Best New Releases from April 2019
Spring has quietly arrived at the electronic music realm with its fresh and vibrant musical colors, exciting albums, releases and remixes in the likes of Lawrence, Bas Dobbelaer, Vand, Pitto, Personal Message, Love Over Entropy, Hvmble, Axel Boman, Jacques Bon, Chaotic Reality, Desert Sound Colony and Baby Rollen released via Futureboogie Recordings, DGTL, Chaotic Reality, Mule Musiq, Something Happening Somewhere, OOSSHA, Solar Phenomena, Hvmble and Live At Robert Johnson.
Lawrence
Radiance
Mule Musiq
Toshiya Kawasaki's respected Mule Musiq marks its 15th anniversary with the release of a special 12 12” from their close friends. Each release includes a collectible cover by their friend Stefan Marx.
The label’s birthday celebration continues with a gorgeous release from the German electronic musician and producer, Peter Kersten, better known as Lawrence. “Number six, Black Cats,” describes the label, “comes from Lawrence, who creates very atmospheric tracks using mellow piano and skipping bass. “
The beautifully sculpted ‘Radiance’ takes the listener on the twisted journey delving into the depth of thrilling bassline layered with undulating synth arpeggios, subtle soundscapes, and elegant melody.
Jacques Bon
Fractals
Live At Robert Johnson
French multitalented producer, musician, vinyl collector and head of the Parisian Smallville Records Jacques Bon instills his own flair on the elegant deep house sound with his debut on the Live At Robert Johnson. After numerous releases on renowned Beats in Space, Mule Musiq, and stylish Leipzig-based KANN imprint, Jacques Bon strikes again with a brand new EP. Entitled “Fractals”, it features two original tracks and two different interpretations of EP’s title track by the Tuff City Kid, Phillip Lauer.
Full of sophisticated electronic textures with gently building melodic tones, rattling high-hats and subdued whispering vocals, “Fractals” is an elegant opener that sets the tone for the rest of the record.
Pitto
Dum Dum
OOSSHA
Nuno Dos Santos’s highly respected imprint Something Happening Somewhere launches a new OOSSHA record label by revealing the imprint’s inaugural release, “Panthers On The Rooftop” EP from the Dutch artist Pitto. As described by the label, “OOSSHA is a new platform of the SoHaSo imprint that focusses on a warmer landscape. It is an outlet for music that’s dedicated to house and alternative styles while always maintaining fierce and unique ingredients that conquer hearts.” Comprising of four tracks, “Panthers On The Rooftop” EP offers a remix from the Norwegian producer Prins Thomas, who just released his 6th studio album, “Ambitions” on Smalltown Supersound imprint.
Infections and undeniably groovy “Dum Dum”, a closing track of the mighty package, is fueled by an intriguing bassline with acid textures added to the groove, funky vocals and whirling of tropical woody percussions.
Pitto masterfully embodies the key aspects of the EP to close it off with an outstanding track.
Personal Message
Thirsty Sun
Solar Phenomena
Personal Message is an enigmatic producer affiliated with the Canadian imprint Solar Phenomena. With an intelligent and forward-thinking approach to production, Personal Message steps out from behind the studio console to release his third record titled “Thirsty Sun”. The four-track EP is a gorgeous tapestry of a sophisticated electronic sound that blends atmospheric, ambient moods and left-field electronica infused rhythms.
Drawing from an amalgam of electro-inducing soundscapes, the EP’s title track growls into life flowing beautifully on a brooding left-field synth pattern woven from abstract textures and futuristic atmospheres.
Love Over Entropy
Nowhere Near (Bubbles and Bells Version)
Bandcamp exclusive
April marks the release of Love Over Entropy’s electrifying new EP. Entitled ‘Nowhere Near’, it features two versions of the title track. In this record, Love Over Entropy’s remarkable approach of blending different aesthetics to a beautifully hypnotic kaleidoscope of musical poetry sweeps listeners away with imagination.
In artists own words:
'Nowhere Near' is a track I had lying around for a while, but which never found a fitting home. Still, it stuck in the back of my mind because there was something special to it. After bringing it up to my current standards, I created the 'Bubbles and Bells' re-interpretation, an altogether more atmospheric and bubbly affair. Combined as a single they seemed the perfect start to a couple of Bandcamp exclusive releases.”
Axel Boman
Surfliner
DGTL
DGTL is a record label owned by established Amsterdam Dance Event. It has been cultivating with their unique take on vibrant house and techno since their inception in 2017. This month, DGTL continues its stunning run of quality releases with the first various artist compilation to mark its 8th edition to date. “Various Artists” EP is both diverse and exciting. It channels an incredible talent from different continents, artists who share their unique vision and quality approach to underground electronic music. The four-track collection features HAAi, Rebolledo and Paulor, Axel Boman and JP Enfant.
One of the most sonically compelling tracks on the compilation is crafted by the Swedish producer Axel Boman.
"Surfliner" creates a blissful melodious vibe with its shimmering percussions, sun-kissed piano chords and airy synth with a hint of Balearic sunshine.
Chaotic Reality
Human Potential Movement
Chaotic Reality
After revealing his impressive debut self-released 12” “CHREAL01” which received support from the likes of Samuel Valenti (Ghostly), Project Pablo, Eclair Fifi, Coby Sey (Whities) and Telfort, an enigmatic Scottish producer Chaotic Reality returns with another outstanding outing. “Human Potential Movement” EP presents the second chapter taking its sonic influences from Shinichi Atobe, Ciel, Newworldaquarium, Sensual Physics and Fluxion to create his own take on intelligent and atmospheric dub-techno.
With the lead opening track “Human Potential Movement”, Chaotic Reality expertly implements his elevated approach towards early trace and dub-inflected techno, painting intricate and introspective tapestries of sound.
Desert Sound Colony & Baby Rollen
Berta Burner ( A Sagittariun Re-Dream)
Futureboogie Recordings
Bristol highly acclaimed Futureboogie Recordings imprint continues to spotlight the finest talent from UK’s underground electronic music scene. The latest release from the label welcomes established artists Desert Sound Colony and Baby Rollen for a mighty “Berta Burner” EP. Masterfully merging psychedelic electronic vibes with a unique blend of funk-infused dance music, the collaborative three-track package features a stunning remix by the Bristol-based techno producer Sagittariun.
The inimitable Sagittariun reinforces the psychedelic vibe of the artful title track and adds a new deep and dark twist.
Bas Dobbelaer & Vand
Gateway To Gaia
Something Happening Somewhere
Dutch fast-rising producers Bas Dobbelaer and Vand teamed up to deliver an utterly gorgeous “Laren” EP on the stylish Something Happening Somewhere imprint. The four-track package reflects a diverse blend of influences and captures the spirit of Laren, “a small town in beautiful nature”. “The Dutch producers label their delicate compositions with titles like ‘Transit’ and ‘Gateway to Gaia’ “, describes the label, “ and traveled to Laren (a small town in beautiful nature) to isolate themselves from the hustle and bustle of hometown Amsterdam. They came back with four beautiful tracks which combine floating melodies with soft percussion pads and lukewarm bass lines. “
The mesmerizing and highly imaginative “Gateway To Gaia” has been premiered by Fiction Lab. Read the review by Slava Malkin: http://www.fictionlabmusic.com/fiction-lab-blog/2019/4/2/premiere-bas-dobbelaer-amp-vand-gateway-to-gaia-sohaso
Hvmble
Alabaster
Hvmble
A newly-formed Berlin-based collective Hvmble returns with the third installment of their “Textures 3/4” series featuring “an eclectic practice where diverse elements of dance music are teamed playfully. Hypnotizing groove structures, vibrant hi-hats, and a subtly-formed bottom-end unite and stimulate the body-mind. Textures invite the listener/ dancer to float through skillfully meshed patterns and dreamy layers, to experience promising new spaces.”
The sounds appearance and cover-artwork are created by visual artist Peter Aurisch.
A fine-textured, techno-oriented “Alabaster” is a gorgeous opener led by a powerful hypnotic groove, trippy soundscapes and resonant widescreen sound, which perfectly captures the collective’s infectious creative energy and essence of “Textures”.