Reports
Reports
DJ CITY - Paris, Rome
DJ CITY's latest album, Paris, Rome (2024), explores themes of life, love, and urban experience through a blend of house beats and dreamy synths. The album combines raw early analogue house sounds with influences from 80s city pop, creating a unique atmosphere that balances melancholy and romanticism. Key tracks like 'Cities in Dust' and 'Good Morning' contrast upbeat rhythms with introspective themes. DJ CITY incorporates various cultural influences, as seen in 'Bergagen' and 'Safe', highlighting the risks and richness of diverse urban environments. The album also features energetic tracks such as 'Oh Ah' and 'War & Peace', offering a fun counterbalance to its more somber elements. Overall, Paris, Rome captures the complexities of city life, portraying it as both gray and beautiful, ultimately celebrating the dreamlike qualities of urban existence.
Objekt - Chicken Garaage
Chicken Garaage is the second release from Objekt's new label, Kapsela, showcasing his creative freedom. The title track combines a two-step rhythm with a unique bassline, appealing to fans of Objekt's quirky style and reminiscent of Theme from Q. The B-side, Worm Dance, features a playful 808 bassline and a more serious tone, adding depth to the track. Both songs prioritise fun and danceability, marking a shift from Objekt's usual complex structures. This new approach is expected to resonate with both new and longtime fans.
Ye Gods - No Albion
Antoni Maiovvi's "Ye Gods" project explores the intersection of religion and cosmic horror. The album No Albion features tribal rhythms, droning vocals, and themes of spiritual duty, creating an oppressive atmosphere. While integrating religious zealotry and sacrificial visuals would generally be on the nose, Ye Gods keeps most symbolism as feeling. Notable 'He Who Holds The Severed Head' demonstrates cinematic quality, and "Blessing" captures dramatic tension. The overall listening experience blends relaxation with existential dread. The final track, 'Total Eclipse', encapsulates the album's themes but lacks the drama of other songs. Ultimately, the work prompts contemplation on religion as a form of cosmic horror, contrasting divinity with a sense of insignificance.
Amandra - Brera Som Som
Amandra's latest album, Brera Som Som (2024), stands out in the saturated electronic music scene, offering a refreshing and invigorating experience. Each track presents unique rhythmic explorations, creating a hypnotic atmosphere. Pieces like Cyborg Pelikana and Fanfaron showcase Amandra's knack for blending unconventional melodies with intricate percussion, resulting in immersive soundscapes. The album also features four remixes that reinterpret the original tracks with varying degrees of traditional and experimental elements. Overall, Brera Som Som encourages listeners to embrace creativity and step outside musical conventions, making it a noteworthy addition to the genre.
Mike Dehnert - Berlin Rush
Berlin Rush (2024), Mike Dehnert's latest release, showcases his signature minimal techno style. The record opens with 'Shadow York,' featuring alternative grooves and futuristic elements. The title track, 'Berlin Rush,' highlights Dehnert's dub influences with a sparse, metallic sound ideal for intimate club settings. 'Isotope' introduces a playful, tumbling bass that encourages experimentation among listeners. The record is designed for a laid-back, grooving experience rather than the intense dance floors of Berlin super clubs.
Bjarki – 10,000 Steps But Still Biting My Nails
Bjarki, the Icelandic producer, offers a preview of his upcoming compilation album, A Guide to Hellthier Lifestyle, with the standalone single 10,000 Steps But Still Biting My Nails. This track departs from his signature big room sound, leaning into more conceptual, aquatic themes reminiscent of Drexciya. The song features subdued percussion and atmospheric elements, creating a feeling of external pressure symbolised by water references. The rhythmic vocals evoke a sense of crowded thoughts. Overall, this release suggests a broader exploration of Bjarki's sound as he moves away from ultra-dance tracks. The single is now available for streaming, with the compilation set to release on December 12th.
Neel - Movimento EP
Neel, a key figure behind Spazio Disponibile, has launched a sub-label called Spazio Nero, focusing on dancefloor techno. The first release, the Movimento EP, explores a unique sound that combines hypnotic, dubby, and minimal elements with percussive beats. The tracks create a cavernous auditory environment with deep bass and intricate organic sounds. While tracks like 'Azione' and 'Visione' emphasise danceability, 'Riflesso' and 'Moto' stand out, embodying a darker, more immersive vibe. The EP features slow builds and reflective sounds, making it a promising start for the Spazio Nero sub-label with hints at further ventures into deeper techno explorations.
Drvg Cvltvre - When Dawn Came
The esoteric stylings of Drvg Cvltvre, also known as Vincent Koreman, are characterised by their trippy and acidic synthesis, creating trance-like tunes that push the boundaries of electronic music. His latest release, When Dawn Came, showcases a departure from his previous works with a darker and more robotic timbre. The title track features unorthodox mixing and a peculiar soft sharpness, while 'Trapped Under Ice' introduces conceptual elements with contrasting soundscapes. The album concludes with 'Till Dawn Came Crawling Up The Stairs', which presents a more metallic and aggressive tone, completing the cycle from light to dark.
nthng - Two People
Nthng's latest release, Two People, sparked my interest in dub and electronica again. The intelligent use of dynamics and how Nthng plays with sound and erosions effortlessly within manufactured space as tracks flow between soothing climaxes, which resonate through the ear canal before subsiding to quiet echoes. Nthng's successful experimentation with different genres, particularly applauding the track 'In Static' and the abstract composition of the final track, 'Don't Be Scared', breathe new life into the 0000 label. The Two People EP is the logical next step in Nthng's evolution.
Cherryphonic - Industrial Collapse
Cherryphonic's latest release, Industrial Collapse (2024), is a fast and noisy record that showcases the artist's high-tempo and high-octane style. The tracks create tension through rhythmic percussion and deep bass melodies, evoking a sense of impending danger. The immersive and aggressive sound keeps listeners on their toes, with chaotic BPMs designed to elicit an uncontrollable response from audiences.