Techno Reviews: July 2023
Nuff tunes innit
It’s been exactly three years since I did my last batch of techno reviews. A lot has changed since then, and a lot hasn’t. One of the big changes I’ve noticed is the growth of techno via social media. Mostly thanks to the proliferation of dynamic in-the-booth video content that has become prevalent on Insta and TikTok (and other factors of course), techno in its various incarnations is HUGE. From melodic styles to the brutalist, hard techno end of the spectrum, the genre has picked up a massive global online following. It’s been interesting to witness - as with anything that gets popular, there are pros and cons. But that’s for another newsletter… For now, here’s a selection of reviews, and check out the mix below, which includes all the music featured on this page…
Album Of The Month
Joyhauser - In Memoro [Terminal M]
Joyhauser have been demolishing dance floors worldwide since they appeared a few years ago. The Belgian duo carry that rave/New Beat energy of their home nation into their vibrant take on techno. It’s big and bashy, emotive and utterly compelling. Their debut LP covers all the bases and it’s a total hoot. Stijn and Joris are perfectionists and this is evident in the production quality throughout the album. They have an innate ability to summon raucous energy and channel it into music that has high impact; physically and emotionally it’s powerful stuff. From the heady ‘Anamorphic’ and its stuttered breaks to the morose downtempo ‘Leben’ (which breaks out into DnB towards the end), all the way through to the big room ravey techno on ‘Wanted’, the album depicts the duo’s musical outlook perfectly.
TOP TRACKS: ‘Wanted’, ‘Lightbringers’ and ‘Pulsar’
Tune Of The Month
IMOGEN - His Name Was Reese [Steel City Dance Discs]
Taken from the Albert Road EP, this is a ferocious growler of a tune. IMOGEN rolls this one out with menace. The build up provides just the right amount of tension, before there’s a slight break in proceedings taking us into the main body of this grizzly cut. From there, it’s one long winding, mesmerising trip into snarling darkness.
Katatonic Silentio - Themes [Delsin]
The first of two Delsin releases this month (can you tell I’m a fan?!). ‘Themes’ is part of the Mantis series and has a wonderfully unsettling atmosphere, punctuated by echoing percussion and a large dollop of reverb that creates a cavernous feel. Close your eyes and you can imagine walking through a spooky industrial area in the dead of night. Who’s that behind you… ?
Yogg - To Whom It May Concern [30D Exoplanets]
This stripped cut emanates a retro feel, with its fuzzy, whirring effects reminiscent of something produced by ancient synthesisers. If you listen carefully, a very gentle melody floats around in the background, while other subtle layers give this depth. Listen all the way through to the end to be cocooned in its final flurry of beatless sounds.
Mathew Jonson - Into the 5D (Space Dub) [Kilómetro 4.5]
The maestro Mathew Jonson lands on Mexican label Kilómetro 4.5 with his Into the 5D EP. There are two versions of the title track here, the ‘Space Dub’ being the one I opted for. It’s a tad darker, and the subtle way it progresses is hypnotic. All the hallmarks of the Mathew Jonson sound are here, and it’s another great admission to his glowing discography.
Teqmun - Balsa [Flippen Disks]
This is an all out Dutch affair with Teqmun joining Amsterdam-based label Flippen Disks for the Organic Oscillations EP. ‘Balsa’ hits hard with its drums and rumbling bass, but the quirky melodies keep things light. Teqmun’s production style has a lot of character and makes this one a standout for July.
RVSHES - MTS/RHS IV [Delsin]
Another Delsin release, which is also from the Mantis series, this is cybernetic darkness at its best. RVSHES is Logos (James Parker) and DB1 (Dylan Brownsword) together as one. The beats are ominous, complemented by a morbid atmosphere. There’s not let up from start to end, not relentlessly imposing, but the darkside pressure never eases off. Love this one.
Vardae - Bullet Ant [OODA]
Vardae takes us into the void with this hefty, rumbling cut on brand new label OODA (co-curated by Forest Drive West and localhost). The oddly-titled ‘Bullet Ant’ is minimal yet potent in its impact. Drums pound their way into your subsconscious, while a myriad eerie sounds and effects dance around the top end. Those low vibrations will rattle your ribcage and massage your internal organs on the right system.
v0ll - Reset [Self Released]
v0ll delivers this self-released dive into the depths of low end frequencies. The bassline oscillates consistently, bubbling away as swathes of deathly dark synth lines wash over it. Crips percussion and a variety of atmospheric elements conspire to make this a certified twilight hours banger.
DJ MELL G - GREATEST DESIRE (2AM HOPE MIX) [JUICY GANG RECORDS]
This is a deep and personal one from DJ MELL G, as the Hamburg artist channels her experiences with Borderline Personality Disorder into this album-length collection of tracks. ‘GREATEST DESIRE (2AM HOPE MIX)’ has a hypnotic groove and a jaunty rhythm, that captivates right from the start. Chunky beats and a squelchfest running parallel to the bassline make this a winner for me.
Ahmet Sisman & VNNN. - Hybridity [The Third Room]
Prepare to be caught up in an interdimensional gravitational drift with this one. Ahmet Sisman and VNNN. join forces to concoct a deeply immersive cut with otherworldy composition that will transport you into the outer regions of a far flung galaxy. An absolutely captivating track, this shrouds you in its cosmic mystery… as will the rest of the album.
Deniro - Pelé 4 [TAPE]
One of those tracks that gets right into your bones with its repetitive riff. Deniro has been a fave of mine for a while, so every EP of his instantly sparks my curiosity. This one, with four versions of ‘Pelé’ is no different. That nonstop rhythm grabs you, and then an intriguing melody creeps in, as Deniro adds more percussive elements… Sounds so good in the mix as well.
Edgar De Ramon - Acid Conga [TUTU]
Another rhythmically enchanting cut, this one rolls out with a propellor-esque low end and minimal programming that lulls the listener into a trance-like state. If you’re playing this out, save it for the early hours, when you can really penetrate people’s minds and lock them into a deep groove. Powerful.
Technoist - Quest for Kenneth the Space Knife [Grey Meta]
Really digging the weird title of this one. Technoist matches the odd name with distinct production that puts his own spin on the techno template. Yeah, there are tough beats and spinetingling melodies, but the overall approach is a little different and I’m into it. This is a definite highlight of the month.
Klaudia Gawlas - Resilience [Illusion]
Heavyweight peak time action from German artist Klaudia Gawlas. This one builds up steadily from a thumping drum section and a muted melody to an energy-inducing bangerthon. The main riff is simple but deadly, and it increases in intensity as the track progresses, reaching a crescendo at the breakdown. Raucous fun.
Alex Stein & Victor Ruiz - Human Robot [Volta]
This cut is full of dynamic energy, designed to uplift the dance floor. Alex Stein and Victor Ruiz get together for this bomb cut… The tension builds slowly but surely over the first part of the track, leading into an almighty drama-tinged breakdown. A robotic voice telling us about “a new sound, made by robots, produced by humans” marks the beginning of part two, where things get out of hand. Huge tune!
Pan-Pot feat. Hugh Betcha - PROTO [Second State Audio]
Ooooo this is a twisted little number. Pan-Pot take it back to their roots with the brilliantly-named Hugh Betcha on spoken word duty. An unsettling reversed melody gives this one its bizarre feel, while Hugh’s warped vocals add another layer of macabre detail. Dark and deadly.
Ignacio Arfeli - Imagine [Volta]
Another release from Victor Ruiz’s Volta label, this time from Ignacio Arfeli. ‘Imagine’ bounces, growls and fizzes with aplomb. This is a fearsome cut with impeccable production and earth-shattering frequencies. As it progresses, Ignacio adds more layers to double down on the ferocious energy. Wait for the breakdown and run for cover as ‘Imagine’ rains devastation down on the dance floor…
Gary Beck - Feel It (Gary Beck Decade Remix) [BEK Audio]
If there’s someone that can always be relied upon to bring the heat, it’s Gary Beck. The Scotsman pulls it out of the bag every time and this cut is unsuprisingly banging. His incorporation of the vocal clip, combined with potent beat arrangement and a ridiculous b-line, makes this a cataclysmic stormer. Not much to say than that. BANGER.
Immediate Proximity - Cohaki [Radio Matrix]
Ahhhh, this is one of the those headf*ck tunes that is so twisted you think to yourself “Where the hell did that come from?!”. How does someone’s brain conjure up such a crazy array of sounds? It’s squelchy, slightly muted yet hard-hitting and utterly mesmerising. Such a great combination of weirdness and dance floor functionality. LOVE.
Mark Broom - You Got Me (DJ Love Mix) [Beard Man]
Peak-time roller business from the ever consistent Mark Broom. This cut has such a contagious rhythm, galloping with glee, accompanied by a bright yet melacholy atmosphere, and a catchy vocal clip (“I’m in… I’m in Loooove”). The beats hit hard and the overall energy is bound to whip up the dance floor into a right old fizz.
Oliver Ho - Gold [EPM Music]
Taken from EPM Music’s V-Series, this is ‘Gold’ from the Colours For The Blind EP. Oliver Ho is a techno supremo, and ‘Gold’ demonstrates his prowess. The track strikes the perfect balance between high impact and considered control. Never too imposing, but nowhere near soft either. On a good system this will transfix the crowd; tough, repetitive and minimalistic. Ace!
Van Sorgen - Come Fly With Me [Motech]
Next, we head to Detroit for a bumpin’ outing on Motech courtesy of Van Sorgen. This track blends vocal clips with a schizophrenic atmosphere, crips beats and haunting layers to create a neat stomper. At its core is a borderline jazzy heart with hints of an organ and eerie piano keys. Feeling this one, it’s got a unique flavour…
R-04 & Kei How & Explain - Tou Hoku Shin [Muller Records]
Finishing up with this collaboration between R-04, Kei How and Explain. ‘Tou Hoku Shin’ (“My Heart” in English) is an aptly-titled bright and invigorating cut. Crunchy beats support an arrangement of positive, uplifting layers, from the sparkling pad work to the chirpy riff. A lovely juxtaposition of hefty drums and heartfelt musicality.