Favorite Releases from December 2023
As the holiday buzz settles and winter's frosty whispers take hold, we here at Delayed find solace in the pulsating depths of the electronic underground. Before we say goodbye to 2023, let's celebrate those releases that resonated within our crew in the past few weeks.
Doctrina Natura
Perpendicular Souls (Estrato Aurora Remix)
Huinali Recordings
Doctrina Natura navigates an aural wilderness on "Perpendicular Souls," a genre-bending EP released via Huinali Recordings. Inspired by a visit to Spain's Perpendicular festival, the release weaves its way through ambient, drum and bass, electronica, and techno landscapes, mirroring the diverse terrain of the event itself.
Doctrina Natura constructs a rich musical landscape, meticulously layering atmospheric textures with driving rhythms. Though each track holds its weight, Estrato Aurora's remix of the title track emerges as a true standout. Transforming the original into a halftime drum and bass odyssey, Aurora's version sends listeners on a cosmic voyage through starlit clearings and sun-drenched forests, capturing the essence of the Perpendicular experience in sonically immersive detail.
Na Nich
That Was A Long Day
Rhythm Büro
Rhythm Büro, the Kyiv-based label, collective, and party initiative, is marking its 10th release with a distinctive compilation titled 'There Will Be Light.' This collection revolves around the themes of deep listening, chill-out, and ambient music, showcasing the diverse musical approach that defines Rhythm Büro's events and label. The compilation, conceived several years ago, aims to provide a soothing sonic experience for listeners, fostering a sense of tranquility amidst the chaos of daily life. Particularly poignant given Ukraine's current challenges, 'There Will Be Light' seeks to offer a musical refuge, asserting Rhythm Büro's belief that everyone deserves the means to achieve a peaceful state of mind.
Na Nich's "That Was a Long Day" takes the listener on a musical voyage characterized by powerful rising pads that crash like waves, creating an atmospheric intensity. The track features an intricate interplay of two percussive sequences and a distorted sub-bass, engaging in a magical dance with every movement of the mod wheel. The title, "That was a long day," aptly captures the essence of the listener's experience, mirroring the stretched pads and resonating low frequencies that evoke a profound sense of an ever-expanding universe. Na Nich skillfully crafts a sonic narrative that invites the audience to lose themselves in the contemplative elements, offering a unique and immersive journey within the broader context of the 'There Will Be Light' compilation.
Voal
Carpet Crawler
ISOTOOP
The debut release from Dutch dance collective ISOTOOP on their newly minted label unfolds as a mysterious musical journey led by core members Shoal (Kenny Kneefel) and Vand (Viktor van der Riet), united for the first time under the moniker Voal. The EP, a collaboration between longtime friends, unveils a distinctive approach to club music, where the individual signatures of Shoal and Vand merge into a unified force. Across the four tracks, the duo skillfully balances rhythm and contemplation, creating an experience that propels movement on the dancefloor while leaving room for cerebral exploration. Voal's artistry shines through in their astute sound design and polyrhythmic mastery.
"Carpet Crawler," opens the EP with a bass line that asserts its distinct presence, accompanied by intricate percussions, chopped sampled vocals, and an evolving robotic sequence. The track unfolds as an eerie and murky journey, akin to navigating through a cosmic storm aboard a spacecraft. Its relentless progression and unconventional blend of elements offer a unique listening experience that lingers with a listener long after it's done.
Buy on Bandcamp
Soundcloud - Vand
Soundcloud - Shoal
Laura BCR
How Do I Get To Know You
Konstrukt
Laura BCR, head honcho of On Board Music, capped off a whirlwind year with "How Do I Get To Know You," a six-track EP showcasing her affinity for edgy, texture-rich techno. Released on December 15th via Dutch label Konstrukt, the EP embodies the label's aesthetic, crafting a dark journey through throbbing rhythms and warped synths.
The title track, "How Do I Get To Know You," stands out as a driving techno gem. A steady beat underpins rumbling basslines and off-kilter synth lines, weaving a hypnotic, pulsating groove. The track's unconventional elements – think slightly skewed rhythms and playful synth flourishes – add an undeniable edge, making it a fitting highlight of this impressive EP.
Varuna
Jewel Changi (Jan Loup remix)
A Walking Contradiction
Varuna's latest release, "Cosmogrove 1/2," is a dynamic sonic exploration that breathes fresh life into the artist's earlier works, Cosmogram & Mangrove Management. Released on December 6, 2023, this two-part series features a collection of reconstructed cosmograms, each a distinct reinterpretation by prominent figures in the electronic music realm.
In the first installment of "Cosmogrove," artists like Agonis and Jan Loup venture into Singapore's diverse garden, while Hems takes us on a compelling exploration of the remnants of Abu Dhabi's post-oil model city. Konduku, on the other hand, goes vertical, skillfully pruning Milan's concrete forest.
One standout gem from the release is the "Jewel Changi (Jan Loup Remix)," where Jan Loup skillfully navigates the vibrant landscapes of Singapore's air travel hub, offering a nuanced blend of de-naturalized and re-naturalized elements.
Jan Loup's remix of "Jewel Changi" is a vivid example of Varuna's collaborative spirit, delivering a unique take on the original that seamlessly captures the essence of the artist and the remixing genius.
Sam KDC
Rhea’s Revenge
Samurai Music
Returning to the 170 tempo with Samurai Music's "Omnia," Sam KDC crafts four diverse journeys steeped in ritualistic atmosphere and intricate percussion. Each track unfolds like a cryptic verse, veiled in layers of hypnotic motifs and brooding ambience. Opener "Indra's Net" weaves a sinuous groove around introspective pads and driving drums, while "The Shroud" resurrects the haunting textures of "Omen Rising" within a pulsating 170 tapestry. "Metempsychosis" takes the listener on a serpentine dance, its rhythm twisting and turning before erupting in ecstatic bursts.
The crown jewel of "Omnia" is "Rhea's Revenge." It begins with a warm, enveloping radiance that lulls the listener into a false sense of security before exploding into a fiery amen break finale. This unexpected shift exemplifies the EP's strength – its ability to surprise and captivate through unpredictable twists and turns constantly. While each track stands strong on its own, "Omnia" truly shines as a unified experience, offering a potent exploration of mysticism and rhythm through Sam KDC's masterful sonic storytelling.
HVL
Home Valley
Kiyadama Records
Tbilisi-based producer HVL, fresh off the heels of his expansive 19-track album released in May, caps off a prolific year with another auditory adventure. "Dialogue," landing with a slightly leaner 16 tracks, is a whirlwind tour through techno, electronica, acid, and beyond. Genre fluidity is nothing new for HVL, and he wields it here with masterful ease, ensuring there's not a single skippable moment across the album's runtime.
"Home Valley" is a prime example of HVL's talent for layering intricate sounds like a skilled chef building a flavorful dish. Deep, emotive pads simmer beneath a flurry of percussive elements, creating an intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant sonic feast. If "Dialogue" is a preview of what's to come, buckle up – 2024 promises to be a delicious year for HVL's ever-evolving soundscapes.
Box 5ive
Duty Free
Initiate Records
Initiate Records has unwrapped a sonic gift for the festive season with their latest compilation, "Winter Nights," a 28-track ensemble showcasing its diverse roster. Embracing the thematic essence of "long winter nights," Initiate Records challenged the artists to translate this emotion into music, resulting in a compilation that seamlessly transitions between lightness and darkness.
"Winter Nights" features works from many artists close to our hearts. However, "Duty Free", a compilation opener by London-based Box 5ive, which we previously had the pleasure of premiering, has quickly become a favorite for its beautiful interpretation of the theme.
You can read the write-up by Zach Huenink here.
Philipp Priebe
Clouds Floating In A Haze Of Light
Stólar
Philipp Priebe's debut album on Stólar, titled 'Movements In An Empty Department Store,' unfolds as a vivid exploration of ambient and deep house, delivering a narrative that revolves around a child's dream of spending a night alone in a vacant department store. Released on December 8, 2023, the album comprises eight original compositions, each contributing to the sonic portrayal of this imaginative adventure. Collaborating with Jules and Valentin for artwork and logo design, Priebe creates a cohesive visual and auditory experience that captures the essence of the dream world.
The standout track, 'Clouds Floating In A Haze Of Light,' showcases Priebe's ability to blend raw, cinematic, and mystical elements into his music. The rhythmic drive and rugged percussion of the track, along with others like 'Movements In An Empty Department Store' and 'Cedar,' offer dance floor-friendly moments while maintaining a deep, atmospheric quality. The album's range extends from swelling bass lines, dubby echoes, and ethereal textures in tracks such as 'Marble,' 'Porcelain,' 'Drenched In Dust,' and 'Fever Dreams' to the pensive and haunting closing piece, 'On The Way Out.'
Human Space Machine
Aira
De Lichting
Amsterdam's De Lichting collective has unveiled their latest compilation, "Dlaid," a seven-track endeavor that showcases the diverse talents of its core members, including Kaap, Eversines, Nathan Kofi, Human Space Machine, RDS, queniv and Boris Acket. Released on December 19, 2023, the compilation serves a noble purpose: raising funds for humanitarian aid in Gaza and DR Congo and addressing the urgent needs arising from war and conflict.
"Dlaid" embraces a spectrum of electronic genres, including deep house, acid, techno, and leftfield electronica. Each track on the compilation contributes to the celebration of the collective's musical diversity, weaving a narrative that resonates beyond the realm of music.
"Aira," by Human Space Machine, propels the listener into the techno universe with a rhythmic pulse grounded in the iconic 808 sounds. The track's trippy synths add an element of urgency, mirroring the pressing issues the compilation aims to address.
The collaboration between De Lichting's core members underscores the power of music as a force for positive change, inviting audiences to be part of a movement that extends beyond the confines of the dancefloor.