Reports
Reports
Red Pal, UK Runtz & MC Bush - Say Wha & Doing It Again
Strange Times aims to revitalise the UKG underground by introducing fresh sounds that echo classic garage vibes. 'Say Wha' features gritty drums, choppy hi-hats, and nostalgic adlibs from MC Bush. On the flip side, 'Doing It Again' combines lively instrumentals with playful lyrics, referencing classic UKG elements as MC Bush returns with more of what makes him great. Both tracks celebrate the raw energy of the garage scene and resonate with its history.
Edward - Deep Sea Villain
Edward's transition to a more active, dance floor-focused style retains a surrealist vibe. His music features vivid house beats with oddball ambience, highlighted in his remix of Trybet's 'Mood Setter.' The EP showcases a more rough, ready, vintage sound with dusty drums and hypnotic melodies while bringing back a resonating ambience alongside garage grooves and glitches. Deep Sea Villain is a strong addition to Edward's and Oyster Cult's discography, suited for deeper nights.
Michael J. Blood - Raven / Hemoglobin / TRGR
Michael J. Blood is a Manchester-based producer and DJ known for his innovative and saturated sound within the underground dance music scene. He has gained recognition for his dynamic song structures and ability to infuse soul into his instrumentation. His latest record features tracks like 'Raven,' which combines heavy 808s with energetic synths, and 'Hemoglobin,' showcasing his distinctive dubby chords. The closing track, 'TRGR,' pushes the limits of sampled house with chaotic yet inviting energy. Blood's eccentric and DIY approach makes his music hard to categorise, blending authenticity with a modern edge.
Helena Hauff - Multiply Your Absurdities
Helena Hauff's release, Multiply Your Absurdities, represents a shift from pure albums to focused dancefloor releases. Known for her iconic presence as a DJ in the techno and electro scenes, Hauff maintains a strong sense of self despite the industry's push for producers. Multiply Your Absurdities reflects her storied experience in various performance spaces and includes tracks like 'Multiply My Absurdities,' which features a blend of tranquil melodies and gritty rhythms, and 'Humanoid Fruit,' highlighted by acidic sounds and industrial influences. Overall, the record combines underground techno's unique essence with the raw power of industrial music, poised to become a cult classic.
Sasha GiGi, JADED & Surya Sen - Coins (Extended)
It can get disheartening how seriously dance music takes itself these days. Contemporary dance music longs to return to more energetic and fun tracks like those from Groovejet and Utah Saints. The latest single, Coins (Extended), by Sasha GiGi, JADED, and Surya Sen, embraces a playful and catchy style reminiscent of early pop club rap while maintaining solid dance music production. The track features engaging wobbles and a memorable rap chorus, revitalising a sense of fun in the dance music scene.
Lust For Youth & Croatian Amor - Dummy Feat. Purient
Lust for Youth, a Danish-Swedish electronic duo, has evolved their sound since the early 2010s from analogue ambient to a more polished synth style. Their upcoming album with Croatian Amor, All Words, will be released on March 7th, featuring the first single, Dummy. This track combines spoken word rap with UK garage elements, appealing to modern pop sensibilities while maintaining an inner-city edge. Despite its high energy and pop aesthetic, Dummy also incorporates a murky shoegaze sound, reflecting emotion and authenticity. I predict this will be blasting from call windows come mid-summer.
Fi McCluskey - Die Young (Hannah Holland Remix)
Hannah Holland is known for her charismatic presence in London's nightlife. She blends various genres while maintaining commercial appeal through her remixes. In her latest collaboration with Fi McCluskey, she remixes Die Young, incorporating retro 90s production techniques and a faster tempo. This version features repetitive vocal and guitar chops reminiscent of Fatboy Slim with a dramatic twist and early 2000s shoegaze grunge, evoking the atmosphere of early morning festivals.
Ø - Fermionit / Kulmamomentti
Before his passing in 2017, Mika Vainio was working on a new album under the name Ø. His girlfriend, Rikke Lundgreen, compiled various tracks into a posthumous release, discovering two additional tracks, "Fermionit" and "Kulmamomentti, "which were released separately with contributions from Jimi Tenor and Timo Kaukolampi.
The intricate world of microchips and electricity parallels Vainio's work and the minimalistic sound of Sähkö Recordings, which he co-founded with Tommi Grönlund. Ø's track 'Fermionit' captures the essence of electricity and cognitive dissonance, utilizing micro rhythms and a sense of isolation. In contrast, the edits of '"Kulmamomentti'" by Tenor and Kaukolampi introduce a darker, more cinematic tone, showcasing Vainio's unique approach to sound, free from traditional musical structures, allowing listeners to find their own meanings in his compositions. He is celebrated as a pioneering figure in minimal music whose creativity and influence have left a lasting impact.
not even noticed - nocturnal slide
The Frankfurt duo, not even noticed, is recognized for their ability to rejuvenate classic breakbeat elements while incorporating a forward-thinking approach to drum and bass. Their latest release, Nocturnal Slides (2025) on Gimme A Break Records, showcases their talent by blending old-school influences with modern sounds. Tracks like 'Ethur' and 'Queso' weave emotive liquid drum and bass with uplifting pads and gritty basslines, while 'Jitter' challenges genre boundaries with jump-up DnB drums and acid bases. The duo also explores different styles in 'Kura', evoking a garage feel, and delivers raw energy in 'Rustle', appealing to hardcore junglists. The Phasmid remix adds a trippy twist, showcasing their innovative approach to production.
Denise Rabe - Mastermind
Denise Rabe's latest work, Mastermind, showcases her evolution in sound, transitioning from spine-chilling insect techno to a style I'd describe as sound bath techno. The music features slow, methodical rhythms characterised by heavy modulating subs, expansive pads, and minimalist samples. Rabe's productions engage the dance floor with influences from various genres.
Her tracks demand patience and serve as tools for group hypnosis. Mastermind, featuring dynamic synthesisers, constantly searches for resolution, while One Complete Moment uses sparse melodies to create unresolved tension. Both tracks reflect her signature insect-like textures, blending simple percussive patterns with intricate modulation that enhances the overall sonic experience.