Favorite Releases from May 2022
“It’s impossible.” said pride.
“It’s risky.” said experience.
“It’s pointless.” said reason.
“Give it a try.” whispered the heart.
The summer is upon us, bringing with it a slew of fantastic albums, gorgeous releases, and stunning remixes from Seb Wildblood, ABSIS, Human Space Machine, Carsten Jost, JakoJako & Rødhåd , 36, Mr. Fingers, Halos, Jazzuelle, and Biogen.
Seb Wildblood
Keep On
All My Thoughts
UK producer Seb Wildblood unveiled his second studio album 'do you feel it too?’ through his record label, all my thoughts. "A blissful, emotive record fusing 90's piano chords and 2-step/garage, with groove-laden, minimalist tech-house sentiments, fuelled by sublime LA scapes and informed by his early education and influence in dance music, do you feel it too? celebrates a renewed sense of togetherness and empathy after a period of relative solitude.
A rebirth of sorts, having felt passive and creatively stifled, the album is about being present in the moment. It's a record largely directed at the dance floor, touching on many of the references that have led Seb Wildblood to this point in his sonic journey..."
"Keep On" is a gorgeous soundtrack filled with lush, breakbeat rhythms, balmy vocals, and a stunning summer vibe.
ABSIS
Star Travel
Oslated
The latest installment from the South Koren imprint Oslated comes courtesy of the Barcelona-based producer ABSIS. The artist has previously released on John Talabot's Hivern deep, introspective techno in the form of the "All The Moments" EP to Oslated, featuring five original tracks and a remix from Dutch producers Bas Dobbelaer and Vand.
The cosmic musical exploration into the deeper shades of atmospheric sound, "Star Travel," accentuates the intricate textures, brooding synth melody, and nocturnal deep techno rhythms.
Human Space Machine
Dong
NOWHERE
Utrecht-based Something Happening Somewhere launches a new offshoot label NOWHERE with the first release from Human Space Machine. The De Lichting collective affiliate inaugurated the label with the "Substance" EP exploring a wide array of acid-tinged timbres from across the techno spectrum.
Irresistible rhythms unfold on "Dong," creating a dialogue between tonal and futuristic rhythmic patterns.
Carsten Jost
La Collectionneuse I
Dial
Berlin-based producer Carsten Jost delivered his new record "La Collectionneuse" through Dial, the record label that he runs in partnership with Lawrence. His third studio album to date, the collection of ten tracks span between leftfield house to lo-fi electronic sounds that offer a funk in their elegance.
The album opens with an imaginative "La Collectionneuse I," waiving fluidity with hypnotic, rolling rhythms and soothing tones, giving the record a hazy, nostalgic feel.
JakoJako & Rødhåd
Helonias
WSNWG
Following the release of her impressive debut album "Metamorphose'' through Bigamo, Berlin-based artist and Berghain resident JakoJako partnered with German artist Rødhåd to create a beautiful modular synth-driven album. "The two artists present 'In Vere', an album created in a week-long jam session during Spring 2021 perfectly echoing the season's mood and positive energy. Covering a wider range of styles from ambient over electronica to techno, the track names relate to the flowers and animals found during this period. Jakojako's influence is apparent throughout the release showcasing her signature ambient style arpeggios that are flawlessly blended with modular synths and organic sounds."
We had the pleasure of writing a review of this stunning album. Read a complete article by Elena Lisovin here
36
Porcelain
Past Inside The Present
Dennis Huddleston, also known as 36, releases a new record. Inspired by Warp's 'Artificial Intelligence' releases from the early '90s, "Symmetry Systems" is a dazzlingly beautiful work that encompasses an emotive and evocative ambient world. The EP continues in a similar vein as its predecessor, "Wave Variations," with the warm and dreamy tone working perfectly with the sequence-driven melodies and rhythms. Here is what the artist intends to say about this release:
"I have a deep love for those early Warp albums, particularly the Artificial Intelligence compilations. It was a wonderful time for UK electronic music. That beautiful, warm machine sound, with an optimistic (if somewhat naive) vision for the future. I found the whole thing incredibly inspiring and wanted to revisit those memories, albeit with a 36 twist"
Mr. Fingers
Drive
Alleviated Records
Mr. Fingers returns to Alleviated Records with a new album!!! Larry Heard (under his most notable moniker) continues on the path he's set with 'Cerebral Hemispheres' in 2018. Encompassing all his influences from Jazz, R&B to Techno and Ambient these lush tracks with a feeling that no one else expresses quite like Mr. Fingers. Right from the start with "Around the Sun" the ten-track album pulls you in with these lushly produced tracks and effortlessly captivates you with the always infectious grooves and perfectly spaced arrangements. No need to further elaborate... This is Larry Heard at his finest.
Halos
Code 3
Cellar Door
Valencia-based producer Halos creates a striking balance of rhythmic energy and atmospheric beauty on his new "Sacred Code" EP released through Cellar Doors Records. The four tracks bloom into a reflective sonic landscape bringing deep techno vibes with its boasting trippy sounds, ominous textures, and ambient-wave overtones.
Anchored by atmospheric techno sensibilities and delicate melodicism, 'Code 3' comes dancing with its listeners right out of the gate, elevating its mysticism through a deep techno groove punctuated by acid droplets.
Jazzuelle
The God Flex
Maeve
One of South Africa's most prolific producers, Jazzuelle, joins the Maeve family with the new EP following his 2021 album "Muse." The four-track "Abiogenesis" continues to evolve his signature sound with heavy influences from Brian Eno, Steve Reich, The Cinematic Orchestra, and J Dilla, blending ambient electronics, deep dusty house rhythms, and jazzy elements into a dynamic piece of work.
The opening track "The God Flex" sets the tone for the entire EP with its high-energy burst of bittersweet euphoria, dusty drum arrangements, and dreamy, jazzy melodies ebbing and flowing into the ocean of atmospheric house sounds.
Biogen
Lag 26
Móatún 7
The next release on Icelandic imprint Móatún 7 is a special release for the Biogen family. Entitled "MOA111", the record is a collection of 10 tracks from the legendary Sigurbjörn Þorgrímsson, better known as Biogen. The tracks are selected by Futuregrapher, who runs the record label.
Sigurbjörn Þorgrímsson was an electronic musician best known under the pseudonym Biogen. A pivotal figure in Iceland's electronic music scene, whether it was during his early forays into electronic music as a member of the legendary hardcore techno band Ajax or through the many collaborations and side projects he was involved with, Biogen had a personal hand in shaping the last two decades of Icelandic music.
Sigurbjörn was a founding member of the Thule record label and a frontman of the Weirdcore Collective.
"MOA111" is a beautiful journey through ambient, IDM, and electronica. Lacing IDM and ambient sounds with dense atmospheric textures and multilayered synth melodies, Biogen has created a vibrant aural landscape that perfectly captures a vast array of moods and tempos.
"Lag 26" is a fine work of sonic craftsmanship expertly balancing IDM rhythm, glowing synth melody, and interweaving resonances to create a gorgeous composition.