New releases last eight weeks: Techno

Review: The pivotal Lobster Theremin welcomes D.Dan for a new EP that follows on from a fine run of recent form. As always, he serves up thrilling, hard hitting techno that has you clenching both your fists and your teeth as you buckle in for the white knuckle ride. "Switchblade" kicks off with distorted drums and urgent synth stabs that race along at 100 miles an hour. "Mutant Force" is just that with its tortured synths and surging drums, then burn out offers a dystopian take on mind warping Mills-ian techno. There is slightly deeper, warmer stuff on the flipside that carries you to the very fringes of the galaxy.

Review: Pampa offshoot Hart & Tief launched earlier in the year, via a split 12" featuring tracks by Soulphiction and Mike Denhert. This time round, fellow German producers DJ Koze and Robag Wruhme are at the controls. Koze kicks things off with "Driven", a clanking, booty-shaking fusion of metallic percussion hits, resonating electronics, dub techno motifs, and minimalist textures. It feels a little like a contemporary Berlin take on early '90s Sheffield "clonk" (think Sweet Exorcist's Clonk's Coming album on Warp), which is no bad thing in our book. Wruhme's "X-mop 198" is a much more straightforward, early morning techno bubbler, albeit with similarly clanking percussion hits amongst the thumping kick drums and restless, one-note riffs.

Review: Hailing from Spain's Non Series label, Ritmo Oscuro' offers a diverse techno exploration. Sciahri / Conceptual join forces to delve deep into the title track and evolve it enough to make alternate versions stand on their own. The original track oozes sci-fi ambiance with its heavy beat and eerie atmosphere. 'Ritmo Oscuro 2' shifts towards a more aggressive, energy-building tech sound. LDS' remix brings broken beats and distinctive sound effects. Finally, 'Ritmo Oscuro 3' transports listeners to the 90s with its ravey, linear techno. If you are looking for some percussive, sci-fi techno then look no further then this.

Review: The '90s Groovez Vol 1: Back The Funk' EP from Planet Rhythm is a nostalgic journey back to the golden era of techno. With its retro-sounding basslines, house elements, and early rave influences, this EP captures the essence of a time when dance music was pushing boundaries. The title track, 'Back The Funk,' is a perfect example of this, with its infectious chord progressions and powerful bassline that demands attention. 'Beginners' transports listeners to the early days of rave culture in Belgium, while 'The Funk' will battle for deck privileges on any main floor. For those who have experienced the 1990s dance music scene, this EP offers a chance to relive those glory days. And for newcomers to the genre, it provides a taste of the era that shaped contemporary electronic music. We can't wait for Volume 2.