Reports
Reports
Rødhåd, Antigon - Artefacts
TSSRCT is a new label created by Hadone and UFO95, with its first release featuring their collaboration under the Civic Instruction alias. The inaugural EP, The Future Remade (2025), showcases hypnotic techno tracks designed for immersive experiences. The label emphasises exclusivity and meticulous craftsmanship through ultra-limited vinyl releases, which include an engraved metal plate.
Artefacts is the second limited run, featuring renowned artists Rødhåd and Antigone. Rødhåd's track 'STRUKTURES' combines powerful percussive elements with organic sounds, while Antigone's 'OSTINATO IV' offers a more restrained, genre-bending approach that includes electronic and ambient influences. Together, the limited release aims to energise without overwhelming, capturing the essence of tracks that resonate with DJs and their audiences.
Josi Devil - No More
Josi Devil's latest EP, No More (2026), evokes a primal, ancestral sound reminiscent of early British YouTube music, low bit rate and all. It blends elements of dark garage UK techno and bass house, showcasing a raw, minimalistic style with heavy bass and atmospheric effects. The tracks feature vocal stabs that contrast with their rolling beats, while others draw on dubstep and industrial influences, emphasising groove and tension. Rumbling kicks and grime-infused trap beats shape the club-ready sound. Overall, the Josi Devil balances nostalgia with innovative musical ideas, suggesting it may have timeless appeal, especially on wax.
DANG - THAT MAN IS A LIZARD
DANG is the creative outlet of artist Alex Benson, featuring animation and music. His eclectic style merges garage rock, alternative sounds, and 1930s B-movie propaganda and themes, creating a warm yet surreal soundscape characterised by heavy static and fuzz. Benson's work often references classic media, blending humour with deeper musical complexity. His use of layered vocals and varied samples showcases his unique artistic voice. While his style may not have been adopted by the mass market yet, it offers a distinctive charm and energy that sets him apart in the creative landscape.
Phase Fatale & P.E.A.R.L. - Climbing Silver
In late 2025, Phase Fatale and P.E.A.R.L. released "Climbing Silver," a record that diverges from their typical styles. This collaboration embraces hypnotic 16-note grooves and minimalistic instrumentation. The B side features grittier synthesisers and unique rhythmic elements, creating a dense atmosphere. The EP showcases subtle evolution in its sound and, at times, combines heavy dub-techno influences with intricate polyrhythms. This departure from their usual sound allows for creative exploration, resulting in a deep techno record that captivates listeners.
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.
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.
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.