Confused Machines unleashes it’s first release for 2024 and it’s a mesmerizing journey led by Ruggero Lambo aka Taru, utilizing minimal synths, squeezing beats into tiny fractures and exploring syncopations to a certain visionary degree where the tension between self-consciousness and unconsciousness arouse, a vague memory of a near future becomes present.
Donato Dozzy presents his next studio album entitled ‘Magda’. An emotional hommage to family and the Adriatic Sea. Over the course of six tracks he explores colorful emotions and sounds connecting to his deepest inner feelings. Speaking through music and showing gratitude to his auntie, one of the strongest women in Donato’s life and a real life teacher.
Funktor with his debut EP ‘Emitter’ on Abstract Rhythm. His release contains 4 lectro tracks transforming electricity into machine funk heavy sound waves.
“I am not a conspiracy theorist. I deal with real facts, not theory. Some of the people I write about, I have met. Some of the people I expose are alive and very dangerous. The darkness has never liked the light. Yet, many of the secrets of the Filmmaker are locked up tightly simply because secrecy is a way of life. It is such a way of life, that they resent the [REDACTED] and the [REDACTED] who want to tell real historical facts rather than doctored up stories and myths. I have been an intense student of history since I could read, and I am deeply committed to the facts of history rather than the cover stories the public is fed to manipulate them.”
“Vanishing Dreams” is a highly awaited new mini-album by Cold Colors, brimming with personality and inspiration as always. Wistful undertones and captivating melodies establish Cold Colors as one of the most prominent figures in the current French and European new wave scene. His music mirrors the sharpness and elegance reminiscent of the renowned Lyon duo, Deux, showcasing his talent for evoking beautiful emotions through his melancholic and catchy notes.
The new Kri record goes back to the buzzing 1980s in Yugoslavia, where numerous art projects were testing the censorship and unity of the Communist Party. One such project was a punk and later post-punk/industrial band called O! Kult which took a hard stance against bureaucracy, technocracy and alienation. Their test was successful as it brought censorship and surveillance by the state and media authorities. The track and its mystical vibe have been reimagined by Silent Servant, Christian Kroupa (1/2 of Black Dot) and 198319831983, adding fresh EBM, electro and melancholic techno edge to the record.
UK producer, Darren Nye, is set to captivate listeners with his exciting new album, “Thoughts And Emotions,” released on Deeptrax. The long-player delves deep into the realms of techno, harking back to the golden era of the 90s and channeling influences not just from Detroit, but also the electronic waves that emanated from the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands. ‘Thoughts And Emotions’ is a labor of love, where Nye masterfully explores and curates a rich collection of sounds, all bearing his distinct signature. Across twelve tracks, the listener is treated to an exceptional journey that encompasses bubbling electronica, down-tempo jazzy flourishes, and cosmic string-laden soundscapes. Darren’s socially conscious titles also add an extra layer of meaning to the listener’s experience, creating a soothing and moving soundtrack that speaks to the soul.
Deeptrax presents Deepseries 1.3, the latest installment in their Deep compilation series featuring friends and family of the label. This atmospheric EP showcases the distinct sounds of Deeptrax, bringing together a curated selection of tracks that define the label’s sonic universe. Tracks from Caim, Mathijs Smit, Joey Anderson, Rich P & Lee and Pim Holthof.
Jordan GCZ is back on Rawax, after the Dizzy Dizzy Dizzy release from earlier in 2023. The machine-jamming maestro is at his best dealing in cosmically-charged techno, and that’s exactly what he delivers on this latest record. ‘Polyphonic Glide’ is swathed in mysterious pads and soulful leads which offset the steady-trucking drive of the drums beautifully. ‘Why So Serious’ is a subtly bumping cut with a hazy, after hours atmosphere, while ‘Sunny Side Up’ deals in squashed funk and sparkling arps before ‘Undercurrent’ takes us home on a bed of celestial synth tones and submerged rhythms. The consistent feel of the record makes it a true delight to melt into – a techno record for sure dreamers.
The last of the Konduko series from Emotional Rescue arrives now. His ‘Fantasy’ saw him work with Larry Dermer aka Der Mer on what is an effective and catchy electro jam that operates at the higher end of the tempo chart with some classic vocoder vocal action to really make it pop. Despite being released originally in 1984 this one still bangs with its emulated TR-808 beats and nagging melodies. The instrumental heightens that and then the Jonny Rock Discomix shuts down with long-form rework that shows why the DJ, editor and all-round amiable bloke is so well regarded.
Belgium techno mainstay Elypsia Records from Brussels welcomes Carl Finlow with a six tracks mini album. Fierce electro tracks in the wellkown signature sound of Carl Finlow. He starts off with some fizzing and snappy action in the form of ‘Fractionality’ which has bounce and bite in equal measure. There’s a more zoned-out deep space feel to ‘Anomaly’ and a downtempo bliss to ‘Dust To Dust’. The flipside kicks off with some turbo-charged and ghetto-fried Motor Citry electro in ‘Visceral’ before two more electro gems get a little more atmospheric and deep.
Here are our favorite albums from 2023 compiled in chronological order.
Continue reading “2023 Best Albums”
Fierce electro and acid tracks by Die Gestalten. They continue their label series with a 3LP box set including a set of slipmats, A2 poster and stickers. The limited box sets contains 12 tracks influenced by the music and attitude of Underground Resistance and Mad Mike Banks.
The Hipodrome Of Music 