Back catalogue: Electro

Review: Brother Aten debuts on Bruk with a minimalist masterpiece featuring the detached vocals of Ze R. This tidy 10" is influenced by cult sci-fi and early 80s no wave so naturally presents a stark, synthetic soundscape devoid of excess. The title reflects its mood: Aten's mechanical mantras are crafted with precision on outboard instruments and explore gritty, futuristic worlds. On 'Unavailable,' resonant drones create a platform for Ze R.'s initial deadpan delivery which reveals deeper humanity as the track unfurls through crisp drums. The brief yet impactful two-parter, 'Fragmented Dystopia' is a taste of Aten's cyberpunk vision while Ze R.'s words oscillate between structure and chaos.

Review: White Scar's goal is to release EPs that feature a club ready track from four various artists on each. On the first side, Jucid's 'Essential To Our Life' is a futuristic and energetic synth heavy techno track that is sure to keep the crowd pumped up. Zuul's 'Are You Neutralised?' adds a bit of mysteriousness and drama to this sci-fi novel soundtrack. For the second side, Desiree Falessi's 'Electro Samurai' offers a dramatic 80s tinged techno sound complete with the perfect amount of tech while Boheme's 'Spiral' wraps up the EP with another science fiction track that adds some fun to the sound. Overall, four superb examples of retro sounding techno with a bit of a trance and electro feel within.

Review: Zarkoff taps into myriad different sources for inspiration here - there are swirling vocals that remind of Bowie, chilly synths from Depeche Mode and lithe beats from the contemporary underground. It's all crafted from melancholic synths as the heavenly voices soar up top and hypnotic drum machine beats lock in the groove. It makes for music that is both suited to more cultured club sets but also home listening sessions. 'Bureau Degradation' is our favourite for the slightly speedier beats and more pained vibes of the synths. A brilliantly original EP, wherever you look.

Review: Greg Wilson returns to Running Back, celebrating 40 years since the release of the classic and highly influential Street Sounds UK Electro compilation. The groundbreaking track 'Real Time,' which opened the 1984 album, finally gets a 12" release here. Featuring a Greg Wilson edit, a Gerd Janson bonus beats edit and two 2024 reworks, this limited edition showcases Wilson's continued influence in the electronic music scene, alongside collaborations with his son, Che Wilson, including remixes for Gabriels and Confidence Man.

Review: The unstoppable tide of posthuman electro continues with the crazed output of London's Warehouse Manifesto, whom (or, should we say, which) offers a singular remix EP curveball by label newcomer Zeta Reticula and friends; Reticula is already a heavyweight on this topical present-future scene. With six direct, subcutaneous, isotopic injections of the same alkaline sonic formula by the artist, 'Binary Pair', we hear 0s and 1s filter themselves into our bloodstreams and brains, overriding any possibility of probabilism, compatibility or free will. Nay, sheer metallic, plastoskeletal objectivity whiles away enough on the OG tune, while even sturdier and more menacing highlights take form especially in Code Rising and DVS's remixes.

Review: Z.I.P.P.O is an Italian born producer now based in Berlin but who brings plenty of Motor City influences to this EP on Mistress Recordings. It is one that holds emotion high up the list of things to get right while colliding both nostalgic and futuristic designs. 'We Need One Another' is an ice-cold and minimal opener and 'Last Hope' is steeped in melancholy thanks to wispy, lingering pads. 'We Need One Another' then comes in three forms with crisp as you like snares and kinetic kicks making for a busy rhythm.

Review: This is Ukrainian artist Zola's first EP since the war began back home so we shouldn;t be surprised that it's one of resolve and survival. The five tracker explores the tension between peace and conflict and notes the forest as a sanctuary for strength and reflection, somewhere to find respite from the chaos. The tunes shift between moments of quiet introspection and raw confrontation by layering delicate melodies with haunting textures. Personal and cathartic, it reflects the resilience and the importance of sanctuaries and is a great reminder of the spaces that ground and sustain us.

Review: Returning some 25 years after its original release on the beloved IDM label deFocus, these three refreshed takes on the skittering melodic gem of the genre are something to behold. The original 'Arrest' shines with jittery beats and intricate melodic patterns, embodying and example of the best of early 2000s. Nuron's remix keeps the track's kinetic energy but envelops it in lush textures, creating a perfect balance of rhythmic complexity and ambient depth. Voyance's remix pivots toward organic instrumentation, introducing drum sounds that ground the track while maintaining its melodic evolution, a satisfying balance between the original and a fresh, dynamic new feel. Mike Golding's ambient techno rework is a standout, blending his vintage touch with the original's core elements, a sublime, paradisiacal soundscape that recalls great memories of this golden era of challenging new melodic music. A project that succeeds on so many levels, artistically and creatively.