Review: Over the past five years, ARTS has become one of techno's most consistent labels. Listening to Dark Matter 002, the latest release from the imprint's owner, Emmanuel, it's not hard to understand why. "Hype Beast" kick starts the EP with a stepping rhythm and filtered chord builds, that are not too far away from Shed's Equalized project. "Rejected" is a far straighter, linear affair, with the Italian producer laying down insistent riffs, tonal stabs and smart filtering, all over banging drums. Leaving the most unusual track to last, "Jungle Ting" sounds like it was inspired by early Oliver Ho, as layered textures and samples unfold over an intricate tribal drum sequenc
Review: Shaun Baron-Carvais aka Shlomo returns to Arts after last year's Rapture. The Paris-based producer has carved out a name with his loopy but always funky take on techno and Hardwave is no exception. The title track is a dense, percussive roller, with some freaky vocals buried deep in the mix. "Styx" has a similar aesthetic, but the approach is somewhat different; revolving around a slightly looser arrangement, it sees Shlomo use a series of drops and builds, along with some cleverly positioned filtering, to create a track that ranks up there with O/V/R's finest material. On "Parhelion", the sound is just as intense, with Shlomo dropping wild tonal signals over a ferocious percussive rhythm. It's peak time techno at its finest.
Review: ARTS has recruited Ecilo for its latest instalment of club-primed techno, and he delivers in style. "Bugi Minimalist", with its insistent chord builds and pounding kicks, sounds like a harder, contemporary version of Ian Pooley's evergreen "Chord Memory", while on the title track, Ecilo chooses a deeper approach, with swirling synths unravelling over hammering drums. "Lorong Hitam" follows in a similar vein, but it sees Ecilo focus on more ominous elements - think the darker side of Technasia - and firing percussion. That same nocturnal element is also audible on "Jiwa Maraenism", where Ecilo fuses a driving rhythm with murky filters and eerie synths.
Review: Yan Cook is one of modern techno's most consistent producers, hitting the target with tough, impactful tracks. This release on ARTS is no exception, and gets under way to the sound of the title track's hypnotic pulses and atmospheric synths. "Infrared" is tougher, resounding to rolling tribal drums, insistent filtering and understated vocal samples. "Olympus Mons" sees Cook go deeper, with warm synths, outer space bleeps and crisp claps to the fore, but it's only a temporary divergence: "Shapeshifter" places the Ukranian artist at the very heart of the dance floor, with menacing, Mike Parker-style tones unravelling over heavy kicks.
Review: Benjamin Damage has been out of the limelight for the past few years, but he returns with an impressive new Ep for ARTS. Focused mainly on the deeper side of his sound, it still manages to pack a dance floor punch, thanks to the rolling, Plastikman-esque snares of "Infinite Machine". "Skywave" is also clubby, and revolves around a stuttering rhythm, but Damage layers shimmering melodies around the arrangement, lending it real depth. "Alien Friends" follows a relatively similar path - this time the kicks are more insistent and synths swirl dramatically. The release's most esoteric piece is "Release", where sombre pads unfold over a glorious, dubbed out backing.
Review: Vinicius Honorio outta Brazil slips out a fourth release for the year on the impenetrable ARTS label following stints on Drumcode and Planet Rhythm among others before that. Going hard as f*** on industrial acid tracks like "Stardust", percussive, dub techno and warped tribal elements push through to the surface on "Le Boi". Groovier, almost housed-up rhythms hit the beat in "They Are The Same" with its narrative vocal and storytelling, with a burning rhythm-track and warehouse groove sealing the deal in "Ebb & Flow". It's ARTS, it's techno.
Review: Paul Roux takes leave from his Memorial Home project with Jeremy Pinchasi to deliver this mesmerising release. It starts with the emotive Detroit techno influenced "The Truth", where Roux fuses heart-rending melodies with a wiry, snaking rhythm. "Transform Mode" sounds like has opted for a more stripped back approach; tough tribal drums and a grungy bass prevail at the outset before he slips into soulful synth sounds. "On Reve" marks a radical departure from Roux's deep dance floor sound, with a funk bass underpinning a spaced out groove littered with vocal samples. The release concludes with another curve ball, the title track's broken beats and sun-kissed melodies.
Review: Following a series of well-received releases on Par Avion and Glass Talk, Henry Greenleaf debuts on ARTS. Caught is sure to turn a lot of heads; the title track is a Detroit-influenced stepper that uses tripped out samples - is it a voice or a synth? - while on "Pass Up", Greenleaf focuses on a similar approach, but this time puts expansive textures at the heart of his broken beats. On "Sign Replacement", he heads towards the dance floor, but his approach is unconventional, with a wall of glitchy bleeps fused with his relentless breaks. "Formula" is another rich amalgamation of sound, with slowed down sirens and gloopy tones unravelling over tight drums.
Review: It's been four years since Tim Tama's debut on ARTS, and in the interim, his profile has continued to rise, with acclaimed releases on PRSPCT SSSPCR and Dreamscape. "Essence" kickstarts the EP with epic synth lines and hypnotic break beats, a compelling combination of big room techno and 90s trance. The title track follows a more linear path, with Tama dropping a dense, looped groove and slick percussion, with these elements providing the basis for emotive, filtered builds. "Yowoja" is deeper, as the Dutch producer veers towards cinematic soundscapes, supported by resonating kicks, while "Temperance" is a melancholic, mellow techno jam in the Border Community vein.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.