Bedroom Talks, hailing from Ukraine, is a gifted solo artist whose music, delves into an eclectic blend of genres including coldwave, darkwave, synthwave, post-punk with touches of EBM. “Call Me Malespero,” produced during Ukraine’s shelling, captures the essence of his art in a unique and moving way. It’s a powerful testament to human resilience and the ability to find beauty even in the darkest moments, evoking a range of emotions from pain and anger to palpable sweetness, all woven into poetic lyrics and enveloping melodies.
New compilation on Gravitational Waves. 6 tracks tell the story of what is considered classic electronic music in their own fashion. The artists established all in their respective niche join for an energy driven interpretation of what would otherwise fall through the cracks in the ongoing decay of techno music culture.
Six driving electro tracks by Legacy and Sky Above. ”Exploration mission passed. The two d(r)ivers have joined forces to build the new formulas. Six high-octane fuels for nightride engines. Release valves, ignite decoders and spin loud!”
Electro duo Human Rebellion delves into the timeless conflict between light and darkness. As our world gradually descends into shadow, they emerge as advocates of free will. Their mission: to infuse the digital landscape with a distinctly human essence, like flowers growing in a digital wasteland. Their latest creation, the “Light and Shadow” EP (LDI012), is not just an electro release. It is a sonic manifesto. A testament to their vision. As their story unfolds, American artist Terrestrial Access Network provides the final twist: A remix that echoes across the binary expanse.
Maxime dB and Aline Brooklyn’s AirFunk label serves up five fresh ones in their usual vein of French pop and electro-influenced dance music. The fourth edition in their V/A series makes for no less than a masterclass in such inherited arts; the A-side comes packed to the brim with airy, upper-echelonic, sophisticated but not-tryhard electro-syntheses, from the introductory chord bursts and catwalk kick-claps of ‘Nrj’ to the lippy new wave lasers and speak n’ spelled interjections of Electrodynamique’s ‘That Is Right’. The B adds depth to the A’s surface tensity, with La Gugga’s ‘Gogo Danca’ and Paul Cut’s ‘Shoes’ lending a fashionista’s verve to stringing, saxophonic deep house and bass-driven Oizo-esque flat beats respectively.
Barcelona’s Anbau debuts on Bordello with a Giro d’Italia themed EP. Dedicated to its heroic riders and specifically the late Marco Pantani. He broke through in 1994, winning one of the hardest Giro climbs with an incredible time record; the Passo del Mortirolo. He eventually became second in the final rankings of this legendary tour of Italy.
Hypnus Records presents Yatras by Rambadu. “Yatras” embody an in and outward quest where we may meet ourselves and others. Listen carefully to visualize the paths it reveals. Subdued messages reach the mind’s eye.
Recall IV is the project created by Andre Fischer that reached a massive success in the German techno scene in 1990 with the release of the single “Contrast” on Techno Drome International / ZYX Records. This was shortly followed by two more releases in 1991 (“Contrast – Part 2” and the extended play “Aesthetic”) and contributions to various compilations. Andre has been a very active techno composer and producer since the late 80’s working with people like Lars Janzik, Carlos Perón, Giora Schein & Holger Wick (Konzept), Volker Then (Friends Of Carlotta) on countless projects including Scope, Scrot, Technoline, Trust in 6, ADSX, etc. “Interstate” compiles tracks from all Recall IV singles, some old compilations and a selection of unreleased cuts and remixes.
Dark Entries celebrates its 15th anniversary with legendary synth-punk deviants Crash Course in Science. Dale Feliciello, Mallory Yago, and Michael Zodorozny formed CCIS in 1979 after meeting at art school in Philadelphia. As a gesture born of equal parts punk irreverence and brute necessity, the band incorporated toy instruments and kitchen appliances into their aggressive, angular sound. Their anthems “Cardboard Lamb” and “Flying Turns” from 1981’s Signals From Pier Thirteen EP have been staples in adventurous DJ sets for over 40 years – yet some of their finest work is to be found on Near Marineland, a full-length LP recorded in 1981, but remained unreleased in its time. Near Marineland shows the band moving into more diverse and polished territory (although it’s still as abrasive as sandpaper). Tracks like “No More Hollow Doors” and “Jump Over Barrels” highlight CCIS’s singular knack for embedding infectiously monotone hooks in their stiff-yet-funky grooves. Elsewhere we see CCIS going fully unhinged, like on the searing “Someone Reads” or the demented “Pompeii Spared”, where a spray of honks is barely glued together by a frantic synthetic pulse. While this masterwork of malfunctioning analog electronics has surfaced on a few occasions – this first time stand alone remaster includes four never-before-released bonus tracks and includes a lyric sheet. Near Marineland is crucial listening for all devotees of synth-punk and minimal electronics.
Combustion is a hard-hitting raw EBM track created to put fire on the dancefloors. Mascarpone has taken his influences and crafted a homage to the power of the synthesizer, especially the Korg Monopoly, which is the main bassline sound we can hear. Includes remixes by Commuter, Vondkreistan, Saigg and Sisyphe.
NDATL continues with DJ Aakmael’s vibrant EP, ”The Xposd EP”. Kicking things off is ”Track 109” a lively and rhythmic blend of Latin jazz infused groove with a bouncy shuffle guaranteed to set hips in motion. Next ”Imagination” a mesmerizing groove and Aakmael’s signature solo work, transports the dancers into a hypnotic zone. On the B-side, we encounter the dynamic collaboration ”This Is Not A Game,” a potent creation by Aakmael and label head Kai Alcé, featuring sparse piano notes and a penetrating synth solo. Aakmael then draws upon his Windy City influences for the final track, ”102.5” characterized by a smooth deep bassline and velvety keys. With its diverse soundscape, ”The Xposd EP” with its captivating rhythms and melodies invites listeners to immerse themselves.
Omar S’ first outing of 2024 on his own FXHE opens up with ‘Life Force’ which pairs Smith’s unique drum sounds – brushed metal, scruffy, raw – with his super sweet synths that always bring the warmth and soul. ‘All The Little Hand’s Around’ is another metallic sound tech house cut with celebratory chord loops up top and well-treated samples, then ‘Evil J’ shuts down with rasping basslines and glistening 80s keys. Another fine 12″ from the Detroit don.
Curtea Veche presents another edition of their Serii Speciale, this time featuring the legend that is Reboot. 3 groovers for the dancefloor , tried and tested by some of the biggest names in the buisness.
Machine Alliance, the new EP by Irish producer Kerrie Anderson on Tresor Records, connects her music to the sci-fi origins of techno and electronic music in general. With inspiration from classic books and films of the genre such as The Machine Stops, The Matrix, and Blade Runner as well as modern explorations in art and philosophy like Free Your Mind and Technopoly, the EP’s title takes on two opposing but intersecting meanings.
Neel lands on Interdimensional Transmissions with the “Disco Quarantine” EP. Exploring the boundaries between genres, simultaneously pure deep techno and disco — this is rarely achieved — he continues to explore the edges with the ever propulsive title cut, and further connections with each song. Psychedelic, propulsive, subtle, perfectly produced gems ranging from hedonistic underground moments where time ceases to exist to moments of exploration throughout the cosmos. It feels like the B side opener Deep Quarantine was composed for the environment at No Way Back, though it is equally eternal and available to any floor anywhere in the world.
Founded by Rene Wise, Moving Pressure is a record label aimed to explore the immersive dialogue between soundsystem music and the human body, celebrating the profound connection of sound and movement. As the inaugural release, Moving Pressure 01 serves as a sonic diary showcasing Rene Wise’s music storytelling. Each track on the EP contributes to a harmonious blend of innovation and restraint, inviting listeners to embark on a captivating journey through the artistry of sound and rhythm. Sometimes, it’s the space between the notes that resonate the loudest.
The Hipodrome Of Music 