PESHKA Vinilo y CD

Review: Bristol house imprint Banoffee Pies return with more subtle and hypnotic grooves. On the A side is the mysterious Jay Anderson with "Didn't Care Too Much". While not much is known of him yet, we are sure that will change once people listen to this track: deep minimal house that crosses over into electro much in the vein of Frenchman TC80 or what his peers on Japan's Cabaret imprint are doing right now. Next up, Greek up and comer Simonas Paplauskas serves up the rolling and entrancing afterhours cut "Untitled" which takes its cues from the current sounds of Romania: an immaculate production. On the flip, the entire side is handed over to Ukrainian producer Peshka, who delivers another jagged yet downright wacky and unique take on reduced grooves with "Basic Instinct".

Review: Alien Recordings has decided to launch a new sub-label, Alien Imprints, which it says has been created to, "showcase various artists from around the globe". Fittingly, the new offering's debut release - a collection of electro-breaks themed excursions from newcomers and rising stars - is called First Impressions. It seems right and proper then that Juno Laser Machine's EP opener is a starting, ear-catching slab of raw, angular and spacey, acid-powered electro/breaks fusion, while the cut that follows, Marocs Coya and Cosmonaut's 'Ultimatum', is a deeper and hazier, but no less impactful, peak-time electro workout. Elsewhere, Paddy Thorne's 'Coll' is a pleasingly bubbly, intergalactic affair rich in deep bass, enveloping chords and metallic percussion hits, while Peshka's 'Spacecraft' is a deep, rumbling, sample-laden treat.

Review: The second release - and second compilation - from this label dives into the realms of spacey, futuristic techno, delivering a riveting journey across four distinct tracks. On Side-1, Lucretio opens with 'Crystal Maze', where a deep, grooving bassline anchors a melody that feels both otherworldly and futuristic. SELA's 'Sex Work' follows, unfolding a sci-fi-inspired soundscape with eerie, ominous tones that create a haunting atmosphere. Side-2 shifts into heavier territory. Lostlojic's 'Telekinesis' merges deep sub-bass hits with a fusion of bass techno and trance, crafting a track that feels both powerful and hypnotic. Peshka's 'Hard Pressing' rounds out the compilation with a broken-beat techno groove, layered with alien-like textures that push boundaries. A bold and forward-thinking exploration of techno brimming with innovative, space-infused sounds.

Review: Cheese Tricks Vol 1: Honey & Cheese Combo EP on Secret Feta is a diverse collection that brings together four distinct tracks, each offering something unique for fans of old skool techno styles and sounds. Side-1 begins with Multivers's 'Mess Around,' a track that channels the iconic sound of Orbital with its chimes and techno-driven, otherworldly atmosphere. It's a journey into the unknown, perfect for setting a mysterious tone. Following that, Syntelman's '3h Kh' blends techno with early Psy-trance influences, creating a hypnotic experience that pulls from the roots of both genres. Side-2 kicks off with Peshka's 'Your Behind,' a big, melodic track designed for dancefloor destruction. Its ravey breakbeat elements give it a nostalgic yet fresh feel, making it a surefire crowd-pleaser. Aqua's 'Pleasure' wraps up the EP with a groovy breakbeat that's both infectious and smooth, keeping the energy flowing - and the bassline is particularly deadly. A well-rounded selection that caters to a variety of tastes.

Review: A new label fresh from Ukraine - Frequencies - gathers its forces for its first joint. For their debut V/A, four seasoned artists from around the country come together in the unity of sonic-national interest, pitting their skills behind the DAW side-by-side (nonetheless, these aren't mere bits to scratch your chin at). The deepchord-dubby 'Purkhavka' from Odesa native Rayo contrasts well with the snappier go-getter 'Mau Studio' from Vinaya, yielding an eclectic A-side from the jump. On the flip, the youngest of the bunch, Peshka, lays down 'Spozaranku', the acid-jammiest and most haunting track here, while ole' friend-of-the-label Dibe foments grittier and 2-steppier excitations with 'Exchange Pleasantries', which, despite its title, does just as well to transcend mere polite sonic formalisms.

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: Mohammed Al Harbiti, Adam Stromstedt and Flord King's Lyssna Records is now on its third release, and the label is beginning to pick up jus the right sort of momentum to make a impact on the vast, bottomless pit that is the deep house scene. What you need to be able to do that is plenty of style and a fresh way of constructing 4/4 patterns, something which Levi Verspeek has clearly nailed on the opening "256". Peshka's "Miracle" is also refreshingly off-kilter, meandering its loose drums over a hazy bed of washed-up sonics, while Flord King's "Steff Off" uses the minimal formula to deliver its mesmerising glow, and Adam Stromstedt's "HM 2016" is probably the best example of traditional deep house that we've heard since the close of that treacherous 2016. Quality house escapades...