techno
User Engine – 01383EP [STEPBACK004]
Patrick Walker aka Forward Strategy Group returns as User Engine for his second EP for Stepback Records. 01383 EP once again draws heavily on oldskool influences, focusing directly on sounds and rhythms from Chicago and the US with Dance Mania, Robert Armani, Egyptian Lover and DJ Milton directly shaping the sound, feel and jacking nature of the EP.
Trenton Chase – Planar Array [AD009]
Following his debut LP in June 2017, Trenton Chase returns with “Planar Array”, a 7 track LP on Artificial Dance. As half of Manie Sans Délire and the co-owner of June records, he’s known for his uncompromising sound that touches a wide range of genres. The release is heavy-hitting with distorted vocals, industrial textures and dagger-like synths, a satisfying array of wave, EBM and experimental music. From Transit Decay with the clunky bassline and depth at its core to the aggressive electronics in Narked. From the title track, Planar Array’s melodic high synths to the dreamy contracting offbeat of Doppler Shift. Trenton Chase brings the smoke out of the machine, progressively getting harder, faster and more destructive.
Phase Fatale – Scanning Backwards [OSTGUTCD48/LP34]
Scanning Backwards, Phase Fatale’s second full-length album is music about control. Using the connection between weaponized sound and psychological manipulation as a conceptual foundation, Hayden Payne explores the ways in which music – and sub frequencies in particular – are used to influence thinking and to synchronize emotions and behavior: from military technology to sound systems and the physicality and sexuality of queer techno culture. Known for his innovative post-punk takes of dance music, the Berghain resident draws on his background as both a guitarist and sound engineer to create a heady mix of broken rhythms, noise-, and shoegaze-inflected techno, often at slower tempos. The result is music with space and pace to expand, highlighting the intense rushes of frequencies found in both sonic warfare and functional dance music. Over eight tracks named after a combination of historical and fictional narratives from literature and science fiction, Payne’s rhythmic excursions explore different manifestations of sound as power – specifically within the context of seeing Berghain as an instrument itself. This is also reflected in the album artwork, taken from an early flyer for the SNAX party series and an obvious ode to the fetishization of power dynamics.
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Silicon Scally+ Telephasycx! – Cymatics Operator [RM002]
Silicon Scally is one of many monikers used by Carl A. Finlow. In this record he has turned up the crazyness with this special Electro EP where the daintiness and the aggressiveness are mixed making an unique work of this artist. Dramatic melodies and blasts of energy, sometimes faster as usual but with his impeccable style. Telephasycx! is an experimental electronic duo. They completed this album with 2 heavy tracks with an electro aesthetics. Distorted and robotic voices sometimes making a social protest. Splintered breaks, sharp sounds and dissonances make up the main musical spectrum of this work. “Cymatics Operator” meets the expectation of the most demanding Electro lovers who like to explore outside of the usual territory.
VA – Innate 003 [INN8003]
Bristol-based dancefloor futurists Innate return with a third multi-artist EP – shot through with melody, warmth and soul. A quartet of timeless-sounding tracks full of stargazing sounds, undulating acid lines, far-sighted electronics and crackling beats. Tracks by Perseus Traxx, Ewan Jansen, Reedale Rise and label co-founder Owain K.
Lisière Collectif – LSR No. 04 [LSR004]
The Lisiere Collectif trio returns on their own label with LSR No. 04 EP, a collection of three original tracks, genuine worked for different moments of a clubnight.
VA – Worst Greatest Hits Vol. 1 [WORST004]
Worst Records heat back with a greatest hits compilation. Tracks from the like of A Strange Wedding, Beesmunt Soundsystem, Black Seed, Itako, Gil.Barte and others.
Alonzo – ZMNT 003 [ZMNT003]
The next strike on Zement will be by Alonzo who released on Kraftjerkz and W.T. Records. No discription needed. Six 808 bass music tracks straight from the bottom.
Gamma Intel @ Mechatronica x Sameheads 20.12.2019
illektrolab – Paranoid Android [BT39]
Arizona-based Jason McCracken makes his debut on brokntoys after a string of lauded EPs culminating in 2019’s Heavy Hitter. On ‘Paranoid Android’, the producer delivers 4 of his trademark bass-driven electro tracks, relentless machine music for the peak time hours.
Neel @ Under The Desert Stars Festival (Morocco) 28.09.2019
Cardopusher @ The Lot Radio (NYC) 05.01.2020
LVRIN – LVRIN II [PBD19]
From underground Russia comes LVRIN’s second release on Pinkman Broken Dreams. 6 jams for the freaks – stripped to the bone, with minimum fuss and maximum attitude.
Klankman LIVE@ Kryptosonic NYE
VA – Florence And The Machines [OPIA006]
UK’s OPIA tell the tales of ‘Florence and the Machines’ via the form of otherworldly sounds. Etienne kicks off proceedings on the sixth release of the label with ‘Engage all Targets’. Distinctive drums and wavering synths zoning in on your senses. Belgian producer Innershades provides ’10,000 Steps’ a hard hitting jam, leaving nothing to the imagination. Rounding off the A side is sub heavy goodness from a man on fine form, Daif. Glitchy rhythms with the machine theme of the VA heavily embedded in its sound, ‘Vade Retro’ by name. Serving up on the B side are young duo and Slowlife affiliates, Primary Perception. Ice cold broken drums, riding an elastic bass that swallows you up. ‘Maelstrom II’ is one of their cleanest cuts to this day. Robotic conversations in the closing track from Berlin based Formas, the trio deliver a curious final chapter to the story with ‘A Su’. Another discerning VA from OPIA, bringing together vital and established artists once again.
VA – The Best Of NYH [NYH191/NYH192]
New York Haunted is now 5 years old. Ignored by many, loved by as many more. NYH aims to be a home for the true underground in electronic music and releases diverse and stubborn producers that live for their music. Compiled by the NYH artists, this is part 1 of a 2 part collection that shows of the diversity and width of the label and, dare we say, the current underground in electronic music today.
LFO – LFO [FFOR025]
A release that made the history of Electronic Techno is now re-issued Remastered on Flash Forward.
TV.OUT @ HÖR (Berlin) 24.12.2019
St Theodoré – PAG032
