Reports
Reports
Nørbak - Casa
Hayes Collective is an influential underground techno label from Portugal, known for its high-energy, polished sound and consistent output, with 75 releases since 2018. Nørbak's album Casa (2025) exemplifies Portuguese techno, featuring aggressive tones, clean production, and intricate rhythm patterns. Key tracks include Rosna, which balances organic textures and upbeat drum patterns, and Capital, showcasing a call-and-response motif elevated with a unique vocoded synth. The album also explores darker sound design in Compasso and unorthodox styles in Tarefa and Sinal, referencing classic dubstep influences. Casa serves as an excellent introduction to Nørbak and the Hayes sound, embodying the label’s "all killer, no filler" ethos with a focus on innovative techno music.
Pangaea, Leonce - Dusted / Stuck
The Fabrics Originals series aimed to capture the essence of London's iconic club scene and share it widely. While previous releases featured renowned producers adapting their sounds for broader audiences, the latest release by Pangaea and Leonce, titled Dusted / Stuck, reveals significant flaws in this approach. The tracks exhibit impressive technical quality but lack emotional depth and atmosphere, leading to disappointment compared to the artists' typical work. Leonce's strength in blending various musical styles is absent, and Pangaea's gritty sound is diluted. 'Dusted' feels uninspired and conventional, while 'Stuck', although richer, still falls short due to ineffective production choices. The release prioritises commercial appeal over artistic integrity, detracting from the artists' unique contributions.
Torn Hawk & Black Deer - Torn Hawk/Black Deer
The L.I.E.S. label, curated by Ron Morrelli, is known for its unique sound, which blends esoteric elements with dance music. The collaboration between Torn Hawk and Willie Burns, Torn Hawk/Black Deer (2013), features two tracks that exemplify the label's distinctive approach.
The first track, 'Apex Break,' incorporates elements of dusty house beats with a fluctuating melody, offering a dynamic listening experience. The second track, 'Warm Sprawl Shorter,' diverges significantly, presenting a 15-minute exploration that combines space disco, dub, and country influences.
While L.I.E.S. is traditionally a dance label, these tracks deviate from typical dance music, focusing instead on creativity and atmosphere. The listener experiences a sense of serenity and euphoria, with rich melodies and textures that evoke nostalgia and a carefree spirit. The collaboration showcases innovative approaches to "Lo-F" music, appealing to those seeking something different.
Josi Devil - Make It Better / Restless Sleep
Bristol's latest musical export, Josi Devil, has released Make It Better / Restless Sleep (2025), which captures the essence of post-dubstep sounds from the 2010s. The opener, 'Make It Better', features growling subs and a rugged groove reminiscent of the stellar sound of the old Swamp 81 sets. The follow-up track, 'Restless Sleep', employs a restrained approach with intricate percussion and old-school garage elements, making it a potential favourite among DJs. The release reflects a trend of artists looking back and rediscovering the 2010s styles, distilling it, and pumping out audio gold.
Thys, Nikki Nair, Kelbin - Cheese Interface
The trio of Thys, Nikki Nair, and Kelbin released Cheese Interface in February 2025. Through Copenhagen's absorb emit imprint, they showcase a unique and expansive club music experience. The title track features heavy kicks and surreal drops, creating a guaranteed dance floor favourite. The follow-up track, The Wasp, combines electro and garage elements with heavy bass and intricate hi-hat grooves, evoking a sci-fi atmosphere.
Erik Luebs - Glimpse of Reality
Erik's minimalistic techno revitalises a classic American subgenre with immersive, dance-floor-focused productions. His release, Glimpse of Reality, features tracks that blend early American techno elements with organic influences reminiscent of Japanese artists.
The track 'Beat Lifeless Heart' showcases machine-funk rhythms and eccentric percussion, while 'Pretending' explores deep nautical themes with dark, bioluminescent synths. 'Bliss Means Leaving' offers mechanical precision, focusing on lights in murky depths. 'An Embrace' diverges into EDM influences while maintaining an unsettling quality through euphoric riffs. Luebs' work presents a crisp, fluid take on the bleep-heavy genre.
Mr. G - Getting’ somewhere? EP
Mr. G returns to his label, Phoenix G, with the Gettin' Somewhere? EP showcases a techy yet classic sound. There is a mixed bag of sounds on the record, with the opener featuring subtle house beats and a quiet vocal element, while the second track turns things up and ventures into shift techno with a revivalist vibe, employing more synthesisers and shorter samples. The closing track is a call back to 2024's The Fifth Chakra (Ambient Space Tek). It is an ambient exploration reminiscent of his earlier work, combining distant vocals and minimalistic melodies.
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.