New releases today: Techno

Review: Drumcode supremo Adam Beyer has become increasingly more prolific in recent years, signalling a creative renaissance that recalls the undoubted quality of his work in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His first outing of 2024, which follows a quartet of EPs last year, is predictably strong and packed to the rafters with future Drumcode anthems. Fittingly, he starts with 'Let's Begin', where mutilated vocal loops, mind-mangling rave noises and unsettling melodic motifs dance atop a typically thunderous and breathless big room techno groove, before opting for a dirtier, acid-flecked groove, metallic noises and sped-up hip-hop vocal samples on 'Computerized' (hip-techno anyone?). To round things off, he goes darker and denser still on the loopy techno power of 'Red Room', which pleasingly also boasts the same Aisha vocal sample as the Orb's 'Blue Room'.

Review: There is a big-hitting trio of Detroit techno titans all featuring on this one EP: DJ 3000 is behind the originals which are 'Kazani', a serrated and corrugated electro-techno bumper with rigid metal synths and flashy synth melodies that dart about like fireflies, and thumping deep dub techno in the form of 'Work In Progress'. It is Jon Dixon who first remixes this one and remodelled it as a more hurried, hard edge and alien techno rhythm with bunce in the beats, and last of all DJ Godfather's remix races off to the cosmos with a classic bit of high-speed, frantic and synth-laced Detroit techno minimalism.

Review: Lawrence's Epiphany Remixes, a release from the German record label Giegling, presents four distinct interpretations of the title track. Each remixer brings a unique approach to the original piece, resulting in a diverse and captivating soundscape. Zoe Polanski's version transforms the track into a crystallized melody, creating a cold yet beautiful atmosphere. Lowtec's remix explores deep techno, delivering a smooth and dreamy ambiance with a touch of sadness. M Pittman Ladder's interpretation adds a gritty, chunky bassline, while Tobias' remix elevates the tempo, creating a pulsating and mechanical percussion elements. These remixes showcase the versatility of Lawrence's original composition, demonstrating how different artists can reinterpret and reshape it to create new and engaging experiences.

Review: Spaced Repetitions is a new label by veteran producer Manuel Tur who has always been known for his deliciously deep sound. For the imprint's fourth outing, he serves up two versions of a tune by Ingrid Lukas taken from last year's album ELUMELOODIA. The Estonian-Swiss singer, pianist and composer's angelic vocals remain in place up top as the dubby drums roll down low and all manner of icy synths and gassy melodic tinkles pepper the groove and get you into a celestial state of mind. The dub version allows that to come to the fore even more.

Review: Mosaic main man and peerless UK dub techno titan Steve O'Sullivan has paired off against Fletcher for this latest heavyweight 12". As ever the foundations are solid on the opener 'Passenger' - smooth drums and bass perfectly sit with one another, but this one really comes alive with the most impossibly subtle but inescapably uplifting little chords that suggest that no matter what shit you have going on in your life, things will be OK. It's a classic amongst many on this label. 'With That' is another tight, compelling and tech tinged dub roller with real bite and drive, and 'Treading Water' then blisses you out with its liquid chords and sense of endless infinite groove.