Boston duo Dead Husband are responsible for the new and captivating release “Luxe Kondo”. Six varied and punchy tracks made up the long-awaited debut 12″ which as usual go hand in hand with a well prepared design and a white colored vinyl. Doubtless, this uplifting work is abounding with old and up-to-date influences and make clear that these tasteful guys share their love for Minimal wave, Electropop and Techno.
The yearly compilation by R.a.n.d. Muzik Recordings, this time with the lizard wizard Reptant, his close friend Lou Karsh, Leipzig newcomer, Tim Schlockermann and a very special re-release of CRC’s ‘Influence Device 001’, originally released on the amazing Leipzig label, Zyntax Motorcity in 2009.
Slovenian imprint Svemir is the new offshoot on imprint Kanja and they are back with their third various artists compilation. This time round they come with three emotional electro tracks from Leipzig’s Eoism, the enigmatic Hawaiian Surfer, Bassik Grooove and Zagrebacki Elektric.
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”.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Convextion man Gerard Hanson may have been releasing spacey and atmospheric electro E.Ps as E.R.P. since 1996, but “Afterimage” is still the project’s first full-length outing. It is, of course, superb. Few can make this kind of deep, emotive and melodious electro quite as well as Hanson, and “Afterimage” arguably includes some of his finest material in this style. Highlights include the bustling rhythms, lilting chords and bubbly electronics of “Overcast”, the deep, slow and poignant bliss of “Wishing Still”, the deep space dancefloor shuffle of “Remembrance”, the crystalline melodies and hard-hitting drums of “Noetic” and the ultra-dreamy rhythmic ambient closing cut “Forlorn”. It is, though, all utterly beguiling.
The Orbitants run into galaxy exploring the unknown. Space ambient track from the electro soldier The Exaltics, explores the parallel worlds with his iconic sound. The electro duo Faceless Mind, straight outta North Europe kicked it with ‘Viggen Formations’: heavy bassline, highly evocative and hypnotic synth. Follow up the B1. Keep on going with the well-crafted formula DJ Vietnam and Haterparisi. Generated arpeggios by modular square-waves with syncopated beats reminding their techno background tells the experience of an alien abduction. Discover the raw surfaces of the B side which feels both organic and apocalyptic. ‘Intergalacid’ by Umwelt, a mix of acid-rave and electro to create some high impact sonic weaponry.
The “Between Places” Saga continues. This time with non other than powerman Jensen Interceptor. 5 tracks of icy electro which definitely burn down every dancefloor. Including a special collab with “Das Muster” from Germany.
Over the years, Ken Sumitani has released a decent amount of rather good music, primarily under the Stereociti and Mono Village aliases. This, though, marks his debut under a new alter ego: Waveguide. As debuts go, it’s something of a triumph, too, serving up four essential, tried-and-tested cuts. There are two high-octane, electro-influenced offerings: the sun-bright, funk-fueled melodic bliss of “Lemma” and the heavier, raw-sounding “Tightrope”, whose skittish beats are offset by some delightfully deep melodies and even deeper chords. You’ll find some similarly smooth and hypnotic chords on the brilliant deep techno dubbiness of EP opener “Quod”, while “Cubic Root” sees the Japanese producer successfully wrap restless synth loops around a mildly trippy, Motor City influenced rhythm track.
The Hipodrome Of Music 