VA – Deep Entries : Gay Electronic Excursions 1979​-​1985 [DE320]

Dark Entries has raided the bathhouse to bring us Deep Entries: Gay Electronic Excursions 1979-1985, 10 tracks of obscure queer synth bliss. One of Dark Entries’ most important missions has been illuminating neglected facets of gay musical history, with crucial archival works by legends like Patrick Cowley, Sylvester, and Man Parrish. On Deep Entries, the label spans 6 years of gay electronics – from sultry to angsty to camp, these songs are overflowing with snappy 808 snares and sinewy analog synth leads. The ’80s were a difficult period for many in the gay community as they grappled with the horrors of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The 10 tracks on Deep Entries, varied in genre and vibe, are united in their portraiture of 1980s gay life, and the hope for love or fleeting romance. Previously unreleased cruising soundtracks come courtesy of Patrick Cowley’s “Love Me Hot” featuring vocalist Paul Parker and Boytronic’s “Tonight (Alternate Mix)” set on Hamburg’s famous “Mile of Sin.” Brisbane-based Megamen deliver the proto-electroclash number “Designed for Living,” which prefigures Madonna’s Marlene Dietrich rap in “Vogue.” Trans vocalist Paula “Ula” Villagrá  declares, “Everyone is gay!” on Muzak’s “Happy Song,” a skittering tecnopop anthem. Dereck Higgins’ “This Was Something” rings like a lost Joy Division cut draped in bizarre effects, and Polar Praxis’ “(I Want) To Be Different” is a seething ode to alterity. Nightmoves’ “Nightdrive,” is best known as the brooding instrumental B-side to their epochal “Transdance.” Transistor Jet’s “Master Of The Universe (BW’s f-w)”, Maxx Mann’s “Just Like a Razor” and Bachelor’s Anonymous’ “A Stranger’s Bed” are mood music for the pleasures of BDSM and one-night stands. The record comes housed in a retro bathhouse fantasy sleeve designed by Gwenaël Rattke and includes a double-sided poster with photographs and lyrics. Deep Entries arrives on December 1st in honor of World AIDS day, and proceeds will go to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. 

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VA – Deep Entries : Gay Electronic Excursions 1979​-​1985 [DE320]

Army Of God – Endless Skies [BAP211]

In 2012, Army of God released a cult cut of cold wave: “Salvation”. This was the only EP by the partnership of Aroy Dee and Miss Jagroe, the only EP until now that is. Army of God are back, after more than a decade the duo return with Endless Skies. Analogue warmth is sliced by surgical synth stabs and bittersweet strings, Jagroe’s unmistakable voice echoes into the distance with the beseeching mantra of “until the music dies”. Aroy Dee’s edit of the title piece fortifies drums for the floor, emotion is further stripped from the already deadpan lyrics as melodies bleed into distorted wonder. The black streak that characterises Army of God turns a shade darker for the flip. A throbbing bass is inked by off-kilter keys, clusters of claps piercing the thicket of static and chilling chorus of “Fear the Night”. Venturing ever deeper into the night, the darker version will set speaker cones shaking and shivering. Juddering and trembling, basslines are bolstered with vocals invoking the very darkest regions of the dancefloor.

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Army Of God – Endless Skies [BAP211]

Asymmetrical – Porno Incubo [RWCLTR027]

As is now a well-established tradition, when 7 appears in the catalogue number it is the turn of handyman Asymmetrical. The title takes its inspiration from a tag that appeared in the bathroom of the historical Knick Knack Yoda after one of the (in)usual nights, and is a leap in time, a project born from the layering of different sessions that took place between 2018 and 2020 and only sees the light of day today. 7 is also the number of inches of PVC on which this double is engraved, hosting on one side the track that gives the album its name, on whose rhythms the sound of Luigi Gargano’s saxophone echoes. On the other Estetica Della Notte, is a journey into the phenomenology of tumultuous nights in the shadow of Rome’s Dome.

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Asymmetrical – Porno Incubo [RWCLTR027]

G.S. Ruessler – Fool Or Genious LP [SNT-06]

Sweet Nectar Tapes is proud to present the label’s first LP: “Fool or Genious” by G. S. Ruessler. Nine hardsoft cuts combining stubborn grooves and naïve melodies form an uncompromisingly honest album. Pursuing a genuinely straight-to-the-point approach, the tracks were recorded live from desk without any overdubbing. This record marks the departure point of G. S. Ruessler’s explorations in the sonic realm.

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G.S. Ruessler – Fool Or Genious LP [SNT-06]

The Nightstalker – Isoutopic Fantasia [WWW004]

Mystical sounds from the shadows of the night The Zurich duo The Nightstalker, consisting of producers Dan Piu and Popshop (Gary Rich), create a cosmos of sound that plunges deep into the darkness and unfolds an almost magical attraction. After two acclaimed albums on the Berlin label Childhood Intelligence, they now invite us on a sonic fantasy journey with their new mini-album ‘Isoutopic Fantasia’ on World Wide Web Records. With six tracks that oscillate between danceable darkness and playful, surreal moments, ‘Isoutopic Fantasia’ embodies a seductive fusion of mystical depth and bizarre beauty. The sounds are addictive and lead us through a musical dream realm where each beat reveals a new twist and the melodies unfold into sprawling, unexpected dimensions. A sonic fantasy carried by the shadows of the night, in which light and darkness unite in a hypnotic dance.

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The Nightstalker – Isoutopic Fantasia [WWW004]

Roman Flügel – No Solutions EP [PH139]

Roman Flügel returns to Phantasy Sound with his second release of 2024 on Erol Alkan’s beloved London label, ‘No Solutions EP’. ‘No Solutions’ expands Flügel’s contributions to Phantasy into a triple track delight, another generous expression of his lifelong immersion in electronic music culture.

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Roman Flügel – No Solutions EP [PH139]

Trey Risqué – Desire [PKWY016]

The Beat Boy Wonder returns to Parkway this fall with his brand new single “Desire” Hard to pin down, Trey’s music is part freestyle, part hi-nrg, part electro, part Italo synth-pop, but always rooted in the traditions of the NYC dancefloor.

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Trey Risqué – Desire [PKWY016]

Cetu Javu – Por Que? [BASIX134]

Reissue of this fantastic 12 from 1994. Pure European techno pop with Spanish vocals. Includes the English version ‘Don’t Leave Me’, and the original remix from 1994.

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Cetu Javu – Por Que? [BASIX134]

Karolina Bnv – Yet To Come [WE015]

Karolina Bnv returns to Wrong Era with ‘Yet To Come’ an industrial-infused, masterful exploration deeper into her ever unfolding sound. The sophisticated follow-up to ‘Lessons On Good Behaviour’ further enrichens our experience of her world. Opening with ‘Unforgivable Decisions, ‘ an aptly named track that holds its own amongst the industrial greats. Shimmering mechanisms and pulsating arps intertwine, building to harmonic swells and a ghostly vocal from the captivating tones of Karina Jilaz. ‘Germany Calling’ opens Karolina’s new beat intrigue with focused arps circling beneath a commanding vocal loop chanting the track’s title. Soft acid lines flutter across the mix, perfectly sitting on either side of the punctual snare. ‘Context Abuse’ bursts open the second half of the EP with defined bass and the distinct clattering of rimshots. A powerful homage to the sound of Belgium with refreshing flair. Karolina Bnv’s sophisticated palette is in full force, with her unmistakably ear-pricking melodics and vocal lines. ‘Yet to Come’ closes with ‘1988’ an infectious Acid House anthem that weaves between New-Beat and Detroit House. Karolina Bnv brings her sophisticated sounds and undeniable strengths to Wrong Era once again, broadening her horizons with skillful taste.

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Karolina Bnv – Yet To Come [WE015]

SIIE – Grand Virage [CTM]

“Grand Virage” is the first single from SIIE’s upcoming debut album Acmé, set for release in April 2025 on Cold Transmission Music. This darkwave electro track invites listeners on a haunting, introspective journey, featuring driving synths, mesmerizing melodies, and evocative French vocals. It captures the experience of navigating life’s uncertainties and pivotal choices. Enhanced by a remix from Emmon, which adds a minimalistic, atmospheric touch, the track becomes an ideal soundtrack for those unafraid to explore both the light and dark sides of their path.

SIIE – Grand Virage [CTM]

Abe Schwartz – Schwarze Leidensleider [LXRC52]

Lux Rec number 52 presents Abe Schwartz aka Giulio Parzino, a musician from Milano with strong ties to Zürich. Active since years in the industrial and cassette culture scene he delivers this time 7 astonishing emotional, danceable, yet potently noisy tracks.

Abe Schwartz – Schwarze Leidensleider [LXRC52]

Nicolas Balmer – Nein Nein [LXRC51]

Nicolas Balmer hails from Zürich and he is an integral part of the underground alternative music scene there since forever. This record was entirely written, produced and recorded by Nicolas at Zimmerlistrasse in Zürich, between the 21st and 29th of December 2023. A time where everything that could have happen just happened. He poured all that pain and drive into this. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.

Nicolas Balmer – Nein Nein [LXRC51]

Versalife – Parallax Effect Pt. 1 [APNEA111]

Apnea Records proudly welcomes a new face to the family, though one whose name resonates deeply in the electronic music world. Versalife, also known as Conforce, steps onto the label with the first of two meticulously crafted EPs in the “Parallax Effect” series. With a career spanning over 20 years of sonic innovation, Versalife delivers a masterful blend of broken rhythms, metallic textures, pulsating synths, and analog tones. From industrialesque electro to deep IDM explorations, “Parallax Effect PT.1” takes listeners on an immersive journey through cutting-edge soundscapes. And with Part 2 on the horizon, this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for both Versalife and Apnea Records.

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Versalife – Parallax Effect Pt. 1 [APNEA111]

E-bony – Shapes And Frequencies [DSG004]

E-bony returns to Distant Gaze with a full 6-track EP, diving deep into the unfiltered world of acid and Detroit, where roots meet modern. This release delivers a range of moods and intensities through analog textures, heavy-hitting kicks, and gritty basslines that have become synonymous with E-bony’s distinct sound. As the EP unfolds, PRZ shifts gears into a futuristic electro soundscape, a glimpse into a sci-fi utopia. Clouzer wraps up the EP with a crushing rendition of ‘Let it Be’—a hard-hitting rave anthem.

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E-bony – Shapes And Frequencies [DSG004]

Tom Carruthers – Analysis [CJFD40]

Clone Jack For Daze on a roll with Tom Carruthers up next. Tom delivering trax that will make you jack all night long. The 4 track EP reflects a keen ear for detail and a deep appreciation for retro-futuristic influences that made the genre. No nonsense classic bleepy techno with lush strings and contrasting metalic basslines fierce enough to keep the energy flowing till sunrise.

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Tom Carruthers – Analysis [CJFD40]

Voices – Give Me Your Body [CCE044]

Rawax presents Ron Allen and Hayden Andrew Brown aka VOICES, with a reissue of “Give Me Your Body” (12″) from 1990 on Chiwax Classic Edition.

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Voices – Give Me Your Body [CCE044]

Heinrich Dressel – Reflected Skies [LRCINDEX005]

Heinrich Dressel presents Reflected Skies: a tribute to Dressel’s distinctive style of cinematic ambience. The scenery in Reflected Skies is not the protagonist but rather the details, that hint at a larger picture, like the sky as it appears in everyday reflections. Dark, expectant and mysterious where the listener is left to awe at the subtle questioning of an untold story.

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Heinrich Dressel – Reflected Skies [LRCINDEX005]