Reports
Reports
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.
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.
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.
James K - Hypersoft Lovejinx Junkdream
James K's latest record, Hypersoft Lovejinx Junkdream (2024), features not only a complex title but a stunning production that blends downtempo and breakbeat elements. The title track creates a dreamlike atmosphere with rich bass drones and reverberation, showcasing James K's innovative style. The second track, 'Blinkmoth (July Mix)', offers a trip-hop sound reminiscent of Portishead, with careful construction and expressive vocalisations. Overall, the album is noted for its visionary vocal delivery and harmonious production, continuing the magic from James K's previous work, Random Girl (2022). The album promises to delight music lovers with its fresh and nostalgic feel.
Daniel Avery - Digital Rain / I Miss You
Daniel Avery is a prominent figure in London's music scene, known for his ability to stay relevant through new albums and mixes. His latest release, Digital Rain / I Miss You, showcases his exploration of ambient music against breakbeats.
From capturing the quiet moments after clubbing by blending soft breaks with elements of liquid drum and bass and cinematic qualities to a harder sound with grainy textures and nostalgic mechanical artefacts reminiscent of his earlier work, Avery employs a minimalist approach in his rhythms, prioritising accessibility and space. This release may be seen as self-referential and less innovative, lacking significant cultural reference points. Overall, Avery continues to meld various influences in his music, maintaining his relevance in dance music.
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.