasing a series of cassettes in different labels along 2016 and 2017 -including his own Several Minor Promises- 'Leaving The Body' arrives as an electronic composition of beats and synthesizer bodies disguised as a sense of provocation and mystery. Each of the seven pieces offers more than a smattering of interesting textures separated by spans of great decline, but a master class of permutations in-between accompanying sounds, stretching rhythms and viscera-and- violence noises. Driven by a deeply expressive narrative, Restive Plaggona makes a strong statement about
his post-industrial vision adding technoid inclinations in a delightful dystopian world.
Gidge is a production duo consisting of Jonatan Nilsson and Ludvig Stolterman. Based in the northern parts of Sweden, Gidge quickly built a solid fan base with releases of their albums Autumn Bells, LNLNN and Lulin. The music of Gidge seems to affect their audience in an emotional way, which eventually resulted in the duo taking the top spot as Best New Artist at XLR8R's readers poll, as well as having the 3LPs ending up on numerous end of year lists. Their main source of inspiration is the vast, snow-covered woodlands of the North. Gidge have for instance recorded all of their percussions in the forest, using only the sticks and rocks that can be found there. 'For Seoul' though came about after the duo went on a trip through Asia, and spent a number of days in the South Korean capital. They fell in love with Seoul, and later on created this two-part hymn for the giant city. Applescal created a remix for the track, which you can listen on the b side.
forTunea presents its new member Peter Czak with his first ever vinyl release! Before The Rise is a deep and mysterious piece with a stomping broken beat and almost eerie sounding synthlines. Heavily experimental and detroitesque. The remixes have something to offer for everyone. Peletronic's aproach is a darker dub that can be played in techno clubs aswell as on deep house partys. The opposite of that is KB's Rising Sun remix. He rearranged the track that much, so you would almost believe it is a new composition. My Beat closes the ep with a heavy drum machine rhythm and synth-fanfares. All in all an interesting release for this summer. Do not miss this one!
Limited to 300 copys ///// Mastering by Patrick Pulsinger
Support by Tensnake, Red Rack'em, Anderson Noise, Siggatunez, Lenny Fontana, Manuel Sahagun, Robot84, Simonlebon, Lönya, Tom Lown
Following 2016's much-acclaimed solo album Mondo Alterado (HIPPIE 008CD/LP), original Pachanga Boy and Hippie Dance mentor Rebolledo returns to the limelight with the jam-packed Mondo Re-Alterado, tapping into his vast and varied network of friends and fellow soundsmiths. Artists such as Superpitcher, DJ Tennis, Maceo Plex, Red Axes, Fango, or Fantastic Twins deliver stunning takes on Rebolledo's unique signature sound, creating a full suite of exclusive remixes, cover versions, and reinterpretations. From the super-energetic club rumblings of Maceo Plex's "Discótico Pléxico" to DJ Tennis's dreamy "Pimiento Drive Version" of "A Numb Gas To The Future" or Fantastic Twins' party bomb "Fantastic Pow Pow", the journey through Mondo Re-Alterado is full of twists and turns -- a world where an epic, cinematic soundscape such as Superpicher's "Rainboy Super Space" sits comfortably alongside the claustrophobic, punishing banger that Fango sculpted from stand-out cut "Pow Pow". Meanwhile, Red Axes turn the casual narrative of "Life Is Strange, Life Is Hard, Life Is Great" into a bouncing workout -- a great companion piece to "WANT", Danny Daze and Shokh's propulsive, jagged dub version of "Fears Come True". Other highlights include Jörg Burger aka The Black Frame with the lush "Black Rainbow Woman", Paulor's country rock extravaganza "Discótico Desértico" and not one, but two excellent contributions from former Italians Do It Better honcho Mike Simonetti. It's a magical, surprising ride that finds beauty in contrasts -- while staying tuned to Rebolledo's spirit of adventure and powerful sense of style.
Common Series' footprint is the 'Experimentation' and you can find it in the sixth release too. Marco Erroi with some musicians give us four sunny tracks, as the cover tells. They have been exploring Italo House and Balearic sounds. The psychedelic touch together with some blue vocals and a jazzy saxophone make CS06 all different. It is the 'Aperitivo' time somewhere on the Riviera! Limited edition of 250 hand-numbered copies.
Modularz presents a special edition release
Taking a bit of a different approach to whole getting deeper and focusing on the details that make it happen on the floor !
This is a solid 4 track techno banger written and produced by Juxta Position who was previously featured on DVS1's
Mistress Recordings, Rhythm Nation and his own Failsafe imprint, the release displays great Razor sharp percussion with
melancholic synth lines, whilst serious sub bass shifts much air and shimmering moods filter across the mid range.
This is another one of those never leaves the bag EPs Play it loud!!
Snuff Trax is thrilled to announce that Andrew Soul is back with his big love for house music on this new record. The - Wide Range Of Experiences EP' features four tracks full of irresistible grooves, driving beats and sweet melodies. You can even catch up with Klaudia bringing fantastic and emotional vocals on the opening track - Strange Feelings'. Enjoy the music!
The Gooiland Elektro compilation 'Unruhe' is a showcase of contemporary acid techno... spacey and trippy in the hands of Zarkoff and distorted and freaked out by Roberto Auser... but also rather industrial when done by FOQL or pushed to the extreme by The Untitled... this is acid as it should sound... edgy and daring tracks for illuminated heads instead of easy and boring sounds suitable for the masses... and as with all Gooiland Elektro releases this one is equally intense on the dance floor as with headphone playback...
Selected press quotes:
Guessing you all fancy a spot of electronic disturbia, in truth sounds like something the late Mr Peel would play before going off on a stroll around Maida Vale only to return to find his audience had gone somewhat hypnotically gaga, no surprise given you can feel your mind evaporating beneath its hypno grooving pulsars, a bit like putting your head in psych techno tumble drier and then switching the settings to bleach. This is heading down the release track via Enfant Terrible, from the Untitled this is the aptly titled 'sleep paralysis' the b-side in fact of a mini-set called 'unruhe' - a humungous mushrooming cosmic mind melter which we suspect many listeners may not necessarily emerge out of the other side with all their faculties in place. We suggest you hike up the volume for maximum damage and guaranteed oblivion. (The Sunday Experience)
Modularz welcomes veteran producer Edit Select - who needs no introduction. Many techno enthusiasts know his work over the years pushing the deeper hypnotic and textured sound he is so good at and this release sets a new bar for Edit Select focusing on slow building, deep atmospheric tribal influenced hypnotics. Expect this releases to be hammered by anyone looking for effective mind altering madness. TIP
Castanea Records returns with its seventh release, we are talking again about an LP this time signed by Paradroid. The artist is the new entry in the label and returns after a long time with an album that draws a definitely microhouse sound which characterizes him being a pioneer of this genre.
An old school sound unique and characteristic perhaps missing in the market since long. 8 tracks cared in minimum and the high quality details mixed and registered 100% in analog tape.
This icing cannot miss in the disk bag of any connoisseur in gender or non. There will be a novelty even on artwork level, this time we have decided to adapt to release a beautiful gatefold rough collectible cover.
Now in its second decade, with a steady stream of the most forward thinking and cutting edge techno productions, Drumcode has one of the biggest selections of releases from industry heavy hitters, whilst not forgetting its future by bringing the newest talented producers into the limelight, where Layton Giordani is now a name firmly within that line up.
The young New York based producer first had recognition back in 2014, and his debut release came via Drumcode with his track "Rivington" on the A-Sides Vol5 compilation in 2016.
Full force into 2017, Drumcode has announced the release of Layton's debut album with "Where It Begins" Consisting of 12 original tracks, the album packs a punch when it comes to no-nonsense techno. Successfully weaving relentless drums and catchy vocal hooks into a selection of thick, brooding, atmospheric tracks.
After starting out with EP's showcasing tracks by various artists, Invite's Choice is back with a 3 track EP by Drafted.
The EP is opened by Detached with it's dominating, repeating tom/percussive low-end sound. The frequential spectrum is filled up by other percussive elements and reverb-filled effects, which give the track a spacious feel. Oxidian starts out in your face with it's droning and repetitive synth. The track evolves into an abstract apogee with intense synthesis before it breaks down again, allowing for a smooth mix to be made. Sphere closes down this 3-track EP on the B-side and does so with lot's of fast changing hi-hat and ride patterns and one sharp sounding synthesizer, which makes it a perfect B-side closing track. Once again a great showcase of sustainable modern day electronic music by Invite's Choice!
Now in its second decade, with a steady stream of the most forward thinking and cutting edge techno productions, Drumcode has one of the biggest selections of releases from industry heavy hitters, whilst not forgetting its future by bringing the newest talented producers into the limelight, where Layton Giordani is now a name firmly within that line up.
The young New York based producer first had recognition back in 2014, and his debut release came via Drumcode with his track "Rivington" on the A-Sides Vol5 compilation in 2016.
Full force into 2017, Drumcode has announced the release of Layton's debut album with "Where It Begins" Consisting of 12 original tracks, the album packs a punch when it comes to no-nonsense techno. Successfully weaving relentless drums and catchy vocal hooks into a selection of thick, brooding, atmospheric tracks.
Cellaa Zoo's first vinyl only introduces a handful of new and also many label mates and companions, such as Marc Faenger, Ecco, &lez, Peppe Markese and Profano. In Cellaa Zoo usual nonchalant style, you can expect deep driving arrangements. Through the precisely applied sub-basses and the unobtrusive synth pads, a first class sound-performance is guaranteed.
Four different tracks, four times 110% Cellaa Zoo quality! So if you have listened to the full EP, there only will be 4 words to describe it: this is DOPE SHIT!
As much as, in modern days, it has become increasingly difficult to pin things down to a specific genre this release brings very defined genres but also a refreshing feature, a constant change of energy in one single track, and most importantly, it all comes with this modern feel to it which indicates it is the new generation rising making justice to what Ultrastretch stands for, surfacing fresh and new talents. Signed by Austrian duo Foehn & Jerome.
The A side is of the EP consists of the genius idea that it is a relatively simple track, however, with the feel that so much is happening, the type when you listen to a loop but one you can listen to forever and not get tired of it, always the best sign. A rolling and constant bassline makes it into a super fat and rounded dancefloor groover, while on top you have these fragments of chopped up vocal samples in and out creating a sense of confusion, a mind drilling element is then complemented by very loose and fine hihats floating around.
On the B side starts with quirky minimal track with a galloping kick throughout, when the open hihats slam in with a vocal it quickly develops into a very happy and playful housy vibe and just when you are riding, the clap slams in now on a tighter hat sequence followed by the break and rebuilding, when it comes back however it adds another element changing the energy yet again, through introducing a synthline. The quirky frog sounding noises throughout certainly makes it a super witty track overall.
Maduk is back on Liquicity Records with his 8th vinyl release. This special white vinyl contains three all time Liquicity classics and one brand new remix. A must have for every liquid drum and bass collector.
Special 10" collectors edition from new sensations Probablistic on Melliflow, an electronic music label based in Berlin, founded and curated by Vera & Alexandra.
De-Bons-en-Pierre is a project from Beau Wanzer & Maoupa Mazzocchetti. Beau Wanzer spends the majority of his days sifting through paraffin embedded animal tissues and reading old issues of Fangoria, occasionally breaking his monotonous routine to record in various fits and bursts. As well as solo material, he is also in numerous projects including Streetwalker, Mutant Beat Dance, Civil Duty, and Corporate Park. He's released on many labels including; Diagonal, L.I.E.S, Cititrax, Nation, Rush Hour, and Light Sounds Dark. Maoupa Mazzocchetti is the pseudonym of Florent Mazzocchetti, a French producer based in Brussels. Florent is strictly devoted to a DIY mentality around music production and his sound revives the electro-industrial aesthetic of the late 70s and early 80s. He's released notable productions on labels such as Unknown Precept, PRR! PRR!, Knekelhuis and Mannequin Records.
While Beau was visiting Brussels he stopped by Maoupa's house to jam for a bit. All songs were recorded on April 4, 2016 between 11:00am and 11:00pm, as single live takes.'Crepes' is a 6-track EP, titled so because they ate crepes the majority of the session. Beau says, "There was a bit of a language barrier. We'd mostly just laugh and nod when something sounded cool to us." The equipment set up included a Roland TR-808, TR-606, SH-101, CR-78, CR-8000, two Syncussions and effects. Over 23 minutes of garbles, sludgy synths and leviathan rhythms. Surfing the slippery slope between industrial and electro, but never quite falling in, just a dip of your pinky toe to to test the temperature.
All songs are mastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Housed in a sewage green/blue jacket featuring a crepe-masked duo reminiscent of pulpy VHS covers. Designed by Eloise Leigh and Florent Mazzocchetti. Each copy includes a 2-sided postcard with a photo taken during the recording session.
Eagles & Butterflies works like on the assembly line and at the end the best of the best comes out. Art Imitating Life Vol. 2 has arrived with 4 new experiments, a full colour bohemian montage of sound. Futuristic tribalistic house music we like a lot, again delivered on limited edition coloured vinyl.
West Africa's most iconic dance-band are back. A decade on from their last album and almost half a century since their formation, Senegal's Orchestra Baobab return with a timeless set of classic, swaying tunes fusing Afro-Cuban rhythms and African tradition in the group's trademark style.