MARIANO MATELJAN Vinilo y CD

Review: Brawther's Thisisnegentropy.com label has been a pretty global affair to date with artists from all over the world adding their sounds to the mix. This fifth outing welcomes back Croatia's Mariano Mateljan for some more heady tech and minimal excursions. 'Smoke Screen' is pure loopy brilliance with an undulating rhythm made from dry metallic sounds and warmth coming from some odd synth details. 'Exodus' is another airy, smooth sound with dubby low ends and sparse synth details while '2 Overs & A Gutshot' picks things up a little with more glitchy effects and deft sonic abstractions that will make this one perfect tackle for the afters.

Review: Equal Audio is launching with a clear mission: to deliver stripped-back, DJ-friendly house music designed for maximum impact. Their first release, 'Giseigo' EP, by Croatian producer Mariano Mateljan, encapsulates the label's ethos perfectly. Across four tracks, Mateljan demonstrates his expertise in crafting minimalist yet punchy tools that keep the dancefloor moving without ever feeling cluttered. The focus here is on simplicity, with each track making use of only a few core elements, allowing space for the groove to breathe. What's striking about this release isn't just the reduced arrangement but the precision with which every sound is placed. Each track offers a constant energy, never dipping, never overcomplicating the formula. It's a masterclass in restraint, with Mateljan proving that you don't need layers upon layers to create a compelling, dance-ready record. From start to finish, the 'Giseigo' EP is a showcase of how minimalism can still pack a serious punch, and it's a promising start for Equal Audio's journey into the world of vinyl.