Review: Silias Records welcomes Marko Nastic, a venerated DJ and producer from Serbia who could rightly claim to be one of his country's biggest underground electronic music exports. He brings peak time renegers here with tracks rooted in techno and tech such as 'Sour Pie' with its mechanical drum loops and rickety rhythms run through with blasts of electricity. 'Circuits' is smoother, deeper, more rounded in design and jazzy in melody. 'Que Rico Enrigo' is packed with well-designed sounds and a hint of Latin flair in the vocal sample and 'Clockworksx' shuts down with a thudding, persuasive and chunky tech sound with clattering percussion adding some texture.
Review: Barcelona's 22Recordings mark a curveball with Nativo's new release, moving away from their trademark darkness and ever further into playful and melodic, if still diatonic, sounds. Patently led by the drum machine and the step sequencer, the rising producer Nativo flexes their chops across five tracks of varying speed and tenacity, all of which cross between an intuitive pastiche of dark Italo on one spectral end, and pure outsider house music on the other. The mood is gruff but clownish; it's as if your local fairground had been overtaken by vampire bats and bloodthirsty goths. Closer 'Onivia' is the only moment of respite, bringing an impressive substrate of arpeggios to an overall final-shebang feel.
Review: Vessel Recordings Group is a US label operated by Ira James and next up is Natural Rhythm aka the duo of Thomas White and Pete Williams. They have been working since the 90s on their own brand of house and as this EP shows it is stylish, rooted in tradition but full of contemporary designs. 'Jillybean' is raw, stripped back and perfect for backrooms. 'The Chase' is a slamming cut that pushes on with classic vocal samples twisted into something new, and great swing. 'Son Of Orange' is another lo-fi, high-class house sound with real weight and machine soul and 'Pocket Ops' closes out with dubby techno energy. A fantastic, no-frills EP to get this label underway.
Review: Nene H pays her respects to three cities that have shaped and inspired her with three very different tracks. 'Ring the Siran' salutes Istanbul with a salvo of hard-edged minimal firepower and filtered voices opening and closing across it. 'Fukken Lie' features spoken words by Nik Mantilla about the Berlin scene in which she operates, again hard but with a more relaxed, spacious vibe. 'Hold Ud, Skat!' pays homage to the Copenhagen scene - "the city that adopted the lost child in Nene H and inspired her" - with an irresistibly rubbery bassline and static techno stabs. Who says the harder end of techno needs to be grim? This is quite the opposite - tough but lithe and very, very lively.
Review: Navigare Audio proudly presents the long awaited remix-bundle of Ness' classic LP, released two years ago in 2023. Now, with a bang, comes an equally compelling atmospheric techno remix bundle from favourites and friends of the Swedish label. Five trance truncators of fantastic capability come our way from Hydrous, Dino Sabatini, Vladw, Kalumet and Mikkel Rev, all of whom revel in a sweet, Baltic-oceanic feeling, lent coldly and bracingly to Ness' already cryogenic, outdoorsy sound.
Review: The work of 1990s German electronic group Neural Network is titularly apt for the times. The mood around public-facing AI like ChatGPT and DALL-E has aroused much anxiety and curiosity of late, and they're only the tip of the iceberg. Surprisingly enough for new listeners, though, they'll find that the work of Neural Network - renowned for their contemporaneity with the likes of Biosphere and Autechre - is serene compared to the current mood of AI furore. These 'Excerpts' highlight the bulk of their work made between 1993-1995, which, unlike their former albums, didn't gain label / distributor traction at the time.
Review: Like a Michelin starred chef, Neurotron - an alias you would much more expect to come from the world of drum & bass given its semantics - mixes up just the right amount of serval different ingredients in this classy new EP. There is jazz, deep house, acid, techno, electro, dub and probably more. The opener is a deep one with lovely melodies, 'Alone' is a more club ready sound with smeared pads and acid, 'Hunting' bangs the box in Detroit fashion and 'Woodward' is a blissed out dub house groove that oozes charm.
Review: Eterno's third outing is as enticing as its first two. It's a pensive electro sound that managed to marry physicality with emotionality in perfect harmony. New Balaance is behind this one and opens with the serene, sweeping, widescreen pads of 'XTC' before 'v' rides on tighter, bumpier drums with swirling celestial melodies. 'Bacilica Cistern' explore a different rhythm with thudding kicks from techno and icy electro percussion floating through the cosmos as subtle signals beam down from distant planets. 'Multidimentional Beings' is a brilliantly ice-cold and funky closer with ambient smears and irresistible drums.
Review: Newa's latest EP, Equilibrium, presents a wicked journey through four distinct techno realms. On Side-1, 'Dtrance Love' emerges as a powerhouse, delivering strong linear techno infused with an abundance of energy. Its trance-like qualities are propelled by a persistent bassline, casting an eerie and futuristic atmosphere. Following suit, 'Electro 404' takes listeners on a robotic, sci-fi-inspired adventure, showcasing Newa's versatility within the electro genre. Flipping to Side-2, the title track 'Equilibrium' explores a fusion of electro and breaks, intertwining trance chord progressions with subtle hints of acid. The result is a great blend of genres, underpinned by a weighty bass presence that commands attention. The EP concludes with the Peachlyfe remix, which feels like a sonic experiment unfolding in a science lab. This reimagined version adds a fresh perspective, injecting the track with new life and dimension. Overall, Equilibrium EP helps push Newa's reputation as a boundary-pushing artist within the techno landscape.
Review: Don't forget to put on your Anorax... A new retro-futuristic outing by veteran dance music exec Neil Rushton marks his latest configuration in techno, which has kept mutant ever since the DJ broke from his infamous, 1970s Northern soul label Inferno. If Inferno was a glittery bodysuit, Anorax is like blast-protective PPE. Here Rushton welcomes Mark Archer and Chris Peat aka Nexus 21 back to the fold. Emissaries of the Salford dance music circuit, Nexus 21 have always harked a frontier-scouring, centennial vibe in sound. Their latest release is reissued from 2008, though the Network Records original only cut it to B-side: 'Self-Hypnosis' is a semiconscious auto-state in sound, bringing jam-born orchestra-stabs and sprung synth toms to a strange brew. We're left spiral-eyed.
Review: Owen Ni invites us on a sonic exploration with this ten-track release, a journey through the realms of ambient electronica and deep listening techno music. 'Beyond Flyhigh' sets the tone, its expansive soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms drawing the listener into a world of introspection and wonder. The Raytek remix injects a pulsating energy, transforming the original into a dancefloor-ready odyssey. Elsewhere, tracks like 'Mover' and 'Arqs2600' delve deeper into hypnotic textures and intricate sound design, creating a sonic experience that's both arrestting and thought-provoking. 'We Are Here' and 'S7lverbox' offer moments of quiet contemplation, their delicate melodies and atmospheric soundscapes inviting a sense of peace and reflection. The release closes with 'Epilog', a fitting conclusion to this immersive journey through sound and emotion, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of wonder and possibility.
Review: There is such a great amount of force and weight to the techno served up here by Owen NI that it feels as though his kick drums could move whole mountains. Opener 'The Test Sequence' has mid-tempo but brutal drums with razor-sharp hi-hats, clipped vocal yelps and a lively siren style lead adding further intensity to this most muscular of warehouse tracks. The DX-9 remix layers up more balmy pads to soften the edges and the drums become a little more rounded and dubbed out, while the Arbilla remix takes things into paranoid afters territory. 'Wiggle Room' is a dubby, forceful and heady roller.
Marjan - "Desert Of Heart" (Ramtin Niazi rework) (4:35)
Artoush - "The Curse" (Ramtin Niazi rework) (4:22)
Review: Today's Youth is a collection of Ramtin Niazi's reworkings of some of Iran's best loved songs. Here the Iranian artist - and key component part of such storied Persian rave music groups as Ben & Jerry, Kahkli Cru and 1000PA - breathes fresh, shape-cut life into the music of Googoosh, Kourosh Yaghmaei, Marjan and Artoush, refitting them for the abandoned warehouse rave. This is a real eclectic record, taking after well-established dance styles like speed garage, jungle, and dembow, but each track is nonetheless arranged with a gauche left hand, so gauche as to abstract each one from its stylistic reference point enough to sound lytic: unmoored from any total obligation to their origins, be they Iranian or Western European.
Review: Nicole and Troy's latest collaboration sharpens their vision for Cath Records, the Berlin-based label they launched as a home for boundary-pushing techno. Their stripped-back but potent style thrives on precision, drawing from deep club lineage while keeping an eye on the future. 'Out Of Control' is a lean, tunnelling workout, its tension amplified by Z@p, the Uruguayan producer whose percussive, swing-heavy take on techno has earned him a cult following. His remix reshapes the track with a ghostly, skipping momentum. 'Woo Woo' flexes a rubbery, low-end groove, built for peak-time propulsion, while 'Fractals' twists through warped, off-kilter sequencing. A sharp, high-pressure release that reinforces the duo's deft touch.
Review: Zurich-based duo The Nightstalker, which consists of Dan Piu and Popshop aka Gary Rich, craft a fulsome musical world that delves into the darkness and offers a mystical allure. Following two acclaimed albums on Berlin's Childhood Intelligence, they return with Isoutopic Fantasia, a mini-album on World Wide Web Records. Featuring six tracks that blend danceable darkness with surreal and playful moments, Isoutopic Fantasia is a fine fusion of deep mystery and bizarre beauty. The music leads through a dreamlike realm where every beat surprises and melodies unfold into unexpected dimensions to create a hypnotic journey where light and shadow converge in perfect harmony.
Review: Round Qube Music has tapped up Niki Il B for a new EP that explores a mystic take on cosmic electro. 'Ry01' is all eerie lines and punchy broken beats with supple acid squelch in the middle. 'Waiting' then mixes up more gorging acid with hurried drum loops and slow motion ambient pads that make for a fine vibe before 'Lo Spazio' has a heavier low end. The bass here is spanned and the distant pads unsettling. 'Car Sex' closes things in brilliant fashion with suspensory pads and loopy drums that ride up and down next to meandering pads.
Review: Nikolajev is an original pioneer of Tallinn's techno scene. He is back here on the Sad Fun label with two more of his bass-driven dance floor delights. First up is 'Lego Dub' which has no sharp edges and just silky synths, rolling drums and flanged up sounds that swell with warming intensity. On the flip side is 'Tongue Double' which slows things down and brings a little sense of funk next to some playful synth lines that wiggle about the mix and are underpinned by true low end menace, perfect for maximum volume on a sound system.
Review: Nitechord is an anonymous "ambient-tech duo" that impresses with this fine debut, Lume, which is a meditative exploration of the calmness and mystery of the night as distilled through mid-tempo rhythms and atmospheric whispers. These sounds were first submitted as a raw, uncredited cassette demo in 2002 and have hardly been changed from that state but for the mastering. Tracks like 'Reflect' and 'Near' blend shimmering guitar loops, sub-bass and subtle twangs over dancefloor beats. 'Dim' breathes with layered drones, while 'Absent' offers mournful serenity and last but not least, 'Carry' blossoms into orchestral harmony. A sublime soundscape.
Review: The second release from Diggers Society Records features NND, who is renowned for both his compositional talent and his skills as a selector. This EP is a real journey through NND's diverse musical landscapes and his rich musical background. The A-side is defined by dark atmospheres and deep, powerful rhythms. On the B-side, a track inspired by the iconic soundtrack of an '80s cult TV show shines bright and is followed by a celestial production that transports you to otherworldly realms while blending nostalgia with a modern techno touch.
Review: No Spiritual Surrender is the new project of two Spanish techno veterans: label head JC Cabrera & Mario-Castillo aka Kastil. The Maslac EP commences with the brooding atmosphere of the title track, a seriously seething slow burner, before going straight on the offensive with the mental and hard-hitting DJ tool 'Monday'. 'Break' provides a welcome relief on this mesmerising ambient passage before lunging straight for the jugular again on KTS' advanced IDM/electro remix of 'Maslac' and ending with the strobe-lit peak time austerity of 'Saturday'.
Review: Vibes Addikt welcomes N.O.B.A into the fold for a new EP back with his powerful, emotional productions. In the past, he has earned support from top names like Amelie Lens and Charlotte De Witte, which gives you an insight into the sort of world she works in. This one opens with 'Shadows From The Darkness', an intense wall of techno that comes with a hypnotic remix by INIGMA who layers in some smart tech-trance vibes. 'The Unit' then delivers an acid-driven techno-trance groove while 'Sunset' brings a nostalgic 90s trance feel with uplifting melodies.
Imaginary Time (Gesloten Cirkel Keep Playing remix) (6:30)
Imaginary Time '99 (Revolutionary Industrial Trance mix) (14:48)
Review: Acoustic instruments played by Charlotte Bill, "disarranged" by Nigel Ayers, Nocturnal Emissions' Imaginary Time is as much of a landmark as it is a total obscurity. The album title itself references a theory prevalent in some approaches to special relativity and quantum mechanics, a representation of time also used in certain cosmological theories. It's not made up, or unreal, but expressed via imaginary numbers. We can understand where Nocturnal Emissions were coming from with this record back in 1997, then. A strange, beguiling percussive experiment that's at once linear and yet pretty obscure. Here presented with two incredible remixes - Gesloten Cirkel's pounding but fun techno take on things, and the misleadingly-titled 'Revolutionary Industrial Trance mix', a slow building amalgamation of drums and vibe - this is strange yet totally accessible business.
Review: Kumquat returns with their second release, his time a various artists' EP packed with sleek tracks perfect for all sorts of movers and shakers. Four standout artists from the legendary French party scene deliver an irresistible blend of wonk and bounce across four groovy cuts. Noiro keeps it slinky and minimal on 'Yougoslash' then Belic & Mani get more stark and twisted with their tech sounds on 'The Flow.' Rancel's sound is laden with a libidinous sax line over clipped and crisp beats and Paradise City Breakers close down with the future tech of 'Mentalist.'
Review: The Hayes label is very nearly at a landmark 50th release mark but don't overlook number 49. It comes from Norbak and offers some serious techno clout. 'Malta 6am' is a pounding and loopy cut with lither percussion and sleek synths working you into a lather then 'Passo Lento' slips into a more minimal sound with groaning synth textures increasing hi hat pressure. There is no let up on the B-side as 'Lux' cuts loose on gallivanting drum funk which is underpinned by thudding kicks, and 'Gare' shuts down with a weight, dubbed out sound. Plenty of variation in this one makes it a standout 12".
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