Review: Next up on Laurent Garnier's label is a split release that explores the deeper end of house and techno. DJ Deep is up first with "What's Going On". Powered by raw, tribal beats and featuring lush pads, it sounds like the veteran house head's tribute to Joe Clausell's organic sound. Avision's "Hold No Groove" is also inspired by house music, but on this occasion, Chicago rather than New York is referenced. Combining a snaking bass with busy, layered percussion, the result is mesmerising. Deetron ups the tempo but maintains a deep sound on "Pulse", its musical but insistent rhythm recalls classic Kenny Larkin.
Review: Nu Groove Records delivers another gem with "Nu Groove Edits, Vol. 4," a compilation that breathes new life into classic tracks from the label's illustrious history. This release spotlights the artists who shaped the legendary NYC label, offering re-interpretations by leading selectors of today. It kicks off with "Tonight's The Night" by NYC favorites How & Little (The Sound Vandals), given a fresh treatment by Italian duo NiCe7. The track retains its original charm while incorporating contemporary production elements, setting the tone for the rest of the journey. N.Y. House'n Authority's seminal "APT. 2A" gets reworked by UK deep tech aficionado Hugo Massien, resulting in a deeper, more introspective version that retains the groove of the original. The collection also features a remix of The Utopia Project's "File #3" by Mak & Pasteman, showcasing their signature blend of soulful vocals and driving basslines. Then it closes with a bang with the duo Honey Dijon & Luke Solomon re-imagining A.B.T.'s "Luv 2 Luv U." Their edit infuses the track with irresistible energy, making it a guaranteed dance floor mover.
Review: Honorio first made his name as a drum'n'bass producer, but as Endless Love demonstrates, he is also adept at making dance floor techno. The title track features Theo Nasa's ominous vocals unfolding over robust tribal drums and dynamic percussive twists, making for a moody techno track. "Gunz Blazin" is a house-influenced affair. Led by filtered samples and a rolling groove, it reveals a lighter side to Honorio's sound. On "Stabbed In The Heart", he opts for a deeper approach - focused on tribal drums and spaced-out synths, it's an expertly measured homage to Octave One. The release also features a sleek, steely take of the title track by label owner Len Faki under his Hardspace alias.
Review: "Emerge" is a phenomenal debut album that cements Berlin-based producer Red Rooms' position as a rising star in techno. The LP seamlessly blends driving energy with subtle experimentation, offering a well-rounded listening experience for techno purists and newcomers alike. Red Rooms' signature sound is on full display throughout the album. Clandestine sonic textures and short, infectious melodies intertwine with the powerful, locked-in grooves that propel each track forward. The album boasts several tracks primed to ignite dance floors. "No Turning Back" is a prime example, with its rave-ready stabs and relentless energy. "Transcendency" offers a more alien twist, merging driving techno with otherworldly drum patterns that will leave listeners mesmerized, while "Cypher" showcases Red Rooms' understanding of minimalism, channeling the spirit of Robert Hood with its stripped-down yet impactful groove. A must-listen.
Review: The future of Argy has arrived in the Afterlife. With a strong connection to the platform of late with albums and releases like Tataki, Pantheon and Aria next to the collaborative gem Higher Power - Argy has officially arrived. With this album in particular pitched as the artist's magnum opus, New World proves to be a fusion of human emotion inter-mixed with and AI innovation. Going large for those Afterlife sets no doubt, a techno futuristic and modern melodic Argy sends in 14 large scale tracks for the stadium space - ie "No One's Coming" and "Higher Power" - to the bad ass vampire acid in "Wilderness" or Juan Atkins Cyberton reflections in Tibet - Rad!
Review: The latest split release on Analogue isn't designed for the faint-hearted. Dax J's "Ares" gets the EP off to an intense start. Powered by the hardest drums this side of Synewave, there is some relief in the form of the moody house organ that is woven through the arrangement. On "Kal", Kaiser dispenses with musical elements in favour of a relentless tribal rhythm - like a high-paced take on vintage Octave One. Meanwhile, ANFS' "Amete" is centred on a brooding, ebm-style bass and cavernous sound design. Maintaining the same energy but utilising a different approach is Jerm's "Kaki", a pounding rhythm track.
Review: 2024 was always going to be a year of surprises, and the latest release on Rekids is testament to that. Man Power hooks up with the Paris-based Louisahhh for an unexpected anthem in waiting. The title track is an expansive deep house track. At its heart is a pulsating bass combined with Louisahhh's freeform narrative about the state of the world. As befits such a modern classic, Rekids has commissioned Deetron to deliver three remixes. The dub version is a joyous UR-style deep techno version, while the main version follows a similar trajectory, powered by thunder claps and outer space tones. Keeping the audience guessing, Deetron also delivers a 'Drum & Bass' version that focuses on high-paced techno, while the 'Bleep Tool' ends the release to the sound of glistening tonal bliss.
Review: After a flurry of activity in 2023 for Suara, Sleaze and Planet Rhythm, long-established producer Axel Karakasis returns to his own imprint with Source Of Data. Fans of tough, lean techno will find much to love here, particularly "Objective", with its combination of tight claps and powerful, looped bass. But the release also yields surprises by following other paths: "Asphalt" sees Karakasis venture down a Millsian route, guided by dense, visceral kicks and an atmospheric undercurrent. On "Inner Voice" he also pursues a more unconventional approach. While the track is based on tough kicks and a cacophony of nagging percussion, it is also swathed in swirling atmospheric synths.
Review: Monty Luke's Nightdubbing project on Rekids was designed to showcase the Black Catalogue boss's deep love of dub-infused house and techno. This 13-track album combines previously unheard cuts with nine tracks previously showcased across a pair of EPs of the same name. It's a fantastic set all told, with highlights including the smacked-out electro-dub headiness of opener '40 Acres and a Terrabyte', the extra-percussive deep dub-house hypnotism of 'Bob Molly', the after-hours friendly minimalism of 'Star Storms', the Detroit-goes-dub techno pulse of 'New World/Old Future', the classic dub techno warmth of 'Dark Paradise', and the dub-wise deep house dreaminess of 'Avantgarde Dancehall'. Throw in a handful of tidy ambient and digital dub tracks, and you have a genuinely superb long-player.
Review: The second instalment of Len Faki's remixes see the storied techno producer tap his favourite artists to re-interpret his work. Luke Slater's Deep Heat take on "Shri Yantra" is redolent of his classic Planetary Assault Systems work, with firing percussion and dramatic break downs to the fore. In contrast, Amotik's version of "Make Me Scream" follows a heads-down approach, with haunting vocals wrapped into a bleep-heavy, rolling groove. In contrast, ANNA's remix of "Hymn" is a tranced out, big room track. At the other end of the spectrum, Modeselektor's interpretation of "Don't Be Stupid Day" is a moody electro stepper, led by waves of menacing low end.
Review: As is the case with previous EPs, the latest collaboration between Pfirter and Oliver Rosemann is named after a letter in the Greek alphabet. "Epsilon 1" is a dense track, with looped tones and relentless percussion unfolding over a jacking rhythm. The second "Epsilon" is more intense, as ominous waves build and build over resonating kicks. The release also features two stellar remixes. Lakej's take on "Epsilon 1" resounds to high-pitched percussive slivers and a hammering metallic rhythm. Meanwhile, seminal producer Sleeparchive turns "Epsilon 2" into a relentless Millsian workout, led by nickel plated kicks and foreboding, filtered drops.
Review: Pushmann & Fixon's collaboration on RSPX merges the vibrant musical cultures of Spain and Mexico, resulting in a Rekids Special Projects release. Drawing from their collective experiences on labels like ANAOH and Pushmann's N&N, the duo delivers The Tribalism - four tracks of undeniable tribal techno - no joke. For fans of 2000s James Ruskin, Mark Broom and of course Robert Hood, there's touches inspirations from label like NON Series and the funkier side Token too. With some gospel inspirations making their way into 04, 01 runs the gauntlet with its looped vocal cut and tonal percussion next to the tripped out and druggy haze of 02, with 03 going big room, dubby and looped up. Detroit in house. UK in the building. Spain & Mexico to the world.
Review: Having recently appeared on the Federation Of Rytm III compilation, Sonic Propaganda now deliver a full EP for Mutual Rytm. While the tempo and intensity levels position it at the harder end of techno, Native nonetheless draws on a diverse range of influences. The title track is a frenetic tribal track, while on "Soul Pressure", Sonic Propaganda deploy the kind of menacing bass and firing percussion last heard on the Waveform Transmissions series. "Terminal" is a deep cut, with dramatic synths sweeping over a rolling, tribal groove. While "Basic Path" is more stripped back, the duo ensure it has a soulful edge thanks to the use of repetitive vocal samples. The atmospheric, Sterac-style roller that is "Body Empire" completes the release.
Review: Following last year's Half Full release, Hurdslenk returns to Hardgroove. Outside gets off to an exciting start thanks to "Futures". Centred on a throbbing bass and steely hi hats, this pulsating peak-time track is sure to stand out from the crowd. "Jugular" is more visceral. With a dense rhythm at is core, it sees Hurdslenk weave in layers of rasping percussion and intense filters. "Collect" marks a departure for the Hardgroove sound. Its stripped back, jacking sound sounds like Hurdslenk's take on early 00s minimal house. It's only a brief divergence though. "False Pretence" is led by a frenetic rolling groove, while the use of dramatic chords and a stuttering vocal sample will set it apart from most hard-edged techno.
Review: Following their collaboration on his 2022 album, Patanjali, Berlin-based techno producer Amotik teams up again with Tina Ramamurthy. "Chauhattar" resounds to robust tribal drums and a clanging bass, with mysterious vocal samples woven into the arrangement. On "Pachattar", the approach is deeper, with more understated kicks providing the basis for repetitive, tripped out loops. While the Amotik series is typically focused on dance floor techno, this fourteenth instalment also sees the duo explore a more esoteric sound with "Chihattar". Based on a gentle, undulating groove and dreamy, soft-focus textures, it also features stream of consciousness vocals throughout the effortless arrangement.
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.
Review: SHDW's label marks its twentieth release with this weighty compilation. Drawing on some of the most respected names in techno, volume three is full of peak-time bangers. There's the lean, rolling techno of Chlar's "Inside Us", while Dax J showers the listener with waves of acid tones on the steely, peak-time "Celestial Dub". The Advent's "Randomized" is a bruising and quite brilliant industrial techno workout. While Blawan's hyperactive "Don't You Dare Squawk At Me" hovers just below the 160 bpm mark, not all of the compilation is as intense. Vocals are mixed with chiming chords on Gary Beck's "Fold" and Z.I.P.P.O's "Broken Game" is a deep Detroit techno track.
Review: Next up on Binary Cells is Klint with this hard-hitting release. The pounding, industrial rhythm of "Atlas" gets Son Heros off to an intense start. There is no let-up on "Mental 89", where Klint drops a dense, banging track. While the title track integrates trancey riffs with robust tribal drums, it is still primed for the dance floor. On "Supervision", Klint continues this approach as a surging bass ripples its way through a looped groove. There are some exceptions to the prevailing intensity: "Requiem RK" is a heads-down ebm workout, while "Cinq Sections" is a dub-influenced track, but one that still packs quite a punch.
Review: Conrad Van Orton drops a diverse, dance floor-focused release for Emerald. The title track is led by a dense, swaggering rhythm and features brooding chords. It makes for an intense, peak-time affair. Both "Overcloud" and "Power Nap" follow a similar approach, but they see Van Orton deploys swirling filters and musical hooks. While these elements are combined with heads down rhythms, they do make for deeper tracks. Spiralling acid lines are to the fore on "Use It Wisely", while Van Orton opts for a different approach with "Wishful Thinking". More stripped back than the other contributions, it's a murky, tribal techno workout.
Review: Like previous instalments, the twelfth Senso Sounds split release delivers fresh techno from some of the scene's most talented new producers. Sinisa Tamamovic's "Sand" is a prime example of this innovation, as gritty analogue textures are teased out over dense kicks and steely hi hats. Neither Nor's "Mess" is powered by a similar aesthetic. At the heart of the arrangement is a dense, brooding bass, with mysterious tones unfolding against this back drop. Fabrication's "Blotter Spotter" doesn't deviate from the overall mood, but it is more club focused. Led by a warbling acid bass and jittery percussion, it completes this adventurous release.
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