W1B0 レコード& CD

Review: UK stable Bass Agenda Recordings has been veritably killing it since they kicked things into motion back in 2013. Since then, it's been nothing but quality from the imprint, and all of it from a vast pool of hand-picked artists that have remained largely loyal to them. This time it's a collaborative effort between four emerging talents, all of them into the darker varieties of that inimitable electro-techno crossover. RXmode's "Lost" is a menacing, uncompromising techno bruiser with a bleek outlook on life, and this particular form of dystopia turns even darker and more chilling on "Utopia Planitia" by W1B0. For the B-side TFHats strips things back a little, still banging out the electro, but this time adorned by a more synth-heavy atmosphere, while Slaves Of Sinus from "People Who Destroy" offers a bouncy, playful electro cut for the dance. Sick.

Review: Transhumanism is a collective of Dutch producers who first met on the dance-floor at Dave Clarke's Whip It party at Melkweg in Amsterdam, so that will give you a reliable indicator of their sound: it's brash, serrated electro that fires your synapses and awakens your every sense. Juan Atkins and Helena Hauff have been dropping it all summer and it's easy to see why. There is strobe lit action from Slaves Of Sinus, walls of high intensity sound from RXmode, rave tinged stuff from W1b0 and a more throwback jam from TFHats to round out a high impact EP.

Review: A few years back Dutch producer Wibo Lammerts made some early strikes with digi-only releases on Bass Agenda. Now the electro sword-swinger is back with an EP on Alienata's label Discos Atonicos, following recent appearances from Random XS, Ultrastation and Dez Williams amongst others. The vibe across Heretofore EP is tense, combative machine music with a peak time bent and plenty of future-shock dystopia radiated into its atmosphere. "Fear Tactics" is an especially potent track, but for a uniquely creepy mood try "ACRONYM" too. Darkside electro lovers take heed, this one has everything you need.