Back catalogue: Balearic/Downtempo

Review: A double A-side featuring 'RESIST!' and 'I Keep on Making the Same Mistake', Ghost Assembly's latest offering is less a release and more a protest on wax. Abigail Ward, the force behind Ghost Assembly, has crafted two distinct yet complementary tracks that pulse with raw energy and emotional depth. 'RESIST!' (Extended 12" Mix) is a primal scream against the injustices of the world. This 111bpm acid track is a visceral call to arms, primed for ALFOS and Optimo crowds. Think of it as a sonic Molotov cocktail: squelching 303s intertwine with a driving 707 beat, while unexpected bursts of Arabic melody add an intriguing layer of texture. It's like DJ Pierre jamming with Omar Souleyman in a Berlin basement. A fragmented vocal sample adds to the urgency, culminating in an icy string coda. The 'Utter Kunt Mix' of 'RESIST!' takes a detour into dub territory. It's a stripped-down, bass-heavy reimagining that draws inspiration from Sleng Teng rhythms. It's a hypnotic, almost meditative experience, where echoes of the Mission Impossible theme collide with the playful energy of Les Negresses Vertes and the raw sampling aesthetic of 'Duck Rock'. It's unexpected, yet strangely compelling. 'I Keep on Making the Same Mistake' (120bpm), on the other hand, explores the darker recesses of the human heart. It's a cinematic journey through heartbreak and regret. A glacial breakbeat provides the backdrop for a mournful bassline that tugs at the heartstrings. Hazel Grove's haunting vocals are fragmented and distorted, adding to the sense of unease, before being consumed by a wave of melancholic strings. A fleeting French voiceover adds a final touch of poignancy. The release concludes with a stripped-back string-a-pella version, a haunting reminder of the track's emotional core.

Review: Italian producer Vinz Giaimis crafts an intricate homage to the kosmische traditions of Krautrock, weaving a sonic tapestry that feels as much about exploration as it does about reverence. Across the EP's four tracks, Giaimis deftly balances vintage analogue textures with a modern electronic sensibility. The opener sets the tone with a motorik groove underpinned by shimmering synths, evoking both the vastness of space and the hypnotic rhythms of a train journey. Elsewhere, there's a palpable warmth as swirling pads and layered percussion come together in a way that suggests the meditative qualities of early Tangerine Dream.

Review: Detroit will always be known as the birthplace of techno but the mighty fine Star Creature label does a fine job of offering up different sonic perspectives from the Motor City. Kibbi Gibbon is a new outfit from the 313 that makes a great mark here with two effortlessly cool and breezy new instrumental funk cuts. 'Still Dreamin'' is all leggy drums and thinking melodies with squelchy lines and warming bass that will prove irresistible once the sun comes out and even beyond the time it sets. 'Declaration' on the flip slows things down a little for some extra romance with whimsical leads and a distant cosmic glow.

Review: Brooklyn-born street soul artist Martine Girault was an epitomal artist in the genre, and her extended stopover in the UK would prove instrumental in its development, despite her American origins. She was fittingly also a favourite of many international label staples from Eskimo Recordings to Opaz; while in the UK, she collaborated with producer Ray Hayden of Opaz for her standout single 'Revival'. A significant underground hit, 'Revival' veers on the aspirated side of the downbeat street soul sound. Girault's style is both angelic and hoarse, and riffs on the temporal bubbles of the contemporaneous genre new jack swing, while getting at something much higher than either style alone can peg. This reissue reproduces the song in pristine stereo, and brings out the ghost-noted piano hook to extra pop-out effect.

Review: This EP arrives with a confident, polished sound that positions itself at the cutting edge of experimental electronica. Opening with 'Empire Rising,' the track strikes an immediate balance between precision and mood, with tight percussion and shimmering synths that pulse through the mix, pushing the track forward without ever feeling rushed. 'Neon Horizons' adds a darker layer, its brooding atmosphere enhanced by off-kilter rhythms and an almost cinematic scope. The production throughout is intricate and layered, showcasing GNMR's attention to detail. The EP's strength lies in its ability to sound both futuristic and grounded, offering a glimpse of what's to come, while feeling timeless in its composition.

Review: Following the success of their debut album On The Inside, UK hip-hop, soul and r&b collective Gotts Street Park are back with their highly anticipated new EP which features a series of instrumental tracks born from the raw, live chemistry of the band. Made using techniques inspired by Miles Davis's Bitches Brew and with no lyrics, the music draws on psychedelic influences and hip-hop instrumentals so tracks like 'Diego' blend funky grooves and snaking guitar riffs, while 'Ozu' evokes the peaceful, voyeuristic feel of director Yasujir? Ozu's films. The EP ends with 'Enzo's Theme' which is nicely inspired by The Godfather.

Review: Belgian-born producer Gratts and pioneering Chicago vocalist Robert Owens first collaborated on 'Brighter Future' back in 2021 after meeting in the streets of Kreuzberg years before. The pair now join forces again for follow up 'Today', a powerful and emotive, 90s inspired deep house cut with layered backings and Owens' lilting affirmations soaring above. The extended club version takes you straight to house music's ecstatic heydays, while the twelve also includes an acapella tool for those singalong moments. On the flip, Mark Hand's slower, soulful rendition takes things into sideroom territory. Finally, 'Mount Olympus', home to the Greek deities, fuses a rattling drum machine, arpeggiated synth lines and a potent analogue bassline - with added bonus beats to bang the box and get weird!

Review: Following the success of last year's Walks, Group Listening returns with a new 12" for PRAH Recordings. The title and artwork both explore themes of decay, expiration and musical renewal and the music was in part inspired by a small DIY festival in Bristol. Paul Jones explains the title represents a radical, open call for change while 'Tell Everyone Everything' is a layered, intense synth soundscape with destined pads and nimble chords that lock you in the here and now. The release also features remixes by Ancient Plastix and Loggsplitter who bring sub-aquatic dub and mind-melting rhythmic intricacies.

Review: This collaborative EP brings together two Australian artists, blending their unique takes on progressive house, techno, trance,and chill-out music into a seamless collection that transports listeners back to the laid-back vibes of the early 90s. The result is a stunning journey through balearic and downtempo landscapes, with each track offering a nostalgic yet fresh twist. Side-A opens with 'Zephyr', a gentle, early 90s Balearic track that recalls the atmospheric essence of William Orbit's 'Water From A Vine Leaf'. With its hip beat, soothing piano and urban edge, it immediately sets a reflective tone. 'Liana's Cove' follows with a slow groove, deep bassline and mystical ambiance that invites you to get deeper into the music, evoking the tranquil isolation of a hidden bay. On Side-B, 'Perfect Harmony (feat. Sa+ga)' introduces a chill-out urban style with its downtempo breakbeat and smooth, laid-back flow perfect for winding down. Closing the EP is 'Spindrift', a funky chill-out gem, light and floaty with an aquatic atmosphere that feels like drifting along calm waters. Together, these tracks create a rich, cohesive sound that bridges the past with the present. Bring back the chill out rooms!

Review: A record that explores deep, hypnotic rhythms with a strong tribal and mystical undercurrent, the latest Siamese Twins records pushes the boundaries of what is possibly in eastern influences underground techno. Side-1 opens with 'The Golden Triangle', an atmospheric introduction that feels cinematic, setting the stage with ambient textures before giving way to movement. 'Lens of Time' follows, locking into a deep, primal groove where rolling percussion and rich low-end create an entrancing effect. On Side-2 'Mekong' leans into tribal mysticism, blending ancient rhythmic patterns with a modern pulse. The production is detailed yet raw, drawing from rich percussive layers. 'Ruak' closes the EP with pulsating bass and deep, rolling rhythms, channeling Eastern influences into a hypnotic techno flow. A powerful release from Siamese Twins Records, driven by Sunju Hargun's distinct vision.

Review: In alignment with London clubbing institution Fabric's 25th year, the huge figural techno head Laurent Garnier joins on for the former's Fabric Presents mix series, which selects artists to record different stylistic kinds of DJ mixes - separate to the longtime, peaktime, and often drum & bass-oriented Fabriclive series. Among the shortlist of artists drawn up, Garnier's name stuck out like a sore thumb, not least since those who are inevitably chosen had to have risen to fame in roughly the same timeframe as the Farringdon nightclub did. Fabric make the following promise: Laurent's mix, released here in the form of a deluxe CD compendium, will not only pay homage to the club, but also showcase his own mastery of genres and the diversity of his genius. The release will drop physical-only as a deluxe vinyl collectable and on CD and it'll also feature a new original four-track EP from Laurent.

Review: Fabric Presents Laurent Garnier is a remarkable 4xCD compilation that captures the legendary French DJs unmatched knack for selecting the finest in deep techno and house. With over 35 years in the industry, Garnier's sets have become synonymous with dancefloor transcendence and this collection is no exception. Here, Garnier focuses exclusively on fresh releases, reflecting his continued pulse on contemporary techno. Notable tracks include Deon Cole's infectious 'Where The Freaks At', the haunting atmospheres of Culoe De Song's 'Aftermath' and Anane's bold reinterpretation of 'Walking On Thin Ice'. Each vinyl side flows seamlessly, packed with standout moments, from the vibrant collaboration 'Shella Verse' by Sammy Virji & Flowdan to Equiknoxx's dynamic 'Urban Snare Cypher'. While Laurent's sets are known for bridging the genre's past and present, this collection highlights only new music, showcasing Garnier's enduring influence and impeccable taste. Fabric Presents Laurent Garnier is an essential snapshot of the genre's current sound, proving that Laurent's curatorial skills remain as sharp and relevant as ever. This compilation is a must for anyone invested in quality techno and house music.

Review: Few artists in electronic music are as legendary as Laurent Garnier. It is only right then that he finally makes his entry into the equally titanic and influential Fabric Presents series. His mix is a real doozy that here gets the full deluxe edition treatment and comes on 4 x12"s with a hefty booklet. The House Odyssey mix opens with afro house from South African producer Mr. Blase, leading into vibrant cuts from Cape Verde to Chicago. Newer faces like Culoe De Song, Neinzer, and Tal Fussman join stalwarts DJ Spen, DJ Lady D and Mike Dunn. The Rhythmic Resonance mix delivers high-impact techno moments from Red Axes, John Tejada, Electric Rescue, and more. Garnier's UK-focused Into The Low-End session includes Skrillex, MC GQ and more and all in all offers up a diverse mastery, from luminous house to bass-heavy techno.

Review: Texan producer Gi Gi has been quietly doing his thing for some time, serving up limited and self-released albums that blend chopped, screwed and heavily manipulated samples with dusty instrumentation and nods to vintage trip-hop, Balearic soundscapes and ambient experimentalism. Dreamliner, officially his fourth studio album, dials down the samples - at least in comparison to the dense collages of found sounds and familiar snippets of old - in favour of a warming, heady and intoxicating palette of sounds, rhythms and sonics rooted in kosmiche, stoned trip-hop, the sparkling sound worlds of Global Communication, folktronica and densely layered ambient. If you're a little anxious about the state of the world and seeking calming, meditative music in which to lose yourself, look no further.

Review: Scott Gilmore's tracks are deceptively pared back. Putting an Arp Odyssey, Yamaha CS-01, Korg DW-8000, Hohner Pianet T, Roland TR 606, Roland SH 101, bamboo alto saxophone, clarinet, electric guitar and electric bass to very good use on this nine track Balearic-downtempo stunner, the tunes are easy to groove with yet subtly complex. They feel simple, but are incredibly detailed. Veering between a kind of synth-y smooth jazz, lounge, lofi electronica and sunset instrumental, Volume 01 is the proof after the promise of Gilmore's 2019 debut, Two Roomed Motel. Second album in and it's quite clear how talented the guy is. We just wish there was more information available for us to get to know him better with.

Review: Good Block present their debut album, Window, on their own self-titled label and it is a collection of works recorded between 2017 and 2024. Self-released, with mixing, art direction, design and photography all handled by the duo, this percussive and world fusion showcases a diverse range of styles and emotions all with an organic texture and inventive sense of rhythm, It reflects the many influences that have shaped their sound over the past 15 years, blending elements of acid, synth, world and electro, all tied together by a unique signature.

Review: With his new album, the lauded Bogota producer Felipe Gordon assembles a collection of tender, ponderous hip-hop instrumentals inspired by 'the melancholy of a period of his life and the emotions that come with it.' While this cryptic insight could relate to a gamut of emotions from heartache to loneliness, the album's 11 tracks, including collaborations with lo-fi beats kingpins Saib and Made In M, among others, channel a timeless nostalgia which is immediately relatable. Fusing the instantly recognisable jazz lollop of many of today's 'beats to study and chill to' school with Tame Impala-esque jangle guitars and reverb clouds, Gordon delivers an anthology which truly does what it says on the tin. Turn Off, Tune In, Drop Out!

Review: Since releasing her much admired debut album 19 Masters in 2022 - an impossible to pigeonhole affair that saw the Canadian-Japanese bassist-turned-solo artist explore her abstract and experimental influences - Saya Gray has kept fans content via a series of low-key (but undeniably interesting) EPs. Here she finally delivers full-length number two, the simply titled Saya, whose genesis can be traced back to a solo trip across Japan accompanied by her acoustic guitar. Musically, it is rooted in folk - bluesy finger-picking motifs, strummed chords and her sweet vocals are an almost ever-present - but it's like no folk album you'll have heard before, with Gray throwing in everything from Tricky style moody trip-hop beats, haunting pedal steel, dark electronics and nods to country, Americana, r&b and atmospheric electronica.

Review: Grey October Sound's latest offering blends lo-fi hip-hop with the timeless allure of Ghibli's iconic soundtracks. The album reinterprets beloved melodies with smooth, chilled-out beats and warm, atmospheric production. Tracks like 'The Bygone Days' and 'One Summer's Day' breathe new life into these classic tunes, making them feel both nostalgic and contemporary. The integration of lo-fi textures creates a soothing backdrop, perfect for unwinding or studying. This release successfully bridges the gap between two worlds, bringing a fresh, relaxed vibe to Ghibli's unforgettable music.

Review: Grey October Sound, known for their standout lo-fi hip-hop compilations like Timeless and The Cave, has gained traction in Japan and beyond. Their popular series like Lo-Fi Ghibli and Lo-fi City Popicovering iconic Studio Ghibli tracks and beloved city pop hitsihas cemented their place in the lo-fi scene. Now, they team up with Salad Days, Europe's top lo-fi/chill pop label, for a highly anticipated collaboration. This new compilation features digital lo-fi favourites from artists such as ENRA, Lenny Loops, Slowheal, and Eugenio Izzi. The visual aesthetic, including cover art, comes from celebrated illustrator Rika Nagatani, the creative force behind Lo-Fi Ghibli, adding another layer of charm to the release.