Review: Berlin-based producer Arkan lands on SK_Eleven with four immersive techno cuts that draw tension from subtlety. 'Attraction' opens with icy, glistening percussion and a subdued, shifting groove that balances dissonance and flow with careful restraint. 'Nasty Tool' is more skeletal still-built on pulsing low-end and whispered gestures that feel almost internal, less club banger than whispered command. On the flip, 'Raubtier' brings some pressure with rolling drums and warped bell patterns, its odd claps puncturing the trance with mechanical precision. 'Up & Down' closes the set on a more introspective note, its rubbery tension and detuned chords conjuring the hazy recursion of memory. This is techno that moves less with velocity than gravity.
Review: Formed in 1992 in Cheltenham by vocalist Mark Diston and DJ Curtis Lewis, Bass Cadets were always ahead of their time. Their sound was a collage of electronic, breakbeat and experimental sounds with a fierce DIY attitude, and this long-lost 4-track EP captures that raw, genre-defying spirit in full force. Now, finally pressed to vinyl for the first time via Relic, it takes in the sleek urgency of 'Feeline', ambient pads of 'Dealay' and kinetic trance techno tribalism of 'Nuclear Starfish'. With tracks that still sound fresh nearly three decades later, this is a perfect time capsule of early 90s innovation
Review: French-Moroccan producer Bidoben joins the Sublunar roster with six tracks of precision-tooled techno that strike a balance between hypnosis and intensity. 'Suspended Relief' opens with pounding low-end and swirling mids, laying down a floor-focused blueprint that's all control and momentum. '28-33' dials in a looping, restrained groove with subtle modulations, while 'Torment' pushes into more psychedelic terrain-acid-licked textures layered over a linear, uncoiling arrangement. On the flip, 'Unfair' hits hardest: peak-time pressure with no excess. 'Calx' trades impact for introspection, coiling inward with murky synthwork and tight, recursive rhythm. 'Snakeholes' brings it to a close with melodic shimmer and just a trace of nostalgia. It's a smart, tightly constructed EP that showcases Bidoben's ear for function, detail and emotional tone.
Review: On Emptyverse, Italian DJ and producer Biemsix dives deep into the void and explores emptiness not as absence, but as pure creative potential. He has done similar across many great EPs on the likes of Symbolism, Eureka Milano and Execute and across this introspective release, meaning dissolves to give way to raw emotional space where transformation begins. 'Yesterday' balances the fragile tension between nothingness and emergence with hopefully pads and thudding kicks, 'Crisis (The Drill)' has spent up funk that moves you in a hurry and 'Old Patterns & Belief' is a deep space cruise that races to the next dimensions on supple minimalism. 'I Know Its Demons' (Alpha Tracks remix) shuts down as a meditative odyssey.
Review: Belgian innovator CJ Bolland returns with three razor-sharp cuts that land somewhere between classic acid, metallic electro and streamlined techno. 'High Voltage' does exactly what it says on the tin: a squelching, high-intensity opener that builds tension through blistering filters and raw drum programming. On the flip, 'Venusian Storm' dials into that eerie, dystopian sci-fi mood Bolland's long masteredithink stormy pads, electro bleeps and tightly coiled 808s. 'Waves Of Derbyshire' feels like the comedown transmission, all sweeping chords and subtly shifting groove layers that still throb with club intent. For anyone who rinsed 'Camargue' or 'The Prophet', this is a reminder of Bolland's timeless touchiupdated but unmistakably his. Peak-time tackle with brains.
Review: Oblique Records offers a four-track vinyl-only selection of stripped, club-ready house cuts shaped by UKG inflections and percussive detail. Velvet Velour's 'Make It Hot' leads with a swung rhythm, vocal stabs, and a warm bassline that keeps the energy tight without crowding the mix. Eli Atala's 'Fat Albert' runs deeper, with clipped low-end and a sharper rhythmic frame. The Velvet Velour remix of the same track adds glide and bounce, pushing the groove forward while softening some of the original's edges. On the B-side, MTTY's 'Wally' closes the set with swung drums and sparse atmospherics - minimal in structure but tuned for pace. Each track is functional without sounding generic, keeping arrangement changes minimal and geared for blend. A direct, neatly cut pack of tools with just enough variation to stretch across a warm-up or mid-set.
Review: Karol Mozgawa is the Polish talent known as Deas, and one of the most expressive voices in techno. For the first one, he hooks up with the legendary Chicagoan DJ Rush on 'Geeks On Hubbard'. It's a thrilling affair with toms fluttering over the loopy kicks, menacing spoken words and fizzy, dusty synth lines. 'Cabrio' brings more frosted textures and icy cold techno raucousness, and 'Track Zero' keeps barreling on with more immovable kicks and panel-beaten loops. 'Resistance' is the most minimal of the lot - an eerie brew with precision kicks and sheet metal snares blowing in a stiff breeze.
Review: Oraculo Records, M.U.S.A Records and Ombra Festival have all come together to unveil Dr. Oso, the latest talent to emerge from the Megabreakz collective. This Argentinian producer follows in the footsteps of Candido (who was behind Megabreakz 7) to deliver his own raw and unapologetic take on the hard new beat style. His release is pure fire, with 'Hooligan Beat Edit' swinging sonic punches in every direction at once. 'Trench Flight' is jacked up and ken with a rugged low end, gun shots and fragment synths all making for a visceral groove. It is much the same on the rest of the EP with 'Lager Dance' really popping thanks to its chopped up sirens and caustic textures.
Review: Berlin-based producer E-Talking is back on his own, now well-established and equally well-respected Nummer Music label, with some deep and rolling progressive cuts. Drawing inspiration from late 90s and early 00s progressive trance, this outing is a heartfelt homage with forward-thinking momentum. Each track builds with hypnotic layers, sleek synths and adrenalised momentum that is always bubbling up but never boiling over, so it keeps you in joyful suspense across the long-form dancefloor trips. It's a logical and powerful follow-up to his 2023 'Cosmic Egg' EP on Love On The Rocks and is another heady affair.
Review: Facta's latest for Wisdom Teeth opens with 'Jets', a low-slung, sub-sloshed throb that's quietly become a DJ favourite-Ben UFO has spun it as an opener multiple times and you can hear why. It's bouncy, tactile and disorienting in just the right measure, setting the tone for a seven-track suite that finds the Londoner weaving through dubby techno, cheeky minimal and post-step psychedelia with that recognisably prismatic touch. 'On Deck' pivots into springy broken house, full of teasing builds and frayed edges, while 'Bunt' pairs heavy-limbed bass pressure with pointillist vocal chops. There's a skittishness to the palette that recalls his most textural club material, but these tracks feel leaner, more distilled-sonic matter reshaped mid-air. Even in the most playful moments, like the bleepy funk of 'Swish', there's an undercurrent of tonal oddness that keeps things slippery. 'Fang' and 'Snooze Alarm' slow the pulse, tracing soft arcs across rhythm and dissonance. As ever with Facta, genre markers are melted down into a coherent sonic vocabulary, full of negative space, strange hooks and glistening decay.
Review: New music from LA resident Fields of Mist is always worth hearing. He's previously proven to be a master of bringing a hip-hop sensibility to his work, as well as a jazzy and broken beat bone on his 2022 album Iluminated60. This latest turn to Illian Tape is another standout with a mix of dreamy, suspenseful pads and killer rhythms. 'Dreams Of The Lost Moon' isa fine example of that with its far-sighted gaze but body popping drums and 'Darkstar System M312' then gets more moody with a speedy low end and astral pads. 'Moss Nebula Tidal Dance' is another blend of deep space ambience with minimal but impactful rhythms.
Review: Sub Basics's Temple Of Sound is back with new music from Henry Greenleaf who appears under his new moniker, Greenteeth. It is a project he is clearly using to cook up smart back room minimal sounds going off this evidence: 'Loxton' is a slow motion and prowling groove but one with deep, menacing bass and nice louche percussion. 'Jungle Love' is another subversive sound with a snaking rhythm and dubby low ends, dusty hi hats and late night mischief. Last of, 'On & On & On' plays out over all of the flipside with shuffling drums that are light and airy and topped with wispy drones. It's delightfully hypnotic.
Review: Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Sofia Records distils its now well-honed sonic spirit into a powerful EP that pairs the veteran pBPM crew and rising talent Impe?rieux. Prolific Bulgarian synth wizard KiNK leads with 'Let The Bass Kink,' a raw, kinetic dancefloor banger, and KEi follows with the emotionally charged, hypnotic 'Killing God Theme,' while Tegav, which is an alias of pBPM founder Kalin Baychev, delivers 'Stomper,' a percussive and edgy groove. Impe?rieux closes the EP with 'Jarka,' a playful leftfield track pushing dance boundaries with a blend of legacy and innovation. Now a decade strong, Sofia Records marks this milestone by looking boldly ahead.
Review: This EP is the first of a planned trilogy and it introduces Confusion is next to Happiness, a label and party series embracing total freedom to unite unique, diverse sounds, in arresting fashion. Duo Lucas Brell and Marvin Uhde, aka Kinzua, present three minimalist, richly textured tracks filled with their own haunting ambience. Their music balances intensity and transcendence, creating a trance-like atmosphere that draws you deep into the subtle modulations. The slow motion churn and distant throngs of 'First Row, Full Circle' is our favourite on what is a solid first EP.
Review: In the mid-90s, DJ Steve aka Pasquale and Luca Lozano, bonded over skateboarding, East Coast hip-hop giants Mobb Deep and boombox freestyles, long before clubs and synths took over. Decades later, a chance reconnection before lockdown reignited their friendship and sparked a new musical adventure. Studio sessions turned shared memories into the sonic fusion that is Closed Circuit, a raw blend of electro grit, B-boy swagger, Warp-inspired house and dusty vocoders. Roman Flugel adds his own sharp remix, while the sleeve features nostalgic photos from Lozano's early 2000s London rave days. Proper tackle, this.
Review: Syxt label co-founder MZR has linked up with Swedish producer Franz Jager for a refined split release that dives into their complementary yet individual styles. Jager opens with a sleek, minimal groover in the form of 'Evolve', which is a functional DJ tool built on hypnotic rhythms and detailed textures that reward close listening. MZR takes care of the flip with a more emotive note on 'Closer,' which is a dreamy, introspective track that drifts through delicate atmospheres while maintaining a dancefloor dynamism. Together, these capture the essence of minimalist techno: precise, restrained and bait for the brain.
Review: This blistering four-track compilation from a Greek techno label Analogue delivers a no-frills, high-impact set of weapons designed for dark rooms and peak-time chaos. Hector Oaks opens with 'Formal Basica', a tribal bruiser built on relentless percussion and searing momentum, offering pure machine funk with a primal edge. Obscure Shape follows with "'My Muse Is On Vacation'. a grinding, loopy hard techno cut that broods and boils with menace, pushing the tension without ever losing focus. Flip to Side-B and Jerm's 'Forcing Function' plunges into industrial terrain, all metallic clangs and weighty kickdrums, evoking a brutalist rave landscape that never lets up. The closer is Endlec's 'Total Control' which is a deep, shape-shifting techno track that thrives on constant evolution. Layers rise and fall with precision, threading hypnotic sequences into a commanding whole. Each cut stands strong alone, but together they form a formidable combination of well produced techno tracks that can do damage.
Review: A compelling force in deep and dubby techno, Octal Industries were originally formed in 2004 by America's Michael Sickinger and Iceland's Jonas Thor Gudmundsson but are now helmed solely by Gudmundsson, also known for his ambient-leaning work as Ruxpin. This new three-track release blends his mastery of space, texture and restrained groove within the techno framework. Side-A features 'Arborea', a lush dub techno cut featuring Oxun. Airy pads and crisp percussion give it a floating quality, while the haze of reverb-drenched textures keeps things soft and enveloping. It's melodic and deep without ever pushing too hardilike watching light shift through morning fog. Side-B opens with 'Locked Down', a deeper, more rhythmic affair. Subtle, nearly inaudible vocal snippets flicker like shadows in the background, adding a layer of mystery. The track thrives on balance with its rolling bassline that supports delicate floating chords, creating a mood that feels expansive. Closer 'Alotook' steps away from the dancefloor entirely, offering a beatless ambient piece that serves as a gentle comedown. It's introspective and cinematic, reinforcing Gudmundsson's emotional depth as a producer. This release feels like a quiet triumph. Rich, detailed and deeply personal techno that rewards attentive listening as much as it does late-night sets.
Review: Spanish label Non Series is one of the most consistent techno labels around. For the heads, this trustworthy label is a blind buy, not that that's necessary when you have equally reliable Spanish techno doyen Psyk on production duties. 'Scope Drift' is four tracks of psychedelic techno with enough groove for your body and acid for your chakras. Add a remix from up-and-comer Erik Leubs, fresh from the excellent EP 'Nontemporal Void' on DJ Nobu's Bitta label, this is a must-buy for anyone into the deeper ends of techno.
Review: Cyclic and Random set a high early standard for the eying Nottingham label, but last time out it was the trio of RDH, N6 and XDLS who stepped up for one track each. They are back once again with more tasteful techno treats. 'Signal Flow' from RDH is a Maurizio-style deep, smoky, grainy dub techno excursion into the unknown, then N6 pairs things even further back on 'Becozich', which moves to and fro like a warm current in the deep ocean and carrie with it various bits of sonic plankton. There is no concession to urgency on XDLS's 'Valuu' either. It's another fathom-deep, super roomy dub slow burner that is all about letting your mind do the work.
Review: Active since 2020, Gene Richards Jr has emblazoned the Tel Aviv techno trail in his own brand of thermobaric techno, suitable indeed for a label going by the name of Frenzy Music, through which he now releases his new 'Say No Go' EP. They themselves have offered a rather vulgarised assessment, quipping that the track 'Ride This D' is "designed to detonate", but 'FRK' and 'Say No Go' are well-groomed, despite the hard-driving libido conveyed. The remixes add collateral damage, with Berlin's DJ Swisherman and UK north star Mark Broom joining forces to turn to skirmish to slaughter with versions of 'Breakdown' and 'Ride This D', making up a further fiery two-side fougasse.
Review: Italian producer Rosati delivers a tightly focused five-tracker that pulls late 90s techno grit through a contemporary lens-rough, rolling, and full of analogue attitude. 'Mistress' kicks things off with syncopated drums and clipped synth jabs, its sharp high-end cutting clean through the mix. 'Serotonin' follows with classic 909 hats and a low-slung, heads-down groove-stripped but euphoric, built for full-throttle floors. On the flip, 'Takeshita' shifts into darker territory, layering metallic textures and pulsing percussion into a dense, hypnotic workout. The title track 'Slipstream' adds a warmer, more melodic edge, its looping synths and vintage feel giving the record a late-set lift without dropping the pace. Digital bonus cut 'Rock The Beat' leans into ghetto-tinged stomper mode-slapping drums, warped vocal snippets, and disorienting stereo play. Functional, raw, and subtly inventive, this is DJ gear with just the right amount of personality.
Review: US techno standout Selective Response, hardened in the depths of the Los Angeles underground, is admired for his driving, no-nonsense sound. To that end, he delivers a fierce collection of tracks here for Backspin that echo the Hardgroove energy of the early 2000s. With sharp percussion, rolling basslines and relentless momentum, this is rhythmic techno that bridges the gap between foundational legends and new-school innovators. 'Hells Bells' is a big wall of dense, rhythmic energy, 'Inner Heaven' lights up with squealing, glassy melodies that bring euphoria and 'Power Hungry' gets down and dirty. 'Purifier' is a zoned-out closer with a hallucinogenic back-lit glow.
Review: German electronic nerd and tactile techno master Skee Mask returns to Ilian Tape, the label run by the Munich-based Zenker Brothers, with a fresh batch of his club-ready throbbers. 'TR Nautila' rides on uneven drum breaks with claps loud in there mix, until they aren't, and a stumbling bassline that underpins a morph into jungle-adjacent madness. 'Panic Button' has springy sounds and sludgy low ends, precision-tooled drums and a celestial backlight that pushes and pulls you emotionally. 'MD25' has an industrial clang and clatter that evokes being lost in a strobe-lit warehouse and 'LCC Rotation' is a freewheeling percussive gem with moody pads for all-out assault in the club.
Review: Solitary Dancer reunites with adidas and Yohji Yamamoto's forward-thinking Y-3 imprint for this Fall/Winter 2025 collection. It continues to boldly explore the dualities of light vs. dark, analogue vs. digital and real vs. surreal. This 12" formed the evocative runway score that debuted at the Pavillon Cambon in Paris this past January and merges cutting-edge sound design with the tension found between harmony and its opposites. It's alive with flickering neon lights, ghostly pads and wordless vocals that drift in and out to leave you questioning whether they exist at all.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: As Soul Capsule, Baby Ford and Thomas Melchior made some of minimal techno's most accomplished records. It has been many years since they stopped turning out new material - sadly - but their archive tracks are still in hot demand and undeniably relevant. While 1999's 'Lady Science' might be their most famous offering, this EP from 2001 on Aspect Music is no less vital and it will currently cost you well over L250 on second-hand markets. It is Ford's Trelik label who reissues it here in all its glory: the entirety of the a-side is taken up with 'Law Of Grace,' a delightfully deep and breezy minimal dub house roller with pensive chords draped over the frictionless drums. 'Meltdown' has a more experimental feel with brushed metal drums beneath a wordless vocal musing. The cult 'Lady Science' (Tek Mix) is also inched with the whole package being remastered by D&M to make this one utterly essential.
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