VA – Sole Discretion EP Part 2 [SOLEASPECT009]

Sole Aspect #9 returns with the second part of its Sole Discretion series and this one goes deeper into the club while expanding on the textured, late-night energy of its predecessor. Dubbyman opens with widescreen deep house on ‘Always In & Out’ which wraps Aki Dawson’s hypnotic Chi-town vocals in slow-burning warmth. The Windy City’s Specter follows with a warm, weighty beatdown rooted in the US Mid West before Boo Williams turns up the heat with rolling basslines and his signature rhythmic deftness, backed with a subtle cosmic glow. Taelue closes the set with ‘Interplanetary’ which is a raw, futuristic cut that drifts into spacey territory and, along with the other cuts, is a sharp reminder that Chicago house’s future is in good hands.

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VA – Sole Discretion EP Part 2 [SOLEASPECT009]

Andu Simion – Crucial Sonus EP [WV9008]

Written and produced by Andu Simion in Ploiești, Romania, Crucial Sonus EP is the second release on Rotation imprint. This B-side project of Wave Makers pushes further into a sound shaped by powerful grooves and dark vibrations. The EP explores a raw, focused energy, where deep rhythms and shadowy textures converge to create an intense and immersive listening experience.

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Andu Simion – Crucial Sonus EP [WV9008]

Passarani – Analog Fingerprints Vol. 0 [NMBRS86]

Analog Fingerprints Vol. 0 is a compilation bringing together the early 2000s works of Marco Passarani under his Analog Fingerprints alias, collecting key tracks originally released on Rome’s Plasmek and Pigna labels.

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Passarani – Analog Fingerprints Vol. 0 [NMBRS86]

VA – Xtrictly Elektro Vol. 4 EP [CT014]

The fourth chapter in the daring Xtrictly Elektro saga once again pushes the boundaries of the genre. Volume 4 delivers six powerful cuts that move from timeless electro foundations to futuristic, experimental territories — achieving a perfect balance between precision and raw energy. This release brings together familiar faces — Parand, ElektroTechnik, EC13, and X-Truder — alongside two new additions: Roi, a DJ and producer recognized for his sharp, detail-driven sound and modern take on electro; and DJ Overdose, the veteran force of Dutch electro. A tight and cohesive mini-LP that embraces diversity while remaining faithful to the spirit of electro: sharp rhythms, dark atmospheres, and pure machine funk.

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VA – Xtrictly Elektro Vol. 4 EP [CT014]

Black Meteoric Star – 5am Open Air Sunrise [DARKR$N1S1]

Black Meteoric Star returns with 5am Open Air Sunrise, the first single from her forthcoming album, WET. Ransom Note Records and Dark Entries present the opening salvo from trans producer Rayna’s defiant new release, featuring remixes by Russell E.L. Butler and Borusiade.

Black Meteoric Star – 5am Open Air Sunrise [DARKR$N1S1]

Lauer – K1m Fantasy EP [MELOD021]

Melodize is bringing the world back on the dance floor with Lauer and his 4-track “K1m Fantasy” EP. Philipp Lauer, known as Lauer, is a true veteran in the electronic music sphere, with over 20 years of experience, yet his sound remains novel and fresh. This time, Melodize and Lauer shape the world of a fantasy dance floor where everything is possible. “K1m Fantasy” starts with Lauer letting his confidence shine through as an experienced professional with a signature sound in the first track “Boss Electro”, which will inevitably showcase why he’s the boss. The playful tune of “Rabbits” takes the listener on a journey through electro-induced synths much like the image of curious rabbits playing on a grass field. The eponymous B-side “K1m Fantasy,” with its steadily unfolding mellow soundscape, is an introspective piece exploring the fantastical world of the techno dance floor where all becomes one. Lauer’s last treat is “Choirs,” where brassy exclamations take turns with a haunting choir of electronic voices, reminding us that unity is key to pleasure and existence.

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Lauer – K1m Fantasy EP [MELOD021]

Lovables – It’s Beautiful [BYN055]

In classic Italo-disco fashion, Lovables was a one-off project masterminded by Mauro Farina, a producer who delivered a dizzying array of club cuts-turned-pop hits throughout the 1980s and early 90s. First released in 1984 and here reissued by Spanish mega-label Blanco Y Negro, ‘It’s Beautiful’ sits at the more melody-driven, synth-pop-influenced end of the Italo-disco spectrum – all cheery lead lines, Bobby Orlando-influenced motifs, chugging bass and classic ’80s electrofunk. As the original did 42 years ago, this re-release pairs the familiar, much-loved full vocal mix with a jaunty and ear-catching instrumental mix.

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Lovables – It’s Beautiful [BYN055]

Tokio – You Cant Stop This Game [INDX116]

In the mid 1980s, it wasn’t just Italian producers and artists making distinctive, US-influenced electronic disco records. As Blanco Y Negro’s ongoing reissue series shows, plenty of Spanish acts made inspired and ear-catching blends of synth-pop, freestyle and Hi-NRG too. Tokio’s 1986 jam ‘You Can’t Stop This Game’ is a terrific example. Taking cures from NYC/Miami freestyle, the productions of Arthur Baker, Bobby Orlando’s Hi-NRG and big synth-pop acts of the period (think Pet Shop Boys for one), it’s a jaunty, attractive and thoroughly synthesiser-powered affair. This reissue naturally features both mixes from the original 12″ – the vocal mix and superior instrumental take – as well as the punchier and shorter radio edit.

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Tokio – You Cant Stop This Game [INDX116]

VA – Dam Swindle x Salsoul Remixes Vol. 1 [ABSALSDS1]

Dutch duo Lars Dales and Maarten Smeets, better known as Dam Swindle, are the latest in a line of decorated contemporary producers taking on rework duties for legendary New York disco label, Salsoul Records. On this volume the pair provide fresh takes on the classic ‘Let No Man Put Asunder’ by First Choice and a funky edit of “War Dance” by Kebekelektrik.

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VA – Dam Swindle x Salsoul Remixes Vol. 1 [ABSALSDS1]

VA – Personal Panorama [GO015]

The fifteenth release from electro label Gladio Operations once again brings us a multi-artist format, featuring new faces and a distinctly Spanish flavor. This EP opens with the return of producer Cycloplex, with his characteristic minimalist sound and continues with Gerona producer David Pasajero. On the B-side we find Barcelona producer Dark Vektor, a Spanish icons of electro sound, and the Spanish duo Slit Observers. The EP closes with a collaboration between German producers Intergalactic Noize Commander and Elektrotechnik.

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VA – Personal Panorama [GO015]

Mystery Friend – Dance [RYDM206]

Non Stop Rhythm presents a new release from Mystery Friend, a producer based in Buenos Aires. His search and musical selection delves into the origins of House music, reviving the nostalgia of the club sound of the 80’s and early 90’s, but maintaining that youthful freshness of the new generation.

Mystery Friend – Dance [RYDM206]

Boo Williams – The Recovery [RHM051]

The very special return of Boo Williams on Rush Hour. A trip from the Strictly Jaz Unit member that reflects on the sound that has been and where it’s going. Timeless house music from Chicago that draws heavily on Boo’s styles and influences from the past, fusing it into a completely idiosyncratic style that is paying tribute to past yet simultaneously looking to the future. As deep as it gets without losing form for the dancefloor.

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Boo Williams – The Recovery [RHM051]

VA – Former Friend [HUNGER005]

The ‘former friend’ V/A compilation sits with friendship in all its forms. Pure, ecstatic, everlasting. Ruptured, slow drifting, fast drifting, pretending to be strangers. Some things don’t last forever but this collection of unhinged West Coast energy, occult alchemy, and swampy electronics, just might.

VA – Former Friend [HUNGER005]