Review: Welcome to the Slippery Yard, a new label out of Spain which is sure to turn heads with this fine first release - a psychedelic blend of techno from various artists. A Morgan's 'Air' is urgent and cosmic a la Jeff Mills, Dc11's 'It's All An Act' layers up deft synth details with sleek linear rhythms and Judy's 'Bide Luzea' is a hurried, pulsing, late-night mental techno trip. A further deep and heady trio of tunes features on the B-side with Bassywax's sub-aquatic sound world on 'Amona Left Us Overnight' taking the headlines for us.
Review: Hand-wringing nighttime synth-Talo movements from B Ai, the curtly named new Lirica Archives signee and Motivation club night founder, based in China. While she opens this hat-trick of tracks with a rather functional, FM-driven drama, 'Hope', it's really the Diego Santana featurer 'Murderbot Diaries' that gets us going; the track breaks down into a supremely lasery, tubular, harmonically next-level strobing, conjuring alt-visions of a seedy but gaudy cyborg entertainment district. B-sider 'Once' Tron-ifies things with sweeping sines and popcorn leads, whilst 'Only We Know' utilises transitory crash cymbals and further slinky melodies, constructing a closing tech-funk number.
Review: They don't call him Bay Boy for nothing - Bad Boy Pete is indeed that and shows it here with four fierce cuts of blazing techno for grotty, strobe-lit warehouses. Kicking off this wild and in your face ride of anarchistic bangers is the unrelenting 'Is That All You Got?' with its manic saw tooth synths spraying about over hard, edgy drums. 'What Shall We Say' is another one that fires out of the speakers with some menacing leeds and kinetic drum funk, 'Filthy Dark Bass Techno' then hammers it home with more hundred mile an hour drums and 'Morning Warehouse Techno' is pure sleaze and filth. Brilliant.
Review: The icy techno sounds of Cologne's Barnt make their way across Europe here to Studio Barnhus's Swedish bunker. Across five fresh cuts, he brings plenty of experimental flair but also some playful rhythms to a forward-thinking EP that sounds like little else. 'Aqua Melopella' is an unsettling opener with glistening synths scurrying like ants over a sparse rhythm, 'Aqua Breeze' establishes a marching beat and 'Aqua Bass' brings twanging synths and frosted loops that keep you on your toes. 'Millennium Silver' is another tune blend of dystopian synth sounds and distorted lines that speak of human destruction and last of all 'Millennium Melopella' offers moments of ambient reflection.
Review: Barrow Boy is a lesser-spotted alias of the great UK techno talent, Ben Sims. With this project, the Machine man veers into rave-flavoured sounds that are designed for maximum and immediate impact. Here they come on the infamous Retro-Vert label on a suitably garish acid-yellow vinyl. 'Berwick Manor' sets the pilled-up tone from the off with big beats, ravey stabs and retro flourishes. 'The Living Dream' is just as dense and full throttle in its aural assault and 'Dungeons' layers up gallivanting drums and razor-sharp stabs. A No Vox mix of 'Berwick Manor' shuts down with unrelenting energy.
Review: Bashman is something of a Glasgow legend to those who know and after some stellar outings on Tom Carruthers' Non Stop Rhythm and Data Sync labels, he is back with more techno power. 'Corker' is a frenzied and caustic assault with unrelenting percussive hardness and 'I Want It' then pairs things back a little for some jumbled 909s and buzzy synth pressure, but the standout is the impish synths that dart about the mix. 'Gimme' then goes hard and raw again with eye-wateringly stark sounds and textures and 'Opening Hour' ends with a gurgling, swampy mix of messed-up drums and synths.
Review: Strap yourself in here for a third volume of Basic Bastard beats on the DBH label out of Germany. 'Bounce' kicks off and is brilliantly warm, tight and funky. It's made from minimal elements but has a maximal impact. 'Deep City' is more house-leaning but is fast and urgent with sleek pads and gurgling acidic basslines all adding to the richness of the sounds. Last but not least is 'Signals' which closes down with more speedy drum funk, this time laced up with molten acid lines and snappy drum hits. Three timeless cuts for sure.
Review: Planet Rhythm bring a high-energy, percussion-driven EP from this hot new Brazilian producer. Side-1 launches with 'Latin Hot Sauce', a tribal-infused, mysterious techno cut that rides on rolling drums and deep, hypnotic grooves. 'Small Talk' follows with relentless, loopy energyidriving, hard-hitting and built for peak-time chaos. On Side-2, 'Locking Collar' dives into darker territory with subterranean bass and pounding beats, creating some heady atmosphere. Closing things out, 'Overcharged' brings a playful, high-voltage energy, balancing intensity with a sense of movement that keeps dancefloors locked in. A dynamic ride through modern techno's heavier side, built for DJs who thrive on pushing momentum forward.
Review: Brazil's own Gustavo Bassani quiet-drops another EP for Planet Rhythm. The 'Domme Sesh' is a careful rumination on peaktime weight and pressurised trances, bringing four subtle, greyish slow burns to the table. We open with 'Chromatic Therapy', which errs more on hard techno than any other tune on the EP and buzzes with a lead, bright chord; then there's the title track and 'Collision', both of which recall the polyrhythmic experiments of NON legend Psyk; and the closing bleeps, bloops, grunts and whispers of 'Sauna'; we're not sure what kind of saunas Bassani's been visiting, but they sure do sound space-age.
Review: Batu and Nick Leon united for this surprise release late last year and it now arrives on lovely vinyl where it sounds sublime. The four-track EP blends Latin and UK club influences with a psychedelic twist on Batu's label, A Long Strange Dream which, since its 2023 launch, has gained recognition for pushing experimental club sounds of the highest order. 'Rezz' kicks off with shuffling tight percussive rhythms and 'Yiu' is more intense in its high-fidelity loops. 'Tuvan' is a minimal broken beat stepper and 'Palo' closes with some snappy Latin rhythmic invention.
Review: Techno veteran Gary Beck returns to our attention with a reissue of his 2012 underground hit 'Video Siren', reminding the listener of how UK techno is done properly. Returning to his own BEK Audio imprint, the track now hears three new, impeccably chosen mixes from among Beck's favourite technoicians: Clouds, Anne and Mark Broom. A lineup made in heaven, the first of these three brings to the track their patented fright-fugs and frigid sound-frays to the fore, marring it in a boundless but no less well-balanced bed of grit-texture. Anne and Mark Broom do similarly as much, but the former artist prefers to pitch down Beck's original vocal sample work for a gender-bending, murmurative undergird, while the latter prefers instead to autopan and phase-delay said vox all around, while indulging a classic pre-drop filterpassed kick tease.
Review: Rising Boorloo artist Beltrac shows why he is so well thought of here with five tracks that deliver a dynamic collision of sleek, dub-infused minimal rollers reminiscent of the late '90s and early 2000s tech-house but paired with high-energy drum-driven explorations. After the bubbly synths of 'Tek Code' comes the more direct and crisp 'VIP Section (Otherworld mix)', then Side B features a standout remix of 'Echo Response' by Eora's dub master Command D who transforms the wonky bassline of the original into a hazy, after-hours dub techno gem. The meticulous production really elevates these irresistible grooves.
Review: We're told that returning to Berlin has sparked a new playful side to Benjamin Damage's techno creations. Inspired by NIX's bold approach, he challenges his own sound on this new EP which brims with sharp sound design and dancefloor energy. Each track originates from live studio sessions where long takes of experimentation and play are carefully chopped and refined. Benjamin focuses on maintaining a seamless energy flow while ensuring top-tier sound quality and as you would expect of someone with his skills, the result is a meticulously crafted release full of dynamic and fresh techno.
Review: 'OHM Series #11' presents a vibrant mix of techno with contributions from four talented producers, adding depth to the ongoing series. On Side-1, Christine Benz's 'Sunset' opens with warm, enveloping chords, creating a serene atmosphere that feels like a sunset on a tropical island. Following that, Brizman's 'As We Should', featuring Linn, shifts the tone with a lighter, dub-infused house sound, perfect for a more relaxed vibe. Side-2 kicks off with Hidden Sequence's 'Dub Cycle', a darker, more ominous track, weaving catchy dub techno rhythms that pull you in. Finally, Martin Jarl's '02_37 AM' brings a smooth, ambient dub feel with a traditional techno edge. This airy composition evokes the timeless sounds and reminds us of Model 500's Starlight. This edition of OHM Series showcases diverse approaches to dub techno, balancing the atmospheric with the rhythmic - and all delivered with precision.
Review: Ali Berger has long been known for crafting soulful, dynamic house music whether through his label Trackland or releases on Spectral Sound, Clave House, Firm Tracks, and FCR. He also performs solo or with Davis Galvin as Hits Only when his unique touch always remains evident. This new 12" features four tracks that blend uplifting and introspective house vibes and it oozes class. Opener 'Sun Rising On Harmony' boasts an infectious bass line and melody, while 'Inside,' offers a classic acid house feel. On the B-side, you have the lovely 'Thoughts Like Light Snow' which delivers an alluring electro twist, while 'Mint Leaf' closes with a rich bass line and intricate details.
Review: Dutch label Brew returns with more moody techno that is both deep yet impactful. It's Robert Bergman at the helm and '3 AM' is his opening gambit. It has ghostly voices shimmering across the beats with a menacing low end, rugged bassline and scaring percussive sounds. '#5' is another fresh sound with great sound designs and alluring rhythms and last of all is 'Drum Trax' which is a third and final blend of nostalgic and futuristic house tropes for heady basements.
Review: Henri Bergmann and Wennink's Guardian Angel marks an impressive debut on Crosstown Rebels, delivering a track that expertly fuses melody with depth. Bergmann's knack for sculpting rich, atmospheric landscapes is matched by Wennink's haunting vocals, creating a piece that feels both expansive and intimate. It's the kind of collaboration that hints at a shared vision without ever losing individual identity. The original track opens with textured percussion, slowly unfurling into an emotive soundscape as Wennink's vocals hover above like an ethereal guide. There's a melancholic undertone, but it's balanced by an uplifting drive, showcasing their ability to blend light and dark seamlessly. The remixes take Guardian Angel into uncharted territories. Stimming strips things back, opting for a more minimalist approach that sharpens the focus on rhythmic intensity, while his subtle use of effects amplifies the track's ethereal quality. It's a remix that feels lean but still full of intent. Hardt Antoine, on the other hand, plunges deeper into the shadows, pushing the bassline forward and letting synths stretch into eerie, sci-fi realms. His reworking is darker, stranger, and ultimately a satisfying close to the EP. With this release, Bergmann and Wennink add another strong entry to the Crosstown Rebels roster, proving that their partnership is one to keep watching.
Have You Ever Played In Abidjan? (feat Tutsy N'zore) (6:37)
Review: Lyon-based Brazilian Pedro Bertho is an accomplished producer who now steps out with his own label, fittingly enough called Chez Pedro. It kicks off with a new EP 'Starlit Crates' which has already been teased by the well-received 'Have You Ever Played in Abidjan' (exclusive aired on Juno Daily), which paid tribute to that vibrant city and the Ivory Coast. 'Have You....' is a collaboration with percussionist Tutsy N'Zore, who adds great layers to Bertho's deep grooves, but there's loads going onelsewhere too.. 'Let Me Show You' has what sound like ambient recordings from a bustling market over bass-driven beats. 'Blue Hot Monday' is another humid and muggy deep techno mind melter and 'Shaved' is a crisp, tech-edged cut with frazzled synth work for peal time deployment. A great example of making functional, floor-pleasing grooves that have oodles of personality and character at the same time.
Review: Drumcode label head and the so-called CEO of Business Techno steps up to his own mighty Drumcode with an outing which keeps him at the forefront of big room sounds, which is just where he has been for more than a quarter of a century. 'Ghost Kiss' hammers out edgy drums and ghoulish vocals bring character to the musical rhythms. On the flip is 'Pilot' with its flashy, trance-tinged synth energy and menacing basslines. 'Jack' is a hard and dark cut with motoring drums and sawtooth synths that bring plenty of on-point maximalism.
Review: Adam Beyer continues to refine his vision of techno with a release that melds intricate sound design with driving rhythms. The lead track layers ethereal synths and hypnotic vocal refrains, morphing into a pulsing, primal groove anchored by precise percussion. It's a masterclass in atmospheric tension, balancing futuristic elements with raw energy. The second track delves deeper, driven by metallic basslines and siren-like hoover tones, creating a dystopian soundscape that's both immersive and ominous. Beyer's ability to seamlessly fuse cutting-edge sound design with dancefloor functionality reaffirms his status as a cornerstone of modern techno.
Review: Drumcode supremo Adam Beyer has become increasingly more prolific in recent years, signalling a creative renaissance that recalls the undoubted quality of his work in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His first outing of 2024, which follows a quartet of EPs last year, is predictably strong and packed to the rafters with future Drumcode anthems. Fittingly, he starts with 'Let's Begin', where mutilated vocal loops, mind-mangling rave noises and unsettling melodic motifs dance atop a typically thunderous and breathless big room techno groove, before opting for a dirtier, acid-flecked groove, metallic noises and sped-up hip-hop vocal samples on 'Computerized' (hip-techno anyone?). To round things off, he goes darker and denser still on the loopy techno power of 'Red Room', which pleasingly also boasts the same Aisha vocal sample as the Orb's 'Blue Room'.
Review: The latest from Swedish techno legend is a full-throttle techno assault, pushing Drumcode's legacy forward with relentless energy. The title track is a peak-time juggernaut, built on heavy chords, pounding kicks and a futuristic intensity that commands the dancefloor. With its driving momentum and anthemic hooks, it's a high-octane statement from two producers at the top of their game. On Side-2, 'Living In The Moment' ventures into atmospheric territory, teetering on the edge of trance with sci-fi textures and sweeping builds. Its long, tension-heavy progression culminates in devastating drops, overloading the senses with a euphoric yet punishing crescendo. With Drumcode nearing its 30th year, this release proves there's no slowing downithe label continues to deliver high-impact techno designed for maximum effect. Beyer and Brown's collaboration is a successful dose of tension, release and unrelenting intensity.
Review: Adam Beyer and Green Velvet are legendary names in techno music for over 30 years now. Their powerhouse track 'Simulator' receives a set of fresh remixes, extending to some producers to show off their version of this lofty new classic. First up, Mha Iri, a pivotal figure for Drumcode, delivers a scorching remix. She retains the original's fierce bass stabs, using them as formidable motifs, while injecting an abundance of intensity through electrifying builds and drops. Next, Odd Mobb, an emerging talent from Australia recognized by Fred Everything and Skrillex, infuses his four-minute rework with high energy. His remix emphasises the low-end elements and introduces vibrant new bursts of color, creating a dynamic rendition that keeps listeners engaged. Finally, Chris Avantgarde, known for his inventive productions, crafts a remix that defies genre boundaries. Combining elements of breaks, bass, electronica and techno, his interpretation spreads across all of his personal influences. Pressed on neon green 'rippled' vinyl, this record looks as dangerous as it sounds.
Review: Adam Beyer shares his first collaboration with Vintage Culture, 'Lift Me Up' featuring Kyozo. A suspenseful covenant formed between three huge-room techno striators, 'Lift Me Up' was born from a fruitful back-and-forth shared on the road to Sonus Festival in Croatia. Packing a clenched sawtooth lead - one that hardly requires the development that the track nonetheless indulges by way of tuned impacts and chord transitions - this one ends up a dramatic build, as a vaunted vocal lines abjures us to "lift me up", as we listeners end up, paradoxically, the ones uplifted.
Review: Bezier's Negative Velocity EP marks the launch of their new German-based label Korperspannung. Formerly a Californian artist and now a Berlin resident, Bezier has a career spanning nearly two decades, from illuminating the Honey Soundsystem collective to releasing on Dark Entries records. Known for weaving diverse cultural influences, lifelong music enthusiast Robert Yang collaborates with Bay Area drummer Dave Easlick here as live drum recordings morph into curves and ellipses to shape a multi-dimensional landscape. Tracks like 'Diabolical Embroidery' and 'Deep Sea State' showcase Easlick's drumming prowess and infused with Bezier's melodic craftsmanship, reflect a meticulous working collaboration.
Review: Bidoben steps up to Clergy with a potent new six track techno outing that is all about immediacy on the dance floor. 'Reduce & Yearn' kicks off with a hulking great drum line and pulsing synths that are topped by all manner of twisted stabs and paranoid sounds. '98 Fahrenheit' is just as edgy with shrieking synths keep you on your toes while the macho drums march on and 'Lenteur' then layers up more heavy bass and kicks with detuned effects, distant bells and general dystopian decoration. Three more linear but richly atmospheric cuts take up the B-side on this hugely effective 12".
Review: With this latest hyper-abstract club release, Italian-born, London-based producer Big Hands straddles an impressive range from chthonic sound design to readily lock-innable grooves. Named after the Roman equivalent of Dionysus, the god of fervour, celebration, and debauchery among other vices, 'Bacchanalia I' and its three inversions touch on furrows dug between dub techno, dubstep and brutalist techno no man's lands and they grow in intensity with each passing track. By the time of our tricky and energetic favourite, 'Bachannalia III', us bacchanals find ourselves raising a blood-filled chalice, haemoglobin spilling about the place.
Review: Coeur De Glace on DKO Records (DKO 34) delivers four fantastic electro tracks, each with unique influences and directions. Side-1 kicks off with Binary Digit's 'U Want Dis,' an exuberant, high-energy track that pays homage to old-school rave with its lively vocal samples. Fasme's 'Morning' follows, blending smooth electro with soft keys and a whimsical AFX melody for a perfect combination. Side-2 features GGGG's 'La Cueillette,' a feel-good, fun and melodic electro tune. The EP concludes with Mud Deep & Sans-Qui's 'Mesonyx,' offering IDM goodness reminiscent of Rephlex, Squarepusher, and AFX. Coeur De Glaceis a vibrant and diverse collection, sure to delight fans of electro and techno.
Review: The Birgan project is all about melding diverse musical words - ambient, techno and Afro-inspired polyrhythms - into something that is utterly unique. Many artists set out with this intention but few achieve it as successfully as this one, as this sensational EP shows. It is an immersive and escapist five-track work of stunning sound designs and inventive rhythm that feels both organic and natural yet synthetic and futuristic. The tracks explore deep, mysterious sonic landscapes that are both tranquil yet complex and make for an immersive, thought-provoking listen from the dubscapes of 'Beats Of The Congo Cosmos' to the more psychedelic realms of 'Subaquatic Sonic Voyage'.
Review: No Signal Records' tenth release features legendary producer Jamie Bissmire. A key figure in techno since the 90s, Bissmire's solo work and collaborations, like Bandulu and Space DJz, have very much helped to shape the techno sound of recent times. His new EP does so once more and opens with the ambient track 'Subteranium' setting a moody tone with subtle synths and basslines. 'In Temporal' then kicks things off properly with a distorted 4/4 beat, while 'Lore & Order' creates a darker and more hypnotic vibe. 'The Tapestry of Fate' is a signature Bissmire track for the way it blends dark energy with relentless pressure. The EP closes with 'Woven Whispers' an atmospheric ambient piece that sends you away on a high.
Review: A relentless techno workout from a veteran American producer with deep ties to both commercial music and underground dance culture. Across five tracks, the artist distills decades of dance music history into high-powered club weapons designed to shake any sound system. 'New York Is Dead' kicks things off with a raw, crunchy groove, its distorted percussion and searing synth stabs embodying the city's chaotic energy. 'Black Hole At The Disco' takes a futuristic disco turn, weaving shimmering melodies through a heavy, hypnotic bassline. 'Last Song Before Sunrise' taps into electroclash nostalgia, its rapid-fire beats and sharp synths evoking neon-lit hedonism. On the Side-B, 'Break Your Back' delivers a punishing mix of acid-laced bass and brutal drum programming, an industrial-tinged club destroyer. Closing track 'Mind Control' leans into retro techno aesthetics, its hypnotic synthwork nodding to 90s warehouse rave euphoria. Heavy, propulsive and fiercely dancefloor-driven, this is a techno monster ready to turn heads at every listen.
Review: The well regarded Umwelt introduced Raverbreakerz as a dynamic new series on his label Rave Or Die earlier in summer. This massive compilation shows what it is all about with four hard-hitting tracks from genre specialists Blame The Mono, Jadzia, Ghost In The Machine and Umwelt himself, Seamlessly blending techno, breakbeat and dark, intense sounds design to captivate and energise the floor in equal measure, each artists contributes to what is a versatile arsenal for DJs seeking powerful sounds with a distinct style. On this evidence, Raverbreakerz is going to be a crucial new series.
Review: Blawan is not only the most notable electronic producer to have ever come out of Barnsley (as far as we know, anyway_ but is also one of techno's most relentless innovators. He's done it all from heft, swinging bass to the most caustic and experimental techno. For this one on XL he aims at the club once more. 'Fires' is our pick - an unrelenting, tightly stacked rhythm with alluring vocal hooks swirling up top and weird synth sounds adding even more unusualness.
Review: Bloody Mary's Alternate States Of Reality on Dame Music delivers a powerful exploration of techno's diverse sounds. Side-1 opens with 'Reality One' (Acid mix), a heavy-hitting track drenched in mid-90s acid energy. The buildup is intense, leading to an explosive release that captures the essence of classic acid techno. Following it is 'Reality Two' (alternative mix), which shifts the vibe with a breakbeat/electro twist, introducing a darker, moodier melody. Flipping to Side 2, 'Reality Three' (909 mix) brings in a more percussive and straightforward warehouse techno feel. It's a banger designed for peak-time moments on the dancefloor. The 'Reality Three' (Slam mix) remix adds a Detroit flavour, playing with tempo shifts that keep the listener on their toes. Blending different styles while keeping the energy high, this is a strong addition to any techno enthusiast's arsenal.
Review: 'Felt Cute' debuted on Kalahari 12 months ago and now the producer behind it, Blu:sh, is back with a new record that captures the electric tension of a dancefloor caught between peak-time euphoria and a vision quest. The Pinky Promise EP pushes the limits with six powerful, groove-driven tracks that maintain the seductive essence of its predecessor but with added intensity. The album channels Benoit's signature exploratory style and delivers some of his toughest material yet. With strong influences from Eurocentric sounds, particularly trance, the record starts with a bang and maintains a murky, psychedelic vibe throughout that keeps listeners entranced and moving from start to finish.
Review: We shall never apologise for our love for the work of Steve O'Sullivan. His contributions to the world of dub techno are second to none. They are also mad consistent both in style and quality which means they never age. Here he steps up to Lempuyang with his Blue Channel alias alongside Jonas Schachner aka Another Channel for more silky smooth fusions of authentic dub culture and Maurizo-style techno deepness. Watery synths, hissing hi-hats with long trails and dub musings all colour these dynamic grooves. They're cavernous and immersive and frankly irresistible and the sort of tracks that need to be played loud in a dark space. In that context, you'll never want them to end.
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