Review: ViGis opening salvo for 2025 brings together four artists from four continents who all blend their own diverse cultural roots and influences into a superb collection of cuts for the club. This is a 12" that offers a refreshing take on familiar sounds and delivers subtle yet punchy variations in style and rhythm. Adema keeps it nice and clean and slick on the deep, bubbly tech of 'Jm Glavio' while Red Pig Flower's 'Stardust' is a zoned-out roller. Artur Nikolaev's 'New Edition' is a deft minimal soundscape with warped lines and bubbles dub undercurrents. Cladu shuts down with 'No Name' which is a more propulsive cut.
Review: Clock Poets returns with Surrealism, a three-track various artists exploration of minimal techno and micro-house. Dan Andrei's 'Si Un Ecou' is a stripped-back, bass-heavy roller that is simmering with tension before erupting into modulated synths. Root's 'Apophis' delivers swing-heavy micro-house with shuffling drums and growling synth textures which nod to the genre's golden era. Clock Poets' 'Galaxy' on the flip is a sprawling 14-minute live-recorded jam rich in intricate sound design to end with a classy touch. Surrealism masterfully balances moods and textures here and makes for another refined entry in the Clock Poets catalogue for lovers of thoughtful, hypnotic dance sounds.
System Check (Melchior Productions LTD remix) (10:18)
Destino Caminante (Flabbergast remix) (6:42)
System Check (Flabbergast remix) (5:51)
Review: Minimal house legend Thomas Melchior and Montreal's Flabbergast duo bring their skills to remix Calcio Club's cool System Check EP. Melchior is one of our favs when it comes to silky, deep, minimal house and here delivers a remix that retains the original's groove while smoothly transitioning into lush synth vibes. Flabbergast's Guillaume Coutu Dumont and Vincent Lemieux have a sound just as distinctive and offer two remixes that push micro-house's limits. Their tracks feature mind-bending effects, Moog-style synth hooks and a burst of percussion that all lead the remixes to a new level of dance floor ecstasy.
Review: Italian pair Carebears bring a freaky twist to their brand of minimal here. 'Phone Home' has a wonky dial tone that slowly disorientates you over loopy drums and bass and 'White Boards' then gets more raw. The drums are precise and militant and the mood is mysterious. Remixing is Thomas Melchior, who to our mind has made some of the most unique minimal cuts of the last 15-plus years. His deftness always shines thorough in his airy, hypnotic drums and here as Melchior Productions LTD he does that again, flipping 'White Boards' into something that is weightless yet rooted on the floor and dreamy but driving.
Last Night (feat Harriet Brown - MAD vocal mix) (7:11)
Last Night (6:27)
Phone Sexting (5:23)
New Life (5:19)
Review: One-man dance music production line Tom Carruthers - a regular contributor to L.I.E.S and the man behind the admirable Nonstop Rhythm label - makes his bow on Make a Dance's M.A.D imprint. Fittingly, the fast-rising duo kick things off with their take on title track 'Last Night', delivering a vintage-sounding house cut featuring sublime lead vocals from Harriet Brown that sits somewhere between Frankie Knuckles' turn-of-the-90s productions and Larry Heard's late 80s deep house jams. Carruthers' gorgeous instrumental original mix follows. Over on side B, 'Phone Sexting' sees Carruthers blur the boundaries between proto-house and early Chicago jack tracks, while 'New Life' is a picturesque slab of deep techno loveliness.
Review: This new collection offers up a quartet of tracks that are all tailored for slightly different moments on the dance floor. On side A, Dani Casarano kicks off with deep, hypnotic grooves that make for an immersive atmosphere before transitioning to punchy, bass-driven energy with other cuts. Side B introduces a new alter ego from Felian and Bruno Schmidt and the pair explore a robotic, looping groove with incidental breaks and nostalgic synths in the euphoric third track. Closing the release in style, Omar Akrhif & Lucretio present a minimalist masterpiece that is aimed at heady after-hours sessions.
Review: Esuoh Limited's third outing takes the form of another various artists offering, and it explores an on-point mix of garage, house and tech. Ale Castro gets things underway with the bubbly bass motifs and retro stabs of 'IDWTAD' with a vocal refrain repeating the line 'I don't want to talk about drugs'. Hurlee's 'Spectral Echoes' is a super breezy house cruiser with sugar chords and more widescreen smears adding the oil to the drums while a simple, effective vocal hook brings the soul. There is a darker, more heads down energy to Housewife's 'Jus A Lil Bit' then Midas Field's 'Groover' brings class, jazzy magic and plenty of fist pumping fun.
Ice Cream Dream Boy (Huerta 31 Flavors mix) (6:19)
Ice Cream Dream Boy (Saoirse Soft Serve remix) (5:24)
Ice Cream Dream Boy (MoMa Ready Manifest remix) (5:07)
Ice Cream Dream Boy (K-Lone Creamix) (6:22)
Ice Cream Dream Boy (Peach Booty Bongo mix) (6:27)
Review: Shanti Celeste's 'Ice Cream Boy' was a proper big underground tune last year. Now the Bristol-based selector has commissioned a bunch of tasty remixes of it that all twist the original into different but equally effective new realms. Huerta brings his breezy but banging house style with hints of garage, Saoirse feeds it through her melon-twisting minimal filter and MoMa Ready gets for a chest-puffed and dub-infused big room sound. Peach's Booty Bongo mix is exactly that while our fav is from K-Lone whose Creamix is a bubbly and super catchy rework with a hot vocal and neon chords. Lovely stuff.
Review: Some 18 months on from the launch of his Better Together Records imprint, Sydneysider Chech is finally ready to deliver another expansive EP. Standing six tracks deep, Gemini Era tends towards the loved-up, saucer-eyed and gently psychedelic, with colourful melodic motifs aplenty and tons of audible references to early progressive house, ambient house and ambient techno. There's plenty to admire, from the spacey, analogue-rich dreaminess of 'XTC' and 'Gemini Era', to the low-tempo ambient techno head-nod of 'Slowride (93 Theme)' and the dusty, piano-rich deep house of 'Interstate (M1 Mix)'. Elsewhere, 'Jia's Dance' sees the Aussie explorer wrap vintage New Jersey garage-house sounds around a punchy breakbeat, while 'Birds of Prey' is a dubby chunk of sunset-ready dancefloor bliss.
Santonio Echols - "Piano In The Light" (Emanuell Echols mix)
Brian Kage - "This Saturday Night"
Ryan Sadorus - "Down Below"
Review: Upstairs Asylum is kicking off the year in some style with a couple of killer new EPs. This one is the first in what is presumably a new series to showcase the talents of the Motor City. Mike Clark & Marcus Harris get things underway with 'Hey' which has a subtly uplifting feel thanks to the bright, sustained chords and cuddly drums. Santonio Echols's 'Piano In The Light' (DJ Emanuell Echols mix) is laidback, playful deep house with magical chord work and Brian Kage brings his classy depths to the smooth grooves of 'This Saturday Night.' Ryan Sadorus brings things to a close with the smoky 'Down Below.'
Review: The fledgling Jackpot Recordings label is back with a second serving up club-ready goodness with Club of Jacks at the helm. There is a healthy dose of classic elements to these tunes - 90s vocals, deepness, soul - not least the opener 'Always' with its diva wails and balmy pads draped over nice silky drums with a majestic piano breakdown. 'Gorgon Dub' is a fat bottom house cut with mid-tempo drums and rigid percussion atop a dark bassline throb. 'Think Of You' is a warm and breezy one with loved-up pads and r&b vocal chops and 'Soundboy' gets more naughty with some garage-inspired drums and bass primed to pump the party.
Review: Steve Cobby is surely one of Hull's finest musical exports. The musician and producer has mastered many different sounds across the downtempo and electronic spectrum and here he dips his toe into deep house with a new limited 12" on Declasse. 'Hot 4 U' opens up with a gorgeous vocal sample and plenty of reverb on it so it pings around the mix over dubby drums. 'Santa Eularia' is a more jazzy and percussive, stylish sound with a smooth cruising groove for sundown or sun-up magic.
Canto De Alright (Caflo vs Deeper Roots edit) (6:28)
Made You Do It, Look (3:45)
Fly Like The Payback (3:38)
Review: Next up on the brilliantly revitalised Gamm label is Coflo, who delivers a trio of dynamic reworks that show why he's one of house music's most exciting new producers. There are no lazy edits here-just bold, club-ready blends packed with flair. 'Canto De Alright' is a versatile transition tool that slides seamlessly between house and hip-hop. On 'Fly Like The Payback,' Coflo fuses Steve Miller Band and James Brown into a rare groove gem and closing the package, Nas gets a funky boogie rework that hits hard and grooves effortlessly. These tracks are hot, inventive, and destined to become weapons for DJs who like their sounds sharp and soulful.
Review: New US label Soft Spoken Secret does a fine job of asserting itself from the off with this tasteful drop from Adam Collins. His 'Coming Together' is a busy minimal tech sound with plenty of things to keep your attention beyond the bubbly groove. Deft pads and airy hi-hats, rising bass sequences and hints of acid make it a real gem. Then comes a 100hz DC10 remix with wonky low ends and more stripped back designs for late night sessions. Finally, the 100hz Concorde remix brings more widescreen synths and patient tension building.
Review: After a seven-year hiatus, Concept e25 is back which will, quite literally, be music to the ears of deep house heads. This is the alias of French producer Frederic Boeuf who has been crafting his own grooves since 2012 on labels like Skylax, Copie Blanche and Swedish Brandy. The 'Thesis' EP shows what he is all about with deep, cuddly drums, infectious kick patterns and subtle, painterly synths that help smooth the grooves and get your mind wandering.
Review: Burnski's high-quality Constant Black is back with more essential club-ready sounds. Donnie Cosmo and Pascal Benjamin step up for one side of action each. Cosmo's 'Holo Glitch' is first and pairs balmy synth work that is colourful and silky with some punchy tech drums and rolling bass that pulls you in deep. 'Echo Drift' is another lithe and lively one to get you on your toes while the groove flows and 'Airplane Mode' is another stylish mix of lush synth design and great rhythm. Benjamin's trio on the flip is a little more gritty with industrial-space-tech many the most fitting way to describe these curious cosmic cuts.
AudioChain - "Back To The Time" (Tm Shuffle Myotatuuli dub remix)
Celestial Sphere Aka Hirotaka - "Concept Depth"
Review: Swiss label Introspection Audio Limited hist 12" number five with some exceptional techno workouts from producers based in Switzerland, Finland and Japan. Each track delivers a distinct atmosphere and emotion, perfectly crafted for the dance floor. Alessandro Crimi's 'Always' keeps it deep, dubby and minimalist, Needless layers up delightfully smooth drums and dub chords and a Tm Shuffle Myotatuuli dub remix is frosted with icy static and chilly winds. Celestial Sphere Aka Hirotaka shuts down with a more textured and snappy dub tech vibe.
Review: Nutria Sounds is a new sub-label of Kai Alce's rightly revered deep house stable, NDATL Muzik, and it's back with 002 here with an EP by rising Toronto producer Marcelo Cruz, who delivers spiritually rich, dancefloor-ready grooves. 'Mi Espiritu (feat Jaidene Veda)' opens with haunting vocals layered over emotive percussion and bubbly drums, then 'Ceremonia' follows with Carlito Brigante's expressive piano dancing atop hypnotic rhythms that bring to mind sacred rituals. Closing track 'Deeper Dreams' dives into raw, underground territory with cuddly bass and stripped-back drums. It's a tasteful one from Nutria Sounds, which seems set to become a crucial new outlet for organic, soulful dance gems.
Review: CRYME launches his new label SEVEN with a head-turning and ear-pleasing debut single 'Hold On', accompanied by four standout remixes. SEVEN is a queer and FLINTA*-leaning imprint dedicated to uplifting, genre-blending house and techno and it kicks off with CRYME's hypnotic original which is driven by pulsing bass and echoing vocals. Berlin house Queen Cinthie brings a soulful house spin with airy strings and bouncy grooves, while Obscure Shape delivers a darker, techno-driven rework. Lydia Eisenblatter adds a rave-tinged breakbeat flair, and VOLPE closes with a dreamy dub-techno version. 'Hold On' perfectly embodies SEVEN's mission to showcase unexpected sounds, fierce energy and dancefloor joy.
Review: The SEVEN7 late makes its bow here with the sort of house jam that is going to win it plenty of fans from the off. The original comes from Cryme but is offered up here as a series of remixes. The first lady of the Berlin house scene Cinthie opens up with her signature sense of cool grooves and soulful pads, then the Obscure Shape remix ups the ante with more slamming drums and techno forcefulness. There is a distinctive old school feel to Lydia Eisenblatter's remix as she brings raw breakbeats and super sized hi-hats. Volpe brings some dubby low ends to close.
Review: If you ask us, Kalahari Oyster Cult is a label as unique in sound as it is in name. You can never quite be sure what they might serve up next, but you can be sure it is worth dialling into. Alfred Czital & Ayu step up for this one, which starts at high speed and has drums and hits skating along the surface at compelling pace as warped vocal fragments loop to trippy effect. 'Talk To Me' is another groove with real urgency but plenty of inventive sound designs and clipped, underlapping bass. It's hyper modern and dead good. The Sleep D remix is more zoned out and smooth for the afters and Roza Terenzi brings a signature sense of wonkiness.
Review: Kommuna marks its tenth year of activity with this new dancefloor-focused record from various artists whose music "reflects the glimmer of hope that music provides during these dystopian times." Fabricio's 'Collateral Effect' opens with a strident nu-disco sound and retro-future chords that get you moving. Charleze's 'Rage Power' is another chunky disco stomper with some nice cosmic melody and Wooka's 'Tirty Dalk' hits harder with mechanical beats and churning bass. Mooglee's 'Things I Love' brings a more dreamy synth sound but still club-ready beats.
Review: Sardinian duo Enrica Falqui and Claudio PRC bring their respective signature sounds to this new collaborative EP on the Swiss label Adam's Bite. The two experienced studio hands kick off with 'Synapse', which has an enthuse, throbbing low end that forms the foundation for expressive synth craft. 'Amygdala' is named after the mass of grey matter in our brains which is involved in the experiencing of emotions and pairs deft, curious melodic waifs with chunky tech drums. 'Receptor' sinks back down into a moody, heads down and dub tech roller and 'Lucid Dreams' brings the sort of synth colours and low-end tension that will keep you awake all night.
Review: That man Glenn Underground is back with more of his masterful melodic house workouts as GU aka CVO. 'Jack & The Madman' goes super deep with moody drums wired up with burrowing, melancholic synths and time-keeping hi-hats. 'Nutso Jack' lands with some tribal drum heft and a melange of percussive details and wispy synths while 'Acid Disco (Supadisco)' is a woozy ste night exploration of jazzy keys and solar pads with soft cid lines weaving their way in and out of the beats. It's timeless and fresh once again from this Chicago mainstay.
Review: Chicago's Tied label rolls out a 17th release as good as all the previous ones, this time with a four-track various artists EP that showcases emerging talents from deep, spacey electronic realms. Just_Me's 'Laser Brane' launches the journey with electro-funk propulsion, while Lumieux's 'In Your Space... It's Me In Space' drifts into cosmic grooves and ambient textures. On the B-side, Constratti's meticulously crafted 'Bind' delivers intricate synth delays and solid rhythms that capture the feeling of interstellar motion. Label head Max Jacobson and 97 Till close with 'Orion,' a break-infused and celestial house cut built for late-night floors.
Review: As many freshly minted dance labels do, France-based Handwerk Sounds has decided to make its debut release a multi-artist EP. Fittingly, debutant artist Kiss The Future kicks things off, serving up the rising and falling new-age synth sounds, sequenced bass, buzzing nu-disco lead lines and unfussy retro-house beats of 'WhatUWant'. Casual Plaza takes over with the mid-80s NYC proto-house-meets-freestyle flex of 'FM Paradise', before Disset blurs the boundaries between spacey tech-house and intergalactic deep house ('Connection Loss'). To round off a rock-solid first Handwerk Sounds EP, Amlee delivers the bleeping, electro-goes-early house excellence of 'Come Close' (all sparse melodic motifs, squelchy bass, supernova chords and talkbox vocal samples).
Comik Sans - "Brainfreezer" (Natural Goofy mix) (6:05)
Natural Goofy - "Ensename A Mentir" (6:41)
Kurilo & Mili - "Tu M'en Veux" (6:07)
Review: Planka Records continues to lay out its musical agenda with a fourth EP that takes the form of a forward-thinking compilation that blends fresh talent with trusted names. Hypnotic rhythms, shimmering textures, and fearless experimentation define this release, creating a soundscape that's equally suited for deep club immersion or solitary reflection. House, electro, and techno influences blur seamlessly, crafting tracks that transcend time and genre. Each cut pulses with enigmatic energy, pulling the listener deeper into Planka's evolving sonic universe. With PLNK004, the label reaffirms its role as a tastemaker-consistently championing innovation while staying true to its raw, underground roots. An essential, boundary-pushing listen.
Review: FaF's Marseille-based label Durite has assembled another Various Artists compilation full of global soundscapes inspired by Middle Eastern rhythms on one side, while the other blends psychedelic Japanese and Chinese samples into trippy, atmospheric cuts. Italian producer Nativo balances deep house and electro with worldly flair, French artist Pagenty keeps ting dubby and slow with snaking leads and hiccuping drums. Fellow Frenchman Blinkduus Dischetto sparkles with raspy synth leads and celestial keys and Crane De Poule then serves up 'Lucky,' the clear EP highlight with its hurried Eastern Melodie and vocal samples over a clipped and tight tech beat.
Review: It has been a rather remarkable three years since Yuko dropped its first release, but finally, they are back with more. It is co-founder Emo Omar who features both solo and in collaboration with Luje from Club Pizza while two exciting new French talents Chud and Vivant also make their mark. 'Pollen' is a bright and hooky melodic electro sound then 'You & Me' gets more percussive, with old school cow bells staying busy next to all sorts of wonky synth work. 'Tomorrow's Made Of Breaks' is built on rigid funk and trippy synth bleeps and 'Zeus' shuts down with some retro-future vocoder vocals. This is a great return from a label we hope now pushes on.
Review: Four years on from the release of the label's second missive, a rather good joint EP from Camili Gil and Rodrigo Valdivia, Spanish imprint W3ird Ltd is finally ready to drop its' third release. It comes courtesy of collaboration-loving duo ONE+1 and newcomer Cheku Garcia. Unusually, the pair's two original tracks are nestled on side B. 'La 1' is immersive, deep and surprisingly loose-limbed, with the resulting blend of machine drums, squelchy bass, chiming melodies and atmospheric chords sat somewhere between deep house and tech-house, while 'La 2' is deeper, jazzier and lightly dubbed-out - think Smallville releases and you're close. Both tracks are presented in remixed form on side A, with Steve O'Sullivan's hybrid deep house/acid house re-wire of 'La 2' being followed by Maher Daniel's glitchy and fuzzy tech-house take on 'La 1'.
Review: Each release on the Vacuity label follows a spiritual journey inspired by the chakra system. This third EP focuses on the solar plexus chakra, which represents self-confidence, action and inner power. Titled 'Chiron Key,' it also references the astrological symbol of healing and resilience and embodies a coming together of spirituality and rhythm that, hope the label, encourages you to connect deeply with your own inner strength through music. Cakkou's 'Missed Call' has tribal techno leads and trippy neon lines and Luca Ruiz's 'Safari FM' is a twitchy and futuristic world of minimal tech with sprawling bass.
Pete Moss & Colette - "Higher" (Saison remix) (5:32)
DirtyTwo - "Rymden" (5:12)
Review: There is a wealth of No Fuss releases all dropping this year and number 12 is a tasteful house four-tracker from various quality artists. Saison's 'Suffer' is up first as a remix from Fouk, and it is a lovely, jazzy, laidback and heartfelt sound with an infectious skip in the drums. The original is just as infused with dusty soul and warming chords and on the flip Saison remixes Pete Moss & Colette's 'Higher' 'into carefree grooves with more noodling melodies and DirtyTwo then keeps the grooves flowing with 'Rymden,' which exudes summery excellence.
Fear-E Presents Breakbeat Energy - "Rinse Out Ma Selecta!" (5:22)
Oliver Huntemann & Marc Romboy - "Teufelsfisch" (7:03)
Gorge - "Erotic Soul" (rework) (7:25)
Deluka - "Ghost City" (4:24)
Joseph Capriati & Indira Paganotto - "Mantra" (9:57)
Gaetano Parisio - "Orbita" (5:26)
Review: Joseph Capriati has very quickly risen from underground techno player to top-tier titan. The Italian hails from Naples, a famous hotbed of minimalism that has spawned stars like Marco Carola. whose footsteps Capriati has followed in by securing his own Ibiza residency for his Metamorfosi party. The sort if sounds you can expect to hear on that label and at the events are well showcased here on his new mix of the legendary Global Underground series. From dark and driving techno to more emotional and melodic house, it's a colourful and widescreen ride that features a couple of his own fresh jams and many more from contemporary artists.
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.
Review: London's Clive From Accounts is back with his most expansive release to date in the form of this bumper full-length, amusingly entitled 'The Best of'. The album features the energetic lead single 'Save Me' which is packed with organ stabs, soulful vocals, steel pans and a touch of acid to get things going off. The second single, 'Heavier' delivers a dark, weighty club track with Riko Dann's toasting and other highlights include the melancholic 'Konsumu Suru' featuring Japanese vocals by Maya Kuroki and violin by Jessica Roch, the Middle Eastern-inspired 'It Began' and the classic drum & bass vibes of 'Spectrum.' Versatile stuff from Clive.
Review: This life-affirming new record from Down Under is a fine celebration of soul, broken beat, house and jazz that brims with rhythmic percussion, dynamic synths and syncopated basslines. Close Counters' effortless instrumentation shines throughout as paired with intricate production that maintains energy while allowing spaciousness with plenty of drum power. The album highlights the band's collaborative spirit with standout performances from Lyric Jones, Tiana Khasi, Allysha Joy, Jace XL, Shiv and others while the presence of Adam Halliwell of Mildlife on the opener further enriches what is a richly musical and adventurous album.
Crush (Deconstructed) (feat Klo & Lucia Odoom) (4:12)
Wrote This For Somebody (2:40)
Gretel Girl (feat Sophie Joe) (4:19)
Does Every Track Have To Be A Journey? (4:53)
Ways Of Raving (feat Aaron Altaras & Geoffrey Mak) (4:23)
Review: Courtesy's second studio album is another no-holds-barred deep dive into the heart of a minimal and tech house dance floor. Eschewing the usual ambient intro in favour of getting right down to business, things kick off with the surging comic-tech of 'I'm Happy I Am Not Susan Sontag', then the slamming drums of 'My Dazed Friend (feat Klo)' come with zoned out and alluring vocal musings. 'Let There Be LOVE! (feat Lyanne)' is another fast but smooth tech cruise with emotive vocal textures and 'Does Every Track Have To Be A Journey?' is a punchy tool which suggests not.
Review: Five years after unfurling their first collaborative album, Iron Curtisn and Johannes Albert have finally got round to recording and releasing their fourth - three years after its predecessor landed in stores. As with previous sets, it's loosely inspired by all things lunar. In practice, that means hazy, spacey synths aplenty, slowly unfurling grooves, and loads of cosmic intent. Beginning with the soft-touch headiness of 'Void Gathering', the German duo flits between moon-lit, synth-powered nu-disco ('Silverclub'), jaunty analogue house ('Sound (The Feels)'), warmer and more tactile dancefloor gold ('Ohne Dich', 'Club L'Avenir'), bubbly electro ('Pipeline'), revivalist Italo-disco ('Into Somethin') and ultra-deep bliss ('Daso').
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