Pop & Rock News

Soft Cell have today revealed more details about the limited-edition 7″ vinyl EP which will accompany their previously announced photo-book ‘To Show You I’ve Been There’ which was published in May.

Entitled ‘Magick Mutants’, the exclusive EP features four previously unreleased tracks: three brand new re-workings of the early Soft Cell classics ‘Bleak Is My Favourite Cliche’, ‘Science Fiction Stories’ and ‘The Girl With The Patent Leather Face’, alongside a cover of the late Fad Gadget’s seminal 1979 single ‘Back To Nature’, and the EP release is also dedicated to Fad Gadget who studied alongside Marc Almond and Dave Ball at Leeds Polytechnic.

Intended as a sequel to 1980’s ‘Mutant Moments’ release, the new EP features artwork by the band’s Dave Ball, also who created the ‘Mutant Moments’ sleeve.

Plastic Ivy, who has made a name for herself in the underground spheres of analog synth experimentation, has released her first full length for Kraftjerkz, entitled “Spots of Time.” The album is as much a lyrical treasure as it is an analog synth dream, brought to life through abundant melodies and arpeggiations, alluring vocals, and a somber emotional tone that courses through the veins of the album.

Plastic Ivy’s influences are wide ranging; sonically, the nod to cold wave, the new romantics, and early indie is clear. Lyrically, the album draws influence from William Wordsworth to historian Timothy Snyder to jazz composer Billy Strayhorn. “Spots of Time” should be listened to with an ear held close to the lyrics, which are earnest yet detached, cooly crooned, and above all else—poetic. Standout tracks like “Images,” and “New Eyes” are entirely dance-worthy. Plastic Ivy casts a range of emotions in these new pieces: from vulnerable, lonely, and contemplative to nostalgic, romantic and transcendent. Overall, “Spots of Time” is an exquisite example of experimental synth pop.

Plastic Ivy, who has made a name for herself in the underground spheres of analog synth experimentation, has released her first full length for Kraftjerkz, entitled “Spots of Time.” The album is as much a lyrical treasure as it is an analog synth dream, brought to life through abundant melodies and arpeggiations, alluring vocals, and a somber emotional tone that courses through the veins of the album.

Plastic Ivy’s influences are wide ranging; sonically, the nod to cold wave, the new romantics, and early indie is clear. Lyrically, the album draws influence from William Wordsworth to historian Timothy Snyder to jazz composer Billy Strayhorn. “Spots of Time” should be listened to with an ear held close to the lyrics, which are earnest yet detached, cooly crooned, and above all else—poetic. Standout tracks like “Images,” and “New Eyes” are entirely dance-worthy. Plastic Ivy casts a range of emotions in these new pieces: from vulnerable, lonely, and contemplative to nostalgic, romantic and transcendent. Overall, “Spots of Time” is an exquisite example of experimental synth pop.

Minimal Wave Records and Bitter Lake Recordings present their first collaborative release, a double LP by mythical Japanese underground electronic trio Portray Heads.

Their self-titled double LP spans all their recordings to date including the songs from their rare Elaborate Dummy flexi (1985), follow-up Oratorio (1986) and several incredible newly discovered demos. Influenced by early 1980s European New Wave and Japanese synthpop, their songs range from circular poppy synth gems to moody dark new wave anthems – all led by strong female vocals. It’s an absolute honor for us to release this long lost Japanese minimal synth classic.

The release is limited to 999 copies pressed on 160 gram black double vinyl, presented in a high quality matte gatefold jacket featuring a rare photograph and the story behind the band.

Pop subversives Beth Roberts and Andrew Hargreaves (The Boats, Tape Loop Orchestra) pose their 2nd album as The Mistys with 'Pregnant Mannequin', following some five years on from their debut album 'Redemption Forest'. It basically sounds like an incredible, saccharine shoegaze/dreampop album recorded to a salvaged D90 tape that's about to disintegrate, warbling in and out of time.Referencing a wealth of pop archetypes via their uniquely claggy, recombinant filter to render a new vision for subversive pop music, Beth Roberts' sugary vocals are smudged and buried deeper in the mix, processed with fizzing textures that only add an extra poignancy and a sense of struggle to the classic pathos of her voice. In key, Andrew Hargreaves lends some of his most sharpened, devastating hooks, bringing their project closer to a polysemous conception of ambient-EBM-pop.
The formative experience and naivety of 2013's 'Redemption Forest' album has given way to a newfound complexity over the five year interim. It's there in the sense of gauzy ambiguity that
oozes through the record's synth, drum machine and vocal construction, with results that speak to a mix of uncertainty and determination, asking and answering ideas of imposter syndrome that can sometime undermine the urge to self-expression.
The diaphanous scale of 'Bite Marks' welcomes us into their distant, yet familiar world, where the tape worn cadence of Beth's vocals leave indelible marks on the mind in 'Womb', and 'Velvet Water' leads us down a pinched ginnel of darkwave pop, to arrive in the stately air of 'Heat Death'. At their most forceful, they're still a pair of tender souls, though, as in the push and pull of tempered rage and romance in 'Cut by Degrees', while 'Celluloid Skin' sees them offer a warm, fuzzy embrace of
shoegaze-pop akin to The Cocteau Twins heard underwater, and the dark blue swells of 'Blades and Boardwalks' and 'Metabolisms' reveals their natural affinity to what was once called Witch House, and can now be heard as a modern form of cold wave or gothic synth-pop - styles that take their pleasure from a feeling of negative ecstasy, an effective inversion of 'poptimism'.

Holodeck Records, Ein Elektronisches Indielabel Aus Austin, Texas, Das Ausschliesslich Auf Vinyl, Tape Und Digital Veröffentlicht, Legt Das Zweite Album Des Kanadischen Electro-pop-trios Automelodi Um Den Produzenten Xavier Paradis Aus Montreal Wieder Auf. "surlendemains Acides" Ist Ein Electro-pop-kultalbum Mit Französisch-englischen Vocals, Das Erstmals 2013 Auf Hidden Treasure Music Erschien. Die Montrealer Underground-electro-szene Brachte U.a. Pioniere Wie Marie Davidson Und Tim Hecker Hervor.

JJ Funhouse compiles their long time favorite selections of Dr. C. Stein goodies. Assembled from the 'Plays for you CD-R' (Trumpett), the long sold out 'Echo Trip LP' (Treue um Treue) and some obscure cor- ners of the Trumpett archive. We couldn't be more happy with this perfect dream sequence of softspot hitters. (limited to 500 copies).

“Trading in Guilt” by Vital Signs is one of those elusive, independently released 1983 UK new wave / minimal synth 7” records that have achieved cult status amongst collectors through the years. It is nearly impossible to find these days and even the band members don’t own a copy of it. If you do manage to locate one nowadays you can prepare your wallet. Vital Signs seemed about to kick off with the release of this single that they put out on their own label after it was picked up by the legendary John Peel at BBC Radio One. But even despite the airplay and various labels paying for further recording, they didn’t manage to breakthrough. They probably went as far as they could possibly go and when no major deal actually came to happen, the band decided to call it a day. “Trading in Guilt” was originally released in a standard white paper sleeve without artwork and the pressing
itself was definitely not of the best quality. Just because of this we decided to bring it to you again, WITH GREAT IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE ORIGINAL.

We are extremely happy to bring you this highly sought after 7” now with full artwork, on a much smoother, much better sounding vinyl. It is a limited, hand-numbered edition of 120 black vinyl copies, housed in a thin, very 80s feeling / looking paper sleeve including a download code.

Auf seinem zweiten Album "Neurofire" treibt L.A. Producer und FadeToMind-Betreiber Kingdom seine Suche nach schnellere, turbulentere und experimentellere Club- und Popmusik voran und fusioniert deepen aund aggressiven Club-Bass mit synkopiertem Scifi-Pop- und -R&B der Marke Timbaland und DanjaHandz, ohne dabei sein Faible für emotionale Synths und Vocals zu vernachlässigen. "Neurofire" bietet darüberhinaus ein Feuerwerk an Features von jungen Talenten wie Ghost, Kayla Blackmon, Tiara Thomas, Pheona, UNIIQU3, Semma, LUVK und Tre Oh Fie.

Dead Or Alive have sold more than 30 million albums and 25 million singles worldwide and gave Stock Aitken Waterman their first #1
single. Their first three albums, which the band wrote, all reached the UK Top 30, with ‘Youthquake’ reaching the Top 10. In the 1980s, they charted seven unique singles in the UK Top 40, with two further re-entries this century, with a remix and original version of ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)’. Respected US magazine Billboard, ranked them in their all-time Top 100 most successful ‘dance artists’ chart.
‘Fan The Flame (Part 1)’ is their fifth studio album and was only released in Japan in 1990, where it reached #27, until a re-worked
version was included within the ‘Sophisticated Boom Box MMXVI’ box set in 2016. ‘Fan The Flame (Part 1)’ contains the singles ‘Your Sweetness (Is Your Weakness)’ (Japan #3), ‘Unhappy Birthday’ (Japan #14) and ‘Gone 2 Long’ (Japan #18). Renowned and in-demand singer, Tracy Ackerman performed all backing vocal duties, with Londonbeat and the London Community Gospel Choir appearing on ‘Total Stranger’ and ‘Unhappy Birthday’, respectively. Also featured is Billy Currie, better known for his work with Ultravox, Visage and Gary Numan. This special 30th Anniversary Edition of ‘Fan The Flame (Part 1)’, is the first time that the album has been commercially released on
vinyl in its original configuration, with original playing durations and will be pressed on 180g heavyweight white colour vinyl.

Follow up to their debut Liquid Deep, Dreamcast Davon and Sasac are back for another PPUPRODUCT.

Catastrophe’s second studio album, GONG! will be released on September 11, 2020 by Tricatel. After Dernier Soleil (EP 2016), La nuit est encore jeune (Album 2018) and Fizzy (vinyl compilation 2020), Catastrophe returns with an album / musical comedy about forests, smartphones and the passing of time. Directed by David Sztanke (aka Tahiti Boy), this ambitious and teeming album propels us into a forty-minute marriage between Kendrick Lamar and Jacques Demy. Catastrophe locked the six of them in the same room, and made music inspired by everything they love: from Orelsan to Gilberto Gil via Brigitte Fontaine or Arcade Fire.

It's auspicious that Sonic Boom-the solo project and nom-de-producer of Peter Kember (Spectrum, Spacemen 3)-returns in 2020 with its first new LP in three decades. Kember's drawn to the year's numerological potency, and this intentionality shines into every corner of All Things Being Equal. It's a meditative, mathematical record concerned with the interconnectedness of memory, space, consumerism, consciousness-everything. Through regenerative stories told backwards and forwards, Kember explores dichotomies zen and fearsome, reverential of his analog toolkit and protective of the plants and trees that support our lives. Sonic Boom's second album and first for Carpark began in 2015 as electronic jams. The original sketches of electronic patterns, sequenced out of modular synths, were so appealing that Stereolab's Tim Gane encouraged Kember to release them instrumentally. "I nearly did," confesses Kember, "but the vibe in them was so strong that I couldn't resist trying to ice the cake." Three years later, a move to Portugal saw him dusting off the backing tracks, adding vocals inspired by Sam Cooke, The Sandpipers, and the Everly Brothers (which he admits "don't go far from the turntable pile"), as well as speculative, ominous spoken word segments. His new home Sintra's parks and gardens provided a different visual context for Kember's thoughtful observations, and he thematically incorporated sunshine and nature as well as global protests into the ten resulting tracks. "Music made in sterility sounds sterile," he says, "And that is my idea of hell."

Anniversary LP with personilized Sleeves.
Double LP CRAZY FANTASTIC passionate musicians strike...

SUPERB

If you could recreate a time before you experienced the most extreme grief of your life, would you do it? For Rituals of Mine’s Terra Lopez, she did just that. With her latest album HYPE NOSTALGIA – her first as a solo artist – Lopez wanted to create a soundscape from a pre-loss perspective, revealing how the darkness she experienced was just microcosms of her being.
 
HYPE NOSTALGIA reckons with the emotional rollercoaster Lopez has been riding the past few years, and reimagines it. In 2015, Lopez lost her father to suicide and six months later her best friend passed away in a water accident. “Those two events within that six month-period, forever changed me, and I'm only now starting to feel like I've processed it after all these years,” Lopez says.
 
The same week her father died, she went on tour, and the same week that her friend died, Lopez signed to a major label, immediately working on new music. She never slowed down and neither did her emotions. Lopez went from being a high-functioning depressed person to encountering the most crippling mental health experience of her life.

Art had always been her outlet, but it was no longer a coping mechanism that worked. Trauma had taken away her voice, leaving Lopez unable to sing for a year. It wasn’t until 2018 when she decided to go to therapy and began taking medication for the first time that she could process the trauma she had experienced, not only in the recent years, but intergenerational trauma she discovered in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

Sure, there are heavy elements to the record: dark synths, future R&B undertones, propulsive bass and moody lyrics, but the softness of Lopez’s vocals elicits a quiet confidence. On the self-assured lead single “Come Around Me,” the most straightforward song Lopez has ever written, she confronts being taken advantage of as a gay woman of color in the music industry. “None of this fake shit when you come around me,” she sings breathlessly. Lopez enlists musician Kristina Esfandiari (King Woman, Nghtcrwlr), to tackle the same subject on the anthemic “Free Throw,” meditating on the fake support that comes from their male counterparts in the music industry.

Exclusive Record Store Day version pressed on 7" picture disc! Top song on Billboard's 1994 Year End Chart.

GRAMMY-Gewinnerin Alessia Cara legt nach: Das zweite Album "The Pains of Growing" Gnadenlos offen, extrem persönlich und absolut nahbar, steht der Name Alessia Cara längst für die Anti-Pop-Position im Popzirkus: kein Make-up, dafür gewichtige, ehrliche Ansagen; keine Effekte, dafür große Songs, persönliche Themen, pure Stimmgewalt.

A slow dance with love and death.

Moustache Records welcomes Senor Chugger to the label family! His debut EP 'One More Tune & One More Pint' (yes come on let's have it!!) aims to encompass the euphoric feeling of being on a dance floor with nothing but your mates and some good music (and pints). Honestly I'd be happy if that's what's awaiting me in the afterlife.

'Press the Flesh' is the head of our proverbial euphoric snake, making no promises other than you'll have a bloody good time listening to it. 'Midnight Scooter Cruise' is about those last few moments before the lights come on; feeling genuinely happy to have been able to live in the present for more than a few seconds throughout the night and have a laugh - followed by thoughts such as 'Goodness me I'm going to feel horrific tomorrow'. Flipping over to the B side (or the snake's ass, if you will), we have 2 tracks competing for the loudest snare award. 'Head in the Clouds of Smoke' is a nod towards the great times had in the peak of the midday sun at festivals, where otherwise non-smokers inexplicably decide to chuff their way through a 20 pack.


Last, but by no means least, 'Newton Abbot Reunion' is about going back home to see old friends - one of the more wholesome hangovers I'm sure you can relate to. Overall this EP wants you to keep on dancing - there will always be one more tune, and one more pint (unless you've had too many in which case don't do that). 'Very very good EP. Possibly the best I've heard this year.' - Count van Delicious 'Will you stop making your Italy disco or whatever it's called and take the dog for a walk please' - Senor Chugger's mum This is the unknown hit everybody is looking for played by Moustache Labelboss David Vunk at numberous parties, club and festivals!!!!

This is the 2020 HIT EP Be fast gone is gone!

7"

Liebemelodie is a song based on a true story. It’s dark. It’s good. It’s romantic. Play it in the rain when you cry or listen to it when you burn your ex lovers stuff. It will break you and heal you. Love is the drug.

If you are passionate about local music scenes as much as we are you might already know about the current brood of great bands going on in Cardiff, Wales.
Chain Of Flowers were the first to hail from the Welsh capital, followed by related side projects such as Night Thoughts, more recently came Private World of which the two boys we’re about to introduce are also live members of.
A new wave/synth act from the same city called Plastic Estate is emerging this year.

The duo composed by Nicholas James and Stanley Fouracres have released a few digital singles in 2019 as they’ve opened for The Murder Capital at Sŵn Festival and played alongside the likes of M!R!M, Josiah Konder and The Love Coffin. This Place is their first physical release and it’s due on 7-inch vinyl and digital on June 19.

On the two songs that compose the single, Plastic Estate clearly draw influence from the best UK new wave and pop artists such as Dave Gahan, Paddy McAloon, Roddy Frame and yet there is a sophisticated casualness and an innate freshness in their songwriting that makes them not sounding dated at all.
Amazing composition skills for such a young band and a perfect balance between electronic dance elements and acoustic instruments allow them to pay homage to the above-mentioned masters and to be a perfectly contemporary group at once.

Although it’s possible to pick out some darker lyrics, the overall feel is up-beat and breezy. It’s a contrast that runs through a lot of their music – like a dichotomy between dark, melancholia and happier, brighter feelings.
Whether it’s a happy pop synth riff mixed with sombre lyrics or vice versa, the young Welsh duo is delivering the best 80’s-inspired modern pop craft.
RIYL: Echo & The Bunnymen, Prefab Sprout, Depeche Mode, Orange Juice, Wild Nothing.

Following last year’s inaugural box set, Power Corruption & Lies is the next Definitive Edition to chronical the history of one of the UK’s most enduring and influential groups

The box which includes an LP, two CDs, two DVDs and a book, features the album remastered for the first time from the original analogue tape masters on LP, and CD. The Extras CD contains previously unreleased writing sessions from New Order’s Manchester rehearsal rooms and the 1982 John Peel Session for the BBC. The DVDs capture New Order live during 1982 & 83 at The Hacienda and Kilkenny, the 1984 Play at Home Channel 4 TV documentary and other rare live & TV performances. Finally a beautiful 48 page hardback book of rare photos and brand new essay from Dave Simpson completes the Peter Saville designed box.

Power, Corruption & Lies was recorded in 1982 at Britannia Row Studios, Islington and produced by New Order.

** 2023 repress

“I've made these tracks for dark days and dark nights” - L.F.T.

Blood in the Grass, an EP of electro tinged new wave from Hamburg-based producer Johannes Haas, aka L.F.T. (Love, Fist, Tears), the title of which takes inspiration from a 1966 tapestry work by the late Swedish-Norwegian textile artist Hannah Ryggen (1894-1970).

Prompted by Colombi and Haas meeting on the dancefloor of Golden Pudel, the eight tracks run the gamut of darkwave and punk sounds, with Haas utilising Korg MS20 and Roland SH101 synthesisers to meld mutant acid with slamming synth lines, ear-worm melodies and opaque lyrics that are left open to interpretation. The new wave aesthetic he draws inspiration from is most evident on tracks Die Geldsmachine, No Covenent and the glistening Chloe-Rose​,​ and with its howling guitar riffs and driving energy geared for late nights, Manon is a rough and ready punk anthem and a tribute to Haas’ “gang” of favourite people in Hamburg.

transparent blue vinyl

New recordings by Alex Clark & Mei-Lee Chen aka Widdendream: pure Synth-pop/Darkwave.

“Full speed ahead now, no more looking back.” Dent May confidently croons on his fifth LP, Late Checkout. The un-nostalgic sentiment and sobering clarity of May’s latest body of work signifies the 35-year-old songwriter from Mississippi taking a reflective rest-stop on the winding road of his now decade-long career.

After relocating to Los Angeles in 2015, touring his last record Across the Multiverse around the world, and building his own Honeymoon Suite Recording Studio with friends Pat Jones and Michael Rosen, May suddenly found himself with the chance to take his time making a record. Through the dozen thematically-linked tracks on Late Checkout, May grapples with the swinging emotions of our contemporary reality with a rare optimism and distinguished sound.

Bearing the torch of classic American songwriters that have inspired him like Harry Nilsson, Carole King, and Randy Newman, May has gingerly cultivated his iPhone note scribbles and subconscious melodies into songs that could stand the test of time. Leaving the comfort of home-recording, May set out to elevate the production quality on Late Checkout while maintaining some intimacy through sparse arrangements. After writing and performing parts for a bulk of the instruments on the album, May filled out his orchestrations by inviting string players, a horn section, background vocalists, and a pair of auxiliary drummers to play on the album. Contrary to the instant gratification permitted by modern home-recording, May made a conscious decision to slow down and pay careful attention to his songwriting on this album. He began to savor the minutiae of his daily life spent wandering around LA, not getting invited to hang with friends, and waking up in hotel rooms after DJing weddings. May drew on these moments in his lyrics and began assembling ballads at his new studio, mimicking the bittersweet tone and consistent work ethic of Motown.

“I’ve been collecting stationery from almost every hotel I’ve stayed at for the past ten years.” May reveals about the album’s opener “Hotel Stationary.” “I’ve always been drawn to the nature of hotels. I think it relates to this sense of always feeling out of place and my constant wanderlust.” On Late Checkout’s first single, “I Could Use A Miracle,” May sings about the desperation of feeling down-and-out against a lush and upbeat pop instrumental. The groovy “Easier Said Than Done” is decorated with bright keys and syncopated drums while May sings about coming to the end of his journey to find love. “Sea Salt & Caramel,” spilled out of May as a saccharine love song to his girlfriend, adding pure sweetness to balance the record’s melancholy pallet. From beginning to end, May bares his soul on each track across Late Checkout, offering a reluctant goodbye to his former selves, before wandering home.

Vestals is the avatar of Los Angeles based artist Lisa McGee, who’s debut album Forever Falling Toward the Sky was released by Root Strata in 2012. She has also discreetly operated in U.S. underground music for the last decade as a member of the dream-drone duo Higuma with Evan Caminiti, while making vocal contributions to acclaimed albums by Jefre Cantu Ledesma and Sarah Davachi.

McGee is the sole producer and performer on her sophomore effort, Holy Origin. Since her last offering she has evolved her sound and process, placing a new emphasis on electronic processing, carving out negative space where slow burning rhythms and spectral melodies ebb and flow. Her songcraft is built on the foundations of atmosphere and experimentation that have defined her collaborative outings, but here she has meticulously built up her arrangements into a fully fleshed out vision of luminous dub informed avant-dream-pop.

Sinuous vocals and desolate guitars are rendered in crisp 3D, swallowed by viscera rattling bass and sizzling clouds of synthesizers. Hypnotic melodies and shimmering harmonies nestle within disorienting digital manipulations, conjuring a boundless, smoky twilight. Passages hover and undulate, sustained in trance states before crashing down into lush chorales that comfortably dwell in the space between euphoria and heartache.

Fusing memoir with contemplative inquiry, McGee traces the blurred boundaries between the self, the other and the world, capturing various states of desire-ambivalence and surrender. Each track is a meditation on the tension between opposing forces: the ideal and the real, the essential and the cultivated, the erotic and the ascetic. Through the exploration of these dialectics, Holy Origin unfolds as a darkly sublime reverie.

Adda Kaleh is the collaborative effort of Adda Kaleh and Suzanne Kraft. Recorded over the course of almost seven years and despite local separation or virtual realities, it sums up the magic that already inhered in their debut song „Breaking“ for Gerd Janson’s „Musik for Autobahns“ compilation on Rush Hour. An eight track LP of crystalline chansons and pastels pop that features the skills of The Coober Pedy University Band aka CPUB (Tornado Wallace and William Paxton) on dub duties to complete the magical musical mysteries of Adda Kaleh
.

Written in 2012 using just a MicroKorg and a mic, “Penguins Can’t Fly” is a magnificent slice of italo disco and a tribute to the Ghent based italo night Pingwing. It became a bit of a local underground hit which lead to Club Mayz performing it live at one of the parties at SMAK Ghent – once. The track never saw the light of day before so we’re stoked to announce this 7inch containing the original version backed with a powerful instrumental on the flip.

London-based DJ and producer Joseph Ashworth has unveiled his captivating new single ‘Breathe’, out 14th February via Disco Halal. Taken from the forthcoming EP of the same name, ‘Breathe’ showcases Joseph Ashworth’s emotive, atmospheric brand of electronica. Featuring the delicate vocals of Vanity Fairy, no fewer than three versions of the track feature on the hotly anticipated EP, as well as further tracks ‘Alternator’ and ‘Expectation’. 2019 was a year where Joseph Ashworth’s music took a turn to the left-field, combining a darker edge and catching the attention of DJ Tennis, who signed his ‘Trooper’ EP to the Life & Death imprint. A stand-out release championed by the likes of Sven Vath and Adriatique, it has come to cement his position as a unique talent at the top of his game. Looking ahead, he is set to perform at East London’s NT’s Loft on 6th March.

Fresh from the release of their third album ‘Autonomy’ earlier this summer, comes Autonomy Variations: four brand new perspectives from four exciting, innovative kindred spirits of the avant-pop duo.

South London’s Medlar breaks the seal. Following a series of incredible live collaborations with Dele Sosimi (Fela Kuti), he’s has turned ‘Autonomy’ into a minimal, percolating house track. Swapping the acid spikes for analog bleeps, Medlar’s signature can be felt every step through this vivid energetic stomper.

Fabric resident Anna Wall follows with another beautiful subversion as ‘New Politik’ is given a smouldering take. Moody, intimate, downtempo; there’s some serious late night HTRK-esque vibes to Anna’s twist.

Further into the remix trip we glide to find Dischi Autunno, Ombra International affiliate Curses pulling ‘Electric Light’ into the fringes. Taking the upbeat, crystalline pop of Penelope and Stephen’s original and flipping it into a stark postpunk Bauhaus-inspired take, Curses’ live bass and driving new wave beat shine a whole new light on the original and write it a whole new chapter.

Finally, brand new act, Isolating have the honour of closing the EP with industrial modular apocalyptic take on ‘Infinity’. A vast playground of contrasts, at points it’s dirty and pounding. At others it’s quiet and menacing. File under ‘Dystopian Techno.’

Four extensions on one of the most interesting electronic albums released this year, if you haven’t treated yourself to ‘Autonomy’ yet, you’d be wise to. DJ Mag stated it’s The Golden Filter’s best work yet while Clash called a it a bruising return. These remixes follow with complete forward-thinking consistency. Enjoy…

Ana Belephoneq is an electro-pop project, a collaboration of veteran synth-pop musician Ishai Adar and Maurice Sarfati R.I.P., who was a Jerusalem legend, an Arab-Jew of Tunisian descent, a poet, a singer, a rock historian and a retired Income tax investigator all rolled into one.

Ishai Adar releases electronic music albums since the 1990’s. He met Maurice Sarfati during the previous decade, when he worked in one of Jerusalem’s mythological record stores, “The Record House”. Maurice was a colorful character already then: a compulsive consumer of alternative culture by night, an income tax investigator by day, a story teller and a song writer who was born in Tunis in 1947 and immigrated to Israel in the age of

6. In “The Record House” Ishai quickly became his main supplier of new music, and later they became close friends.

In 2014, Ishai and Maurice started collaborating on an album, based on lyrics written and spoken by Maurice, and Adar’s electronic production.
In 2018 Maurice Sarfati passed away, at the age of 71. The Ana Belephoneq 7-inch record includes the only two songs the two managed to record before his death.

From the murky depths of Berlin comes a monster, a wicked beast with two heads, a strange penchant for house music and the bizarre. Longhair is the duo made up of Marko aka Homeboy and Bene from Peak & Swift, two well known figures in the Berlin musical community who have begun to amass interest and intrigue as a production outfit, appearing on imprints like House Is OK and Bordello A Parigi. There is an unholy amount of musical ammunition ready to be unleashed upon the innocent world and it’s bloody great.



There are plenty of influences from all kinds of corners in Longhair, from 80’s synth sounds, to Italian dream house beats, but it clearly has its own vibe as they demonstrate on “The Forbidden Dance”, their debut single for Paramida’s Love On The Rocks label.

A ubiquitous summer hit in the making: a sure-fire combo of unforgettable melody, nostalgia kicks, totally dreamy production and the sound of seagulls. On the flip, we find the Rhumba mix, a mostly beatless counterpart, perfect for DJs that want to get creative.



Longhair’s take on house music is emerging as a sound of their own; groovy, very danceable but laid back, marked by a progressive approach and a softer attitude and ultimately an ideal match for Love On The Rocks.

Optimo Music presents “Vanessa 77” the debut album from New Zealander Vanessa Worm. Originally due in May it was rescheduled due to the lockdown but we couldn’t wait any longer to get it out into the world, so here it is, on vinyl and digital.

After entrusting us to release 3 much loved singles it seemed right to let Vanessa stretch out across an album and show the world what she is about and how talented she is. Vanessa is exactly the kind of artist Optimo Music dreams of finding; her music fits in with no genre and no scene – it is its own genre and its own scene. Musically free and anarchic, Vanessa conforms to nobody’s dogma. Before lockdown Vanessa played a series of Southern Hemisphere live shows that entranced all who saw them. Hopefully next year she can come and do the same in the Northern Hemisphere.

We asked her for a few thoughts about her album. Vanessa says – “Vanessa 77, like most creative endeavours is a journey of self discovery. Mentally, emotionally and creatively. I spent most of my time alone in winter 2019 – focused solely on personal development & self realisation via the creation of this album. It was a way for me to put my mental state onto a plate – the joys, the fears, the epiphanies, and so on. I so desperately wanted to share what I was learning with the world too – I intended for Vanessa 77 to help others to heal, self-realise and alchemise. It was a 9 month process of death and a re-birth from the old into the new. Much like the world is experiencing now entering 2020, I hope this album can provide some form of healing, soothing, celebration and act as a sub-conscious guide for us as we enter into this New Earth. Thank you to all who listens, enjoy!”

Midnight Resistance ist das 4. Album von The Toxic Avenger. Und zweifellos das außergewöhnlichste, bei dem seine musikalische Handschrift am besten zur Geltung kommt. Das Album gleicht einer Symbiose aus unterschiedlichen Einflüssen und Elementen, von energiegeladenem Elektro bis zu Popavancen, vom klassischen Song bis packenden House der 90er Jahre, vom neoklassischen Piano Revisited bis zum aktuellen Synth-Pop. Ein Album, bei dem der Fokus klar und direkt auf Emotionen und Gefühlen ausgerichtet wird und die Technik bewusst einen Schritt zurück tritt. Keine Frage - es ist auch sicherlich das Genre durchbrechendste und dabei offenste aller seiner Alben, bestückt mit echten Pop-Singles, wie die berauschende "Lies" (feat. Look Mum No Computer), die nostalgische Ballade "Mandala" aus den 80er Jahren (feat. Ornette) oder der packende Popsong "Rent Boy" (feat. Jay-Jay Johanson). Ein besonderes Highlight des Albums ist die Zusammenarbeit mit Maxence Cyrin bei dem sehr ausdrucksstarken und emotionalen Titel "On My own". Die wohl größte Überraschung dieses Al- bums besteht darin, dass Toxic Avenger bei "Les Heures" das erst Mal selbst singt und der Platte eine ganz besondere Note schenkt. Zum Abschluss beglückt Toxic Avenger mit zwei besonderen Gäste. Diese runden die Platte mit der luftigen und hedonistischen Teilnahme von Simone bei "Falling Appart" und dem Spoken Word und immer ungewöhnlichen Flow von Diamond Deuklo auf dem treffend benannten "L'Avenir d'Avant" genussvoll ab. Über zwei Jahre beschäftigte sich Toxic Avenger intensiv mit modularen Synthesizern – aus seiner leidenschaftlichen Klangforschung ist nun ein neuer Sound entstanden, der die Seele der Synthesizer "lebendiger" und organischer erscheinen lässt. Hier ist ein beeindruckendes Werk eines "Klangchirurgen" entstanden, dem es gelingt Stimmen im Detail zu sezieren und ihnen eine magische Aura zu verleihen und dabei ebenso eine intensive Reise in die Tiefen von Melodie und Klangwelten unternimmt, ohne den Fokus auf die Songs selbst zu verlieren. Dieses Album wird zu einer Zeit besonderer Aufmerksamkeit und Sichtbarkeit für The Toxic Avenger veröffentlicht, der gerade die Musik für Hugo Boss Parfum kreiert hat: (Europa/LateinamerikaKampagne für TV/Kino und Web for the World, für zwei Jahre sowie die Musik für die nächsten Web-Werbung von Armani und Yves Saint Laurent unterschrieben hat

The 4th LP from Banoffee Pies Records comes in the form of a debut album from Tom Ellis' new live ensemble, Soulstatejazz. The release titled "Annwn", is the result of a 3 day improvisation at Malt Barn studio, in the beautiful Nanerth Valley in mid Wales, forming a 6 track album of hybrid live/electronic jazz-house.

The group, who first performed at Freerotation Festival as a morning journey, soon evolved into a flowing ensemble of musicians brought together by one of the core residents at the festival. With Tom Ellis (Bass, Drums, Percussion & Production), Mark Hand (Fender Rhodes & Moog), Michiel Renger (Tenor Sax) & Dave Elson (homemade Reaktor & Ableton instruments & FX) as the main backline of the band, the LP also features artists and residents connected to Freerotation and Malt Barn studio.

In Welsh folk law it was said "Annwn" an:un - "The Otherwold",
was a world of delights and beauty located on an island or beneath the earth. A place of eternal youth and good, where food and fair health remained ever abundant as the wage of death and disease fell to it's way side. Commonly identifying in Welsh mythology as an afterlife of paradise.

White vinyl, picture sleeve, limited pressing of 500 copies, includes Peaking Lights remix

Montaine’s “Mount Nod” is a delicate, shimmering slice of DIY pop music. The lo-fi charm sits on that knife-edge between happy and sad, its repeated “I’m on the bottom line but I’m doing fine” changing meaning as the song goes on, plotting the course of Mr Montaine’s sensitivity. What starts out small gently unfolds into an understated English confidence by the end. On the B side Peaking Lights dive into the mysterious undercurrents beneath the surface of Montaine’s worldview. Like all good remixes it sets the artist in a parallel universe, this one a utopian disco slowscape, complete with bubbling clouds and dayglow fountains. We have to sincerely thank Sam Potter of 00s band Late of the Pier for coming to Be With with the story of February Montaine back in the spring of 2017. When we first heard “Mount Nod” our jaws dropped. We immediately thought of all the people that would love it. Of friends and family, far and wide. Of fans of timeless, soulful pop music everywhere. Championed by Trevor Jackson and Efficient Space, it’s perfect, addicitve pop which generously gifts the listener eternal goosebumps. Three years later, we are absolutely delighted to finally bring this out as the second release in our Be Pop series of 12″s. In Be Pop fashion it’s pressed on white vinyl and this time limited to 500 copies for the World.