quête:bala

Schneller, technischer und politisch aufgeladener Punkrock mit scharfen Riffs, detailreicher und intensiver Schlagzeugarbeit und starken Melodien - angetrieben von der unverwechselbaren Stimme der Sängerin. Mit ihrem neuen Album Take Care präsentieren sich Melonball vielseitiger, schneller und emotionaler denn je. Die Band aus Nürnberg verbindet gesellschafts- und politisch relevante Themen mit sehr persönlichen Momenten. Musikalisch präsentiert sich die Band direkt und zugleich instrumental ausgefeilt: facettenreiche Arrangements treffen auf Melodien, die sich einprägen. Die Produktion bleibt bewusst roh - ohne Schnickschnack, unmittelbar und greifbar. Dadurch treten die Stärken von Melonball klarer denn je hervor: der charakteristische, ehrliche Gesang, aufgenommen ohne große Nachbearbeitung, die eingängigen Hooks und die präzise Balance aus spielerischer Technik und Melodie.

Als Gitarrist Herb Ellis 1958 aus dem Oscar Peterson Trio ausstieg, ersetzte der Pianist ihn nicht durch einen
anderen Gitarristen, sondern holte stattdessen den Schlagzeuger Ed Thigpen an Bord. Diese Entscheidung
erwies sich als wahrer Glücksgriff, denn die Chemie zwischen den drei Musikern stimmte auf Anhieb . Dies
zeigt sich vor allem auf Alben wie ”Affnity”, auf dem das Trio die gängigen Standards links liegen ließ
und eine raffniertere Songauswahl präsentierte. Das Album ist ein für Musterbeispiel für den Swing, die
Subtilität und die Ensemble-Balance des brillanten Trios.

Carpenter Brut draws its influences from 80s TV shows and B-movies loaded with synthesizers.
The mysterious and discreet man evokes an encounter between Justice beats and the universe of John Carpenter.

Across ten tracks, Leather Temple, the third and final chapter of the Leather trilogychannels a raw and nervous energy, somewhere between saturated electro, industrialfever, and 90s synthetic pulse. Yet behind this intensityalso lies a cinematic andorchestral dimension, with arrangements that expand the horizon and add dramaticscope. A tight format, a constant intensity: Leather Temple goes all in on impact,balancing raw immediacy with the feel of a post-apocalyptic moviesoundtrack.

Sundays is the debut full length from Oakland-based Tanukichan, aka multi-instrumentalist Hannah van Loon. At surface level, the album sounds just how the title describes: hazy, dreamy, reflective, just like a lazy Sunday afternoon. Upon second and third listens, the dreamy music unveils a deeper world: an ever present sense of longing, an endless state of summer and a period of instability that plagues us all at one point or another in our lives.
Raised in San Francisco, van Loon started out making classical, bluegrass and jazz music as well as playing in numerous bands in the area before deciding to make something more personal. What started with a few unfocused demos, with van Loon playing all the instruments herself in her house, became a studio experience and viable collection of music after her friend Anthony Ferraro of Astronauts, Etc. introduced her to Company Records founder Chaz Bear (Toro Y Moi, Les Sins). After collaborating on her 2016 EP Radiolove, van Loon and Bear set out to make a much more sonically cohesive release, with both the producer and artist playing all the instruments on the record. The result is a slice of dream pop that could only come from the combination of the laid back atmosphere of California and the nostalgic and often difficult memories that are generally associated with coming of age.
To van Loon, the tracks of Sundays are a form of contemplation and approaching life’s issues from a different and less complicated perspective. “Sometimes for me, it feels easier to write songs about things than to talk. A lot of things in life are layered and paradoxical, but with songs it always seems simpler.”
Opening track “Lazy Love” sets the stage, sonically and lyrically, for the rest of the album, combining vulnerable lyrics with gorgeous, fuzzy tones. Above pummeling synths and guitar tones, van Loon sings “you know I'd do anything/don't you know I try my best/if I could wake up when the sun is rising” showing the album’s constant theme of balancing always wanting to be the best person you can be, while also feeling a low level joy at letting life play out as it wants to. “Natural” is a track that feels perfect for a road trip, a track that hums away with a driving beat, culminating in the sheer excitement of finally having a night alone with someone you’ve loved for a while, among many highs and lows: “a window too bright/it's natural sunlight/grey fades to white lie/kiss you tonight/it's natural delight/help me feel right.” The tracks collectively address a deep rooted sense of yearning for someone, something new, while also feeling content with your life; a realization that maybe the places you’ve always belonged aren’t where you should be anymore, that suddenly you might be looking for something completely different.
“I settled on the name Sundays as the title of the record because it encapsulated how the record felt to me,“ van Loon says. “I was thinking about the laziness, and dreamy clarity that you can feel after a late night, waking up having to face the world with a new perspective.” Sundays encapsulates this feeling, a nostalgic way of looking at the world, waking up feeling like a slightly different person than before, looking back on life, not sure if you can tackle what’s next, but doing your best, day in and day out

Playedby021-1 is the starting point of Andrei Ciubuc’s Back 2 Back to the Future, unfolding over three vinyl chapters. Released as a double 12”, this first part lays the foundation of the journey: hypnotic rhythms, sharp grooves, and intricate sound design that highlight Andrei’s ability to balance dancefloor functionality with deeper narrative elements. Each track stands strong on its own, while also acting as a fragment of the larger story that continues in the next two volumes.

Promising/Youngster returns to Analogical Force with Navaras EP, a four-track release showcasing the Spanish artist's refined approach to emotive, club-focused electronica. Drawing from idm, electro, braindance and distorted sound design, the EP balances depth and intensity with sonic precision, blurring the lines between styles in a way that has become a defining trait of his sound. Crunchy basslines, weighty low-end and dreamy pads intertwine with analog and digital textures, resulting in a set of timeless tracks full of power and subtle beauty. Navaras EP feels equally at home on late-night systems and in focused listening settings. The promise has matured into presence.

Originally released in 1988 on the compilation Acid Tracks Vol. 3 via Needle Records, "The Other Side" has long been recognised as a potent example of early Chicago acid house. Now, more than three decades later, the track receives its first official 12" release - and, crucially, its first release with the original artists correctly credited. While historically attributed to Maurice Joshua, "The Other Side" was in fact produced by Da Posse (Hula Mahone), with vocals by Martell. This forthcoming release marks the first time that the original production has been properly acknowledged and presented in its intended standalone 12" format, restoring authorship to the artists responsible for the record's creation. The release is issued by Island Life Records, a Bali-based label with a growing reputation for carefully curated projects that bridge foundational dance music history and contemporary club culture. By formally reintroducing "The Other Side" with accurate credits, Island Life Records contributes an important corrective to the historical record of Chicago house and acid house music. Musically, "The Other Side" remains a striking artefact of its era: minimal, hypnotic, and emotionally charged, balancing raw machine-driven groove with an atmospheric vocal presence. It exemplifies the experimental, DJ-led ethos of late-1980s Chicago, where tracks were built for function, feeling, and longevity on the dancefloor rather than commercial visibility. The release is accompanied by a set of new remixes that respectfully extend the track's legacy into the present day. Remix duties come from Island Life Records founder Garry Todd under his Clouds Of Kouros alias, Johnny Aux (one half of Paranoid London), and Age Of Hyperion, with the digital including a remix from Garry Todd, each offering a distinct contemporary interpretation while retaining the spirit and tension of the original recording. This release stands not only as a long-overdue physical edition, but as a historically significant moment: the first time the original production has been released on 12", and the first time the correct creative contributors have been formally recognised.

Franky Wah returns to Crosstown Rebels and reunites with Kuuda on ‘Light Years’.
Dropping on 13th February 2026, the two-tracker sees the acclaimed UK producer continue his collaborative journey alongside the impressive Brighton-based collective for both his and their second appearance on Damian Lazarus’ revered imprint.

Having made a splash with his impactful label debut last summer, Franky Wah returns to Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels imprint with ‘Light Years’, a two-track EP that explores emotion and movement with measured confidence. The release sees the Yorkshire-born producer further embed himself within the Crosstown universe, delivering a project built on patience, progression, and feeling, where every moment earns its weight.

The EP opens with the title track, a wide-screen, hypnotic solo burner that balances uplifting melodic energy with weighty, driving grooves. Built for long moments on the floor, the track unfolds, allowing atmosphere and tension to do the heavy lifting while maintaining a clear sense of momentum throughout. On the flip, Franky reunites with longtime collaborators, producer-songwriter-vocalist trio Kuuda, for their second outing alongside him on Crosstown Rebels with ‘House In My Veins’. Continuing a partnership rooted in shared musical language and emotional depth, the Brighton-based trio is central to the track, bringing drive, earworm vocals, and a distinctive identity, woven seamlessly throughout Franky’s cinematic production - grounding expansive moments with human connection.

Following heavy support from Pete Tong on his Crosstown Rebels debut, and a recent invitation to host Tong’s flagship BBC R1 show at the start of 2026, Franky continues to assert himself as an artist equally at home in club culture’s most intimate spaces and its widest-reaching platforms. Meanwhile, Kuuda continue their impressive start to 2026, hot on the heels of their recent collaboration with Hot Since 82 on Bedrock. This latest partnership delivers a focused yet expressive statement, music designed to breathe, to move, and to resonate long after the lights come up.

"On a dozen restlessly expressive instrumentals recorded between Marin and Reykjavík, the American guitarist finds turbulent beauty at the edges of the fingerstyle tradition." - PITCHFORK 7.9/10

"The greatest living guitar player" - Hayden Pedigo

Today, guitarist Mason Lindahl — whose “unabashedly beautiful" (Aquarium Drunkard) sound "balances the romantic dynamics of flamenco and the meticulousness of Windham Hill with the unguarded qualities of improvised music" (Pitchfork) — announces a pair of new albums: Joshua / Same Day Walking via Mt. Brings Death.

Though packaged together, Joshua and Same Day Walking chart distinct worlds. Recorded in northern California and produced by Robby Moncrieff (Dirty Projectors, Zach Hill), Joshua is woolier and warmer, evoking haze, humidity, and overgrown Spanish moss. Meanwhile, Same Day Walking — recorded in Iceland and produced by Moncrieff alongside two-time GRAMMY-winning composer / sound designer Sam Slater (Joker, Chernobyl) — is, appropriate for its icier climes, windswept and beholden to the vast emptiness of harsh landscapes. As a pair, they provide a thorough portrait of Lindahl's singular and versatile playing.

Amid Lindahl's purely evident virtuosity, close listeners can savor wonderful imperfections freckled throughout Joshua / Same Day Walking: buzzing strings, minimal electronic ambience, soft undulations of tempo. Lindahl isn’t here to pageant his craft; he's adventuring within, uncovering fresh avenues of sound and emotive gesture.

Described by friend and contemporary Hayden Pedigo as “the greatest living guitar player,” Mason Lindahl’s “austere, gothic flamenco...dares you to submit to this odd and immersive sonic universe" (Uncut). The Northern California native's solo instrumental debut Kissing Rosy in the Rain, released in 2021 via Tompkins Square, was praised as "gorgeous" (Petal Motel) and "a minimalist gem" (Everything Is Noise). Prior to that, his only other solo release is 2009's Serrated Man Sound.

FRQNCY LDN, the new project from Alex Lavery and James Ford (producer du jour and one half of Simian Mobile Disco), are releasing their debut album ‘The White Edition’ on 5 September via PRAH Recordings. Alongside the news of their debut album, the duo are sharing the first taste in ‘Matthias’ Wajd’, which they describe as “a rousing, instrumental piece from the middle of the set where the whole ensemble became balanced providing moments where Raven played violin with haunting yet uplifting melodies within the cavernous reverb of the church. Interestingly, at this moment, most of the audience who had been laying down rose to watch the performance like a gig, like an awakening.”

Initially conceived as a live project with earlier performances at churches in London and at Glastonbury, FRQNCY LDN’s music is a mix of strings, gongs, oscillators, FX, and spoken word, and the result is a musical experience unlike any other. Now that immersive magic has been captured on their debut release through Prah Recordings.

The music that FRQNCY LDN are releasing as their debut album is from an extraordinary live take from a performance at St Matthias Church in Stoke Newington last year, and thanks in no small part to the serendipitous bunch of musicians they assembled: composer and violinist Raven Bush, clarinettist Arun Ghosh, cellist Satin Beige Chousmer, and harpist Chloe Chousmer-Kerr. Alongside Lavery and Ford and assisted by engineer Animesh Ravel, they were able to capture the music to a world class level.

FRQNCY LDN has its roots in a supermoon that occurred three summers ago, after the hottest day of the year. Two of Lavery’s friends gave a sound bath that evening. “I’m not overly into astronomy or anything but the experience was nuts,” he says. “I had to find out what had just happened. What felt like forty minutes was actually two and a half hours. We were all out. It was so profound that I was hooked.”

He immediately signed up for a sound therapy course where he learned about what he calls a “brain hack” to meditation. “The thing about sound therapy is there’s a lot that’s meditation-based, and I find meditation really difficult. I’ve got a very busy brain. What was alluring about this process of sound immersion, a sound bath, whatever you want to call it, is it’s basically a hack to making your brain get into a meditative state.”

FRQNCY LDN’s early shows crystallised their ideas into a project, and Lavery brought poet Nikita Gill on board as a vocalist. “One of the first poems she gave to me, ‘Unwitches’ was in response to me explaining that I’d love this project to be perceived as something anyone could access. It’s not just for the sound meditation or the yoga, or the mushroom crowd. No one should be turned off by connotations from where the music comes from, I love music but I’d never be into that because it’s too woo-woo. Nikita said she’d had this poem for a long time but she’d never found the right home for it.”

And in an increasingly busy and fraught world, the need to tune out for an hour or so, and maybe tune in to something more profound, is only going to get bigger.

Whilst remaining leftfield in spirit, there is a musical vulnerability to the latest iteration of Legss, and a newfound pop sensibility to their writing, which reflects a move to a more accessible sound. There is a security in inaccessibility, and shedding this cloak opens the band up to an earnestness at once exciting and nerve-wracking. Twinned with their signature world-building aesthetic, the new direction is reflected sonically by drummer Louis Grace, who co-produced the album with Balazs Altsach (Ugly, Katy J Pearson, Broadside Hacks) - set to be distributed by The state51 Conspiracy.

On the announcement of their debut album, Unreal, the band say:
“Unreal feels like the work of a lifetime. We can’t believe we’re still here to see it through, but we are and we couldn’t be prouder. The album is about miscommunication and feelings of unreality/the uncanny in everyday life; the tragic and the comic.”

ABOUT LEGSS
Merging intricate guitars, disquieting monologues and a rhythm section both technical and unruly, London’s Legss create a wholly unique sound.
After meeting and forming in London, Legss released their experimental, darkly satirical debut EP Writhing Comedy in 2019, which received heavy airplay on BBC 6 Music. A year later the band’s much-anticipated, genre-bending sophomore EP Doomswayers was released in the shadow of the pandemic, championed by BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders and BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq.

After the release of their single ‘Hollywood’, Legss signed to The state51 Conspiracy and released their third EP Fester in 2023, recorded at The Church, which saw critical acclaim from the likes of the Sunday Times, Quietus, Independent, Line of Best Fit, So Young Magazine, DORK, L&Q, and DIY.

In 2024 the band were included by Simon Reynolds in the afterword to a republished edition of Mark Fisher’s seminal Ghosts of My Life (Zero Books).

Legss are Louis Grace (drums, synth), Ned Green (vocals, guitar), Jake Martin (bass) and Max Oliver (guitar)

Ivy Chalice release their highly anticipated follow up to last years ‘Nachtmahr’, with Noctifer, on Library of the Occult Records. Drawing inspiration from classic cinema and the evocative sounds of the 1960s and 70s, Noctifer blends acoustic textures and ethereal vocals with a shadowy electronic edge, crafting a musical experience that is as haunting as it is hypnotic.

Noctifer ("bringer of night") is an album of shadowed landscapes and eerie tales. Ivy Chalice conjures a soundscape where dark folklore, dreamlike acoustics, and modern electronic elements meet. The album's narrative threads echo the haunting charm of films like The Blood on Satan’s Claw and The Wicker Man, as well as the spectral allure of British folk revival acts.

Maria Perez Query of Hellebore writes:

"The dense, dreamy atmosphere conjured by Ivy Chalice reaches its zenith in “Der Wald, Die Spiegelwelt,” which has echoes of the classic folk horror series Moondial (1988). Ethereal and eerie, Noctifer feels like wandering into the woods to find a ruined chapel, like opening a gate that leads to a secret realm."

Featuring tracks that balance fragility and foreboding, Noctifer is both an homage to and a reinvention of folk horror soundscapes. The combination of acoustic instrumentation and shadowy electronic textures offers a contemporary twist on timeless themes of nature, ritual, and the unknown.

Das 2020 erschienene Album ,I Feel Alive" markiert das fulminante Comeback der Indie-Pop-Band TOPS aus Montreal, die ihren charakteristischen weichen Synthesizer-Sound, ihre hellen Gitarrenriffs und Jane Pennys emotional direkten Gesang zu ihrem bisher lebhaftesten Werk verschmelzen. Das Album schafft eine Balance zwischen glänzender Pop-Wärme und introspektiver Lyrik und beschäftigt sich mit Themen wie Sehnsucht, Verwandlung und Selbstverwirklichung. Mit einem Sound, der sowohl nostalgisch als auch erfrischend modern wirkt, zeigt ,I Feel Alive" die Band auf einem neuen kreativen Höhepunkt - üppig, intim und mühelos cool, was TOPS erneut als eine der überzeugendsten Stimmen des zeitgenössischen Dream-Pop bestätigt. ,Die Melodien sind durchweg so sanft und wunderschön wie die Traumschiffe, denen Penny zuzwinkert oder über deren Polaroids sie weint. TOPS sind jetzt zusammen mit Phoenix die Meister des modernen Softrocks." - The Guardian ,TOPS haben mit ihrem bisher klarsten Album ihre Berufung gefunden. Vollgepackt mit glitzernden Melodien, blitzsauberem Vintage-Pop und sehnsüchtigen Texten hält sich das Quartett aus Montreal nicht zurück." - Clash

It’s been decades since New Found Glory were etched onto pop-punk’s Mount Rushmore, but as the Coral Springs, Florida, quartet approach their 30th anniversary, they’ve proven with their 11th studio album Listen Up! - and first for Pure Noise Records - that they still have plenty to say. Shaped by guitarist Chad Gilbert’s battle with metastatic cancer and the enduring bond with bandmates Jordan Pundik, Ian Grushka, and Cyrus Bolooki, the record captures resilience and gratitude in tightly wound riffs and sing-along hooks reminiscent of their early 2000s classics. Written face-to-face in Gilbert’s Nashville home with a riff-first mentality, the album recalls Sticks and Stones and Catalyst while pushing forward with songs like first single “100%,” road-tested alongside The Offspring and Jimmy Eat World. Produced by Steve Evetts with contributions from Dan O’Connor of Four Year Strong, Listen Up! balances nostalgia with urgency, embodying the band’s mission to inspire a new generation of fans while offering longtime listeners a renewed sense of strength, positivity, and joy—because, as Pundik sings on “Beer And Blood Stains,” at the end of the day, “it’s good to be alive.”

Danish bassist and composer Jesper Thorn has become one of Scandinavia s most distinctive musical voices, known for blending introspective storytelling with the understated lyricism of Nordic jazz. His award award-winning albums Boy and Dragor earned international praise for their emotional honesty and cinematic depth, establishing a sound world where fragility, melancholy, and quiet beauty intertwine. A deeply personal meditation on the search for calm, connection, and meaning in a world that often feels overwhelming, the album continues his exploration of sound as refuge, a place to pause, reflect, and breathe. Joined by long long-term collaborators Marc Méan (piano), Andreas Bernitt (violin), Cecilie Strange (saxophone), and Maj Berit Guassora (trumpet), Thorn reunites with producer Mette Damm and engineer August Wanngren to craft an atmosphere both intimate and expansive. Where 2023" s Dragor confronted the ghosts of Thorn s past, STILLE (meaning quiet " or silent " in Danish) looks outward - and inward - toward reflection. For me, music has always been a refuge, Thorn writes. It s a place where I can reflect and immerse myself - both as a listener and, maybe even more, as a composer. Each composition functions as a kind of musical still image : fragments of emotion captured in time, responding to both the chaos and fragile beauty of the modern world. From the flickering calm of Fragmentarium , to the urgent, primal fear of Run (written as wildfires swept through California) to the tender domestic peace of Stilleben , these pieces balance melancholy and hope in equal measure. Thorn s writing continues to thrive on collaboration and trust. Such is Fate emerged from a discarded melodic fragment, reimagined through the expressive playing of Bernitt on violin. Recover and Rebuild form a quiet hymn to resilience, with Guassora and Strange lending understated, breath breath-like power to the ensemble. The closing track, Shimmering (for MM) MM), is dedicated to pianist Marc Méan, a constant presence in Thorn s projects since 2014 and, as Thorn puts it, the touch and sound I hear in my head when I compose ". I wanted to create a space that feels like silence, peace and quiet in a noisy world that often moves faster than it feels possible to keep up with. says Thorn.

A unique collaboration between two of the most inquisitive and important artists in modern avant-garde electronic music.

Paper Masks marks a striking new collaboration between visionary Mute labelmates Phew and Danielle de Picciotto. Developed quietly over nearly five years, what began as an experiment between friends gradually evolved into a fulllength album. Phew composed and arranged all the music, weaving in dePicciotto’s voice and freely reshaping it to create something entirely new. Performed in both German and English, the result is an exploratory work that balances electronic minimalism with emotional immediacy.

Described by Pitchfork as “a Japanese underground legend”, Phew - former member of Osaka punk pioneers Aunt Sally - has forged a remarkable solo career, collaborating with Ryuichi Sakamoto, members of Can, and many others. In parallel, Danielle de Picciotto, an American-born interdisciplinary artist based in Berlin, co-founded the Berlin Love Parade and has performed internationally, working with Crime & the City Solution, Gudrun Gut, Space Cowboys, and her partner Alexander Hacke (Einstürzende Neubauten and frequent Phew collaborator) in hackedepicciotto.

Paper Masks stands as a mesmerizing exchange between two singular voices in experimental music - an intimate dialogue across distance, language, and sound, and a compelling addition to both artists’ evolving legacies.

Available on limited edition jellyfish color vinyl, featuring lyrics and poetry, and on CD, housed in an eco card-pack with a lyrics and poetry booklet.

Heady French minimal and tech producer Janeret makes his debut on reliable Leeds label 20/20 Vision in early 2026 with four slices of pure late-night propulsion and deep introspection. The French producer stays true to his usual balance of groove and emotion while sculpting a sound that feels weightless yet grounded. It's forward thinking but with some hints of familiarity that makes it all the more engaging from the off. Side A brings the lift as 'Xpress' shimmers with euphoria, while 'Wiggy' locks into a playful, percussive swing. Flip it, and 'A Certain Era' slides into acid-touched reverie before 'Ocean Dreams' drifts home in layered, meditative bliss. This is Janeret at his best.

VBX Records hits double digits with the Stutter Rolling NRG EP, a slow-burning four-tracker from Bangkok native DOTT.

Across this release, he delivers a kaleidoscope of intricate sound design, firmly rooted on the deeper end of the spectrum. Tension and release are woven through every bar, as shimmering textures meet tightly wound grooves with a warm, introspective edge.

A subtle yet potent entry in the VBX catalogue, this tenth installment balances movement with mystery, designed as much for the floor as for the heads.

Born to Dominican and Brazilian parents, xavi grew up bouncing from place to place, picking up inspiration wherever he landed. His first love was baile funk, but he was raised on classic hip-hop, eventually notching up production and songwriting credits for Vince Staples, Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande. But the major label life wasn’t giving; sick of the industry, he headed back to São Paulo to soak up the atmosphere and connect with artists on the ground. Before long, he started uploading quickfire bangers to SoundCloud – at this point there are over 350 of them on his feed – an »evolutionary playlist« in his own words, bursting with ideas.

»balança e paixão« is his debut release, proper, a 12-cut snapshot of chaotic, trailblazing, turbulent genius – bending thrashed rhythms into relentless vocal chops from a laundry list of young brazillian MCs. Built on ear-zizzing »tuin« hits and razor’s edge cuts, he creates hypnotic ripples that wedge themselves between São Paulo’s weirdo fringe (artists like JLZ and Iguana) and the percussive, MC-heavy sound of funk ritmado, one of the contemporary scene’s most vital and recognisable strains. Crucially, you can hear a Photek-like approach to space in his productions too, filling the gaps with metallic clangs to lend his rhythms their own unique dimension. The flipside takes it slower, deeper. On »sei q tu gosta« (I know you like it), DJ Leal Original and MC Vuk Vuk’s voices are transformed into ghosted sibilances next to xavi’s sonar pings and woodblock hits with an almost avant-dancehall slant, like some choice Equiknoxx dub, while on »cuidado bandida« (be careful bandit), he deploys bone-rattling trills that bite down on atmospherics that wouldn’t be out of place on Akira Yamaoka’s »Silent Hill« OST.

Der in Berlin lebende syrische Musiker Khaled Kurbeh gibt sein Debüt bei Research Records mit Likulli Fadain Eqaéh Jedem Raum seinen eigenen Rhythmus, einem Klangteppich aus Sounds, die er über vier Jahre im Rahmen seiner Praxis muhawalat Versuche, Variationen und hawamesh Ränder geschrieben, aufgeführt und aufgenommen hat: ein Ausdruck von Gesten, klanglichen Fußnoten und Beobachtungen aus dem Alltag.

Kurbehs erste Veröffentlichung seit sieben Jahren weicht von seinem weitgehend akustischen Debüt "Aphorisms" ab, einer Zusammenarbeit mit dem Oud-Spieler Raman Khalaf und einem Ensemble mit Elementen aus Maqam und Jazz.

Likulli Fadain Eqaéh Jedem Raum seinen eigenen Rhythmus präsentiert eine Sammlung zehn elektroakustischer Kompositionen – grübelnd und experimentell mit Anklängen an Musique concrète. Die Trackliste impliziert eine Reisebeschreibung. Feldaufnahmen von Schwalben und dem Knacken und Entschalen von Sonnenblumenkernen im Zwischenspiel Nuzha I Exkursion I werden durch eine spärliche Komposition aus Low-End-Synth, Harmonium, Klavier und präpariertem Fender Rhodes, gespielt mit Schlägeln, auf Darb I–II Pfad I–II kontrastiert. Beckenmuster und bewegte Glockenklänge erklingen auf Jauqét Ajras Chor der Glocken, während Streichinstrumente auf al-Ajraf [Die Klippen] zittern und stottern. Die Veröffentlichung fängt vier Jahre sich überschneidender Klangwanderungen ein und balanciert fein die Spannungen von Harmonie und Dissonanz, Stille und Resonanz, Textur und Rhythmus – aufgenommen im Innen- und Außenbereich.

Das Gatefold-Cover zeigt Kunstwerke von Ida Lawrence und enthält ein Booklet mit zehn gemalten Variationen einer Szene. Auf der Außenseite erstrecken sich Wege unter einem dramatisch akzentuierten und lebendigen Himmel; im Inneren erscheint dieselbe Landschaft immer wieder in unterschiedlichem Licht.

Likulli Fadain Eqaéh [Jedem Raum seinen eigenen Rhythmus] erscheint im Sommer 2025 bei Research Records, Naarm/Melbourne. Ein weiteres Solo-Klavieralbum von Kurbeh, aufgenommen in seinem Studio in Berlin-Kreuzberg, erscheint noch in diesem Jahr.

2026 Repress

Shep' is a new project from respected UK veteran Jay Shepheard. He debuted it with the inaugural release on his People Pleasers label last year and backs it up with more heady fusions of dub, minimal and house. 'Smiling Beaver' has tight drum patterns and dusty hi-hats but nice woozy vocal smears and jangling synths that keep things organic. 'Honey By The Pound' is a perfectly aged tech house cut that throws it back to the 90s and hits like Fresh & Low, while 'Fur Burger' gets a little more direct but keeps a playful charm with tin-pot percussion, cheeky whirring motifs, bleeps and balmy vocals. The closer, 'Good Schit,' is another colourfully infused late-night tech house sound that balances motion and emotion perfectly.

Der Spoken-Word-Künstler Dan Whitlam, eine der überzeugendsten neuen Stimmen aus GB, balanciert auf der 14-Track-Odysee "Strangers (Again)", seinem Debütalbum, gefühlvolle, klavierbetonte Momente und gebrochene Beats mit seiner charakteristischen Mischung aus lyrischer Ehrlichkeit und melodischem Feingefühl. So entsteht ein intimer wie auch weitläufiger Sound. Mit Gastfeatures von Raphaella, Tamzene, Saphire & Jordan Akampa fängt die LP die Dualität seiner Arbeit ein, wenn poetisches Geschichtenerzählen mit zukunftsweisender Produktion kontrastiert. Jeder Track reflektiert Verbindung und Distanz und verwebt Momente emotionaler Tiefe und Entspannung. Im Okt./Nov. 2025 startet(e) Whitlam seine bisher größte Headliner-Tour, mit ausverkauften Konzerten in Köln & Berlin, die ein intensives Erlebnis verspricht, wenn Grenzen zwischen Poesie, Soul und zeitgenössischer Musik verschwimmen. Der Londoner feiert Millionen TikTok- & Instagram-Aufrufe und wird von Künstlern wie Fred Again & Arlo Parks sowie Modemarken wie Hermes & YSL unterstützt.
















[o] B8. Interlude - 3 Lives [vinyl exclusive]

Der Spoken-Word-Künstler Dan Whitlam, eine der überzeugendsten neuen Stimmen aus GB, balanciert auf der 14-Track-Odysee "Strangers (Again)", seinem Debütalbum, gefühlvolle, klavierbetonte Momente und gebrochene Beats mit seiner charakteristischen Mischung aus lyrischer Ehrlichkeit und melodischem Feingefühl. So entsteht ein intimer wie auch weitläufiger Sound. Mit Gastfeatures von Raphaella, Tamzene, Saphire & Jordan Akampa fängt die LP die Dualität seiner Arbeit ein, wenn poetisches Geschichtenerzählen mit zukunftsweisender Produktion kontrastiert. Jeder Track reflektiert Verbindung und Distanz und verwebt Momente emotionaler Tiefe und Entspannung. Im Okt./Nov. 2025 startet(e) Whitlam seine bisher größte Headliner-Tour, mit ausverkauften Konzerten in Köln & Berlin, die ein intensives Erlebnis verspricht, wenn Grenzen zwischen Poesie, Soul und zeitgenössischer Musik verschwimmen. Der Londoner feiert Millionen TikTok- & Instagram-Aufrufe und wird von Künstlern wie Fred Again & Arlo Parks sowie Modemarken wie Hermes & YSL unterstützt.
















o B8. Interlude - 3 Lives [vinyl exclusive]















[o] B8. Interlude - 3 Lives [vinyl exclusive]

Two of the most respected voices in the underground connect for a heavyweight collaboration that's been a long time coming — BULLETPROOF CHICKEN is out now!

CRIMEAPPLE, the bilingual New Jersey spitter known for razor-sharp wordplay and a steady run of cult-favorite projects like Aguardiente and his collaborations with DJ Muggs, cementing his spot as a force in modern hip-hop.

On the boards, V DON has become a staple for his signature dark, cinematic production style. From Harlem to the world, he’s laced tracks for the likes of Boldy James, Estee Nack, A$AP Rocky, Dave East, Benny The Butcher among several otehrs, while also building his own lane with the underground classics like Omerta and his Deutsche Marks and Blue Note series with Willie The Kid. His beats balance grit and atmosphere, making him one of the most sought-after producers in the underground and beyond.

With BULLETPROOF CHICKEN, the two bring their worlds together — sharp rhymes, moody textures, and guest appearances from T.F, Bruiser Wolf, and Primo Profit only add more weight. This album is a testament to where both artists are right now, rising higher with every drop, carrying the underground to new levels.

On Hungry Animal, Luke Temple continues to trace the invisible lines between the personal and the cosmic _ between what we feel, what we observe, and what we inherit simply by being alive. The album reunites Temple with Doug Stuart (bass) and Kosta Galanopoulos (drums), the core of his Cascading Moms ensemble, whose instinctive chemistry anchors the record's balance of rhythmic precision and melodic drift. Together they shape a sound that feels handmade and fluid, delivering sharp observations in soft focus. The album opens with "Clean Living," a tenderly libidinous groove, unraveling purity myths and self-discipline _ less a confession than a celebration of the futility of striving for perfection in a flawed world. From there, "Echo Park Donut" shifts into the memory of an unsettling vignette drawn from a violent incident outside Temple's Los Angeles home. The band moves with a quiet pulse beneath the story, suggesting both detachment and the surreal intimacy of fear. The title track, "Hungry Animal," grounds the album's broader questions: how well can we really know one another, or ourselves? Temple's lyrics circle around the idea that we are animals among animals, driven by instinct and affection alike. It's both playful and philosophical, one of the record's emotional centers. Temple's bandmates bring an understated mastery to these pieces. Stuart's melodic, infectious grooves converse fluidly with Galanopoulos's drumming, which breathes life into each song even as it gently propels them forward. The trio's interplay feels both weightless and deeply rooted _ commanding the listener's attention and empathy without ever forcing it. With Hungry Animal, Luke Temple and the Cascading Moms create a world where reflection becomes rhythm and consciousness gains texture _ a record of quiet revelations and deliberate grace.

'Flowers', the new EP from Elizabeth Davis, finds itself at the cross-section of many factors. In part, it’s the result of Davis’ obsession with a seminal folk song. But it also coincides with her rediscovery of the voice and language as an instrument. It was recorded during an autumn residency at Sternhagen Gut, the cultural refuge run by Gudrun Gut and Thomas Fehlmann, located deep in the Uckermark countryside halfway between Berlin and the Baltic coast.

The six tracks on 'Flowers' all take Pete Seeger’s ‘60s protest-folk song 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone' as their starting point. However, they veer off in different directions, from vocal loops and deconstructed lyrics, to instrumental drones and glitchy, manipulated rhythm tracks. Like many musicians, Davis has learnt composition by a process of disassembly, analyzing musical works piece by piece, and 'Flowers' began as one such forensic exercise. “But sometimes,” says Davis, “a source is so loaded up on meaning that the studies and experiments can become worthwhile and meaningful works in their own right.” 'Flowers' began to take on a life of its own, raising renewed questions about age-old themes such as war, authorship, translation and historical structures.

Davis is no stranger to cover versions. From studying violin to playing in free jazz and punk bands, interpreting other artists’ works has long been a key part of her musical approach. And since her radio show 'Deep Puddle' recently drew to a close after seven years, her experiments with narration and sound collage have found their way into her musical work once again. For 'Flowers', she cut up the source material (with a nod to Gysin and Burroughs), and reassembled the lyrics, the musical notes, and recordings by different performers, to create uncanny new forms.

But perhaps the biggest influence on 'Flowers' was conversations about music, art and pop subcultures with Gut. These dialogues helped Davis find a balance between far-out sound design experiments and catchy melodies, combining a certain avant-garde element and modern day songcraft. And it’s this sense of conversation, this revisiting of topics and renewal of ideas, that will keep us coming back to 'Flowers' long into the future.

Much more than just another punk band, Ideal Victim is a wildfire fueled by fury, grit, and defiance. Formed in Porto in 2022, this young outfit proposes a seemingly improbable formula that proves to be both unique and cohesive: over the raw, unyielding energy of 1980’s British hardcore, they layer the hypnotic vibes of surf rock and the nervous tension of rockabilly—crafting a taut and irresistible balance between atmosphere and aggression.​
At the forefront stands the fierce and outspoken roar of vocalist Mariana, supported by the driving cadence of drums and bass, and by a guitar that writhes as it drowns in distortion.​

Ideal Victim belong to a lineage of bands that never asked for permission to exist: from Discharge to Bikini Kill, from The Cramps to Dead Kennedys, their influences are undeniable. Yet, Ideal Victim refuse to echo them in exercises of nostalgia. Their music is urgent, combative, and strikingly current—a visceral response to the shackles of patriarchy and the open wounds of a world in accelerated collapse.​

Propelled by the impact of their demo Diary of a Pig and a considerable amount of stage experience, Ideal Victim now presents Rage Letters, a debut album that reflects the band's evolution through a set of six brief tracks—where nothing is left unsaid, nor unshouted.​
With Rage Letters, Ideal Victim extend us an invitation to insubordination—and it's one we can't help but accept.

B' ROOTS SOUND SYSTEM presents the first release of its record label -NORTH&SOUTH Reggae Label-. A 12inch worked with Sergio López aka Japu, from Lana Studio in Linares (Jaén-Andalusia-Spain).

A version of the original riddim by N. Bailey with the voice and lyrics of Natty Nature. 'Keep up the vibe', a song full of powerful melodies, where the lyrics refer to creating a harmony between the music and the listener through the vibration of the instruments, the voice and each sound element. That is, keeping the energy and creativity awake in perfect balance.

On the other side, Jorge Dopico contributes his art in 'Trombone vibe', to keep the energy at its highest until the end of the album. A trombone line that delights anyone who loves the most melodic and instrumental reggae.

All this, supported by the respective Dub Versions, by Sergio López aka Japu, from Lana Studio. Providing the riddim, production, mixing and mastering of this sensational first work.

A moonstone glow infuses Boy Golden’s Best of Our Possible Lives, an album that finds its flow state. A pensive, questioning collection, Best of Our Possible Lives is informed by the artist’s intuitive, observational worldview, beaming honesty and levity in its quest for emotional balance. Buoyant, smooth and disarming, the music of singer-songwriter/producer Boy Golden is charmingly undefinable, drawing lines from the Tulsa sound to North Carolina indie, New Jersey DIY to swampy New Orleans folk. From opening riff to swirling final notes, Best of Our Possible Lives ripples like sun on the lake, an invitation to seek each our own bliss. Produced by Robbie Lackritz (Feist, Bahamas, Weather Station), Best of Our Possible Lives brought Boy Golden to Lucy’s Meat Market in Los Angeles with Pino Palladino (D’Angelo), Gabe Noel (Father John Misty), Joseph Shabason (Destroyer) and Abe Rounds (Meshell Ndegeocello) alongside Church of Better Daze founding members FONTINE and Austin Parachoniak. RIYL - Mk.gee, Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman, Plant & Krauss’ Raising Sand, Paul Simon

Vijan, originally released in 2003 by I Grade Records, is a seminal release from the “golden era” of St. Croix roots reggae, now available for the first time on 12” vinyl courtesy of Before Zero Records.

Produced by the legendary combination of Vaughn Benjamin and Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred, Vijan balances the raw, spiritual intensity of Vaughn’s songwriting with the sophisticated, melodic arrangements that became the hallmark of the I Grade sound.

This album features an incredible lineup of musicians who helped shape the sound of Virgin Islands reggae. The production credits boast the textured guitar layers of Tuff Lion , the deep, driving bass of Kenyatta Itola , and the rhythmic precision of Dion “Bosie” Hopkins. Uniquely, this album also showcases Vaughn Benjamin’s versatility as a multi-instrumentalist, contributing drums, bass, and keys on standout tracks like “All Ye Naashan” and “Thanks for Life”.

Akae Beka’s inimitable style of rich, deep, multi-layered songwriting and uncompromising devotion to RasTafari is on full display here. At the point of his untimely passing in 2019, Vaughn Benjamin had released over 70 albums, solidifying his place as one of the most prolific reggae artists ever known. Vijan remains
a glowing highlight in this expansive catalogue, capturing a specific moment of creative brilliance in the early 2000s.

The vinyl reissue allows listeners to engage with the album’s analogue richness and features the striking original artwork by Marcus Wilson, presented here as a 12” square masterpiece.

Wishbone Ash's self-titled debut album, released in 1970, introduced a distinctive sound that would become highly influential in British rock. This re-issue faithfully replicates the original UK release in it's gatefold sleeve and is pressed on 180gm vinyl. Blending blues-rock, folk melodies, and emerging progressive elements, the album is defined by the bands signature twin-lead guitar approach, with Andy Powell and Ted Turner weaving melodic, harmonized lines rather than relying on a single dominant lead. Tracks like Blind Eye and Queen Of Torture balance hard-edged riffs with spacious, reflective passages, while acoustic moments add a pastoral, almost medieval atmosphere. The rhythm section, understated yet precise, allows the guitars to breathe and develop organically. Rather than chasing commercial immediacy, the album favours mood, texture, and musical interplay, giving it a thoughtful, exploratory character. As a debut, Wishbone Ash feels confident and forward-looking, laying the groundwork for the bands later classics and helping to shape the twin-guitar sound later adopted by countless rock and metal acts.

Tears Before Bedtime is the sparkling new album by the Would-be-goods, Jessica Griffin’s band of pop adventurers. Since The Camera Loves Me, their cult classic 1988 debut for the legendary él Records, they have blazed a musical trail through indie guitar pop, with a garage band edge and forays into other territories - glam rock, tango, French chanson… The result is unique and timeless.
The songs on Tears Before Bedtime balance delicacy and power. Perfect pop melodies are delivered in Jessica’s gorgeous and idiosyncratic voice. Her lyrics are intelligent and wry, wistful and witty. Every song tells a story, taking us on a journey through space and time, from belle époque Paris to a 1960s London biker café, from a riverbank in ancient Greece to a 1970s teenage bedroom.
Listening to a Would-be-goods album is like wandering through a gallery of portraits. Innocence gives way to experience. Danger lurks amid the lights of the funfair in the 1950s carousel whirl of The Gallopers. The sinister Dr Love promises heaven but sends you down to hell, to the sound of a last dance in a smoky soul basement. A nymph meets a god in disguise in a garage-band take on a Greek myth (Tears for Leda). The Rose Tattoo is the tale of a doomed love in a sultry Southern state. Don't Come Crying To Me flames an ex-lover to the sound of Bollywood horns and shivery guitar. In Madame X a portrait painter vents his fury on a spoilt socialite beauty. The album closes with a sweetly jazzy lullaby (The Moon Doesn't Mind).
The Would-be-goods began playing as a full band in the 2000s and have been previewing some of these songs at recent shows in England, Scotland, France, and Spain. The album was recorded in London with Jessica on guitar and vocals, Peter Momtchiloff (Heavenly, Talulah Gosh) on guitar, Debbie Greensmith (Thee Headcoatees and many others) on drums, and Andy Warren (The Monochrome Set, Adam and the Ants) on bass. Guest musicians have contributed organ, piano, vibraphone, cello, trumpet, and flute to make this the richest-sounding Would-be-goods record yet.

Threewave is the complete synth trilogy from 36 and it unites three releases into a single, evolving statement shaped over five years. Spanning the Wave Variations, Symmetry Systems and Reality Engine releases, the project is rooted in self-imposed limitations and a carefully refined melodic palette that gave rise to a suite of interconnected transmissions. Minimalist sketches give way to warm, AI-era-inspired nostalgia, but always grounded by a distinctly human sensibility. Melancholic keys and glowing atmospheres balance precision with emotion before expanding into themes of perception, artificial intelligence and imagined realities. Together, these works make for a defining chapter in 36's partnership with the legendary Past Inside the Present.

AGT Records are back for number 008 and the smoke machine is on full blast.

Christian Llopis put out a handful of releases in the early 2000’s, each capturing the progressive machine-groove of the time, but with his own signature twist and turn that made his sound stand apart from his contemporaries. The Lobster Tan EP, first released in 2005 on Play. Out. Right. Now. Recordings, shows offhis unique style perfectly.

Each track has its own distinct personality while maintaining a relentless momentum that throws each kick drum into the next. The title track ‘Lobster Tan’ has an almost elastic groove in the low end, balanced deftly with swirling samples and melody lines. ‘Simulation’ is a more heady offering, perfect for those late night/ early morning moments where the heads are down and the lights are low. The
mood is sinister, and its growling bassline and vocal samples barrel the tune forwards. Pick of the bunch is ‘Back in the Day’, a tribal roller that combines organic melody lines and pads with an ever-evolving bassline that will refresh any discerning dance floor back into life.

Llopis is an expert at keeping things subtle while moving the gears, and this release is a prime example of prog done right. We are happy to have this one back on the shelves, all in good time.

Maazn returns for its second release, Day Walker EP, featuring prolific French producer BOOH. Co-founder of BOOOoo! Records, alongside his sister Bousti, BOOH has taken a different direction for Day Walker EP, carefully crafting a unique balance between light and darkness. Electro leaning robotic vocoder samples and thumping basslines dominate the A side, with both Consequence and Magnetic System prepped to test the limits of any soundsystem.

The B-side follows a similar, but more introspective style, with title track Day Walker's slower pace and earworm synths more suited to hazey afters in forgotten corners. Kiss Me Goodbye closes out the EP with funk tinged acoustic bass sounds, married to driving EBM style drums that will even get your grandmother up and out of the chair.

Finnish dub-techno craftsman TM Shuffle, head of Vuo Records, resurfaces with a deep and distilled EP that goes straight for the late-night heart of the dancefloor. Rooted in Tampere’s raw, analog dub sound, his productions have long balanced weight and warmth, smoked-out chords, rolling low-end and subtle shuffle that keeps the groove in constant motion.
The lead track “Kellari” dives into basement mode: pressure-cooker drums, slow-burning stabs and a humid, lived-in atmosphere that feels equally at home on a huge system or in headphones at 4 a.m. On the second original cut, TM Shuffle links up once again with long-time collaborator Monoder, the alias of Jussi-Pekka Parikka, known for his dubbed-out explorations on labels like Statik Entertainment and Pakkas-Levyt since the early 2000s. Their joint track stretches time, letting echo, tape hiss and distant melodic fragments float around a rock-solid groove, channelling years of shared studio language into one focused, hypnotic flow.
On the flip, Anton Kubikov (SCSI-9) steps in with a lush reinterpretation of Kellari. A true Russian techno veteran with a catalog that spans Kompakt, Force Tracks, Mayak and beyond, Kubikov melts the original into a widescreen, dream-state trip, soft-focus pads, gentle yet insistent percussion and that unmistakable rolling pulse that made his work so enduring. The remix doesn’t just extend the track; it opens a new dimension, turning the basement pressure into a slow-rising, celestial drift.
Pressed on limited coloured vinyl, this EP is built for selectors who like their dub techno deep, human and timeless, a record that will quietly live in bags for years and keep resurfacing whenever the room calls for true late-night elevation.

How better to solidify over a year of meteoric rise than with the release of a debut EP? dublon is both the phenomenon of the moment and one of the most promising prospects for a lasting career in the electronic scene. The Norwegian producer has teamed up with top-tier musicians (saxophonists, pianists) to blend organic craftsmanship with his incredible electronic touch. He has also collaborated with respected and renowned artists like Tour-Maubourg, TABLE, and the incredible American singer Deza to bring this project to life.

The result is Nectar, an EP that balances touching elegance with an insatiable urge to dance to its uplifting rhythms. dublon and his Jazz-House sound are set to keep us moving all year long.

Nurse with Wound's epic Thunder Perfect Mind was originally released in 1992 on United Dairies and was a sort of twin sister album to Current 93's album sharing the same title. Both albums featured contributions from Coil's John Balance, David Tibet, Colin Potter, Rose McDowall and more. A masterclass in ominous ghostly atmospheres and mind-warping psychedelic sound collage, this enhanced, extended and remastered edition has been overseen by Stephen Stapleton himself.

LP, Opaque Pink Vinyl, w/ download card

Mexico City’s Sunset Images emerge with their most daring and immersive work to date, Oscilador, arriving January 23 on Dedstrange. Known for pushing the boundaries of noise rock and psychedelic experimentation, the band plunges deeper into their raw, unrelenting sound—crafting an album that thrives in chaos, distortion, and hypnotic repetition.
Oscilador captures Sunset Images at a new creative peak: jagged guitars dissolve into swirling feedback, fractured rhythms pulse like machinery on the brink, and vocals echo through layers of reverb as if channeled from another dimension. The record balances intensity and atmosphere, offering both catharsis and transcendence. It’s a sonic free fall that feels at once destructive and redemptive—like watching a city crumble only to find strange beauty in the ruins.
The album title reflects the band’s fascination with constant motion and instability, the oscillations of sound and life itself. Across the record, Sunset Images embrace the extremes: minimal passages expand into walls of noise, meditative drones are shattered by bursts of primal energy, and every song teeters on the edge of collapse. This restless spirit makes Oscilador not just a collection of songs, but a visceral experience—one that mirrors the tension and electricity of Mexico City’s underground scene.
Joining forces with Dedstrange, Sunset Images step onto a global stage while staying true to their uncompromising vision. For fans of A Place To Bury Strangers, Sonic Youth, or My Bloody Valentine, Oscilador delivers the thrill of pure immersion—music that doesn’t just demand to be heard, but to be felt in the chest, the bones, and the subconscious.
With Oscilador, Sunset Images invite listeners to lose themselves in noise, distortion, and dissonance—and to find clarity within the chaos.

Originally released in 2005, this standout EP returns as part of the much-anticipated reissue campaign from cult New York imprint Drugsex — a label that quickly became a treasured name among heads who lived and breathed the underground. Born from the creative partnership between UK producers Rob Pearson and Simon Copleston, Drugsex carved out its own raw, hypnotic corner of the international tech house movement.

For the second instalment in the reissue series, label head Rob Pearson teams up with Daniel Poli under their Distant Strangers moniker — a project that, even back then, was whispered about among selectors for its deep, rolling grooves and stripped-back intensity. Both artists had already made their mark with releases on some of the most respected labels of the era — from Rekids and Swag Records to Evasive Records, Rescue Recordings, and beyond.

The pair’s first collaboration, the Lost Souls EP, became a highly limited, in-demand underground gem, pressed in small quantities and played by those in the know. This follow-up, crafted at Online Studios in Croydon, took their sound to the next level — two original tracks built for dancefloors that like things hypnotic, physical and uncompromising.

On the A-side, Virtual Morality is a slick and driving slice of tech house pressure. Crisp percussion, rolling low-end and a subtle but addictive hook make it a peak-time weapon that never goes out of style. Flip it over for Take Us In Deeper — a track that lives up to its name with a shadowy groove, atmospheric layers and a perfectly balanced push and pull that draws dancers further into the late-night haze.

Adding even more weight to the release, Adam Collins — known for his work with Omni AM and Euphoria Records — steps in with a remix of Virtual Morality on B2. His version injects an unmistakable acid edge, elevating the original into a tripped-out, floor-focused burner that fits as comfortably in a basement sweatbox as it does on a sunrise terrace.

Nearly two decades later, these tracks still carry the same raw power and effortless groove that made them cult favourites in the first place. This reissue isn’t just a nod to the past — it’s a reminder of why this sound endures.