Don't Be Afraid At Juno Download

Review: Azimuth sees the ever impressive Don't Be Afraid turn to Italo-Bulgarian Berlin transplant Alis for their latest release. Alis is the current nom de plume of Sabina Plamenova, who formerly recorded under the name Subeena, and she joins the Don't Be Afraid fray soon after releasing her debut album Hybrids In The Attic. Plamenova apparently established the Alis pseudonym as a means to reflect a more personal and vocal lead side to her production palette, "not just music about music" as she terms it. It's an approach she continues to develop with finesse on this EP, which slots nicely in the DBA canon of deep but danceable house and techno and comes backed with a superb remix from D'Marc Cantu!

Review: Something of an unearthed gem in the Detroit scene, Manuel Gonzalez has been touring with Underground Resistance and working with Kyle Hall before this appearance on London label Don't Be Afraid, but he's far from a familiar name. From the strength of this four track EP, it's highly likely we'll be hearing more from him in the future, as he glides between strung-out house ("Let Conversation Take Place") and decaying, virulent electro ("Gas Chamber") with ease. There's a healthy amount of homespun charm to these decidedly unpolished tracks, as the wobbly machines jerk to Gonzalez's whims and carve him an unpredictable space in the Motor City scene.

Review: The increasingly impressive Don't Be Afraid label drops perhaps their best EP to date - no mean feat given the recent Photonz killer - with London button caresser Mr Beatnick at the helm. The Sun Goddess EP is Beatnick's second outing for the DBA imprint, impressing further on our ears his undeniable talent for crafting housier tackle than the smudged out boogie he came to the fore with for labels like Burntprogress and Altered Vibes. It would take an uneducated ear to not bask in the glory of the title track, which positively reeks of glowering warmth and rhythmic intricacy that's reminiscent of Theo P in his more laidback moments. This approach to programming of subtly introducing track mutations - either melodically or rhythmically - seeps through the rest of the EP ensuring each track reveals all new moments of delight with each listen.

Review: In recent times Photonz have been on fire, establishing their own One Eyed Jacks imprint, which delivered the humongous chunk of Fulton style dancefloor terror known as Lamborghini Funk last year. They've already emerged with one of our favourite releases so far this year in the unhinged WEO for new Lisbon based label Principe, and here now they grace the Don't Be Afraid imprint with the equally excellent The Love Spectre EP. The curious chiming melodies and hallow percussion on opening jam "Spectre" contain just the slightest nod towards classic Chicago House yet retains a wholly singular - and immensely beguiling - feel throughout. "Wall" sounds like it was recorded in one take in a sweaty Lisbon basement and is all the better for it; this is followed by the brilliant spacey electro of "Dokos" and frankly mad "Prometheus" (we suggest pitching this down for sleazy/hypnotic results!). Highly recommended.