Artefakt - Tapeloop (Polar Inertia Remix) is out now on Deslin Records [BUY]
Vacuum is the standout track on the new EP from Osaka-born Atsushi Izumi. The whole EP is a spectacle of dark distorted synths, sine wave sub bass, and industrial percussion combined together with impeccable precision. I'm amazed at how such a rich and complex track maintains sonic balance with each sound perfectly placed in the spectrum. Atsushi Izumi's skills are impressive, not just technically - even though the track is dark and experimental it retains its musicality. For example, there's an offbeat percussive refrain that enters at 3:00 is then played with a softer sound during the breakdown and then drops out while a hi-hat echoes the pattern before the original refrain begins again. It's details like this that anchor the listener within the track while the rest of the synth stabs and syncopated kick drums swirl around them.
With this EP, Atsushi Izumi is one to watch.
Atsushi Izumi - Verdigris EP is out on May 17 on Thrènes Records [PREORDER]
Smart bone-dry percussive grooves on this latest track from the Mozambique-born producer Malik Faquir. The subby square-wave bass in the drop makes this track a delight.
Malik Faquir - Nas Tranquilitas EP is out now on Deep Tech Records [BUY]
Caution: this detuned synth riff is gonna get stuck in your head. Amato is a pseudonym for French producer The Hacker and on Mecanismes Vol. 1 EP they get to take things in more industrial direction. As you would expect from any Pinkman release, the production is gorgeous (listen to how that snare sits in the mix!) but it's all the little percussive details around the main riff that really make this track stand out to me.
Amato - Puissance Industrielle is out now on Pinkman [BUY]
The middle track from Noevol's new six-track EP is a hypnotic bass-heavy roller. The arrangement is paired right back with no breakdowns or drops but chopped up vocals mixed with ethereal pads to keep the track progressing. I love the vibe of this and with its smooth production it is going right onto my USB drive.
Noevol - Femtastic is out now on Dustcity Music [BUY]
The final track on the delightfully wonky new EP from Alma & Mater is a fun 112bpm retro workout from Cologne's HADE. It takes Susan Sontag's quote from the original and wraps it in a shifting melodic pattern with 80s bass stabs, airy pads and a sneaky 303 acid line.
Alma & Mater - PLEASE DON'T INTEND TO LET YOUR INTELLECT DOMINATE YOU EP is released May 10 2019 on Ancient Future Now [PREORDER]
Originally released in 2017, "None" by Carlos resurfaced on the "Rhythm 2019" compilation on Borderline Audio this week. This track is pure QLB catnip; a 116bpm distorted 909 workout with an effortless low end. Cleverly layered claps keeps things interesting while a filthy 909 tom pattern drives the track forward.
If you know any more about this seemingly mysterious artist and track, I'd love to learn more.
Carlos - None is out now on Borderline Audio [BUY]
Fizzy synth stabs over a rolling bass line propel this new track from Italy's 2Sound. The production is solid and the synths sound great, however it does veer a little close to psy-trance territory for me. I would love to hear more minimal remix that removes some of the washy ping pong synth stabs in favor of developing the great groove the track has.
2Sound - Dimensioni is out now on Slow Deep Records [BUY]
Released as part of 7715R Records compilation, Timeless Controll mixes up rolling rhythmic low end with cinematic chord progressions. The bass and percussive elements work well but those melodic sections feel the least cohesive here.
There are also some production quirks too; the riser in the middle of the track is mixed far too loud making the resultant drop seem too quiet and on the version I listened to there were some clipping pops in the opening 30 seconds. These might be stylistic choices but they didn't work for me.
Agent Palmer + Stefano Schafari - Timeless Controll out now on 7715R [BUY]
UK-based producer Caldera drops this percussive, sub bass-driven track as the opener of their "13 17" EP. Arpeggiated tuned percussion and LFO-tweaked synth stabs keep things interesting.
Caldera - Akman's Rhythm is out now on Boogie Box Records [BUY]
This month's best slow and dirty techno mixed into one seamless(ish) hour.
Tracklist
Marc Houle - Unlikely [BUY]
Kay Barton - Macrowave (Dr Motte on Acid Remix) [BUY]
Alien Alien - Versailes (Moralex Remix) [BUY]
Class Cyrax - Arrow Flash [BUY]
C.L.A.W.S - Slug Bait [BUY]
Concret + TYU - Halo [BUY]
Mauro Diaz - Glitch [BUY]
Quick Like Bunnies - N6
Valdo Tornstrand - Venmod [BUY]
GS - It Was All a Dream [BUY]
Cutoff:Sky - Resonate [BUY]
Quick Like Bunnies - ???
Rhys Fulber + Blush Response - Dissipate [BUY]
Bitch Volley - Patate45 [BUY]
Drvg Cvltvre - Psychic Overpowerment [BUY]
Chicago's Chrissy drops a semi-tonal slice of acid house with a delayed kick and bone dry percussion that drive the track forward. Around the 4-minute mark, the bass pattern goes into double time and the portamento switch gets flipped for a tantalizingly short 4 bars to create my favorite moment in the track.
Chrissy - 24 Hour Puppy People is out now on Super Rhythm Trax [BUY]