Techno News

The Dutch West Coast, home of the Hague, where Cliff Dalton resides, the home of a new producer for Specimen Records 2021. Probing as an interface between harsh reality and pure fiction. He reveals a surrealistic emphasis on sonic particles into the realms of electro.

By now, Roman Flügel needs no introduction. Neither the man, nor the music. We will try to describe the latter anyway. Precursory to his new LP Eating Darkness, Anima emblazes the manifoldness and elegancy of his sound. Starting off with D.I.S.C.O., Flügel links the unredeemed promise and euphoria of last year’s Garden Party to the present (including a dub version for the right balance of happiness.

As the man himself so eloquently put it: „I’ve tried to create a track that reflects the past from a slightly melancholic but still enthusiastic state of mind. The past 30 years of my life have been highly influenced by DJing, traveling and producing club music of many sorts. That life is at least temporarily on hold and it might not be the same after the pandemic. The music is also trying to reflect the colourfulness, happiness, beauty and drama that is part of nightlife. The track uses tiny bits and riffs from an endless pool of Disco tracks. The production sounds rather clean and synthetic, as if a Robot is the one who remembers everything that was. “
Consequently, working as an epilogue as well as the prologue to the aforementioned album, are Anima and Eating Darkness. Both follow their counterpart’s boldness with enchanting sobriety, rigorous sound design and minimalist beauty - one on and the other off the dance floor.To cut a long story short: listen to a mastermind at work.

Short Info: New EP by Roman Flügel on Running Back. Prolonging 2020s Garden Party euphoria, D.I.S.C.O. is available in full glory and as a dub version, while Anima and Eating Darkness foreshadow his up and coming long player. Following boldness with enchanting sobriety, rigorous sound design and minimalist beauty, one works on and the other off the dance floor. To cut a long story short: listen to a mastermind at work.

crystal transparent vinyl,

Hot on the heels of his releases on Kompakt, Helena Hauff’s Return to Discorder imprint, John Digweed’s Bedrock Records or
Science Cult, French Sailing Captain had to stop on parisian shores of Les Yeux Orange to refuel before extending his electronic
journey. He teams up here with legendary producer The Advent, delivering « Computer Monkey », a concept EP coming with relentless lyrics about egocentrism on social networks. Two awesome remixes by electro cult artists Legowelt and DMX Krew round up
the package made of crystal transparent copies with pixel art full color sleeves.

Following on from Le Motel’s knockout release in February, Brussel-based producer DJ JM lands on Maloca Records with a new EP ‘Squash’. The prolific producer is known for his impressive output of production-only mixes and releases on labels such as Nervous Horizon, Goon Club Allstars, and Even The Strong. The DJ JM project was first established in Vilnius, Lithuania in 2015, becoming quickly known for off-kilter club records. Heavily driven by percussion, DJ JM continues his powerful stride, this time providing six weird and wonky dancefloor anthems. With the Maloca Records ethos built upon global collaborations, on this record DJ JM teams up with Ugandan MC Swordman Kitala on ‘Funicular’. Launching Maloca Records in 2020, Le Motel aims to bring together an international network of makers which was highlighted on the label’s first compilation, Maloca Vol. 1. The release focused on a terrestrial and borderless percussive sound that has been bubbling in clubs and Le Motel’s orbit, featuring tracks from Nick León, OMAAR, DJ JM, Dengue Dengue Dengue, Coen, DJ N.K. and Tsongo. Maloca has also released solo EPs from Howie Lee, Farsight and Griffit Vigo.

picture-disc / numbered / limited edition

One year and a half after the huge Oscar Mulero & Umwelt Picture Disc 14, here is a big big release with two new anthems tracks by Ancient Methods on A side and Umwelt on B Side. Both will penetrate your soul with their unique raving atmospheres.
This one is for collectors again!!!

The concept behind this split 12” is simple. Two artists who are divided by the Atlantic Ocean but unified by a love of classic New Beat sounds. Andi, boss of the New York City-based Synthicide record label/club night and Aufnhame + Wiedergabe recording artist, combined forces with Sheffield’s Industrialist and lover of underground Body Music, Randolph & Mortimer, to present their own interpretation to the unmistakable Belgian genre.

Thus, “Torque Force” was forged. A landscape where seedy neon-soaked city streets merge with the clang of hammers and of industry: Gotham versus The Steel City. Andi brings pure style to Side A with driving beats and rolling, lo-fi percussion overlaid by seriously funky basslines and ominous samples. Side B is jammed with the unmistakable dancibility found in Randolph & Mortimer’s oeuvre that forces the body to move —with intense, in-your-face synth lines and precise beats, there is no choice but to dance.

The four tracks on “Torque Force” are not just uber cool dancefloor killers, but could easily soundtrack a slew of 1980s dystopian cyber-sleaze movies. She must have violated the program…

The small but already well-formed Innate label offer sup a superb split EP for its sixth outing. Gilbert opens up with 'Low Flying Objects', a widescreen and serene bit of synth-laden tendon with more than a hint of Motor City soul over the dusty drums. 'Unknown Entities' is a brain-cleansing and celestial electro-styled cut with dreamy pads and cinematic deepness. Bristol-born, Welsh-rooted Owain K then steps up to the flip with equally painterly sounds. 'Unknown Entities' pairs deep and rubbery bass with crisp electro drum patterns and far-sighted chords. 'New Horizon' then closes out with some delightfully dozy deep house that's laden with wispy chords and undulating bass.

A four track full colour special edition vinyl from Mella Dee.

The lead ‘Riptide’, features original vocals from synth-pop trailblazer and founder of New Order/Joy Division Bernard Sumner. A slice of euphoria streaked with melancholy,

'Big Eff Off Groove' was the first track of the EP to be released as a single, following on it's massive Summer of 2022 where it garnered support across some of the biggest festival stages and clubs internationally. Mella Dee speaking on the record describes it as “Exactly what it says, heavy hitting no frills groove, complete with full on dubbed out effects. Enjoy.”!

Followed up with two cuts of rolling house music on track 'Find Love Yourself', the 'Deeper Love Mix' explores Mella Dee’s affinity for the murkier corners of dance music, whilst the original mix is a deep-in-the-dance groover paired with a haunting Little Dragon vocal sample.

R.A.N.D. Muzik Recordings welcomes Australian new comer, Reflex Blue to the label with a solo four tracker of cosmic progressive house.

Of Paradise are known for their eclectic output that is impossible to pigeonhole. This three piece compilation is testament to that idea, featuring quality tracks from across the spectrum of club focussed music.

Deep breaky electro, IDM textures and rolling dance floor tech from Melbourne. Remix duties from Rudolf C.

Here comes something unapologetically goth.

Male Tears is the dark electro group consisting of vocalist, James Edward and synthesist, Frank Shark. Hailing from Los Angeles, what began as a solo project re-established itself as a duo in 2021, simultaneously moving from the breezy sounds of the first self-titled album to darker realms with their sophomore Trauma Club.

Krypt is their third full-length recording and it shows a fully grown ensemble capable of pushing everything over the top; blending elements of darkwave, goth rock, EBM and futurepop into a sound they call Dark Rave.

Naturally drawing inspiration from the Californian goth tradition (45 Grave, Christian Death) and the Canadian post-industrial brood (Skinny Puppy, FLA), as well as the best UK synthpop (Depeche Mode, The Human League), Male Tears emphasizes the most glamourous, and at once, gruesome aspects of the whole gothic subculture, bringing everything to the next level, resulting in a contemporary and cutting edge album.

Eight new cuts that alternate rarefied synthwave (Krypt), dark eurodance (Slay) with goth techno-pop (Sleep 4Ever) and pounding electro-industrial (I Expire) to create something we may call New Romantic Body Music. It’s no wonder we wanted the scene’s top studio, La Distilleria, run by Maurizio Baggio, to master this for the most bombastic outcome.

And yet Krypt is not just about the music, it’s about one up with the times attitude that can review aggressive EBM in the light of an extravagant pop sensibility and a theatrical grandeur worthy of the Blitz Kids from London circa 1979-80.

You may think it takes quite a bit of nonchalance to do so but the L.A. duo easily succeeds at this. Akin to their aesthetics, they may seem spooky from the outside but their approach is nothing stuffy. Quite the contrary, everything regarding Male Tears is a celebration of life’s most bizzare shades, driven by some of the best dark humor you’ll find around.

So Dance with me, my dear, on a dancefloor of bones and skulls / The music is our master The devil controls our souls.

Limited edition of 200 copies (100 black / 100 quicksilver) equipped with a numbered ultra-light paper print insert plus bonus sticker.

Wir sind Maschinen – gebaut um zu dienen. There could be no proper introduction as *FEHLFUNKTIONEN* by ROBOTRON to design the future of termination by SKYNET CYBERSONIX. T.1 (termination one) is the debut concept album by the man behind several underground labels and projects like INTERFUNK and HIEROGLYPHICA – representing pure detroit electro/techno machinery resistance on this limited 12″ 6-track LP.

At times music gets lost for years in virtuality… And like an archeologist of modern times he wandered into his own archives, rifling through old hard drives and files exchanged with fellow musicians throughout the years to uncover music from the likes of Arnaud Rebotini, Acid Washed, Rambal Cochet, Danton Eeprom, Mount Kismet, Commando Variété & Seb El Zin.

What other than « Black Ink », as a name, could portray the impression brought on by this collection of tracks? A compilation that writes an original scenario between space opera and romantic Sci-fi story. As the music unfolds, the listener discovers treasures spanning genres such as Indie Dance, Leftfield, Detroit Techno, Electro, EBM…

The Orbitants chapter 3 has just landed.

A solid wave of visionary fantasists has been assembled.

4 tunes to connect the electro era from the basic challenge between old school and the new school, dark atmospheres and killer beats to feed your brain.

Entering the two-digit era, Clear Memory presents this carefully curated compilation. Oscillating between Dark Acid Rain and L-Town-(Ultra)-Funk. Six surprises, six boxes of pandora, six welcoming arms, six uncanny offers.

More Zeta Reticula on vinyl with five diverse, floor-shaking electro bombs, built by the acclaimed Slovenian producer also known as Umek.

Limited Edition pressed on Ultra Clear vinyl. Do Not Sleep!

Soul Jazz Records new Sounds of the Universe: Art + Sound 2012-15 is a new double album CD (and two separate volumes of double-vinyl) featuring a line-up of some of the most forward-thinking and progressive artists and producers working with electronic music around the world today.
This lovingly compiled collection features a stunning array of contemporary artists: Chicago's Afro-futurist genius Hieroglyphic Being, Kassem Mosse (aka Gunnar Wendell/Siege of Troy), one of the most talked-about, respected artists in underground house and techno, out of Detroit's Moodymann stable comes Andres, also featured is Los Angeles-based Ras G, associated with the Brainfeeder label established by fellow producer Flying Lotus, and many more!
This new collection features a first CD of tracks recorded exclusively for Soul Jazz Record's bespoke Sounds of the Universe label. These were originally issued under their Art + Sound series between 2012 and 2015 as unique hand-etched and original commissioned art pieces (reproduced here) collectors' 12' singles - all pressed in micro-editions of 250 copies for each artist's release that were only ever available exclusively from Soul Jazz Records' boutique Sounds of the Universe shop in Soho, London.
The second CD features a fantastic set of all brand new exclusive tracks from the likes of Seven Davis Jr, Drexciya collaborator DJ Stingray, deep house virtuoso Mike Huckaby, Glaswegian noise-punk six-piece Golden Teacher, and lots more - all created and commissioned especially for this release. These songs are not available anywhere else in the world.
Together these 2CDs comprise an amazing selection of new progressive electronic music.
This album is released as double CD pack with slipcase and booklet. It is also available as two separate limited edition double vinyl editions in heavyweight vinyl and gatefold sleeves with full artwork + free download codes, and as a worldwide digital release.

A 4 track 12 inch EP, 4 completely different sounds, each one written with a different process. These tracks do not converge towards a single musical style, but each one has its own taste and goes through its own sonic evolution. A tangle of sounds that looks at itself, without time, without space, without wanting to be or look like something that already exists.

This EP represents the first in a series of releases will start a conceptual work developed in several years from the artist. Recorded entirely with modular synthesizers, tape sampling and analogue gears; he wants to keep a ‘handcrafted’ approach both in music and the artwork (painted by the artist with acrylic colours).


Mastering: Conor Dalton at Glowcast Audio

Introducing the first release on MARICAS Records from the Barcelona queer collective. After three years of living the Maricas techno-pervy-loving lifestyle and spreading their message of freedom and love in their hometown and beyond, it was time to share the music they love and live by. With their very own imprint, they strive to lift up and showcase their family of queer artists and spread their sound to parties and after parties all around the world.

The first EP is delivered by none other than resident and co-founders ISAbella. She makes her debut with a solid five tracker, which bounces between house and breaks, all with a touch of old school. Hard-hitting drums and crispy perc are blended with just the right amount of dirty Rave and Electro flavours.

The A side kicks off with the dance-floor-banger Extrema, a driving house weapon rich in synth textures and stabs. Each layer takes its turn to be heard over the fat bass line, before combining into a dense melodic texture at the climax. This is sure to crush any dance floor.

Side B features Contacto, which perfectly encapsulates the Maricas sound. Deep, dreamy layers of atmosphere and the ethereal, euphoric melodies floating above are driven forward by a crunchy breaks riff and an airy but tough four to the floor kick.

Sicilian-born, UK-based DJ and producer Clafrica has been heavilyinfluenced by the dub and reggae sounds from a very early age and thegeographical proximity to Africa allowed him to soak in the various culturesthat exists in Sicily - moulding him into the musician that he is today. Fastforward, he makes his Darker Than Wax debut with Never Not Balling - adazzling sonic exploration of nostalgia, vintage circuits, and basketball.Owing his first musical exposure to the Space Jam soundtrack and 90sbasketball video games, as well as his first time seeing a DJ courtside atthe And1 Mixtape European tour, Clafrica's love of both music andbasketball have always gone hand in hand. After honing his craft as a DJand studio engineer from as early as 12 years old, and moving from Sicilyto Edinburgh in 2010 to further his studies of sound design, Clafrica hasemerged as a certified production mad scientist and studio boffin in his ownright. Fast forward to 2019, Clafrica emerged as one of the most excitingnew producers on the scene with a string of releases on labels such asAxe On Wax, Vakum, Deep&Roll, and Perpetua.

Limited 180g 12", single press, individually numbered, no repress, no digital.

Do you care to sip from the Chalice of MidiVerb? Awaiting you on the other side is a world of kaleidoscopic and hypnotizing techno with an esoteric soul. It only takes a small dose of Danny Wolfer's concoctions to induce a state of total entrancement.

AD93 say: Inspired by distant memories, fairy-tales and transcendental experiences.

“Where all the souls unite, drifting as one, dancing into the night”

PROXY Records’ first transmission is a 2 x 12” compilation by Boom Generation, containing 8 sought-after tracks produced between 1991 and 1995. These cuts aged particularly well, embodying the groove of the 90s by connecting raw and euphoric vibes. Remastered from the original DAT tapes, these recordings are configured to last another 30 years.

Avoidance is back with an EP from Jeku. Four versatile tracks for elevating the dancefloors and diving into deeper moments.

This new Ep is the symbiotic union between the human mind of 616 and his machines. These tracks have been controlled, created and recorded in real time directly to tape without the help of a computer and microchip…love transistor.

Third D21 release by Joao Necton who has previously released on D21 the E.P. "Devastante".

"Hay Alguien" is a journey in heavy atmospheres, House, Techno and Electro with sounds fused between industrial and futuristic.

Identity in every release of Joao who shows us an apocalyptic world where people lose their minds.

Another beautiful & booming release from Piezo on his rock solid Ansia imprint, conjuring up 5 tracks of frenetic & kinetic mind/body music that are distinctly his own with a reverent nod to such genres as UKG, grime, techno, gqom & footwork.
Evolving beyond the manufactured nostalgia that populates today's current dance milieu, Piezo takes bass science into the realm of the metaphysical.

“jRj” & “Big Room Technow” emanate metric tons of somatic energy for the club crowd, the former building up momentum on a gqom-infused grime pattern, while the latter is like a tin robot whistling an odd melody inside a peak-time 4/4 banger.
“Sensory Overdraw” is an outstanding UKG curveball with a distinctive metallic bassline and intricate head swimming programming for the headphone listener.
A similar approach is applied to “Cutest Kitty Content”, which teems with bizarre ear-candies, but moves with a different and faster framework. Footwork with outsider insight.
Finally you have the digital exclusive “Zing Zang”, which slows things down but still keep the same balance between mind and body requirements.

The genre references aren't blanketing the tracks as much as they are being manifested through pure passion and love: these tunes are all encompassing bin shakers that knock and sway the lucky participants that are awakened enough to be open to the journey.
This is a rare release where you can see the forest from the trees and yet both can simultaneously be experienced and enjoyed.

Soft Crash is the collaborative project of two Italo Body Music trailblazers: BITE founder – Phase Fatale, and one of the label’s protagonists – Pablo Bozzi. United by a mutual passion for a particular melancholic yet sensual approach, and a sound that combines influences of synthwave, EBM, Italo and techno, the two have proved themselves to be a perfect match with ‘Spritzkrieg’ (2020) – their first EP on BITE.

This time, Soft Crash present their first long player ‘Your Last Everything’. The album further expands the Italo Body Music palette into electro, acid house, bleep, hi-nrg, and IDM. Each of the eight tracks on the LP sounds layered and intricate, with a variety of interactions between different technical elements and intertwining melodies that reference high production methods from the 80s and 90s turned contemporary.

The album centers itself around themes of dystopian cyberpunk and surreal cinematics. It looks to invoke emotion in cold and mechanical elements, making it feel like an organic new chapter in the duo’s ongoing exploration of the relationship between technology and the body.

‘Your Last Everything’ comes together in a sci-fi-like dramatic journey into another universe, juxtaposing internal conflicts of good and evil, creation and destruction, victory and defeat. The album cover features artwork by John Rohrer and logo by Autopsia (both Berlin-based queer artists). The cover visually completes the LP, capturing the feeling of losing and finding oneself in between the cyberworlds.

2022 Repress

The 7th edition of the 303 series compiles 4 highly functional acid cuts by 4 different anonymous artists.

Japanese Telecom first outing recorded at the end of the 90's and officially released in 1999. A sonic exploration of the culture and technologies that influence daily life in one of the most advanced countries on this globe, the land of the rising sun. As a recurring theme in Heinrich Muellers work, the Japanese Telecom EP takes inspiration from the exciting culture of the upcoming internet, robots, high speed trains and game culture from a future past and combines this with Detroit's hi-tech machine funk. Remastered and re-issued for the first time since its original release.

Beyond ecstatic to finally offer a glimpse into the world of voertuig. Working on music for several years, purely for themselves in sheds and studios tucked away in the outskirts of the hague, Tonal Oceans presents an album by the four piece act containing music embodying the true spirit of the city.

W&P by Offer van Kesteren, Gianni Tjon Tam Pau, Tijmen van Wageningen, Laurens ten Berge.

Artwork by Soft Turbo
Drawing by Ilan Havinga

Adam Arthur's tunes like "Down Down Falling Down" are pure somnambulist groove, a uniquely bizarre form of hypnosis that drifts through the dream state into our realm and back, deeply interdimensional. The loose and dirty power of "When I Touch You" still surprises me every time I hear it, the most gentle yet powerful and compelling sleazy house song I can imagine. Many of his sides are represented here, including his experimental formless ambient side in the shape of "Tearing the Television Sky" and the digital bonus track "The Forbidden Creature". "The Bard's Tale" closes the EP and balances his hypnotic dream state logic with Azerbaijani Mugham music in something that feels like it would be equally at home on Livity Sound. Live the dream with his debut release on Interdimensional Transmissions.

Cosmoba is a brand new Manchester based imprint from Kalcagni. Fresh from releasing his ‘Manners’ EP on Distrito 91, Kalcagni dishes up 4 slices of funk fuelled electro for this label debut.

Lead track ‘Lost In The System’ features retro stylings and gritty electro bass hooks. This is swiftly followed up by ‘Multislacking’, the result of a weekend spent twisting up a modular rig, with wonky bass squelches and 80s pads underpinned by slamming beats.On the flip side, ‘Culture Vulture’ introduces some heavy 303 workouts, before 'After The Fact’ rounds off the EP nicely, taking the acid vibe in a slightly darker direction with wonky reese synth fills and jacked up breaks.

DJ Stingray 313's highly-praised FTNWO LP returns to heed its sonic warnings and powerful messages on his own label, Micron Audio. Originally released on WeMe Records in 2012, FTNWO displays the high-tempo, ever forward production DJ Stingray 313 is known world around for. DJ Stingray 313 says "FTNWO was conceptually centered on conspiracy theory, science, prepper doomsday preparation / survivalism and social commentary," and the foreboding introduction of "Evil Agenda" sonically explains just what lies ahead for the listener. The stark warning leads into DJ Stingray 313's stomping "Dark Arts", beginning the FTNWO experience. "Room Clearance" gets straight to business with raw, gritty and true-to-the-art Detroit electro sounds, along with a heavy, quivering lead to piece the track together.

FTNWO's cyber-explorations continue with "Denial Of Service". "I NEED a computer!" shouts a destitute voice throughout the track, as a hypnotic siren lead weaves through pounding 808s. The uptempo onslaught continues with "Interest Rate" - pads that give a feeling of falling accompany samples lamenting the realities of debt in modern society. These statements in the samples permeating the aptly titled track eerily foretell many present-day situations in 2022, as well as prove testament to DJ Stingray 313's ahead-of-the-curve production techniques. "No Knock" also carries on with arpeggiated square waves and dissonant FM stabs laced intricately over thundering drums. "Outsourced" has a call and response feel, with lush, bright tiny synths talking with each other over a thundering rhythm akin to a drum & bass arrangement.

DJ Stingray 313's sound also stretches to more melodic planes, as "Reverse Engineering" displays. Brooding pads and icy percussion engage in a sonic dance. In the same on "Image Search", cold drums and riffs intertwine the warmer layering pads and leads. Both create two powerful compositions on FTNWO that move unlike any other. "Remote Viewing" only moves lower in tempo compared to the rest of FTNWO, DJ Stingray 313's keen ear to melody still burning brightly. F.T.N.W.O. remains an ageless album - an ominous piece from a near-distant past, back again as part of the Micron Audio catalog to soundtrack the new and uncertain times we live in.

Toupaz is a new name on our radar but he'll stay firmly on it after this release on forward-thinking London label, Well Street. The EP kick-starts with a fusion of techno, bass and club rhythms spliced with brilliantly bubbly toms & synths that fall down the face of broken beats. The flip side explores a new take on UK funky with whirring machines and fractured vocals, whilst the closer 'Maudlin Lakitu' features the most experimental and skeletal rhythms of the project.