Smallville Vinilo y CD

Review: Margaux Gazur has made her mark as a DJ with sets at places like Panorama Bar and Waking Life. Her debut album on Smallville is a deeply personal exploration of identity and sound that confirms she is just as good in the studio. The French-Vietnamese artist is now based in Berlin but draws from her time living in Vietnam and childhood recollections to craft nearly 70 minutes of immersive, organic electronica across Blurred Memories. Field recordings, traditional instruments and woozy textures blend with street rhythms from Hanoi to create rich, intimate soundscapes of the sort that are well suited to this label. Each track reveals delicate details such as mysterious voices and fragile glitches in the hypnotic grooves. Known for captivating sets at Panorama Bar, La Station, and Waking Life, Margaux offers a magical, emotionally resonant debut that invites listeners into her blurred sonic past.

Review: While Christopher Rau has released many fine EPs and 12" singles, some of his best work has been showcased on albums. It's no surprise when you think about it, because his brand of ultra-deep and sonically detailed house and techno suits the full-length format. It's exciting, then, that he's finally got round to recording and releasing a fourth LP. Stretched across two slabs of wax to ensure club-ready loudness, the eight showcased cuts cannily combine woozy, twinkling and tactile melodic motifs with great grooves, swinging drums and toasty basslines. Highlights include star-lit opener 'Better Times', the starry hypnotism of 'On The Dancefloor', the lo-fi St Germain vibes of 'Ne Travaillez Jamais (Still Working Mix)', the deep up-tempo dustiness of 'Thank You', and the wide-eyed loved-up hug of 'Evin'.