And they just keep on coming... This is the sixth instalment of Noisia remixes from some of the brightest and most twisted minds across the electronic board. From newcomer to veteran, the remix doors are open and rules are out of the window. Highlights on this particular collection include the return of the mighty Sleepnet who effectively remixes himself to dramatic effect, the almighty breaks lashing from Glitch Mob, the unholy 4x4 neuro twist up from Black Sun Empire and Nikki Nair's amazing twist on Split The Atom that includes Foreign Beggars bars never before released! RIP Ebo! An honorary mentions goes to Koarse, too, for his gabba shake-up finale. The first remix of 'Dead Limit' so far, this sets the benchmark high. Long may the Resonance series continue.
British electronica legends The Hartnoll Brothers aka Orbital returned this year with their latest long-player titled Optical Delusion, featuring special guest vocalists such as Penelope Isles of The Golden Filter, The Medieval Babes and The Little Pest. The last single from the opus is "Oxygene" (Are You Alive ?) featuring Clou, a glassy-eyed and bittersweet IDM journey that features all the hallmarks of this legendary duo's idiosyncratic sound.
Second time around for Victor Shan's Candi Staton-sporting 'One Day', which first surfaced - complete with Earth Trax and Litherland remixes - three years ago. This time round the track appears on legendary UK label Hooj Choons in reworked form, with the Frankfurter's original mix nowhere to be seen. That's not a criticism though, because the fresh reworks are undeniably impressive. The headline-grabbing revision (which comes accompanied by an edited version of the rework) comes from sometime Unknown To The Unknown contributor Third Son, who successfully re-imagines it as a super-summery slab of hands-aloft piano house perfection complete with breakbeat blasts and two spine-tingling breakdowns. LMajor provides the other revision, revelling in a piano-sporting, breakbeat-driven revision that recalls the glory days of breakbeat hardcore.
Originally released in 1991, Volume 2 has lost none of its impact. "My Sound" is a wild, rave-techno track where Beltram melds hardcore riffs with devilish vocal samples. Both "The Melody" and "Reflex" are more sombre in tone. Moody sub-bass unravels over rolling break beats on the former, while the latter resounds to acid tones and gently building snare rolls. On "The Sub-Bass Experience", Beltram brings the intensity levels back up. Driven by chattering claps and a malevolent low end, it also features moody textures and eerie synth lines. Like Energy Flash, which Beltram released around the same time, Volume 2 remains a timeless EP.
The Hardcore Energy team have delivered a powerful drop with this one, welcoming the fiery sounds of LSN to the table with a crunchy collection of six breaks-driven bangers. We begin with the the jittering acidic whirlpool that is 'Sometimes I Take Acid', which sees both Sharpson & Wax White join the party for a party-starting epic, followed by 'Softscape' a sublow bubbler, ready to bust any soundsystem wide open. From here, the slower drum slides of 'Don't Hesitate' arrive for a more emotional switch, followed closely by 'Infinity Pool' another euphoric eruption that sees 9TRANE join the party for another silky switchup. Finally, two additional belters, with 'The Unknown' firstly leading the way for a much organic, drum-driven design, followed by 'Rush Hour', which utilises glistening pads and catchy vocal overlays for a fiery finale!