Reports
Reports
Vaarwell - 3am on the northern line
The London-based duo Vaarwell, originally from Portugal, is making waves in the UK underground music scene with their album 3am on the Northern Line (2025). Their sound blends UK garage with uplifting synth elements, offering a refreshing take amidst typical club bangers. The album is a reflective homage to the UK underground, drawing influences from key artists like Burial and Mount Kimbie.
The duo showcases angelic vocals and soft synths, highlighting the contrast between club influences and more introspective sounds. However, there are moments where originality feels lacking, particularly in garage sections that seem overly nostalgic, whereas their strength lies in vocal-driven melodies.
One standout track, 'Safe', balances nostalgia with modernity through emotive vocals and intricate breakbeats, creating a cinematic, exhilarating experience. Ultimately, while Vaarwell has a knack for texture and emotion, they need to innovate beyond familiar influences to fully realise their potential.
CRAVO - Carícia 002
The underground music scene is currently dominated by hard groove, a high-energy style reminiscent of the futuristic drum and bass sound, particularly influenced by LTJ Bukem. Cravo's EP, Carícia 002, exemplifies this sound, mixing in-your-face bass with jazzy piano and diverse beats suitable for various settings. However, Cravo's originality shines, featuring unique call-and-response chords and a mix of aggressive beats and atmospheric elements.
Anthony Child - of the Beginning
Anthony Child's work under his own name differs significantly from his techno alias, Surgeon, but not as much as you might think. While Surgeon produces high-energy tracks, Child's music is more mellow and introspective, incorporating classical writing techniques and emotional storytelling.
Of the Beginning acts as a spiritual sequel to his earlier work, blending nature-inspired sounds with softer atmospheres. It showcases contrasting emotions through various sound palettes. Ultimately, Child's work explores complex feelings and the tension of decision-making, distinguishing it from Surgeon's focus on escape. The diverse nature of electronic music highlights how artists experiment with a range of genres and techniques. Of the Beginning acts as a spiritual sequel to his earlier works, showcasing softer, dreamier atmospheres and an emotional depth. The album features contrasting sound palettes and explores turbulent emotions, blending hopefulness with underlying tension. Overall, the album represents a unique artistic exploration, distinct from Surgeon's more energetic techno sound, addressing personal and societal themes.
L.F.T. - Hell Was Boring
L.F.T. (Johannes Haas) has consistently released high-quality music, evolving from an electro sound to a more gothic post-punk style in his latest album, Hell Was Boring (2025). This album showcases a more bombastic production style, blending punk and DIY aesthetics while maintaining accessibility. It captures a nostalgic vibe reminiscent of 1980s bands like Bauhaus and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Standout tracks include 'Waste Your Facelift', 'Going in Circles', and 'Iron Sights', highlighting L.F.T.'s improved songwriting and the collaborations, such as 'Totengräber' with Felix Kubin, introduce dynamic elements to the sound. The album blurs the lines between electronic goth rock and industrial music, making it an impressive and replayable work that resonates with a confident, rebellious energy.
DMX Krew - Space Is Inside EP
The Spaces Is Inside EP (2025) by DMX Krew offers a modern take on '90s electro, featuring six tracks that showcase classic drum machines and a no-nonsense attitude. The EP stands out for its straightforward approach, relying on subtractive synthesis and rich, lush sounds, while maintaining a captivating melody. DMX Krew flirts with future funk elements and early electro inspired by Afrika Bambaataa. Soft chords, pulsating bass, and aggressive digi-distortion that evoke a retro-futuristic vibe. Overall, the EP combines nostalgia with fresh ideas, making it easy to approach.
Horses - Every Dumb Thing I Ever Did
Horses is a new project by Italian-born, UK-based producer Alessio Natalizia, also known as Not Waving. This work shifts the focus from ambient sounds to live-recorded loops, incorporating a non-genre-specific style. The album Every Dumb Thing I Ever Did (2025) draws on a broad range of influences, including folk, Balearic, medieval music, and minimalist composers like Steve Reich. It features a unique approach where instruments flow into one another, creating a cohesive soundscape. While it diverges from the ambient textures of Natalizia's previous Not Waving work, it captures the essence and feeling of folk music, enhanced by electronic elements that evoke a sense of mysticism. The album conveys emotional depth through combining folk and electronica in a captivating way.
Maeksll - When Sun Glows Through Rain
Maeksll's self-released project titled "When the Sun Goes Through Rain," released in 2025, captures emotions related to rain and modern urban life through a minimalist approach, primarily using a rounded kick drum and a bright, plucky synth. The EP showcases a haunting blend of techno beats and synth notes, while employing spacious synths and piano to create a distinct mood with uplifting textures. The music evokes imagery of city streets and rain puddles, with a mix of philosophical and heartfelt themes. The EP is described as an astral experience, both nostalgic and forward-looking, reminiscent of cinematic visuals.
Glaskin - Blue Light
The influential techno scene in Munich, Germany, cannot be understated, as the distinct sound, characterised by heavy rhythms and driving baselines, has become a mainstay of techno worldwide. The newest EP, Blue Light 2025, by the brothers Glaskin, exemplifies the club-centric ethos of the Munich style. Title of the EP: end-of-dancefloor energy and percussion, suitable for the warehouse or basement. The EP features offers for Colombians compelling beats of an unlikely influence from more ghetto tech spaces. Overall, the release reflects the groove and confidence typical of the Munich techno scene, while adding a clean, polished update to the dub techno greats of both Detroit and Berlin.
QRTR - ONDAS
The landscape of female expression in pop music is evolving. A shining example of this movement is Meagan Rodriguez, better known as QRTR, whose upcoming album ONDAS (2025) beautifully embraces the minimalist electronic sounds reminiscent of the 2010s.
Standout tracks like "I Guess I Don't" deliver a hauntingly atmospheric vibe, while 'Self-sabotage' captivates with its angelic vocals and breakcore textures. QRTR artfully weaves in engaging interludes, such as in 'Shell Call,' alongside the electrifying opener 'Put a Show On,' which sets an exciting tone for the album. The Latin-inspired rhythms accelerate to a fever pitch while icy vocals flutter over top.
With a blend of strong electro grooves and irresistibly catchy hooks, ONDAS is perfect for both club nights and adventurous road trips. While it may not redefine songwriting, this album certainly marks an impressive milestone for QRTR, reflecting her unique artistry and the vibrant spirit of female empowerment in music.
Psyk - Scope Drift
In recent months, some music industry professionals have criticised the hard dance and hard techno subgenres for being overly commercialised and focused more on visuals than sound. In contrast, a group of artists is moving toward a more minimal and intentional style known as deep techno. Spanish artist Psyk's latest EP, "Scope Drift," serves as an excellent introduction to the genre, featuring steady rhythms and immersive sounds that entrance listeners. The EP focuses on drums, captivating basslines, and intricate synthesis. It also includes a remix by Erik Luebs, which showcases a different side of deep techno with melodic depth. Psyk's title track stands out for its slow evolution and energetic feel, appealing to deep techno enthusiasts.