Ann Aimee Holland At Juno Download

Review: Dutch label Delsin has an enviable knack of recruiting new, talented producers, and Area Forty One is another such instance. Across this six-tracker, the fledgling artist displays the kind of maturity that more established producers lack. "986_hPa" is a dramatic ambient soundtrack and "Supercell" an irresistible deep techno groove augmented by tantalising acid licks. On the evidence of this release however, it sounds that Area Forty One is most comfortable when exploring the darker recesses of techno. "Raindrop Prelude" features Hood-style repetitive pointillism and creepy bass lunges and "Mjolnir" is a mean, streamlined rhythm fuelled by the kind of relentlessly utilitarian percussion that makes Ben Klock look tame.

Review: Delsin is one of techno music's most established operations, but it deserves kudos for promoting new talents. Most of the acts that feature on this second Inertia sampler on its Ann Aimee offshoot were unknown two years ago, but as their contributions demonstrate, their work is deserving of a bigger audience. Marcelus's "24/7" is a strafing minimal track guided to a climax by subtle filters. Sigha's "Finding Myself" also features lithe metallic rhythms, but the chiming bells lend it a more atmospheric feeling, while Area 41's "CNTCT" is a lethal concoction of seared acid bass, warped rhythms and doubled up claps. However, despite the preponderance of so many new acts, the most intense track is the noisy, distorted analogue howl of Redshape's "Static."

Review: Sawlin is another example of the Dutch label Delsin's ability to identify and cultivate new talent. Starting off on Vault Series, he made the leap to Ann Aimee this year with the superb Techno Dumping. The heavy approach shown there isn't fully replicated on Eviment, but it still packs a formidable punch; the title track is a stripped back groove, its understated nature providing for the emergence of a warbling vocal that becomes more and more hypnotic as the arrangement progresses. By contrast, "Kretze" is based on grainy, crunchy beats, while acidic undercurrents provide the basis for a building, ravey riff. Finally, "Sour Tear" is an uneasy broken beat affair, with eerie oriental motifs prevailing.

Review: Former Vault Series alumnus Sawlin was first welcomed into the grainy techno world of Ann Aimee via a singular contribution to the Inertia series of EPs and associated mix by Delta Funktionen. The bond is strengthened further here as Sawlin graces the Delsin offshoot with Techno Dumping, a full EP premiering his own thick set take on the granular, monolithic strains of European techno. Proceedings commence in the deepest place thanks to "Boring Feels" with vast swathes of lurching bottom end attempting to slowly consume the brittle percussive rhythms. This subtlety is cast aside by the title track, a brooding punch of a groove relentlessly accruing rhythmic menace as it rumbles forward with nightmarish glee. This overwhelming momentum is carried over to the two heaving slabs of wronged up machine funk that burst from the B Side grooves , with "Datamen Working" showing Blawan style rhythmic precision amidst the billowing clouds of muffled textures and reverberant vocals. "Neid Auf Vacuum" signals a downturn in the intensity stakes with Sawlin choosing to close this impressive EP on more melodic terms.

Review: Here's us waxing lyrical about the third Interia sampler being the best of the lot, and then the fourth one lands on our laps and now we're all confused. Skudge, Conforce, Cosmin TRG and Sascha Rydell all contribute tracks here, with Swedish duo Skudge opening with the sparse rattle of "Pollution", which is ably supported by the twitching minimalism of "When It Appeared" by Conforce. Up next, Cosmin TRG adds to his growing techno oeuvre with "Plaisir Interdit", which, much like his recent material on 50 Weapons, combines restless, swinging hats with bowel-shaking low frequencies. Finally, Sascha Rydell (the only artist on this 12" who hasn't released an album this year) drops "Rainy Days", and rather then being overawed by the esteemed company, he revels in it, turning in a majestic slice of atmospheric, contemplative techno.

Review: The people who got to know Niels 'Delta Funktionen' Luinenberg through his ponderous Electromagnetic Radiation release or the adeptly programmed warm-up sets posted online may be surprised by the approach on Inertia. However, its direction could hardly be described as unexpected. The second volume of Electromagnetic Radiation and the grimy warehouse techno of Silhouette make perfectly clear that the Dutch DJ/producer likes to play it hard as well as deep. In that regard, Niels is not alone, and this mix, which consists solely of exclusive material, shows that a whole new wave of European techno producers is on the same wavelength. The mixture of the musical and forceful is audible from the outset, with textured chords unfolding over an angular rhythm on Sascha Rydell's "Rainy Days", a few tracks later as Cosmin TRG does his best mid to late 90s Ian Pooley techno impersonation over a rolling, warm bass and midway through on Peter Van Hoesen's "Last One at 1080", where evocative but eerie pads build to the backdrop of a prowling groove. It's a stunning finish to a mix that effortlessly balances the hard and the soulful.