Best New Releases from November
by Irina Kotik
As we start to enter winter, the musical climate of house music is getting noticeably deeper & darker but no less beautiful. We’ve hand-picked ten favorite tracks of the November featuring Mathias Schober, Davis, TB, Tunnelvisions, Arkajo, Birds Ov Paradise, Davis, Perel, Hammer, Aera.
Dominik Marz
Tears (Aera Edit)
Andmusic
Following the ‘Mean Motif’ release with Yannick Labbé under the Yandom moniker, Augusburg based producer and DJ Resident at his hometown's Club Schwarzes Schaf, Dominik Marz returns to Andmusic imprint for a breathtaking ‘Tryads’ EP. The four track package offers a deep blend of moody house.
Landing a hand is the multitalented German producer Ralph Schmidt, who continues to build his enviable reputation in the underground music circuits with sophisticated productions and impeccable sets. He throws a spine-tingling hypnotic touch onto “Tears” bringing out the powerful groove and moody, atmospheric vibe.
Mathias Schober
Is To Break Them
Optimo Music
German producer and Lossless label co-owner Mathias Schober continues his innovative and masterfully crafted design on the ‘Certanties’ EP released via Optimo Music. The four-track EP is composed of three original tunes including the ambient version of “Is To Break Them”. Here’s what Mathias has to say about this release: “
The idea behind all tracks on the EP was a simple setup of drums and one synth that would do a main sequence/sound, yet there’s a lot of detail in all of them. ‘In A Certain Way’ features an 808ish beat with the main sequence coming from a tiny monophonic synth called Atmegatron - 8Bit love, it turned out being much more music than I thought it would be when I set everything up.
‘But What Rules Are Made For’ is the same setup but the sequence is a 101 and so are all the washed out fx synths. On ‘Is To Break Them’ I went a different route, I had the dub, delayed stabs synth first as I was messin’ with my Moog and a Space Echo - which btw is used on every single track I release if you haven’t noticed yet.
So I was trying to build something around those stabs in order to fit the track to the others and so I ended up with another sequence coming from my Moog. As there was still space on the record, I decided to add an ambient version of ‘Is To Break Them’, I love the ambiance on this track. I hope that my love for dub sounds is obvious enough on these tracks. Happy I found such an excellent home for the EP!”
Davis
Watu
Endless
Incredibly talented Brazilian producer and “In Their Feelings” label co-founder Davis continues to build a glowing international reputation via a string of impressive EPs and remixes released on Live At Robert Johnson, Innervisions, Connaisseur Recordings, Soul Clap Records, In Their Feelings among others. Each offering has been laced with quality and style and his latest “Watu” EP via Luca Bacchetti’s Endless imprint is no exception. A new package contains three original tracks and a remix by Luca Bacchetti.
Powerful, intricate and forward-thinking “Watu” creates a magical world filled to the brim with massive synth sections, percussive twists and tremendous style. A true magnetic explosive that will set the dance floor on fire.
Mano Le Tough
Kitedub
Pampa
Irish producer Niall Mannion (a.k.a. Mano Le Tough) is pushing musical boundaries forward with his new “Ahsure” EP on DJ Koze’s imprint Pampa. The three-track EP, according to the label, ”showcase his unique ability to combine dancefloor rhythms with visceral vocal-based songs.”
On the flip side of the record, there is “Kitedub”, an elegant and intricate gem driven by a hypnotic groove, Mano’s silky vocals and vibrantly warm synths. It carries an open-air vibe which is perfect for sunrise or deep after-hours sessions.
TB
Glitter
Permanent Vacation
Following the successes of his previous mesmerizing “Invitation To Love” released via John Talabot’s Hivern Discs and “City Girl" on his own label Permanent Vacation, German producer, and Permanent Vacation co-founder Tom Bioly a.k.a.TB makes a triumphant return to Permanent Vacation with another exciting and vibrant “Heartbreak Hotel” EP. A refined, elegant and groovy eight-track package continues his tradition of creating a deep, elevating dance floor melancholia.
“Glitter” is a finely crafted gem that has a timeless elegance and melancholic feel to it with a dreamy melody that shimmers and swirls in a haze of hypnotic synth, distant pads, and a magical groove.
Hammer
Rails
Glasgow Underground
Glasgow Underground marks its 10th anniversary with the “The Underground Sound Of Glasgow 2017” compilation curated by the label founder Kevin McKay. The impressive rich and diverse collection of 15 tracks features an exclusive contribution from the likes of Hammer, JD Twitch, Jasper James, Ceol, Auntie Flo and Kevin McKay. Here is what Kevin McKay is intent to say about the compilation “The clubs and DJs of Glasgow inspired the label and so I wanted to ask my favorite producers from the city if they would make a track that was specifically designed for the Glasgow crowds,” he explains. “I’m really happy with the result and I think with tracks from the likes of Jasper James, JD Twitch, Hammer, and Domenic Cappello and alongside some brilliant producers that people might not have heard of, you can really hear what Glasgow Underground, and the city itself, is all about right now.”
The Belfast artist Hammer brings his infectious house sound to the compilation.
Fused with a pulsing energy, “Rails” constantly morphs into a powerful ride through waves of twisted synth lines, crunchy claps, irresistible groove and dark motifs.
Birds Ov Paradise
Varberg Ljud
Kärvt
Gothenburg-based artist David Sable (a.k.a Birds Ov Paradise) returns to Swedish Kärvt imprint with yet another mind-bending “Varberg” EP that explores a sophisticated sonic palette of hypnotic techno.
The title track “Varberg Ljud” is a dark room atmospheric techno voyage full of dubby sonic textures, oppressive intricacies, and fluid grooves.
Arkajo
Fathomless Music
Aniara Recordings
One half of Swedish duo Genius Of Time, Nils Krogh, also known as Arkajo, is back to Fabian Bruhn’s Aniara Recording with a new “Fathomless Music” EP in honor of the records’ 20th release anniversary. The gorgeous club-oriented package serves to remind once again that Arkajo is a master of his craft.
Channeling a mysterious tribal vibe, the “Fathomless Music” transcends the listener on an acid infused deep, goosebumps generating journey. Arkajo has effortlessly managed to inject this tune with a 303 acid baseline, escalating high-hats and a trippy spoken-word vocals, which evoke a hypnotic effect upon listening.
Adam Marshall
Core Dub
Maeve
Maeve proudly welcomes the New Kanada boss and a good friend Adam Marshall to the family. Veteran music producer with a nearly two decades of DJing, Canada native artist delivers a new ‘Low Poly Nature’ EP. The four original tracks “features several guises of underground electronic music and in parts pushes their boundaries” and showcases the supreme talent and accomplished musicianship.
Here is how Kristian Beyer describes the release:
”Future music from New Kanada’s front man Adam Marshall. Sometimes it’s hard to categorize certain tracks and these ones are from outer space. It reminds me a lot of the time when we all discovered the first playhouse records from Isolee, Losoul, and Soylent Green. Magic moments which at first listen maybe not seem to work on the dance floor because they are challenging, but if you find the right moment, they will work wonders.”
Perel
Die Dimensions
DFA Records
A relative newcomer but already respected, Annegret Perel Fiedler, a.k.a Perel,
is an incredibly talented German producer, DJ, musician and vocalist graced the American based record label DFA Records with a new single “Die Dimension” from an upcoming 2018 full-length album. The debut single comes with two remixes from Massimiliano Pagliara and Jayda G.
‘Die Dimensions’ is an utterly gorgeous and edgy tune full of krautrock attitude and style. With intricate matrices of beats and eerie funk, this song lures the listener into a world of dark alluring psychedelia while deep seductive vocals are captivating and inviting.
Tunnelvisions
Guava
Atomnation
Hot on the heels of their stunning track “Alhambra” from Automation’s 50th release celebration “Various Artist” compilation, Dutch production duo Tunnelvisions strike gold again with their Automnation LP debut, “Midnight Voyage”. The impressive nine-track double LP fuses a wealth of world music influences with excellent production technique.
Named after a Jamaican River, “Guava” is a gorgeous heartwarming soundtrack filled with a lush, deep sound and mesmerizing tropical vibe.