Back catalogue: House

Review: A welcome return to action from Studio Barnhus boss man Axel Boman, who has been surprisingly quiet since the release of his excellent Luz/Quest For Fire double album in 2022. On the Space Drag EP, Boman showcases the depth, variety and imaginative eccentricity of his deep house productions to the full. For proof, check side A, where the ghostly, stab-happy hedonism of 'Acid Left and Right' - all bubbly TB-303 motifs, synth-strings, digital woodblock lines and repetitive bleeps - is followed by the druggy, dubby and percussively dense Latin house quirkiness of 'Forever Latino'. He throws in a fine curveball in the shape of 'Space Drag', where looped-effects laden Swedish vocal samples and woozy chords ride a tight kick-snare pattern and deep, warm bass, before closing things out via the picturesque breakbeat house deepness of 'Ohh Baby'.

Review: The dynamic duo MLiR, a creative force fuelled by a perfectly balanced blend of shared vision and contrasting styles, return with their debut album, Pulpo Fiction, on Stockholm's Studio Barnhus label. Building on the success of two highly regarded EPs, this 16-track offering showcases their vibrant and innovative approach to global dance music. MLiR's sound is a product of both relentless crate-digging and studio mastery, seamlessly blending past, present, and future influences. Pulpo Fiction boasts a diverse array of vocal collaborators, from Kenyan rapper Nah Eeto and American poet Oliver Grimball to Swedish soul singer Cosima Olu, adding another layer of texture to their already eclectic sound. Expect a sonic journey that traverses the spectrum of dance music, from nostalgic throwbacks to futuristic soundscapes, from deep grooves to infectious pop sensibilities, all underpinned by MLiR's signature high-energy, effortlessly cool dancefloor aesthetic.