Favorite Releases from January 2024
January: the month of fresh starts, gym memberships gathering dust, and, let's be honest, a post-holiday music slump. But fear not, audiophiles and discovery seekers! This year, January wasn't just about resolutions; it was a treasure trove of fantastic releases that defied the winter blues, from the breathtaking soundscapes of Donato Dozzy and Alex Albrecht to the mind-bending exploration of Felix K.'s latest LP. Let Tren and Tensen Park wash over you with their beautiful melodies, while Vardae, Valentino Mora, Marco Shuttle, Polygonia, and Tomasso Nudo redefine the very concept of techno with their cutting-edge EPs.
Donato Dozzy
Magda
Spazio Disponibile
Enter the enchanting realm of Donato Dozzy's latest musical masterpiece, "Magda," released on January 19th via Spazio Disponibile. Drawing inspiration from the cherished memories of family and the mesmerizing Adriatic Sea, this album is a heartfelt tribute to the remarkable women who've shaped Dozzy's world, especially his beloved auntie, a beacon of strength and wisdom.
In "Magda," Dozzy meticulously sculpts a musical experience reminiscent of the evocative landscapes found in John Carpenter's legendary films. With dreamy synth arpeggios and mesmerizing sequences, he invites us on a soul-stirring journey through six tracks—aptly named "Velluto," "Magda," "Le Chaser," "Franca," "Santa Cunegonda," and "Lucrezia." Each composition is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and reverence, a musical ode to the profound emotions that color our lives.
Through his artistry, Dozzy invites listeners to explore the depths of their emotions, reminisce about the past, and dream of the future. "Magda" feels like a heartfelt conversation between artist and audience, a celebration of love, family, and the enduring power of music to touch our souls.
Tensen Park
Conchoraptor
Garden Walk Records
Tensen Park's musical journeys begin as hushed, atmospheric whispers, but with a twist – they morph into audacious explosions of sound, his brand of "Futurebeats." Like the boundless wonder of childhood, pixelated landscapes stretching beneath pixelated thumbs, each new game is a glittering portal to infinite possibility. That digital Eden, that youthful awe at the endless horizon of computer-born dreams – that's the beating heart of futurebeats. It's a kaleidoscope of utopias, imagination unchained; playground beats pounding alongside ecstatic electronic hymns, all sculpted from the very silicon that fueled our 2000s dreams.
Crafting these songs is a joyful pilgrimage back to that era, a time capsule bursting with optimism. It's a belief that music can peel away the layers of adult conditioning, a reminder that beneath the quotidian grind, that youthful spirit of pure potential still burns bright.
Choosing a favorite from the "Futurebeats" album is like picking a star from the sky, but for this celestial trek, we'll cast our spotlight on "Conchoraptor." This electronica masterpiece is a time machine, hurtling us back to the golden age of dial-up and pixelated dinosaurs, every bleep and bloop a nostalgic thrum against the heartstrings.
Felix K
Life
Nullpunkt
Berlin-based producer Felix K has unveiled "Sudbaism," a phenomenal ten-track album that traverses the expanse of experimental music. Released on his own Nullpunkt Records imprint, the album showcases Felix K's masterful ability to blend elements of ambient, drum & bass, and techno into a cohesive and enthralling listening experience.
Each track on "Sudbaism" is meticulously crafted, exuding a distinct aura of intrigue and mystery. While it's difficult to single out a standout moment, the aptly titled "Life" stands out as a magnetic anomaly, drawing you into its mist-shrouded world with every clanging beat and elusive vocal sample.
Vardae
Feel The Grass
QEONE
"Mind Spectrum" is the latest offering from a talented French producer, which was released via Munich-based QEONE on January 24. The four-track EP feels like a sonic scuba dive into the hidden depths of your perception. Each track acts as a hydrofoil, propelling you through different layers of consciousness.
"Thoughts" gently guides you through the serene kelp forests of introspection; its minimalist melody is like a calming echo in the vastness. Then, 'Body Entrance' blasts you into a volcanic vent of sound, otherworldly textures erupting like molten emotions, forcing you to confront the raw power within.
But the journey isn't just about the darkness. 'Loose It' explodes like a bioluminescent coral reef, electrifying free-party vibes pulsing through your veins. It's the moment you shed your anxieties and become one with the bioluminescent swarm, letting go and surrendering to the collective energy.
Finally, 'Feel the Grass' pulls you up to the sun-drenched surface, a fast-paced, mystical trip that leaves you gasping for air. It's the sunrise peeking through the waves, the quiet awe of rediscovering yourself after a profound exploration.
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Valentino Mora
Plasma
Non Series
Valentino Mora's latest EP, " Diatom, " emerges like an interstellar craft constructed by extraterrestrial hands. Each track is a meticulous blueprint of percussive mastery and minimalist architecture. Released on January 26 by Spanish imprint Non-Series, this four-track EP pulsates with techno's raw energy and driving force. Our favorite on the EP - "Plasma," resonates with otherworldly energy, as if it were the lifeblood coursing through the veins of this intergalactic vessel.
Marco Shuttle
Bella Di Giorno
MSP
Marco Shuttle bursts back onto the scene with "MSP01," his solo platform debut brimming with dancefloor-ready energy. This fiery release marks a shift from the introspective downtempo explorations of his recent Incienso album, igniting a new chapter in his sonic journey.
"Bella Di Giorno," the crown jewel of MSP01, is a hypnotic tribal odyssey. Pulsating drums lay the foundation for a sinuous melody that slithers and swells, its deliberate restraint adding a cloak of mystery and introspection. These muted tones dance a delicate counterpoint to the primal drumbeat, creating raw power and contemplative grace.
Alex Albrecht
Rail Bridge
Analogue Attic
Analogue Attic Recordings rings in 2024 with a spellbinding offering: Alex Albrecht's seven-tracker - "Allambie. "Allambie" is a prism-refracting house, downtempo, and ambient hues into an iridescent journey. His signature field recordings and enchanting piano melodies are joined by a vibrant palette of new hardware and synth sounds, adding depth and texture to this beautiful release.
Our favorite from the album, "Rail Bridge," ignites the spark, a shimmering electro-acoustic jewel that sets your pulse racing. Warm pads unfurl like velvet, inviting you deeper into the sonic labyrinth.
Tren
scalar
Not Meant To Happen
Emerging from the shadows, enigmatic producer TREN unveils "The Passages through Space and Time," a nine-track album exploring ambient, electronica, micro-house, and breaks depths. The album washes over you with a Traumprinz-esque melancholic grace, its lush, warm atmospheres cradling ethereal pads, rumbling grooves, and crisp percussions.
Our sonic compass points to "Scalar," a track that feels like a secret whispered in your ear. A lulling synth melody pulses like a celestial heartbeat, while sharp hi-hats add a cosmic shimmer.
Polygonia
Jin Dou Yun
Midgar Records
Midgar Records, the tastemakers who always keep their finger on the pulse of the future, and Polygonia, the artist crafting music that feels like stepping into tomorrow, have finally collided. The result - the 'Da Nao Tian Gong' EP.
Imagine a childhood Saturday morning cartoon but with its sugary soundtrack remixed by a cyberpunk DJ who stumbled upon ancient Chinese legends. That's the whirlwind you're stepping into with 'Da Nao Tian Gong', Polygonia's latest four-track techno wanderlust.
Lindsey Wang, the mastermind behind the magic, taps into the mythical essence of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King himself. Each track is a sculpture of his legend: 'Jindou Yun' propels you through the sky on his cloud, leaving gravity in the dust. 'Shen Wai Shenfa' casts a spell with tribal rhythms, mimicking his magical hair. 'Ruyi Jingu Bang' resonates with the earth-shaking power of his staff, while 'Disha Shu' bursts into a kaleidoscope of sound, mirroring his 72 transformations.
Tomasso Nudo
Spirits
Secuencias Temporales
Italian producer Tomasso Nudo blends the infectious energy of tribal beats with the hypnotic allure of deep techno in his six-track mini-album, "Go Through." The latest release on Mexico City-based Secuencias Temporales starts with the emotive drones and subtle textures of "Whispers of Change" before transitioning to the glacial majesty of the low-slung "Stepwise Discovery." From here, the album plunges into a world of deep, driving techno, each track punctuated by intricate percussion that will keep your feet moving. "Spirits," our standout pick, floats on a hypnotic bell sequence and a powerful earth-shaking bass that pulls you even deeper into its euphoric vortex.