CHLAR Vinyl & CDs

Review: The Swiss producer and mastering engineer, now rooted in Lisbon, Chlar returns with an evocative slab of techno that feels both ancient and forward facing. With over a dozen EPs under their belt, this latest four-tracker solidifies his mastery of atmospheric, rhythm-heavy sound design. Side-A opens with 'Altitude', a primal and hedonistic tribal techno cut that recalls the spirit of Blueprint Records or early James Ruskin. It's a raw, driving rhythm that feels carved out of stone, a cavernous groove echoing through the walls of a rhythm cave. 'Serac' follows with a deep bassline and a futuristic, yet organic pulse that balances modern machine funk with a ceremonial, ritualistic undertone. There's a timeless quality to the way it moves. Side-B begins with 'Lamin', perhaps the EP's most cinematic piece. It's clean and spacious, yet cloaked in tension, like an alien landscape where mystery simmers beneath the surface. 'Phantom Grid' closes the record with a no-nonsense percussive workout, all warehouse minimalism and skeletal intensity, perfect for peak-hour darkness. It's atmospheric, confident and comes with a big dose of sonic storytelling. What more could you want from your techno?!

Review: Chlar's sophomore album crafts a bold vision of techno's evolution, blending stripped-back grooves with a sharp focus on rhythm and syncopation. In a departure from the rigidity dominating much of hard techno in recent years, this LP injects fluidity and funk into its clean, minimalist beats. Tracks like 'Fortress of Illusion' exemplify this approach, with deep, grooving basslines and carefully layered rhythms that subtly push and pull the tempo. The result is a style that feels fresh yet grounded in the genre's roots. Chlar's music juxtaposes the forward-driving optimism often associated with funk-inspired beats against darker emotional undercurrents. This tension reflects the record's thematic exploration of societal divisions, echoing the release notes' commentary on political climate. By reimagining the boundaries of techno with rhythmic sophistication and a conceptual edge, Chlar reaffirms the genre's capacity for reinvention. In a landscape of extremes, this LP stands out as a thoughtful and innovative contribution to modern electronic music.

Review: Swiss artist Chlar's last EP Optimized Grooves was a standout success across the techno world and it marked a significant step for the fast-rising producer after fine outings on labels like Iceland's NIX and Stranger's Self Reflektion imprint. His full-throttle style is continually evolving as his latest offering, the Intrinsic Drive EP shows. 'Dopamine Rush' kicks off with fast techno beats and hypnotic synths, 'Intrinsic Drive' weaves tightly packed drums, bass, and alien sound designs, 'For Marco' intensifies with darker kicks and eerie synths, while 'Steady Pace' adds swing with crisp hits and vocal fragments. 'Greedy Man' offers industrial undertones with skewed synths to end on yet another stylish banger.

Review: Charles Accarisi, also known as Chlar, is a multi-talented techno artist and a promising name on the scene. On the 17th release of Self Reflektion, 'Not Here For The Fame', he showcases his technical abilities as a producer and DJ with a diverse selection of four tracks made for the dancefloor. The title track is characterised by steely mechanisms while 'Unknown Velocity', also on the A-side, has a direct impact influenced by Robert Hood. On the flip, 'Are You Happy?' takes on a loopier late 90s techno feel, followed by the austere peak-time offering aptly titled 'Powergroove.'

Review: Fearsome techni-techno through the Swiss futurists ENMODA, whose modus operandi is to actively promote and advocate for the local Swiss scene. With chilling textures and an ear for material, sonic grit, a cloister of ten producers are heard going full Eski-mode here, for the first instalment in their yearly compilation, Alpine Express Volume 1. Aptly described as a set of "dancefloor hurters", this is a record that proves the mid-European enclave still have their ears to the ground: pree the classic trance-techno of Marcism's 'Echo' or Ermatik's 'Funk Alt Delight', The Chronics' restlessly fight-or-flight revenant, 'Sonic Memory', and/or TIS' closing jit-tech piano weapon 'I Don't Mind'.