Part 3 of the ”Astra Spectra” series features the Berlin Electro duo CYRK with 3 intense and dark electro tracks. Rounding off the release is a remix of ”Human Mind” by Syrte.
electro
Alien FM – Monochromatic Images [PBX30]
Underground electro-cult figures, ALIEN FM (Anthony ‘Blaktony’ Horton & Keith ‘K-1’ Tucker) return to the reactivated Puzzlebox label for 2020…and beyond.
The Hidden Figure – Finality EP [EXALTSPECIALEDITION02]
Building on the outright success of his previous outings for the label, The Hidden Figure return to deliver a cutting edge EP of beautiful acid for Exalt Records. 4 acid tracks in various styles, this EP seems a fitting end to a stellar run for this shadowy and mysterious pseudonym of super producer Paul Cignol.
Alessandro Parisi – Galactic Funk Podcast 005
VA – Upward at 33 1/3 Degrees – Höga Nord Rekords Singles Collection Vol.3 [HNRBOX003]
The Mothership has come! It has arrived in the form of the strictly limited collection box “Upwards at 33 1/3 Degrees” (50 copies), containing all singles released on the label between 2017 and 2020. The Höga Nord – galaxy resounds of all good between strict electro and loose jams, fluffy krautrock and moist world music to underwater techno and space funk. Although, what it is that defines the Höga Nord sound is not genres, instead it is, to cite Mathias Nilsson, founder of and boss for the label, music “strongly connected to fantasy, to the creative world.” The collection is an overview on Gothenburg’s underground music and on an international scene that breathes similar air as the local Swedish acts that Höga Nord Rekords has chosen to highlight.
Mameen 3 – Incunabula EP [PT004]
PT004 sees a Belgium via Morocco friendship and studio collaboration Mameen 3 take the reigns for Planet Trips fourth physical release. A group made up of much loved and respected DJ, digger and curator of the always on point Elsewhere comps soFa, connecting with innovative producer Reda Senhaji aka Cheb Runner, whose refreshing approach tips the no boundaries no borders sound only few can uniquely pull off. The Incunabula EP spotlights 4 club focused jams from the groups recent heavy output, channelling influences from their diverse tastes and effortlessly marrying hypnotic percussion, Middle Eastern rhythms and machine funk psychedelia into their very own style no style.
Chino – K-Hole Mixtape 17
Cutting Room – The Night Chemist [BT48]
Cutting Room disembark on brokntoys for an EP of techno abstractions. Breaking their hiatus after their celebrated Steeplejack debut, ‘The Night Chemist’ follows up on their previous outing – and the beast has evolved. Across 4 tracks the Australian trio, formed by Connor Gibson, Eugene Brockmuller and Cosmo Feltham, distill foreboding atmospheres, crushed mechanical beats and turbulent Ballardian passages. The EP closes with a remix from Spanish legends Esplendor Geometrico demolishing Always Rock.
Crushed Soul – Family Of Waves [DE-276]
Dark Entries unveils the debut of Berlin-based, Dutch-born Steffi new project Crushed Soul, a moniker she had used only once in 2013 for an Ostgut Ton compilation track. ‘The Family of Waves EP’ represents both familiar and novel pastures for Steffi. While her love of electro and classic Detroit techno have been oft-evident, here we witness the darker shades of new wave and industrial creep to the forefront. This turn for the twisted feels not just natural, but predestined, an inevitable succumbing to morbid forces.
Mesmé – Steel City Dance Discs Volume 17 [SCDD017]
Iran-born, Los Angeles-based Mesmé casts her first EP with a 5-track tangle of Acidtinged exo-House riddled with contorted IDM atmospherics. Mesmé traps you in a web threaded with warped synth lines, chugging breaks, hefty lows and her own distorted vocal venom. This release will have you caught, instinctively trying to gyrate your body free as the sound descends upon your psyche…
DeFeKT & Extrawelt – Field Day / Off Planet [FMB018]
Feel My Bicep steps it onto its next release with the debut of two established acts, linking up for the first time. DeFeKT and Extrawelt combine their formidable talent and years in the game to bring us a two-tracker entitled Field Day.
Morphology – Qualia [EXALT005]
Much talked about project, now release is finally coming into fruition. Morphology approached Exalt with the idea of releasing one of their tracks. Roll forward a year and this 4 track EP comes with 2 brand new original Morphology tracks and stellar remixes from John Shima and B12 legend Steven Rutter.
VA – Apocalypse Domani [GDD2]
Emerging like the blind dead from ancient tombs hidden amongst the seemingly lost ruins, connected by ley-lines and mystical signet rings comes twenty-three undead club-hits from across the globe from Giallo Disco alumni past, present and future. Electro meets Dark-Ambient via Low-Motion Techno and styles in-between, Giallo Disco is proud to present a digital only V/A for your late night summer walks or woodland rituals and remember… always aim for the head…
Cardopusher – PAG064
Cardopusher – Psyops Part Two [LR018]
Cardopusher kicks off Psyops Part Two with ‘Disobedience’ (feat. Lbeeze) a slow-motion drum workout that is like dark disco mangled through a psychedelic filter, with robotic vocals and stiff arp jerking your body. ‘Abyss Antidote’ is then a flurry of drum breaks and electro bass, frazzled synths and whipping hits that keep you on the edge of your seat. Darkness abounds on the gritty ‘Initial Decay’ (ft. Lbeeze), which layers up taught drums and hits with spraying synths that come from a dystopian planet. Closing out this epic mini-series is ‘Mutant Brain’, a cyborg techno meltdown with manic acid for company.
DeFeKT feat. Jensen Interceptor – Mind Lock EP [INTLC004]
Matthew Flanagan is back under his more commonly known alias ‘DeFeKT’ on International Chrome. The Dublin-based Modular madman serves up four weighty slabs of the finest club-ready electro funk, featuring two guest appearances from Jensen Interceptor.
Datawave / Sound Synthesis – Versus [GTD008]
It’s Belgium vs. Malta for the second split EP on Gated, with Datawave’s tough take on electro kicking off on the A side and Sound Synthesis’s cosmic machine music on the B. Hypnotic pure electro crafted through wiggly electronics and sharp percussion.
Synth Alien – Das Augas O Alen [N2MU004]
Four years after launching his last EP, Lugo-based artist, Synth Alien, makes a comeback to lead the fourth release of Noise To Meet You. Six Electro tracks, under the wings of a 100% hardware set up that has allowed his sound to reach a step up.
The Hipodrome Of Music 