Best New Releases from October
by Irina Kotik
Summer is officially over, but we are excited for the fall that brings leaves, autumn chills, and a harvest of stunning new releases.
We have compiled a list of top 10 picks that we enjoyed listening in clubs and on headphones featuring such scorching artists and rising stars as Trikk, Cleveland, Samo DJ, Pedrodollar, Anthony George Patrice, Dorisburg, Far Out Radio Systems, ZK Bucket, Mano Le Tough, Floyd Lavine, Joakim, Fort Romeau and more; on Innervisions, Hivern Discs, Lossless, Mountain Explosion Device, Optimo Music, Selva Discos, Curled Recordings, DGTL Records, Zaun Records, Connected, Embassy Of Music and many other record labels.
Cleveland
Pay Back (Samo DJ and Pedrodollar Remix)
Hivern Discs
John Talabot's Hivern Discs has made great strides since breaking in 2008. An endless roster of incredibly talented artists and impressive releases has marked it as one of the most exciting music labels in the electronic genre. The label’s latest release comes from the Luxembourg’s rising star Cleveland, who is known for his emotionally diverse, vibrant live and DJ sets. Entitled ‘Crystal Quest’, the three-track EP is compiled of "three different contexts, in three different periods and three different studios. But, as Andrea puts it, they’re all “driven by a quest and a hope.”
"'Pay Back' was born the day before Cleveland's first live set in Brussels two years ago. No wonder it sounds like a call to arms. 'Armando The Lizard' has a much more looser feeling. It doesn't pursue an answer, just a little bit of warmth. Created in a small cold studio during the Belgian winter, it's lush and playful as a summer afternoon near the Pacific. After all, Cleveland's has always had a penchant for adventure.
'Crystal Quest' is the most emotionally charged cut of the pack. With its epic vocal pads and trembling arpeggios, it creates a wistful atmosphere in which the “quest” and the “hope” that drive the whole EP converge to exultant effect. Andrea says it was made as a reaction to loneliness, but it has the inverse effect of creating an intimate connection on the dance floor. Completing the package, the illustrious swedes Samo DJ & Pedrodollar join forces to give Pay Back a groove boost and a touch of their trademark quirkiness.
Far Out Radio Systems
Jane Goodall
Curled Recordings
Far Out Radio Systems is another moniker of Thomas Neyens, the incredibly talented Belgian producer, also known as Kiani and His Legion. Following his 2014 release as Far Out Radio Systems on his own Tanzbar Belgium imprint and a powerful remix of Nuno Dos Santos ‘Prisa’ via Something Happening Somewhere, he is the next talented producer to grace the Curled Recordings platter with “Dream The Dreams Of Dreamer”. This stunning four-tracker showcases his unique sound and musical background on the sophisticated, intricate side of modern house and techno.
“Jane Goodall” is an expertly crafted composition filled with a deep floating sound combining melancholy with mysteriously beautiful atmospheric textures, percussive elements, and hypnotic effects.
Maria Rite
Lamento Africa/Rictus (Joakim Remix)
Optimo Music Selva Discos
The Glasgow-based Optimo Music once again join forces with Selva Discos imprint to deliver a stunning remix package of the two best tracks from the “Brasileira” LP, released this past summer. Brasileira, according to the press release, “has been on top of collectors’ and music lovers’ wish lists for the past couple of years, since Cântico Brasileiro Nº3 (Kamaiurá) broke out and cast a spell worldwide.”
Selvagen & Carrot Green and Joakim brought different touches to the Maria Rita remix 12-inch. Versatile french producer, musician, DJ and, Tigersushi label boss Joakim takes on a remix of Maria Rita’s “Lamento Africano/Rictus”, keeping all the charm of the original but taking a completely new direction by introducing a powerful baseline and an infectious, driving groove.
Dorisburg
Venom
Mountain Explosion Device
Swedish hypnotic techno maestro Dorisburg, a.k.a Alexander Berg, graces the Mountain Explosion Device imprint with a mind-bending, beautifully dark and deeply mysterious two tracker “Venom” EP. The first package since 2016’s “Time Stretch Totem” via Aniara Recordings, it brings the best elements of both rhythm and atmosphere demonstrating Berg’s ability to blend evocative landscapes with maximum club efficacy.
The title track “Venom” is a hypnotically impressive effort that intertwines techno grooves with a delicate acid line and twisted synth patterns. With rich textures and an enchantingly dark atmosphere, this tune sparks the imagination.
ZK Bucket
Washing And Dubbing
Zaun Records
The Berlin-based producer ZK Bucket returns to his own Zaun Records imprint to deliver a new piece of work, inspired by “the picture of women washing clothing in the river and making music with the water while singing on top”. The three original tracks channel unrelenting leftfield energy in an utterly poetic manner.
Mysterious and subtle, “Washing And Dubbing” is a hypnotic picture of sound delving into the depth of unpolished abstract groove structures, warm pads, and moody synth lines to create a swirling hypnotic journey.
Hundreds
Un-Unify (Mano Le Tough Remix)
Embassy Of Music
Mano Le Tough offers up a remix of Hundred’s beautiful song ‘Un-Unify from the band’s third album “Wilderness”.
The Irish producer has steadily established himself as a supplier of deep and emotive grooves. He throws in an array of gorgeous sonic textures and washes of delicate, shimmering noise to stamp his own unique mark on the pop single, resulting in a remarkably impressive interpretation.
Anthony George Patrice
Aylanmasdan
Lossless
The Berlin-based producer Anthony George Patrice, known for his gorgeous ‘Parallel Romance’ debut release on Lossless returns to the label with his second full EP, Nujan. The infectious three-track offering follows Anthony George Patrice’s exclusive contribution for Outbound.1 and Outbound.2 where he is featured as Búnus in partnership with Wayne Duggan.
The opener “Aylanmasdan” is a gorgeous journey into sonically vibrant, leftfieldterritories. With dark vibes, evocative melody, and rhythmic percussive groove, this tune offers a storming techno hypnotism for the distorted minds.
Trikk
Kunu
Innervisions
Portuguese producer Trikk, a.k.a. Bruno Deodato returns to Berlin’s influential record label Innervisions with an impressive sophomore EP, “Mundo Ritual”, following 2016’s Florista EP. The eagerly anticipated eight-track collection of seven original cuts and a beautiful remix by Fred and Luna builds and breathers with a dance floor power and melodic elegance.
The mighty "Kunu" has been smashing sound systems around the world, since Áme’s Playground 2016 set at Studio Brussel. It's a striking, bass-heavy affair filled with a writhing melody, deep electronic synths, and rhythmic percussive elements that will get listeners into a hypnotic groove.
Aaaron & Deckert Feat. Valentine
L.D.O.E. (Floyd Lavine's African Techno Dub)
Connected Frontline
The next release on Connected Frontline comes from Berlin-based producer Aaaron in partnership with newcomers Deckert and singer Valentine. The three artists deliver a mesmerizing new ‘L.D.O.E.’ single backed with two club-oriented remixes by South African Floyd Lavine and a deeply emotional dub version. “L.D.O.E combines the talents of each individual to create something really special,” describes the label. ”While Aaaron provides a sub heavy African inspired groove pattern and combines it with Deckert’s intense harmonies, Valentine finishes off the track with her touching voice performance and lyrics that are both melancholic and deep.”
The dub version of the ‘L.D.O.E.’ is a hauntingly deep and rolling affair with icy piano chords, warm pads, tumbling drum lines, and beautifully pensive atmosphere.
Fort Romeau
A Familiar Place
DGTL Records
DGTL is a record label owned by established Amsterdam Dance Event. The labels second release comes from the South London-based producer, Cin Cin label boss and the festival shows regular Fort Romeau. “After playing at three different DGTL editions, and an upcoming fourth during ADE,” described in the press release, “the organization also wanted to propagate his sound with an EP on their imprint.” He brings two beautifully expressive tracks with an unstoppable hypnotic groove.
"A Familiar Place” pulsates and slithers beautifully on driving hi-hats with twinkling acid influenced notes, funky retro-futurist synth lines, and haunting melody. This track is a gorgeous addition to the deep after-hours sessions.