Afterlife

Review: The latest release on Tale of Us' label is a collaboration between Italian duo Mind Against and Aether, who is based in London. Like Mind Against's previous release on the label, this three-tracker is deep and tripped out. The title track evolves from a pulsing groove into a tranced out rush that gently moves up and down the melody scale, accompanied by a frazzled bass. "Eclipse" is more stripped back, with minimal beats and percussive clicks providing the backing for a rasping bass. Finally, there's "Event Horizon". Like the deep space horror movie of the same name, it sees the trio voyage down a wormhole populated by supernatural sounds and discarded space wreckage.

Review: The latest release on Tale of Us' label comes from Patrice Baumel. The German DJ/producer has always focused on a dreamy, tranced out sound - and Glutes is no exception. On the title track, he uses a purring bass to underpin building, minor key melodies, but still manages to maintain an understated, studied feeling and avoids slipping into an over the top cliche. "Engage" is a different matter; it sees Baumel up the pace and drop a pulsing, rolling groove that draws on eerie Detroit synths to create an atmospheric, spaced out arrangement that, like the title track, defies categorisation.

Review: The annual Cocoon Ibiza mix is back this summer, with the 2017 edition mixed by two top talents. Nastia is one of the hottest DJs in the world right now. The Ukrainian is headlining clubs and festivals around the globe, showcasing great skills and a vast musical knowledge. In addition, she runs the Propaganda imprint and has also run her own festival, Strichka. Her solid and driving mix features tracks by Luke, Slate, Terrence Dixon and Calibre among others. Taking care of the second disc is Frankfurt's favourite son Einzelkind: he man who runs three labels including JAX and the esteemed Pressure Traxx in addition to releases on local institutions Playhouse and Cecille. He is a no-nonsense DJ who has played the likes of fabric and Space, and as such has helped put his hometown of Frankfurt on the underground dance map. His mix is minimal and cerebral mix is comprised almost entirely of his own tracks, both solo and produced with the likes of Ricardo Villalobos, Robin Scholz and Markus Fix.

Review: Tale Of Us have revolutionised their Afterlife label over the last few years. Once upon a time, their imprints were about their specific music, a minimalistic take on deep house and soul-ridden tech. This new EP, however, is a perfect example of their recent branching out, with the opening remix of "Monument" being carefully re-stylised by Magazine's head honcho, the ever-impressive Barnt (recently of Hinge Finger recruitment). European techno veteran Stephan Bodzin comes through with a comparatively deeper, dreamier wave of sleek techno, guided here by melancholic male vocals, whereas the moodier Adriatique hands in a much colder, more calculated techno reinterpretation. Solid.

Review: Tale of Us launch their Afterlife label in style with the Realm of Consciousness compilation. Bringing together some of the best-known names in contemporary techno as well as a group of newcomers, it moves effortlessly between esoteric moods. Tale of Us contribute the ambient intro, while Monoloc and Woo York are both in more mellow form than usual on the melodic "Phoenix" and "Poseidon" respectively. Meanwhile, Recondite contributes the sad melodies and throbbing bass of "Murphy's Law" and Locked Groove balances supernaturally beautiful hooks with powerful bass pulses on "Emeralds". Even more dance floor-focused tracks, like Obscure Shape & SHDW's "Die Wiederkehr", are filled with trancey melancholia.