Favorite Releases from April 2024
April was a whirlwind of electronic discovery. We kicked off the month celebrating our imprint Never Late's second release, Mjulev's stunning album "Clouds Are The Better Birds." Konduku and Nous'klaer Audio capped off the incredible K Series with its fifth chapter, while Javier Salazar returned to their home at RDG tribe. Danza Nativa threw a five-year party with a massive 15-track compilation, and Kaspiann made a bold statement with his debut on Mantis. From Barcelona, Bastien on Red Edge served up some seriously trippy ambient experimentation, while Lb Honne's sophomore LP on Project Indigo brought warm, lush vibes. Daniel[i]'s star continues to rise with another gem on F-on's Alpenglühen imprint. Rounding out the month, Romi & BLNDR and NUG delivered some deep, genre-bending dub and downtempo sounds.
Daniel[i]
BF04
Alpenglühen
Alpenglühen, the distinguished Madrid-based record label curated by Alfonso Pomeda, unveils its eighth release: the Berglüster EP, a masterwork from Whispering Signals' founder, Daniel[i].
The Berglüster EP, a unique creation of emotional depth and conceptual brilliance, is a musical journey unfolding through four tracks, each a distinct piece of the larger techno narrative.
Far from the confines of typical club fare, Berglüster offers a journey into the realm of contemplative lab techno. Its ethereal atmospheres, subdued kickdrums, and cinematic pads evoke nostalgia for the heyday of dub techno, albeit with a contemporary twist. Enthusiasts of Deepchord, GAS, or Porter Ricks will undoubtedly find a cherished addition to their collection within these tracks.
BF 04, the closing track of this remarkable release, envelops the listener in a warm yet eerie ambiance, carefully balancing elements to avoid overwhelming any single aspect. As the track unfolds, a distant ambient atmosphere gradually gives way to a gentle rhythm and haunting vocals, evoking a sense of serene mystery akin to a warm rain on a secluded island.
With "Berglüster" EP, Daniel[i] presents what can only be described as his most introspective and authentic offering to date.
Javier Salazar
Tides
rdg tribe
Javier Salazar, the driving force behind the rdg Tribe, returns to their home turf - the rdg Tribe imprint - two years after their debut release, "Lepante." This time, they bring "Tides," a four-track EP that ebbs and flows with primal energy.
The EP revolves around the title track, 'Tides,' which is presented in three distinct variations. Mohlao's remix infuses a playful, unconventional vibe, while the 'version' accentuates the atmospheric aspect, catering to different musical tastes and moods.
The EP concludes with 'Ital,' a dub techno lullaby that envelops the listener in a soothing embrace. Its deep bassline and tribal, hypnotic vocals create a tranquil atmosphere, providing a perfect ending to the EP's journey.
The original "Tides" is a slow-burning techno odyssey. A rolling groove and crisp percussion lay the groundwork for shimmering pads that create a sense of constant movement. Playful field recordings of children at play add a touch of innocence, contrasting with the hypnotic vocals whispered by the duo themselves, adding a layer of intrigue.
The "Tides" EP arrives hot on the heels of the rdg tribe's successful "Mers" compilation, released last year. It marks the imprint's fifth release.
NUG
Bong Boat
West Mineral Ltd.
Philadelphia's ever-reliable West Mineral Ltd. returns with another gem: an ambient/downtempo album by NUG, the project of artists Jordan Juras (PVAS) and Florian T M Zeisig. "Bong Boat," their sophomore release (following 2022's "Napping Under God" on 3XL), takes a more relaxed approach, exploring the atmospheric potential of percussion and experimental sounds. The result is a deeply calming journey.
Our standout track is "Heat," with its low-riding kick drum, spectral pads, and mesmerizing percussion. A haunting train siren adds a psychedelic twist. These seemingly disparate elements combine to create a paradoxically soothing and tranquil atmosphere.
Buy on Bandcamp
Soundcloud
Instagram - Florian T M Zeisig
Instagram - Jordan Juras
Romi & BLNDR
지금이순간
Huinali Recordings
Huinali Recordings unleashes "4 Way Independnce," a four-track exploration of untamed creativity. Familiar faces like Adhémar, Romi, BLNDR, Javier Marimon, and Asllan ditch the rulebook, offering up deeply personal musical explorations.
This solid release makes picking a favorite a challenge, but Kizen's own Romi and BLNDR team up for a standout: "지금이순간" (Jigeum-isungan). Distortion forms the track's backbone, with a warped groove and clanging bells creating a strangely beautiful auditory panorama.
Buy on Bandcamp
Soundcloud - Romi
Soundcloud - BLNDR
Kaspiann
Solina
Mantis
Helsinki's Kaspiann, a mainstay in the city's underground scene, unleashes a four-track powerhouse on his Mantis debut. Known for organizing underground parties and relentless DJing, Kaspiann has honed his sound into a hypnotically focused groove. This release perfectly embodies his signature style.
The tracks range from the steady, mantra-like pulse of "Satakieli" to the watery, dubbed-out electro of "Tuiskussa Langennut." "Havinavalssi" washes over you with warm, late-night synths, while the closing track, "Solina," is a masterclass in pensive percussion.
There's a reason we're drawn to deep techno's low-slung grooves – that sweet spot below 110 BPM. "Solina" nails it perfectly, a beautifully brooding groover that exemplifies Kaspiann's skill. With a stripped-down approach and a firm grasp of the "less is more" principle, he creates a track that fills the sound system without overwhelming it. Every element is perfectly placed.
Kaspiann demonstrates a keen balance between richly layered detail and an overall subtlety — heavyweight music that feels light on the ears.
Lb Honne
Homage To Daylight
Project Indigo
The Zürich-based imprint Project Indigo adds the second long player to its discography, which matures with each new release. This time, it's Lb Honne, one of Project Indigo's co-founders, who delivers a nine-track album that is a beautiful collection of warm, melancholic, atmospheric tunes that levitate somewhere in between the lazy bag and dance floor.
We had the pleasure of shining light on 'Homage to Daylight,' and we'll gladly do it again. 'Homage to Daylight' is woven with unsettling beauty, evoking the spirit of David Lynch's Blue Velvet. Warm, sustained analog pads wash over the listener, thick and melancholic like the Louisiana air itself. A lush, throbbing breakbeat pulses beneath, mirroring the hidden tension lurking beneath the veneer of Lynch's idyllic suburban setting. A poignant vocal sample adds a raw vulnerability, redolent of Sandy's fragile innocence amidst the encroaching darkness.
Halfway down the road, the bright and uplifting arpeggio slices through the melancholic haze like a burst of sunshine after a long and dreary day. It leaves the listener hopeful and optimistic, wondering if it's the dawn breaking and a promise of a brighter tomorrow.
Konduku
Ebedi
Nous'klaer Audio
After five and a half years and five stellar releases, Nous'klaer Audio's sublabel "The K series" – a favorite playground for imprint mainstay Konduku – is finally hanging up its dancing shoes. Launched in the waning days of 2018 with "Emerald Island," the series took us on a journey through "Orbu," "Gelgit," and "Gegek" before reaching its epic finale with "Ebedi."
"Ebedi" is a potent four-track EP that showcases Konduku's mastery of polyrhythms and his knack for crafting late-night floor-fillers. Imagine a record split in two: "Kilim" and "Meskendir" on the dark side, perfect for those deep dives into the night, while "Ebedi" and "Hafif" bathe the dance floor in the early-morning light.
Speaking of light, "Hafif," the series finale, is a glorious mutant offspring of halftime grooves and shimmering, trancey synths. It closes the curtain on "The K series," not with a whimper, but with a radiant glow and a surge of optimism. It's a fitting farewell for a project that brought so much joy to the dance floor.
Mjulev
Clouds Are The Better Birds
Never Late
This stunning album, a year in the making, marks the second chapter in our Never Late saga. We can't help but be biased—this creation by the incredibly talented Basel-based sound architect Carlo Thommen, aka Mjulev, deserves another spotlight.
Mjulev's work unfolds like a meditative voyage, perfect for unwinding, introspection, or igniting creative sparks. Lush sounds, introspective melodies, and rich textures drift through the album, offering a calming yet stimulating experience.
Each track showcases Mjulev's mastery in crafting intricate sonic stories. Layered textures and laid-back vibes permeate the release, culminating in "Birds on Acid," the final track. This rhythmic descent tugs at the heartstrings, evoking a sense of finality and completion. The interplay between plucks and textures complements both the analog fuzz and bright synths, perfectly encapsulating the essence of the entire album.
Luigi Tozzi
Kamayuk
Danza Nativa
"5 Years Of Danza Nativa", a 15-track compilation, features label co-founders Alderaan, Forest On Stasys & Kyntral, alongside Danza Nativa regulars Luigi Tozzi, Claudio PRC, Dino Sabatini, Polygonia, echologist, Amandra, Daniel[i], Shoal, and more. It's an exploration into the world of techno, dub, drone, and abstract techno – a rare collection where every track carries serious weight.
We premiered echologist's "Mobil" to celebrate the release, but we also have to shout out one of our all-time favorite Luigi Tozzi tracks, "Kamayuk."
"Kamayuk" kicks off with a floor-crushing groove that instantly takes control. Warm, distant dub chords – the track's signature – weave a perfect balance with the driving rhythm. This pairing shows how a minimalist approach can create a rich soundscape that stays with you long after the last note fades. Pure, unadulterated class.
Bastien
Lapse
Red Edge
Tarragona's Red Edge record label has been an extension of Joan Gila's discerning ear, curating exceptional but under-the-radar music through his HOC radio show. Following a stellar debut release featuring a live performance from the legendary ABSIS, Red Edge welcomes another hidden gem: Barcelona's Bastien.
Bastien's music speaks volumes, shrouding his identity in an air of intrigue. His debut album, "Temps Boro," is a masterclass in ambiance, experimentation, and downtempo grooves.
We premiered "Ralentir" a few weeks back, but today we turn the spotlight to another gem - "Lapse," the album's nine-minute centerpiece. It's a smooth, enveloping journey through sound. Warm analog textures weave throughout, driven by a low-end sine wave bassline. Relaxing atmospheric pads and sampled vocals create a hazy soundscape punctuated by subtle yet sharp percussive flourishes that flirt with distortion, adding a touch of edge to the overall atmosphere.