Review: Detroit dub techno don Luke Hess says that this is his "most eclectic and techno-driven album to date" and that it blends together his signature subterranean sounds with his indelible Motor City touch. It again works well on cultured dance floors but is also a deeply spiritual album that will have your mind wandering to some lovely places. From the opening moments of 'Dokimion' you're sunk into widescreen soundscapes that pair painterly synths with immersive low ends. Cuts like 'Stoicheo' bring serene melodies and closer 'Hiketeria' is a misty, foggy cut that oozes late-night intimacy.
Review: Sasha's journey from trailblazer in the late-90s to one of the most influential figures in the dance music scene is a saga that feels as expansive as his discography. Having spent decades shaping the sound of progressive house, his career is a masterclass in reinvention i and collaboration. Whether you're hearing him weave his magic through orchestral synths, deep baselines, or finely tuned atmospherics, it's clear that Sasha never rests on his laurels. His latest collaboration with Joseph Ashworth continues this legacy. Known for his work with labels like Anjunadeep, Needwant and Pets Recordings, Ashworth brings his textured, melody-driven style to the mix, further enhancing Sasha's exploration of emotional soundscapes. The single 'HiFiHi' adds another layer to Sasha's ongoing journey, with the original mix offering cinematic build-ups and euphoric moments, while the LoFiLo Mix opts for a more introspective, vulnerable tone. Together, the tracks highlight a refined maturity in both producers' craft, reinforcing Sasha's place as a key figure in contemporary electronic music.
Review: Deep Dish is one of these acts that made a huge impact in their early years before members Sharam and Dubfire went their separate ways and had just as accomplished solo careers. Fans have long clamoured for them to get back together and though there have been the odd DJ set together, there hasn't been the new music many would love to hear. Instead, this 20th anniversary edition of their George Is On album makes its way to vinyl for the first time for Record Store Day. It includes smash global hits like 'Flashdance' and 'Dreams' as well as 'Say Hello'. It's a great blend of sleek electronica and proper songwriting from the AIranian-American artists.
Review: Guy J's new alias Cornucopia experiments quite readily with progressive house and techno, veering atmospheric and immersive. Made up of two tracks which fans have been eagerly awaiting for years, 'Remember Me' spans an array of melodic plucks and even warmer grooves, crafting a super-hypnotic haunter. 'Early Morning' evokes the tranquility of sunrise, with Guy J's signature groove and dextrous production proving meticulous, though still easy on the ears. Both tracks exude extra warmth, as do most sonic hugs.
Review: What's that, a new year means a new label from Burnski? We'd expect nothing else. The man has more imprints than a beach has grains of sand, but importantly they all serve a purpose and all kick out killer jams. Mikasa starts with this lush and lithe prog house EP from Abdul Raeva. Stylish opener 'Cream' is a bouncy, feel-good and sleek electronic house sound for peak time fun. 'Helico' is laced with acid and 'Tex Mex' has psyched-out lines rising through the uplifting drums while 'Vanguard' shuts down with a percussive edge and a killer bassline.
Review: Prog house legend Sasha collaborates with Newcastle's Artche on a stunning new track, 'Hold On,' which blends dramatic, sweeping synths with deep, moody basslines and emotional vocals. The original version is a cinematic journey, building with profound melodies and lush chords that create an expansive, atmospheric vibe. The track is both sophisticated and impactful, with its grand architecture tugging at the heartstrings. The 'Artche Mix' offers a different twist, working in airy, dusty broken beats while keeping the original's vocals and synths. This version introduces a fresh rhythm and texture, yet still retains the emotional core of the track. Both mixes highlight the collaborative synergy between Sasha and Artche, showcasing their ability to craft deeply emotive, melodic dance music.
Review: Corsican label Isula Science drop a fresh brooder of previously unknown electro knowns, this time from label founder Flash FM alongside HDV, Sweely and Man/ipulate. Spanning vertiginous dark acid, then moving on through to dreamatic neon breakbeat and expedient Italo - 'Vol de nuit' especially makes signature use of a classic slap bass synth - they've got us entirely covered here. Enticing bumps in the night from the exquisitors.
Review: The Space Trace label keeps quality high with this fourth outing on wax. Eric Os is on the button for this one with 'Underworld' first to lure you into its world with gently broken bets and moody pads setting an eerie tone. 'Stereophysical' is more jacked up with fizzing synth lines and warped pads over future house beats and 'Elusive' bringing some trance energy to its flashy, bright synths. 'Electrodreammachine' is a wonky electro workout with withering sci-fi motifs, puling synth sequences and raw hits. 'Feeling Real' and 'Cherry Red' complete the EP with more blends of house, electroclash and sleazy guitar riffs.
Review: A fresh new take on progressive house with melodic depth and emotional resonance. The original version is a mainfloor gem, combining uplifting melodies with a tech-infused rhythm that creates a reflective and mood-driven atmosphere. Its swaying progression and emotional undertones make it perfect for peak moments on the dancefloor. On the flip side, the remix transforms the original into a reserved anthem with an inspiring vocal message. It leans towards trance with its euphoric build-ups, yet the tempo aligns seamlessly with contemporary techno trends, making it both versatile and powerful. Emotion-soaked dancefloor energy.
Review: Cracking the back window open, Sleep D aerate our inner herbaria with a gas exchange in progressive techno, letting us in again on their outdoorsy brand of photosynthetic dance music. Always deepeneing their connection to the natural world, the EP opens with 'Green Thumbs' before vine-whipping us into the curious perks of 'Mountain Ash'; both nail a blithe, fairylike spirit, and the flushed-out, unencumbered feel of braving a hike after a cucumber face mask. 'Acheron Cauldron' carries the listener to a volcanic peak, where relentless kick and pulsating bassline brings us to seismic climax, leaving only eerie whispers. Closer 'Magma Flow', finally, is a trance-inducing finale hearing a slowed but thicketed texture, as brambles and stamens cloud our vision of a synth aurora.
Review: Floorfillers deliver the third in a series of original EPs, following three prefatory Edits editions, which first laid out the label's modus vivendi as brim-fillers of the dancefloor. The unknown artist behind this one hears the white horse of reason steered in the direction of paradise: perhaps drawing on a similar and widely recognised French house release of similar repute and name, 'Paradise (Special Edition)' brings string-caked and softly intoned FM leads to an overall peaky emoter. For fans of The Paradise or Rising Sun, this is another bony labyrinth of progressive house bliss.
Review: Philoxenia Records boss man Luigi Di Venere continues to blur the boundaries between traditional genres with a new EP that takes its inspirational cues from the multidimensional nature of sound waves. The title reflects the depth and motion captured in the EP's stunning artwork by CGI duo muzzin+samiri while the opener is a tribute to early 90s Frankfurt EBM. 'By Means Of Music' is a more funky vibe with New Beat undertones and real warmth. 'Got Momentum' brings a French house edge and on the flip, Cromby transforms' Got Momentum' into a euphoric UK peak-time anthem, and Cycle_2 reimagine 'By Means Of Music' as a psychedelic techno trip.
Review: Progressive melodic phenom Sebastien Leger is an unstoppable human current; the egressive mood of his music matches the restless energy he has channelled into his productions and DJ appearances across Europe since 1999. Bringing his latest opus to the tiny island of Malta to add to Guy J's Early Morning label, 'Koi Fish' and 'Gaufrette' serve as twin dawn and dusk choruses for the emo-valent raver. Continuing Leger's recent penchant for naming his music after food, 'Gaufrette' brings a chocolate-sauced, latticed sonic wafer of burbling synth and engineered drum fill, and 'Koi Fish' a synthetic set of lateral undulations and slippery synth-flicks, like the titular fish. That breakdown too!
Review: Armand Van Helden's classic 'I Want Your Soul' returns with a fresh update, including an impressive remix by UK duo Prospa. Van Helden's rework retains the original's iconic essence, while Prospa injects their signature euphoric energy and melodic flair into the mix. The result is a modern twist that stays true to the original, yet feels invigorated for today's dancefloors. Prospa's take on the track brings a new dynamic, blending nostalgia with the duo's unmistakable uplifting sound. A must-have for fans of both artists.
Review: This techno and house EP is a refined journey through futuristic themes, blending nostalgic echoes with forward-thinking soundscapes. Across its four tracks, the EP seamlessly intertwines elements of techno, trance and house, delivering a polished out of this world experience. Side-1 begins with 'Lucia', a melodic exploration that feels like a futuristic odyssey. Its nods to early 90s techno, trance and Italo house create a euphoric, spacey atmosphere. Following this, 'Solstice' offers a celestial take on techno, with shimmering tones and an air of serene beauty. Side-2's 'Orchid' is a standout, driven by a heavy rolling bassline and progressive house sensibilities. Darkwave and 80s electro influences infuse the track with dramatic tension, as its energy and melody build to a satisfying crescendo. Closing the EP, '00 26' is a smooth, uplifting piece of trance-inspired bliss, balancing beauty and subtlety with ease. Berkana EP is a example to JAVI's ability to craft tracks that are both nostalgic and forward-looking, perfect for late-night sets or introspective moments. Proper trance alert.
Review: Two toolroom essentials from Rob Amboule, former London stalwart come Frankfurt familiar. Where years of collecting and playing gradually evolved into Rob making music of his own, it wasn't long before he made the move permanent, settling in around the Main. A late stopover in Paris has now domino effected this new one: 'Wovv Tools' brings 'Melortra' and 'Kopuie', equal parts dance-incenting and vagus nerve-soothing. The B is especially brilliant, cycling through generative hypnotic whirls and sweller padwork.
Review: Berlin's Exit Strategy began their 12"s game releasing EPs in browned sleeves, shortly before branching out into digital-vinyl combo releases with original artwork in the 2020s. Now with over ten years of experience under their belts, they welcome five new artists for a playful bricolage in deep and minimal techno, privileging elite, razor-sharp additive sound design and future-soulful vocal tasters. Ivory's opener 'Rain' epitomises this, while Jimi Jules squelchifies the same formula, and Aera's 'Future Holdings' rolls out the same logic to its ultimate conclusion, veering towards complex, 3D-graphic melodic techno composed entirely of climbing saws.
Review: Airy and punchy new progressive techno from Guy J, with twin stimulant shots 'Silver Lake' and 'Evo'. The third release on his own label Lost & Found, the producer and artist flaunts his preference for the morning lauds; Early Morning was named after his habit of getting up early in the morning and making great music. Matching this matutinal mission comes the pitter-patter drums and percs of 'Silver Lake', whose percussive ribcage encloses beating hearts of dub chords and echo, sounding truly alive. 'Evo' is an expansion on the A-side's opening statement, with stabbing chords and clever stereo trickery make up an auroral, interaural song. Also, that snare on the B...
Review: Guy J's Early Morning label continues its impressive run with a sophomore release from acclaimed producer Roy Rosenfeld. This two-track concept showcases Rosenfeld's ability to transcend genre boundaries, offering a captivating blend of electronica, tribal rhythms, and vintage synth textures. 'Forgotten' unfolds with a measured intensity, its hypnotic groove and indigenous-percussive influences creating a ritualistic atmosphere. The track builds to a resonant climax, punctuated by deep chords and a melodic break before culminating in a tribal-inspired crescendo. 'Hello' takes a different approach, juxtaposing an 80s arcade aesthetic with high-fidelity beats and ethnic percussion. The result is a mesmerizing blend of old and new, a sonic tapestry that evokes primal imagery while pushing the boundaries of electronic music. Rosenfeld's latest offering is a testament to his creative vision, a captivating journey that will appeal to both home listeners and dancefloor enthusiasts.
Review: The debut album from Ukrainian collective Noneside unites musicians and visual artists under the inspiring words of poet Taras Shevchenko, who said 'Make love, o dark-browed ones.' Framed by a painting from contemporary artist Iryna Maksymova, the music explores the trance and tech house that is destined to bring souls together on the dancefloor this summer and beyond. Shjva opens with fresh and mashed bass and sleek trance pads that are subtle but effective. Lostlojic layer sup deep, bubbly techno drums and bass with an angelic vocal tone and Saturated Color's 'Trancia' is a speedy, scuffed-up tech groove for late-night cruising. Peshka and Yevhenii Loi offer two more future-facing trance-techno fusions packed with feels.
Review: Italian producer Mennie lands on EYA Records here with an EP that hits plenty of contemporary touchstones: techno, retro synths, trance and faster rhythms. 'We Are Not The Plan' has a tech house edge but with cosmic pads and bright melodies, while 'Make It Easy' has playful top lines and a fizzing, textural synth bassline powered by crisp kicks. 'Engine' gets more physical with faster drums and snappy percussive layers, and 'The Story' grinds it out with mechanical stiffness and bleeping synth sequences that bring a retro-future flair. It's all perfectly colourful body music for knowing clubs.
Review: The Florentian Cabaret return with a four-track EP that traverses progressive and tech house. 'Cerere' sets the tone, its hypnotic groove and atmospheric textures creating a captivating sonic landscape. 'Rippol' picks up the pace, its driving bassline and infectious melodies building towards a euphoric climax. On the flipside, 'Love Me Or Leave Me' takes a more introspective turn, its melancholic chords and haunting vocals exploring the complexities of human connection. 'Salto Quantico' closes out the EP with a burst of energy, its pulsating rhythms and soaring synths taking the listener on a thrilling sonic adventure. Deep grooves, emotive melodies, and captivating soundscapes.
Review: This compilation delves into the depths of electronic music, showcasing a diverse range of artists who blend retro influences with futuristic sounds. It's a captivating journey through hypnotic rhythms, atmospheric textures, and captivating melodies, with each track offering a unique perspective on the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music. Kosh's 'Back To The Future' sets the tone with its pulsating energy and nostalgic synth lines, while Christopher Ledger's 'Steady Process' creates a mesmerizing atmosphere with its hypnotic rhythms and evolving soundscapes. Reflex Blue's 'Super Sweet Feeling' injects a dose of Italo-disco-infused energy, its infectious melodies and driving bassline guaranteed to get bodies moving. Luca Attanasio's 'Mystery Freak' closes out the compilation with a darker, more experimental vibe, its haunting melodies and intricate textures leaving a lasting impression.
Review: Toolroom reissue a 2006 classic. Hailing from the original Toolroom "family" era in which Dave Spoon (Shadow Child), Funkagenda, D. Ramirez and Mark Knight are said to have ruled the roost, 'At Night' came not only at a prescient time, but also stood the test of time, in that it was - given the genre it works in and effectively predicts - well ahead of its time. The track blends a flicking, crossrhythmic main-room club lead with ostentatious risers and an arch minimality, fitting well in amongst the modish electro-house of the time, yet efflorescing a moodiness that would not catch on until 2010. Maur's "vs" rerub helps shed light on the way the track may be popularly received / perceived now.
Review: "Inside" is the rallying cry of many a pirate radio hypeman, and we're just as readily apt to stay locked in, not least after hearing this new one from Manchester-after-Berlin producer SY, debuting for Slump Recordings. An eighth escapade for the label in the vein of trippy cheek and nostalgia, this fresh plate of pluperfect pulses is a real sure-starter. The titular 'Inside' leads with organic diatones and surreptitious squelches, while Baldo's rework is a heftier hurl through additive breaks verging on acid trancebreaks mayhem. 'Perceptions' brings up the rear side through classic house synthwork and slippery percs, while the eminent Baby Rollen abstracts said mix with an alien hand, also throwing in compelling "hup" samples for good measure.
Review: Voices In My Head is a time capsule from the house music golden year of 1992. Crafted by the genre-bending trio Some Other People aka Mark Lord, Matt Frost and Steve Jueno, the album is a dynamic blend of deep house, tribal rhythms and breakbeat with bleepy electro and techno that all make it a heady listen as well as a physical one. Each of the eight tracks feels vital and distinct and was born from a studio process that was as spontaneous as it was inspired. Now reissued for the current prog revival after originally being released on their cult UK label Infinite Mass which once rivalled even Warp Records, it features lost gems like 'Ghost House' and 'Orbitality'.
Review: Marcello Giordani, known as Italo Deviance, returns with a two-track release that captures his decades of dance music expertise. Side A delivers a vibrant blend of house and disco, bursting with infectious energy and a nod to vintage Italo grooves. On the flip, acid influences seep in, creating a hypnotic, mind-bending experience driven by crisp production and dynamic rhythms. Mastered by Francesco Salvadori at Sweep Audio in Berlin, this release is a testament to Giordani's ability to craft tracks that balance nostalgia with forward-thinking sound design, making it a must-have for discerning selectors.
Review: Gzardin has a pretty singular sound palette when it comes to his take on tech house. His medleys are bright, his drums dusty, and his chords bring colour and radiance. All that is on show on the opener of this new EP with 'Hentroduction' being a mix of laidback vibes and trippy sequences that occupy the mind. 'Rainy Pain' is more twisted and tense in its make-up and 'Part Time Shed' ramps things up again with techno-leaning low ends and warped synth synths taking centre stage. 'Desserted' shuts down with some new school jack.
Staring Down Sunset (feat Nathan Nicholson) (6:58)
Starchaser (6:30)
Crossroads (feat Nathan Nicholson) (4:51)
Revolution (5:25)
Children (7:40)
Strawberry (feat Nathan Nicholson) (4:39)
Hide U (4:40)
Because You Move (5:04)
Blowfish (6:58)
Review: Dutch electronic outfit Tinlicker hails from Utrecht and is made up of Micha Heyboer and Jordi van Achthoven. They have been serving up the heat for more than a decade on labels such as Anjunadeep, mau5trap and Armada, which gives you an idea of their accessible, medically rich sounds. Back during ADE 2023, they hopped on stage with the renowned Metropole Orchestra to play the opening concert. You can relive it in all its glory now with this limited edition release featuring plenty of progressive house highlights from the show, all of which bring together the acoustics and the digital in a seamless fashion.
Review: Ghost dancing progressive techno via amapiano from Roy Rosenfeld, bringing a determinedly dark-carnivalesque two-track smokeout to 12" wax. 'Da Vision' extends slippery synths and savanna-brushy sound effects underneath a shuffling tresillo, while 'Get Loose' aims to unburden us from the stresses of daily life through well-sculpted Reeses and pads, as a cascade of vitreous sound befalls the pre-drop breakdown. Overall an impressively atmospheric outing from the London DJ.
Review: Spanish producer Ducados dips toes in adjacent pools of progressive house and straight-up trance here on this latest release for Cupula, impressing with four high-NRG enjoinments. Also their first ever release, the likes of 'Mimi' and 'Calada' are bowler-overers indeed. Smoothened out by scaped preset synths and flirtatious sampled reminders of the energy in the room, the openers give rise to a less scrupulous mood on the B, which works more as the dark side of the disc: 'Estrella De La Mort' and 'Synth Popper' dance with death and chem-sexuality respectively, bowling ever further down cosmo-sonic dust belts.
Parra For Cuva - "Ventilate" (Monkey Safari remix) (7:57)
MOat - "Undertones" (feat Kyozo - DJ Tennis remix) (6:09)
Jan Blomqvist & Rodriguez Jr - "Destination Lost" (extended mix) (5:02)
Hunter/Game, Noah Kulaga - "Stars" (feat Noah Kulaga - Mano Le Tough remix) (5:26)
Einmusik & Aaron Suiss - "Sabai" (7:24)
Paul Thomas, Jerome Isma-Ae - "Tomorrow" (Trilucid remix) (5:47)
Ivory - "Be Human" (6:17)
Alex Kennon & Just Her - "Long Way Down" (5:28)
Review: A curated selection of contemporary electronic music featuring tracks from artists such as Bonobo, Ben Bohmer and Guy J. The compilation seamlessly blends house, techno, and melodic elements, providing a dynamic snapshot of the genre's current landscape. Notable tracks include Bonobo's 'Expander,' Ben Bohmer's 'Rust,' and Guy J's 'Just Rain,' each contributing to the compilation's cohesive and engaging flow. This release serves as a testament to Global Underground's commitment to showcasing top-tier electronic music.
Review: Abdul Raeva's 'No Risk No Reward' EP captures the spirit of minimal and tech house with four dynamic, dance-ready tracks. Side-1 kicks off with 'Spazza', a lively, upbeat tech house track primed for the dancefloor with an infectious groove. It's followed by 'Eurotech', which brings in a high-tech, acid-tinged vibe, nodding to the ravey energy of the 90s with an irresistible, driving beat. Side-2 transitions to a more introspective energy with 'Phaselock', a melodic and flighty piece that leans into late-night techno territory, with a hypnotic, trance-adjacent sound perfect for deeper, immersive moments. Closing the EP, 'Crystal Palace' dives into heavy acid rhythms, blending elements of acid trance to create a powerful, pulsing finish.
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