New releases last two weeks: All genres

Review: Dynamic house duo Steffi & Virginia are back with a new album Patterns of Vibration and once again deliver real freshness on Dekmantel. The eight tracks were all crafted over three months at their Candy Mountain studio in Portugal and perfectly capture the duo's signature sound-a mix of emotional depth and dancefloor energy. From the tribal mood of 'Nightflight' to the euphoric chords of 'Stab Stealer,' the album channels years of experience and joyful moments, and of course does a fine job of blending Virginia's radiant vocals with Steffi's precise analogue production. Their chemistry shines through here on a set of effective, emotive cuts will turbocharge any set.

Review: Along with Manic Street Preachers and Super Furry Animals, but far bigger selling, 'Dakota' hitmakers Stereophonics epitomise the past 30-plus years of Welsh rock. In many ways the boys from the Valleys have kept the fundamentals that people enjoy about their sound the same over the years with this new album. Kelly Jones' gravelly voice, which sits at the forefront, is as strong as it's ever been. But in terms of changes, Jones has never been shy about his love of Americana music and appears to be leaning more and more into that passion as the years go by. Single 'There's Always Gonna Be Something' has a bit of gospel flair and has an unforgettable melody that would earn appreciation from the most discerning songwriters in Nashville. Stereophonics appear to never tire of chasing that perfect song and it appears still have plenty left in the tank.

Review: With A Real Piece Of Work, Stillhead helps Brightest Dark Place reach into the "hazy, blurred overlap between techno and ambient", throwing a suspension chord between two bluffs over a vast sonic chasm, and letting terse rhythms monkey-swing across it, letting reverb bellow from below. This is an equally dynamic but intense listening experience, proving that vast, chasmic sound design need not chafe against dynamic buoyancy: the two can coexist. Keeping to about 170BPM, the Edinburgh DJ marks his sixth release here, and it is an impressive logical extension from 2022's comparable mission statement Restraint And Reverb: 'The Red Ball' suspends a sampled 'Funky Drummer' over an atoll of sub compulsions, while 'A Light Thump On The Head' stretches a classic future garage rhythm over a telegraphic void, with dispersive, long-decaying results.

Review: Sting's journey began in the industrial heart of Newcastle, a city long defined by its shipyards and coal mines, shaping the grit and resilience that would come to define his music. Growing up amidst the working-class challenges of the north, he found his voice both in the rough edges of his environment and in his natural affinity for jazz, reggae and punk. As a young man, he developed a passion for music, which would later merge with the intellectualism and protest anthems of his lyrics. It's this fusion of roots and ambition that propelled him from local gigs in the late 70s to becoming an international icon with The Police. Fast-forward to today, and his music continues to reflect this complex blend of influences. His latest offering, recorded during his latest tour, highlights this evolution with renewed energy, offering live renditions of some of his most iconic tracks. While the classics like 'Message in a Bottle' and 'Every Breath You Take' are as timeless as ever, there's an undeniable freshness in how Sting approaches them today. The intimacy of live performance allows for new emotional layers in songs like 'Fields of Gold' while the meditative live version of 'Be Still My Beating Heart' adds a deeper sense of reflection, demonstrating his ability to continuously reframe his sound and approach.

Review: Portland's Paul Dickow, the man behind the Strategy alias, is back with a new album that has been created with a 1989 model sampling keyboard. Exploring its limitations, he plays the sampler by hand and abandons sequencers for a more organic approach which apes a guitarist's connection to their instrument. The record delves into glacial, pensive soundscapes where experimental, ambient and dance music elements all come together with deliberate intention. Though Dickow crafts a sound rooted in ambient techno futurism it is one open to serendipitous, experimental outcomes which makes it a gently unpredictable listen and otherworldly charmer.

Review: More golden goodness from Athens of the North here - the label that never runs out of soul and disco goodness. Strictly Business hail from Dayton, Ohio and deliver a double-sider gem of deep 80s soul on this rare 7". One side brings pure boogie heat and is funky, driving and brilliantly dancefloor-ready, while the flip slows it down with a more smooth and heartfelt ballad. Originally self-released with the help of friends and family, the record flew under the radar until rediscovered by Daniel Mathis, who helped license it for release here in limited quantities. A fine and soulful slice of overlooked Midwest magic.

Notes: More than just master keyboards, the SL mk2 series is a new chapter in musical keyboard controllers. From the innovative UX Logic interface, seamless integration with the Numa Player, high-definition MIDI 2.0, to the immersive realism of our new keybeds, every detail is crafted to bring your music to life.

The SL gets smarter. With the revolutionary Studiologic UX Logic, first introduced with the Numa X Piano, the SL mk2 series redefines simplicity and elegance. A sleek, modern control panel empowers your creativity, making navigation intuitive and effortless. Create, explore, and control with unparalleled ease.

SL Link, Studiologic's groundbreaking protocol, bridges the gap between your gear and your imagination. With compliant external apps taking full control of the SL mk2, every nuance of your performance stays in perfect sync.

Seamlessly connect the SL mk2 with Numa Player 2, our cutting-edge music software is built now to complement the SL series perfectly.

Numa Player is cross-platform and designed for ultimate versatility, offering a rich selection of high-quality sound libraries. Best of all, these libraries are free for every SL user1, providing you with a full musical experience straight out of the box. Whether you're composing, performing, or exploring, SL Link and Numa Player ensure your creativity knows no bounds.

The SL mk2 takes a leap into the future with MIDI 2.0. Unlock the full potential of your music with greater resolution, richer dynamics, and unprecedented precision. It's not just MIDI; it's music at its most expressive.

Take charge of your studio with dedicated DAW transport controls. From playback to recording, essential features are just a touch away, so you stay immersed in the creative process without breaking stride.

The SL mk2 doesn't just control; it delivers. With dual audio outputs and a headphone jack, it functions as a professional-grade audio interface. Powered entirely by USB-C, it delivers pristine sound from computer or mobile device directly to your speaker system no extra hardware needed.

Featuring the TP/400 Wood, our finest keybed ever. Designed to deliver an unparalleled touch, it offers a playing experience remarkably close to that of an acoustic grand piano. From the precise hammer action to the timeless beauty of wooden keys, every detail is crafted to inspire and elevate your performance

Notes: More than just master keyboards, the SL mk2 series is a new chapter in musical keyboard controllers. From the innovative UX Logic interface, seamless integration with the Numa Player, high-definition MIDI 2.0, to the immersive realism of our new keybeds, every detail is crafted to bring your music to life.

The SL gets smarter. With the revolutionary Studiologic UX Logic, first introduced with the Numa X Piano, the SL mk2 series redefines simplicity and elegance. A sleek, modern control panel empowers your creativity, making navigation intuitive and effortless. Create, explore, and control with unparalleled ease.

SL Link, Studiologic's groundbreaking protocol, bridges the gap between your gear and your imagination. With compliant external apps taking full control of the SL mk2, every nuance of your performance stays in perfect sync.

Seamlessly connect the SL mk2 with Numa Player 2, our cutting-edge music software is built now to complement the SL series perfectly.

Numa Player is cross-platform and designed for ultimate versatility, offering a rich selection of high-quality sound libraries. Best of all, these libraries are free for every SL user1, providing you with a full musical experience straight out of the box. Whether you're composing, performing, or exploring, SL Link and Numa Player ensure your creativity knows no bounds.

The SL mk2 takes a leap into the future with MIDI 2.0. Unlock the full potential of your music with greater resolution, richer dynamics, and unprecedented precision. It's not just MIDI; it's music at its most expressive.

Take charge of your studio with dedicated DAW transport controls. From playback to recording, essential features are just a touch away, so you stay immersed in the creative process without breaking stride.

The SL mk2 doesn't just control; it delivers. With dual audio outputs and a headphone jack, it functions as a professional-grade audio interface. Powered entirely by USB-C, it delivers pristine sound from computer or mobile device directly to your speaker system ino extra hardware needed.

Equipped with the TP/110, a high-end, weighted mechanismcombining feather-light portability with robust playability. With reduced bounce and aftertouch triggered by hammer action, every note feels authentic and effortless

Review: Lisbon's Hubble Recordings present their sixth release so far, keeping firm to their artist-specific EPs approach following brilliant releases from Kaesar, Costin RP, Miroloja, Octave and Alex Pervukhin. The latest is from tech house hurler Sublee aka Stefan Nicu, whose flight-booking impulse is as strong as ever, here having stopped over from far-flung Romania. After a string of both digital and vinyl stopovers, 'Personal Universal' appears as the pendular follow-up to 2024's Rawax debut 'Simple Two', bringing hugely doubled vocal cantata to a fervent acid build on the title track, while ensuers 'Simple One' and 'Laculesdesample' bring fidgety synth double bass and unorthodox percussions. A personal universe we'd never want to leave!

Review: This 1984 album demonstrated Summer's continued ability to experiment with various musical styles, The album features a blend of dance, pop, rock and even calypso influencew. The production, led by Michael Omartian, reflects a glossy, polished sound with heavy use of synthesisers and drum machines, which at times give the album a distinctly 80s vibe. The opening track, 'Maybe It's Over', shows Donna at her best vocally, with a passionate performance that highlights her emotional depth. 'Supernatural Love' and 'Eyes' blend rock and funk elements with her signature disco flair with the results being dynamic. 'I'm Free' is o standout track on the album, offering a more upbeat, danceable sound that recalls the energy of 'She Works Hard for the Money'. The track's infectious groove, combined with Donna's confident delivery, gives it staying power like a classic of hers. 'There Goes My Baby' is a cover of a 1974 The Spinners hit, which is delivered with great vocal precision. The album also includes 'Love Is Just a Breath Away', a track that leans heavily into the soft rock territory, showcasing Donna's ability to adapt to different genres. Often overlooked, this albums music is finally getting the recognition it deserves. This edition is pressed on beautiful pink and white vinyl to celebrate the 40th anniversary.

Review: Stray Voltage is not for the faint of ear. This is triple-A rated Sun Ra at their best, namely audacious, aggressive and adventurous. Forget melodies or sing-along hooks-this collection dives deep into Sun Ra's unissued electronic explorations from the 70s and 80s when, using synths and keyboards as his tools, the one and only 'Ra didn't just play, he assaulted, provoked, and moulded raw sound into wild and unimaginable sonic landscapes. These are not songs in the traditional sense, but abstract journeys full of texture and tension that make for a thrilling glimpse into Ra's boundary-pushing experiments where structure gives way to sensation and the sheer power of cosmic expression.

Review: Since at least 2024, by our estimation, shells have been enjoying something of an "it moment" in electronic music. Don't ask us why. Perhaps the icky palps of nautiluses, or the helical segmentation of various fossils, would seem to predict the naturalisation of mechanical reproductions expressed in techno. Birmingham keystone Surgeon (Anthony Child) swoops in on the fervour, repurposing larked sonic opercula into filter-fed 4x4 Borg-anisms. But despite the implied theme, Child uses limited equipment - "For me, it's an interesting experience returning to old techniques again after 30 years" - and refashions a classic live-show-style approach here. All eight tracks were done in a single take, and only 'Dying' upends beats, delivering a moribund, mantric sound piece.

Review: Swayzak is a micro house, minimal and techno duo, aka James S Taylor and David Brown from the UK, whose name alone will get many older dancers hot under the collar. Their craft was second to none during their peak and here we get a reminder of that with a new outing on Rawax. 'Floyd' is a jazzy dancer with live claps, spinning hi-hats and louche grooves all topped with synthetic synths that never quit. 'Doobie' is a more deep sound with late-night headsy vibes. The drums are supple, the synths squeal and spoken word mutterings add a human touch. Two well-realised and effective cuts from Swayzak.

Review: Philadelphia producer and DJ Sweater makes a blistering debut on New York's BLKMARKET MUSIC with five cuts that blur the lines between breakbeat, tech-house and low-slung electro. It's a sound rooted as much in dusty record bins he works the counter at Impressions Philly as it is in the warehouse circuits that forged this connection back in 2021. 'The Answer' opens with choppy drums and cosmic static, before both versions of 'Twilight Zone' spin the same eerie motif into sleek machine funk ('Space Mix') and woozy stepper ('Broken Mix'). On the flip, 'Better Ask Somebody' dials up the groove with bumping mids and a ghosted vocal chop, while 'Contact In The Zone' sends things into sludgy, broken-rhythm hypnosis. A bold first outing that speaks in riddles but hits with intent.

Review: New York City's underground stalwart Sweater On Polo returns with the debut release on Signal Route. His Mechanical Confusion EP draws inspiration from early 90s Chicago techno and basement house so it echoes the gritty, raw style of labels that dealt in that sort of stuff, like Dance Mania and Relief Records. Across the six cuts there is an intergenerational dialogue between past and present with acid house, techno and synth punk all capturing a familiar old-school angst and texture but with a fresh twist. 'Land of Code' is one of our favourites with its rising percussive tension, deeply buried bass pulse and dusty analogue drums.

Review: After originally being self-released as a white label, Synthasy's breakbeat hardcore debut quickly gained cult status. It was engineered by Jezz Wright, who did renowned work on Liquid's 'Sweet Harmony' and Lemon D's early EPs and was distributed through London shops. High demand led to a full artwork repress, but copies vanished swiftly and helped cement its cult reputation as a rare gem. Over time, it became a coveted collector's item that commanded high prices - but not any more, thanks to this latest reissue. The rain, directness of the music, rave-ready synths and unforgettable vocal cries that turn the emotion up to 11 mean this debut remains a standout from early '90s rave culture.

Review: Marc Bolan's influence on rock music is huge. Everyone from Morrissey and Oasis to newcomers like Bobbie Dazzle worship the ground his stack heels walked on, not forgetting the break he gave The Damned by taking the band's original lineup on tour with him. It extends way beyond the obvious big hitting singles, as this less comprehensive, more completely exhaustive collection of B-sides corralled for RSD 2025 demonstrates. He's the master of the short, sharp pop track - no song reaches four minutes and most are under three - and just about anything here would qualify as A-sides in a lesser band's arsenal. From the folksy strumalong 'Sitting Here' to the electric shock guitar of 'Free Angel' and even a glorious cover of Otis Redding's 'Dock Of The Bay' featuring "The Queen of Northern Soul" Gloria Jones, this is yet more evidence of why the man was a huge, huge legend.

Review: Talking Drums return with Volume 8, another leftfield disco delight from the Manchester-based crew known for their genre-hopping, floor-filling edits. This latest 12" twists vintage grooves into fresh, club-ready energy, blending Euro-NRG, deep disco cuts and Balearic euphoria with their usual offbeat charm. The A-side, 'Fever Dreams', is a full-throttle, sweat-dripping workoutisequencers throb, horns wail and twin basslines drive the track forward with an unrelenting urgency. A cheeky vocal and a breakdown primed for peak-time chaos make this one irresistible for late-night mischief. On the flip, 'Too Hot' dials down the BPM but keeps the heat on, its laid-back disco strut laced with silky strings, funky breaks, and shimmering Rhodes keys. Then there's 'Maximum Balearic Dancer', a sun-soaked closer that takes a fragment of Swiss fusion and transforms it into a hypnotic, flamenco-tinged groove, complete with breezy synths and a soaring piano solo. With their latest releaseiexpect this one to become a secret weapon for DJs who like their edits playful, punchy and a little bit unpredictable.

Review: Amsterdam's Bordello a Parigi's ongoing Diamonds In The Night series has not only proved to be a reliable source of new - if authentically old sounding - Italo-disco, Hi-NRG and proto-Eurodance, but also a brilliant platform for new and up-and-coming artists. Volume seven in the series is another strong offering. It begins with the tops-off, melody-driven Hi-NRG joy of Tallac's 'Chemtrail Surfers' and concludes with the vocoder-heavy early morning dark bew wavce disco of 'Disco Homicide' by Hypersensitive. Sandwiched in between you'll find the tough, throbbing, strobe-lit and sweat-soaked hedonism of Luksek's 'Tropicale' and the Bobby Orlando and early Pet Shop Boys influenced excellence of 'That Moment' by Francesco Cascella.

Review: Netherlands techno titan Planet Rhythm goes full percussive gas giant on their latest V/A, 'Friction', a motorsport motivator full of accelerometric elan - one of several V/As to grace their revving catalogue in recent times. Ramon Tapia leads the motorcade with 'Friction', a stabbing aerator full of overtop claps and rims, while Louis Lp's 'Radioactivity' unsettles with its seething high ringing and affectively isolated chord-stab-melody. Deas' 'Hard Dreams' nods to the real, unshakeably material core of dreams, with its rancorous full-tone acids, while Ramon Topia closes with 'Fear', a restless, chord-throttling, hard trancey, speed demonic rally racer.

Review: Shut Off Notice welcomes Teakup - a local Columbus, Ohio DJ and producer born Lauri Reponen and known for his stylish techno - for a second outing on the label. 'Forest Bed Moss' kicks off with dusty mid-tempo breaks and deep basslines full of soul, while 'Mhm' is a mechanical groove with dubby undertones and nice chopped vocals. 'Rain Groove Revisit' is a deep, percolating and stumbling rhythm with a smattering of percussion and bubbly feel infused with cooing female vocals. Finally, Teakup remixes Rew's 'Fragile Abundance' into a deft and lithe minimal dub for the small hours. Sophisticated stuff once more from Teakup.