Favorite Releases from February 2024
February is short, but that doesn't mean it skimps on the music delights! This month's releases vary from the groovy, atmospheric sounds of Command D to the eerie landscapes of Sciama's ambient techno. Dive deep with Vera Logdanidi and Taction, get swept away by Daniel[i]'s atmospheric textures, or lose yourself in the pulsating techno of the Human Space Machine. February also saw mind-bending drum & bass from DB1, the halftime wizardry of Alpak, and the low-slung tribal beats of Adhémar.
Command D
Esc
Animalia
Australian artist Command D's latest offering, "Esc," seamlessly blends the contrasting landscapes of his Eora/Sydney life. This four-track EP, released on February 19, 2024, via Animalia, is a masterclass in atmosphere and groove.
"Esc" EP effortlessly navigates between downtempo and dance-floor-oriented tracks, each pulsating with weighty basslines, crisp percussion, and hypnotic, layered pads. The EP evokes a sense of tension and release, mirroring the dynamic interplay between the urban and natural environments that inspire Command D.
The EP's title track, "Esc," is a prime example of this fusion. Command D meticulously constructs a soundscape rich with lush textures and catchy sequences, driven by rhythmic broken beats and subtle dubby stabs.
Wrecked Lightship
Diminished Ark
Peak Oil
UK electronic duo, Wrecked Lightship, crash land on Peak Oil with their debut album, "Antiposition." They've christened this six-track exploration as "cyber aquatic alien bass music." Imagine, if you will, the rhythmic pulse of a distant planet set to the soundtrack of a forgotten future.
Osborne and Winchester, the creative minds behind Wrecked Lightship, channel a variety of influences into "Antiposition." Dub, drum & bass, and synthetic tribalism intertwine, forming the foundation for their innovative soundscapes. Their fascination with "destabilized rhythm" and "retro-futurist dreaming" manifests in tracks like "Hex," a wobbly ascent through the cosmos, and "Bizarre Servants," a cavernous industrial dub odyssey.
"Antiposition" isn't about deconstructing existing genres; it's about forging something entirely new. Wrecked Lightship takes the sonic debris of various musical influences and molds them into a cohesive whole, held together by the gravitational pull of their unique vision.
Buy on Bandcamp
Soundcloud - Laurie Osborne
Soundcloud - Adam Winchester
Daniel[i]
Red Wind
Muzan Editions
Daniel[i]'s latest album, "In Flux," connects the artist's introspective side with influences drawn from the pioneering sounds of GAS, resulting in an atmospheric, ambient techno journey that feels both contemplative and danceable.
The album's strength lies in its subtlety. Gone are the overused, club-ready tropes of techno. Instead, "In Flux" levitates in the ambient, atmospheric realm, akin to the film "Stalker" by Andrei Tarkovsky. The slow, deliberate pacing and focus on detail create a sense of awe and wonder, leaving the listener adrift in a sea of sound that feels both familiar and alien.
"In Flux" marks yet another triumph for Daniel[i], adding to his string of impressive releases in 2024. This album was released on February 28 via Osaka-based record label Muzan Editions.
DB1
B-Sides
Nullpunkt
DB1, the London-based producer, teams up with Felix K's Nullpunkt records and delivers a tempestuous whirlwind in the form of his latest EP, "B-Sides." The preconception about this EP was palpable as we have a soft spot for B sides in general here at Delayed. This four-track offering shakes the foundations of conventional D'n'B and electronica, delivering a sonic storm that sweeps listeners into its vortex.
Dubbed B1, B2, B3, and B5, each track boasts its distinct gust of energy, yet all remain firmly rooted in the rich soil of UK bass. "B-Sides" explores dubby depths and meticulous craftsmanship, where every sonic nuance serves as a guiding star through the tumultuous landscape.
Among the cyclone of tracks, B3 stands tall as a towering force of nature. From its spiraling ascent reminiscent of wind whipping through open plains to its thunderous descent punctuated by haunting dub vocals and broken beats, B3 descends upon the listener like a tornado touching down in a tranquil town, leaving them swaying in its wake.
In "B-Sides," DB1 defies expectations and unleashes an aural maelstrom, proving that sometimes, the true power lies hidden within the overlooked treasures of the B-side.
Adhémar
Hidden Forest Lake
Huinali Recordings
From the inner forests of Jeju island come the latest musical explorations by Delayed favorite Adhémar. The multi-talented French producer once again returns to Huinali for his latest album titled The Birth of Mist. True to form, there is a heavy emphasis on nature and grounding, each track lures the listener into a zen like state, swaying to and fro with the rhythmic percussion.
"The Birth of Mist" is set at the beginning of a water steam, in the morning of the world. The artist continues to draw attention to living beings, using a luminous vocabulary. The listener is bathed in colorful sounds and rhythms, contemplating a liquid, shifting landscape that the mist reveals in bits over the course of the 9 compositions
One of the highlights from the album, Hidden Forest Lake, invites listeners on a journey of introspection and discovery, where time seems to slow and the boundaries between self and nature blur. It is a testament to the enduring power of rhythm and melody to transport us to places unseen, where the mysteries of the natural world unfold before us in all their splendor.
Hidden Forest Lake and the remainder of ‘The Birth of Mist’ were released on Huinali Recordings on February 26.
Sciama
Stimulus
Auxilary
Michael Watters, also known as Sciama, is back on Auxiliary Records with his latest album, "Decipher." This ten-track exploration is a voyage into the deepest realms of the human psyche, mirroring the beauty of darkness, a recurring theme in Sciama's work.
Sciama's signature sound is on full display here, characterized by meticulous sound design that evokes rich atmospheres, profound emotional depths, and a primal driving energy. Imagine "Decipher" as the aural equivalent of Christopher Nolan's film "Interstellar," where the vast emptiness of space is not a void but a canvas teeming with unseen forces and hidden wonders.
One standout track, "Stimulus," is a mesmerizing halftime odyssey that epitomizes the album's essence. It lulls the listener into a hypnotic state with its eerie atmosphere and crystal-clear percussive elements, creating a sense of weightlessness and introspection.
Sciama's ability to craft dark and unsettling soundscapes that leave a strangely positive aftertaste makes the "Decipher" - a must-listen.
Vera Logdanidi
Midnight Taxi
Konstrukt
The first release in 2024 for Amsterdam-based record label Konstrukt comes from Delayed's favorite Vera Logdanidi. Logdanidi joins stellar Konstrukt's catalog with her three-track "Far Away" EP.
The release explores deep and dub corners of techno and leftfield electronica enriched with beautiful cosmic melodies that never steer away the journey of its hypnotic course.
At the heart of this EP lies "Midnight Taxi," a transcendent piece that effortlessly navigates the realms between "Daily Life" and the titular track "Far Away." Evolving gradually, it unfurls with celestial sequences and primal percussive elements, painting an intricate narrative steeped in interstellar allure.
Human Space Machine
SP4C3
De Lichting
Human Space Machine returns to his home, De Lichting, with a robust four-track EP, "Searching." The journey begins with the commanding presence of the title track, an unapologetically raw exploration of acid tones that keeps the groove firmly in its grasp while offering glimpses of euphoria. Transitioning effortlessly, "SP4C3" digs into deeper territories, connecting minimalist techno elements with subtle hints of psy influences, perfect for those intimate late-night sessions.
On the flip side, "Ritm" emerges as a brooding and enigmatic track, defying genre boundaries while staying true to HSM's signature sound. Its ominous tones and broken beats create a haunting atmosphere, drawing listeners deeper into its sonic abyss. Closing out the release, "SH3" showcases HSM's penchant for high-octane grooves and mind-bending synths, delivering a rhythmic journey that defies expectations.
Alpak
Tipa
Melifera Records
Drum filled rumblings abound, through the sounds of Alpak. Evoking scenes of smoke filled rooms, dancers rhythmically swaying too and fro, embracing the swing like nature of the percussion. "Tipa" is a half-time track that's able to captivate listeners on the dance floor or in headphones, with its fusion of genres, complex rhythms, and a rich sonic palette that invites the audience to explore its depth and intricacy. Tipa is joined by two other originals, as well as being remixed by the French producer, Sindh to round out the EP.
"Tipa" was released on Melifera Records, on February 16th.
Taction
Lake Reflection
Nightime Drama
Melbourne-based artist Taction, the founder of 68hrs imprint, has released his latest offering, the 'Inlook EP,' on Nightime Drama.
The 'Inlook EP' is a deep dive into Taction's inner world, where he blends intricate soundscapes with driving rhythms to create an emotionally resonant musical experience. Each track on the EP showcases his diverse sonic palette, highlighting his nuanced and emotive approach to music production. The EP also features a stunning remix of "Breakthrough" by Dutch production duo, Artefakt.