Review: Fresh from outings on 8Bit and Dirtybird, Audiojack return to the label they established way back in 2010, Gruuv. In keeping with the Yorkshire-raised duo's outings on the imprint, it's a tightly focused and club ready two-tracker. First up is 'Somebody', a rumbling, body-moving slab of 1997 speed garage revivalism - all Armand Van Helden 'dark garage' bass, dark synth strings, echoing vocal snippets and chunky house drums - which sounds like a genuine peak-time anthem in the making. They continue the "arms aloft" vibes on the similarly large title track, 'Release Yourself', which mixes vintage UK garage influences with nods to contemporaneous big room NYC house sounds.
Review: The team at Dirty Kitchen rave have done a great job over the recent months in uncovering and showcasing some of the most exciting new breakbeat action about, with this latest compilation being the second of their 'WE ARE DKR' series. Featuring the likes of Phrentic, Skin Teeth, Skitzoid, Zero Dark and more, we can see that this project packs a serious punch, exploring the full spectrum of modern breakbeat ideas. Our highlights that have an immediate standout would have to include Ale-DarkNoise's heavyweight 'Pump Up' arrangement, a super vibrant thunder drop, alongside the more liquefied synth work of Zero Dark's 'Losing You'.
Review: It's been slowly drip-fed to us over a 10-month period but now here at last is the full album. On 'Something Like That', Jalapeno bosses Skeewiff celebrate 25 years in the game by paying tribute to some of the music that's inspired them, delivering generally very faithful but also very accomplished reworks of classic tracks by artists ranging from The Winstons and Jimmy Smith to Dick Dale and Herb Alpert. New additions to the roster on this final version include Nancy Sinatra's 'These Boots Are Made For Walking', Muppets 'Mah Na Mah Na', Mel Tormé's Mod club standard 'Coming Home Baby' and, just to prove they're not taking themselves TOO seriously, Boots Randolph's 'Yakety Sax' - better known to most as the 'Benny Hill' theme.
Review: The Dutch production duo Makez returns to their soulful house roots with a new four-track EP on Heist Recordings called "Midnight Time." This release showcases the versatility of Makez, seamlessly blending introspective grooves, infectious club anthems, and atmospheric soundscapes. The EP opens with "Closer," a laidback, jazzy collaboration with vocalist AVA LAVÁ featuring lush textures and rich instrumentation that sets a mellow, moody vibe. Next is "Running From The Noise," reuniting Makez with vocalist Life On Planets after their previous hit "Downstream." Life On Planets' emotive vocals mesh perfectly with Makez's trademark deep house rhythms, creating another potential dancefloor gem. It then gets into higher gear with the acid-tinged, 90s-inspired techno groove of "The Answer." Powered by a male vocal hook, acid basslines and classic 909 drum programming, it's a high-energy cut primed for peak-time club plays. Closing out the EP is "Gratitude," which ventures into deeper, more introspective territory with haunting strings, glitchy vocal samples and distorted synth textures layered into an immersive sonic landscape.
Review: Constant Sound is back with more of its constantly good sonics, this time from Dennis Quin who offers up a potent blend of raw minimal, tech and house. 'My Belief' is the sort of cut to get clubs marching as one to the jacked-up drums and whirring synth motifs. 'Hear Dis' has plenty of infectious garage skip to it and 'Eighty Four' layers up slick percussion with bumping drum funk and some nice exotic vocal samples. There will be an all-out party whenever 'Call For House' gets dropped with its wild synth lines and yelling vocals perfect for amping up the crowd.
Review: Wehbba is launching HIFN, a new 'platform' to connect music and literature. The first release from the artist himself was recorded while he was on tour. The title track is built on Wehbba's trademark tribal beats, with its pumping electronic rhythm and rolling snares providing the backdrop for rave stabs and buzzsaw riffs. It makes for a visceral, exhilarating affair. On "Frozen", the Brazilian producer opts for a more dystopian sound, with a synapse searing riff combined with a driving rhythm. And in keeping with the overall approach for HIFN, the release also features "Nitro Wordscape", where eerie textures and a mysterious vocal narrative prevails.
Review: Never let it be said that Robert Hood is letting his listeners languish in a sonic comfort zone. The veteran producer's latest EP under his own name starts with a jolt, as the title track deploys pounding, industrial drums and a chain metal rhythm. "Pathetic" is just as intense. Based on a relentless groove, it sees Hood deploy a spiralling chord sequence that filters its way to a spine-tingling finale. "Outsider" is based on a similar premise, but this time hollowed out drums support a niggling build. This release effortlessly shatters the assumption that Hood would continue to focus on the less abrasive, house-influenced Floorplan project.
Review: Sasha's latest single Fleuron Drift marks yet another milestone in the electronic maestro's illustrious career. Collaborating with Theo Kottis and Kassian for remixes on his own label (Last Night On Earth ), Sasha continues to redefine the boundaries of sonic intrepidation. The original track is a deeper journey, meticulously crafted with evolving synth layers and hypnotic drum patterns that culminate in a euphoric breakdown. Theo Kottis injects his remix with dynamic energy, featuring tech-leaning drums and glitchy textures for peak dance floor moments. Kassian's rendition then offers a quicker pace, blending funk-infused drums with soaring synth tension, promising to transport listeners yet more electronic bliss fit for a final night on this world. Drift away.
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