Daniele Cosmo @ Operator Radio (Rotterdam) 10.12.2018
Olivia @ Rete Neurale, Macao (Milano) 29.09.2018
Aleksa Alaska – Psychicbody 008
Kluentah – ZMNT 001 [ZMNT001]
First Release of this new imprint by the owner himself, Kluentah, half of Fallbeil. He delievers four diverse tracks that hailing on Side-A from electro (“The Return”) to some kind of New Beatish Territory (“Higher Level”) while the B-Side takes us on a tour of his own version of the EBM-Electroish Track “Enter Mars” and “Circle of Power”.
Aquarius TX – Monica Groove EP [EVR032]
UK duo at the forefront of the 4core scene, pushing to recreate the sound of acid summer ’89. Particularly influenced by European pool parties, ATX combines house music with classic acid and floated euphorics, intended to submerge listeners in hot waves of summer daze. Featuring the “Breaky Baby MixX’ by Dj Normal 4 on the flip-side.
Low Tape – Road Valley [XK015]
Low Tape debuts on X-Kalay with a massive 5 tracker of emotive electro and acid. The Russian producer showcases a real talent in creating a versatile and diverse EP; expertly balancing functional club weight and subtle melodic sensibility. Title track Road Valley is a case in point; carried by a wistful melody line, the track is underpinned by flickering percussion, deep pads and a warm rumbling bass. Red Lights in ma Eyes utilizes a punchy, swung electro groove whilst celestial pads play out under a dripping acid line. Acid Television switches things up with a hammering sawtooth bass, whilst the sharp percussion and cold synths lend a distinctively mysterious, almost noir-esque feel… On Technovia the 303 makes a return – driving acid, urgent percussion and tense pads combine for another slick club cut. Finally, the drifting pads and soaring melodies of ‘Why is Life so Strange’ conclude things perfectly with shimmering melancholy and introspection.
Kadajane – Rostok [PA03]
Estonian electro, perfect for the club or walks home on snowy cobblestones on dark winter nights. Kadajane balances hard hitting dance floor tracks with 6am existentialism in his latest EP ‘Rostok’ for local imprint Päästevest.
Exhausted Modern – Happy Hertz Club Banned [RET004]
Exhausted Modern part of the Endless Illusion crew from Prague joins Rotterdam Electronix with a 5 tracker ranging from Electro to wave-ish Techno. The EP kicks off with an extended acid injected electro track called ”All Things Are Possible”. Second track ”Transgas” continues this threatment for the A side. The flip has a more darker perspective with flanged hi hats and eerie atmosphere. ”Defenestrace” contains a strange vox going over the track from the beginning, it then quickly gains power by its dubbed out framework. The days of EBM and newbeat comes to mind when we hear ”Straight Folded” which sounds like its recorded straight on a tape in the mid 80’s. Last not least ”Very Fake News” closes things of, with a driving kick-bassline and shattering snares causing pleasure on the dancefloor.
Filippo Bena – The Benefit of Doubt’s Benefit [AMZS006]
Filippo Bena with an EP on Amazing Stories. Intriguing and engaging moods, accompanied by spatial rhythms.
H. Russell-Ashe – KL 04 [KL04]
Kavalanic Languges number four comes from the discredited psychologist H. Russell-Ashe. A suite of hypnotic acid love songs, with the twisting 303 lines and hypnotic ~20 minute runtime of “Vanderbilt” causing serious dance floor psychosis, while the more even-keeled “Kivaaluun” coasts on a bubbling sea of snare drums and bass hits.
Oceanic – Live At De School [DNW01]
Almost three years after opening its doors, De School will launch their new label De Nieuw at the end of this year. For their first release, De Nieuw presents the first ever recording to surface from between the walls of the venue. On this LP is one of the first live concerts by Oceanic, recorded at the auditorium of De School on October 21st 2017. This was in the middle of a 64-hour event that lasted from Friday evening until Monday lunch. This LP contains a 40-minute recording of Oceanic’s concert, performed on his custom-made string instrument connected to a modular synth. The concert was performed for 200 people laying on pillows, surrounding Oceanic and Warping Halos, a light installation by Children of the Light.
Anton Kubikov – Echoma [7V060]
BLΔCKMOON77 – Psychicbody 006
Gamma Intel – Phormix Podcast #142
20 Albums from 2018
With just a few days from the current year left, I’ve compiled a list of 20 albums from 2018 that I enjoyed this year. Among these I have to highlight the much anticipated Mutant Beat Dance debut album, the first ever album from Gerard Hanson under the E.R.P. project, a new Gerald Donald project and a compilation of unreleased Heinrich Mueller remixes, a Silent Servant follow-up on Hospital Productions, a very interesting Fred Ventura compilation of unreleased house tracks, a new Lebanon Hanover, the beautiful debut album of Curses, the impressive Eindkrak album and the debut album of the Romanian producer Șerb.
The list is compiled in chronological order.
Eindkrak – Brullend Staal [Unknown Precept]
Dollkraut @ Herfstdrift Festival 24.11.2018
Lokier – Phormix Podcast #141
Empfänger – Schwarze Kohle [LXRC37]
It’s Swedish New Beat, and Industrial craze. TowLie and Dj Sling are making music together as Empfänger. Releasing first time on Lux Rec. The EP is wild, raw, body heating, uncompromising. Four tracks which explore the deepest, slowest physical feelings.
Marc Ash – Litanies For The Self [BSLK005]
The fifth issue of Blacksilk sees the return of label head Marc Ash. He comes forth with a work that reveals a deeper side of his obscure and multifaceted vision of electronic music. Rejecting any fixed musical categorization, the listener is left free to decide how to deal with these compositions, each one exploring different areas of Marc’s approach to existence through seductively articulated synth lines. A work of self-reflection and a stark celebration of controversial times of uncertainty and doubt.
2018 Top 3 – Readers List
This is a short recap of what our readers enjoyed most on Hipodrome, a top 3 of the most appreciated albums, compilations, mixes and other stuff.
Albums
Vakula – Metaphors [Leleka]
The most appreciated album by our readers is ‘Metaphors’, the album from the Ukrainian master Vakula. ‘Metaphors’ is slightly different from some of his full-length excursions, focused as it is on the gently unfurling, head-in-the-clouds world of ambient music. Of course, much of the music is still gently rhythmic but the vibe remains thoroughly horizontal throughout.
The Hipodrome Of Music 