Back in stock: Trance

Review: Clut deliver a specialised clout-glut with a fresh split EP from rising artist Alric Aerial, who here teams up with yet another artist who's so far flown under the label's radar - Electrodynamique. Here the pair deliver four electro-dancefloor tracks primed for every situation: sleazy bar, backlit festival stage, ironic doomsday scenario, you name it. This EP's cascading sixteenths flow like metallic droplets, their acid lines and FM blurps splurging forth with increasing restlessness and impertinence, and decreasing self-control. Particularly squelchy is Aerial's 'Tough Cuts', which moves trigger-happy on the cutoff filter whilst dungeon-bound sine tones splay across the top edges of the track, like ectoplasms left behind after a string of Zeno's paradoxes have been solved. 'We Are The City' by Electrodynamique indulges a final emery note, abrading its curveball electro mix to a grinding, apocalyptic oblivion.

Review: Dojo Zone's Smoke & Shadows, released on Cabaret U presents a compelling exploration of moody and futuristic techno. The EP opens with the title track, 'Smoke & Shadows,' a dark and gripping groove that pulls the listener into a shadowy world. The track's eerie atmosphere, punctuated by a deep, resonant bassline, recalls the brooding style of artists like Recondite, making it both addictive and powerful. Following up on Side 1, 'Lights Out' ventures into high-tech territory, offering a forward-thinking sound that feels both sleek and cutting-edge. It's a futuristic masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of techno with its intricate production. Side-2 begins with 'Slow Release,' where Dojo Zone delves into otherworldly sounds, crafting a track that feels like a journey through uncharted sonic landscapes. Finally, the 'Sobre Tierra' (Osaka mix) closes the EP with a groovy twist, incorporating subtle house elements that add a fresh layer of rhythm and movement.

Review: OG trance pusher Marcel Hol aka. Hole In One laid down his most famous track, 'Life's Too Short', in early 1996. There is a strange irony behind the track's rise to fame; in its original form, a B-side version of the track known as the 'Live At Paleis Soestdijk Mix' existed - it was named after the residence of the Dutch royal family, and featured the riveting, nigh breathtaking sound of a crowd cheering in the buildup. It was perhaps the title, in combination with the crowd cheering sound effect, that spurred an unusually fervent throng of record labels to pursue a release with Hol. This was despite the fact that the track wasn't recorded live at all, and that Hol hadn't ever set foot in the Paleis Soestdijk, with the cheering worked into the track, as per usual, during the production stage. Whatever the truth of it, the legacy of Hol's star sonic piece is paid a modern homage in the form of two remixes by Jerome Robins here, who polishes the track for the contemporary ear whilst also including the 'live' palatial mix.

Review: Reissued on vinyl for the first time, here comes Juno Reactor's 1997 LP Bible of Dreams, also newly remastered and available on double black vinyl. Juno Reactor's fourth album, Bible Of Dreams came with a staunchly different sound compared to the group's previous albums, and moved away from the traditional dance beats by implementing tribal influences. The band collaborated with Amampondo, a traditional South African percussion act, on the single 'Conga Fury'. Watkins and Amampondo went on a five-week tour of the US, opening for Moby. With many of its tracks appearing in acclaimed pop culture soundtracks - the likes of The Matrix Reloaded, Animatrix, Mortal Kombat Annihilation and Beowulf - its composer, producer, musician and performer Ben Watkins has gone on to become an essential innovator of modern electronic music and a pioneer of trance.

Review: The MoBlack label continues its Gold Series here with a tentth instalment that features four more house cuts in various styles. Jamek Ortega, Maxi Meraki and Samm kick things off with the deeply emotive chords and rolling beats of 'Don't Care Anymore' then Fahlberg's 'Wytal' kees the feel good grooves coming with more cultured deep house. CLARAA's 'Kukaya' (feat Ashimba - Fka Mash remix) is an Afro heavy sound with rousing and spiritual vocals and hefty kick drums then Re.You shuts down with 'Wabi Sabi', another Afro cut but this time with a little funk in the beats and playfulness in the big horns.

Review: Indira Paganotto is one of the biggest stars of the new school scene. The Spanish artist has had a massive couple of years and is currently curating her own room at Amnesia in Ibiza. It is there she can showcase her dark, driving blend of trance, techno, Goa-inspired euphoria and plenty of hardness in between. This new EP also encapsulates all that with its Indian vocals and hyperdrive drums all run through with sweeping filters, plenty of mad FX and exotic sound sources that will no doubt send the younger, more wide-eyed ravers out there utterly mental.

Review: The Diffraction EP on Polychrome Audio Records is a journey through diverse techno and house sounds, crafted for dark, intense dancefloors. On the Side-1, Hong Kong's Xiaolin opens the EP with 'Yonggum,' a progressive house track that sets an ambitious tone with its flamboyant and dynamic beats. Following is Barcelona's Iro Aka with 'Psy Sights,' a hypnotic techno cut that deepens the mood with its driving rhythm and introspective groove. On Side-2, it features Lyon's Desire with 'Psy Against Men's Tears,' an electrifying psy-infused track that blends pounding beats with ethereal melodies. Dublin's Dylan Forbes wraps up the EP with 'In Tongues,' a progressive anthem that delivers a burst of energetic rhythms and vibrant energy, perfect for lighting up any floor. Diffraction EP is a wide range of influences and sounds for those looking for adventurous techno.