Spectrums Data Forces - "Darkness In My Head" (6:04)
EC13 - "Profundo" (Interludio) (0:49)
Wicked Wes - "X1000" (feat Space Frogs From Saturn) (5:48)
Review: Granada's Cosmic Tribe know the definition of "electro" in its broadest sense; their new Xtrictly Electro comp keeps the dystopian sound endemic to the genre's most present incarnation, but refuses to restrict itself to one tempo: the standard 130-ish that has sadly infected the otherwise genius genre as a necessity. An international splinter cell of spec-ops and mercenaries are recalled from retirement here, as we hear Calagad 13, Nachtwald, EC13 and many more mechanoid ilk lay down all manner of slick utilities, making up a morbid multi-tool. 5zyl brings further lasery Lithuanian steeze on 'Vilnius Bass', whilst Spectrums Data Forces betrays the existence of a sinister corporate entity, whose business model works towards the object of instilling 'Darkness In My Head' through giant, killer mozzy basses.
Review: It sometimes only takes one great song to gatecrash your way to prominence and Australian modern punk greats The Chats managed that with the opening cut here, 'Smoko', which is an ode to the joys of the fag break: "Leave me alone / I'm on Smoko". This reissue is of their second EP that was released by Sunshine Coast label Bargain Bin records. With the first pressing going for big money, it's a welcome chance to get your hands on this classic. Despite 'Smoko' being the biggest song, it's loaded with bangers and a stroke of genius that they realised that a song about struggling to afford bus money would connect on such a wide level.
Review: Matthieu Chedid and Seu Jorge's long-running collaboration reaches a new peak with this latest release. A-side, the track 'Parioca' brings together the duo's signature stylesiChedid's French flair and Jorge's Brazilian rhythms, resulting in a seamless fusion of groove and melody that invites listeners into a warm, joyful world where their distinct musical identities meet. The B-side's dub mix of 'Parioca' takes things in a deeper direction, layering hypnotic rhythms and atmospheric textures that open up the track, creating an expansive, dubby atmosphere. It's a perfect companion to the original, showing the depth and versatility of their musical partnership, which continues to evolve after more than a decade of collaboration.
Review: A fresh transmission from the Co-op camp, this two-tracker reframes soulful source material through the prism of West London's broken beat tradition and deep, jazz-inflected house. On 'Smooth Co-Operator', the velvet of Sade's original is reworked with restraint and flairisyncopated drums, funk stabs and hip-hop atmospheres merge in a smoky, low-lit groove. It's classy and confident, a subtle floor-builder that wears its edits lightly. Flip it over and the tempo shifts up: 'Dream Alchemy' dials in from a different zone entirely. A cinematic tech-house excursion, it accelerates with a cold clarityihovering pads, delayed keys and submerged A$AP Rocky vocals moving in step with a bassline that rolls like fog over city streets. J Diggns' ethereal melodic work floats above the pulse, while Whiskey Drop's grounding in UK club DNA gives it teeth. It's the kind of record that finds a home in the middle of a setibridging moods without breaking flow. Both sides manage to feel nostalgic and future-bound. A deft, compelling fusion from start to finish.
Review: Dan Curtin has been serving up genuinely far-sighted techno productions since 1992. While he's nowhere near as high-profile as he once was, Curtin is still capable of delivering dancefloor magic - as The 4 Lights, his first album in 15 years, emphatically proves. Those familiar with Curtin's spacey, futuristic and frequently funky take on techno and electro will know what to expect: think infectious, classic-sounding Motor City rhythms overlaid with funky basslines, warming chords, intergalactic-sounding lead lines and a healthy dose of electronic futurism. Curtin predictably hits the spot throughout, with highlights including future techno anthem 'What of Lazarus', the melodic and jazzy headiness of 'Trust Blind' and the sub-heavy downtempo shuffle of 'Transformations'. If that's not enough to seal the deal, this limited-edition version comes pressed to striking clear and black marbled vinyl.
Review: Astonishingly, 33 years has now passed since Cleveland native Dan Curtin made his bow via Detroit imprint 33rpm Records. More significantly, it's been 15 years since the storied techno and house scene stalwart last released an album - making this surprise excursion for Belgian imprint De:tuned a genuinely big deal. Those familiar with Curtin's spacey, far-sighted and frequently funky take on techno will know what to expect: think infectious, classic-sounding Motor City techno rhythms overlaid with funky basslines, warming chords, intergalactic-sounding lead lines and a healthy dose of electronic futurism. The myriad of highlights on show includes the densely layered tech-funk of 'Moral Imagination', the future purist techno anthem 'What of Lazarus', the melodic and jazzy headiness of 'Trust Blind' and the sub-heavy downtempo shuffle of 'Transformations'.
Review: Dr. Dre's The Chronic gave rise to such heavy-hitters as 'Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang' and 'Let Me Ride', but what about its many "reimaginings" over the years? With The Ghronic, released in 2023, West Coast rappers 38 Spesh and Conway The Machine can't be said to have laid down their own version more so than they did treat the Dre touchstone as a starting point, dropping a nine-track array of similar G-funk whistling lowrider bumps, readapted for the contemporary New Yorker, and yet with fresh lyrical themes and subject matters. Reissued two years later on green vinyl, after an initially white-sleeved run, the productions are ever clean and the flows lackadaisical. Features from Lloyd Banks, Che Noir, Benny The Butcher and Elcamino cement the bluffing rep of a brag-heavy machine duopoly.
Review: Candeleros is a six-member, Colombia- and Venezuela-rooted collective based in Madrid that fuse Cumbia, merengue, dub and an array of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, creating a psychedelic, postmodern celebration of Latin sound. Their music blends Andean echoes, cinematic textures and hypnotic percussion into what feels like a ritualistic dance experience and has seen them collaborating with artists like Dodosound and Carlos Talez. They always reject the usual genre boundaries while focusing on cultural activism and the power of collective expression and have performed across Europe. As this album shows, their sound is passionate, borderless and proof that Cumbia has truly rooted itself in Europe.
Review: Longtime Matador records signee and frontman with Leesburg, Virginia's Car Seat Headrest outfit, Will Toldedo is fortunate to have spent the bulk of his adult life releasing records and is a true artist and craftsman. The lead single 'The Catastrophe' is a massive sounding indie number that nods to the adrenaline of noughties indie and the intensity of prog and punk. 'CCF (I'm Gonna Stay With You)' shows a more experimental side with the bonkers first part giving way to heartland rock that Bruce Springsteen would be proud to call his own. This is - remarkably - the 13th studio album by this band, which make it close to an album a year since their formation. The wind is truly in their sails here and the chances of their prolific output slowing anytime soon are thankfully very slim.
Aldo Cadiz & Andre Butano - "Zu-Mani" (Paco Osuna & Fer BR remix) (7:12)
Review: Turkish DJ and producer Carlita brings a 60-minute DJ rethread to Fabric, weaving the audio aids of Butch, Alex Metric, Paco Osuna, Prunk, Toman and Alinka into a seamless, 60-minute redline ride through house and techno. Among the 13 selections are two of her own standout tracks: 'Raf' (with Andrew Zimmer), a rave-leaning house cut loaded with soulful vocals and breaks, and 'Stop Now', a heads-down tech house roller that builds exponentially on its own momentum. Accompanying the release is a short documentary that trails Carlita through Istanbul, offering glimpses of her family, food, and creative beginnings in the city where cultures collide.
Review: John Carpenter's knack for cinematic storytelling without the screen takes centre stage on this deluxe reissue, marking ten years since the release of the great American soundtrack artist's first Lost Themes edition. The new expanded edition, complete with artwork by Greg Ruth, offers more than just a nostalgic revisit; it adds a new 7" featuring two unreleased tracks, 'Cruisin' With Mr. Scratch' and 'Dominator', both pulled from the original sessions. When it first came out, the album stood out for its vivid, visceral style, blending horror, science fiction, and eerie synthwork into standalone pieces that could easily score unseen films.
Review: More Chaos marks American rapper and record producer Ken's fourth studio album and shows a bold evolution of the distinct style he introduced on A Great Chaos. A pure solo effort with no guest features, the record sharpens his voice both lyrically and sonically and the production is handled exclusively by a close-knit circle of trusted collaborators, all of whom he's cultivated and refined across previous projects, and who give the album a cohesive, focused energy. With More Chaos, Ken expands the emotional and sonic range of what he's done before while staying true to the intensity that first defined his work. It's a sharpened vision well worth tuning into.
Review: Cassiano's Cuban Soul - 18 Kilates was first released in 1976 and is a landmark of Brazilian soul for the way it blends the groove of American r&b with native rhythms in a way few artists have matched. Long coveted by collectors, the album has achieved cult status and now returns remastered from the original tapes on 180g vinyl so it is sure to fly off the shelves. Cassiano's velvety vocals glide over lush, cinematic arrangements throughout and in doing so, evoke the grandeur of contemporaries like Tim Maia. From start to finish, this album is packed with depth, warmth and effortless cool, which makes it an essential listen for anyone who likes soul, samba and vintage Brazilian brilliance.
Review: Causa Sui's In Flux is the dynamic follow-up to last year's From The Source, reflecting a more spontaneous, experimental face of the band. Where in its predecessor we heard a hermetic 45-minute LP, In Flux embraces a looser, freer structure, charting fuz-off riffs through to a Hot Rats-style jazz fusion, in the end finding notes of oceanic post-rock building on influences from Talk Talk to Can. On 'Spree', the band eschew guitars entirely, going full Death in a wild doomsynth embrace. The 16-minute 'Astral Shores', meanwhile, stands as the album's centrepiece, mesmerising us listeners through heavy folk psych shearwaters. Causa Sui continue to operate in the manner of unmoved movers, unstoppable as they come.
Review: Chilean-born, Bristol-based Shanti Celeste has always brought a unique colour and emotion to her often bass-heavy sounds. She's a party-starting DJ, too, but delves into whole new realms with her wonderful sophomore full-length. Romance sees her exploring themes of love and friendship through shimmering pop textures and emotionally resonant songwriting. Her vocals take centre stage for the first time and lead single 'Thinking About You' is a heartfelt tribute to a late friend with a glowing groove and airy falsetto. Crafted between Bristol and London, the album features collaborations with Batu and harpist Miriam Adefris, whose delicate touch enhances its celestial tone and following last summer's acclaimed 'Ice Cream Dream Boy,' Romance is a luminous return and smart evolution.
Maintaining My Peace (feat Novelist & Stephanie Cooke) (2:59)
Tears (feat Saucy Lady) (2:59)
Brain Gymnasium (3:30)
Wanna Tell Somebody (feat Josh Milan) (5:52)
Otaki (feat Finn Rees) (5:26)
Love Language (feat Nathan Haines) (4:36)
A Deeper Life (feat Isaac Aesili) (7:59)
More Time (feat Lee Pearson Jr Collective) (3:56)
Tongariro Crossing (feat Nathan Haines) (5:17)
Barefoot On The Tarmac (4:12)
Marlboro Sounds (6:02)
The Eternal Checkout (feat Cenk Esen) (5:34)
Review: Fraternal duo Chaos In The CBD open the latest chapter on a roundly impressive musical career, calling on an ensemble cast of creative collaborators to contribute to their debut long-player, 'A Deeper Life'. Louis and Ben 'Beans' Helliker-Hales have been on a non-stop roll since they began releasing music under the Chaos In The CBD moniker just over a decade ago. Recently adding a Fabric Presents compilation to their hefty singles catalogue, the siblings step up with arguably their most outstanding work to date. The likes of Blaze's Josh Milan, saxophonist Nathan Haines, longtime collaborator Isaac Aesili, and UK grime MC Novelist are just some of those drafted to embellish productions that range from head-nodding Balearic to the duo's more familiar dusty house thrust. Vast in scope, the collection drifts through all manner of sounds and styles, held together by a coherent production aesthetic and a gorgeously limber live musicality on display throughout. Highlights include the street soul swagger of 'Tears' (featuring Beantown disco queen, Saucy Lady), the searing soul of 'Wanna Tell Somebody', and the bittersweet deep house magnetism of 'Otaki'. All told, this is nothing short of brilliant work, arguably representing a coming of age as Chaos In The CBD simultaneously pay homage to their eclectic roots and transcend the floor-focused nature of the bulk of their previous output. Highly recommended.
Review: It's no wonder there's a nu-gaze movement bubbling up at the moment and showing no sign of dying down - the quality of the godfathers of the genre is just staggering. And you can count Chapterhouse as a key component of the transcendental and viscerally thrilling first wave of shoegaze. This collection features four songs that the Reading-based band recorded in January 1989 - including one that has never been released before. The track in question, 'See That Girl', is as good as any of the more direct songs that bands in their scene released in the 90s. It's their equivalent of Ride's 'Vapour Trail' and strong enough in and of itself to warrant getting the whole EP.
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