Juno Recommends Electro: 2024

Review: **REPRESS** Another album from the amazing mind of Heinrich Mueller (aka Gerald Donald). Originally released on DJ Hell's Gigolo label and apparently only licensed after Gerald crashed Hell's BMW and had to come up with a means of paying him back. All the tracks first appeared on the very obscure Dataphysix imprint from Detroit, with some releases only reaching the 500 copy mark. Now brought back to life for 2007, "Gesamtkunstwerk" could be one of the best electro albums ever made. Yes that's right, I said it...the best ever! This is almost as important for the techno generation as Kraftwerk's "Computerworld" and "Autobahn" were for many in the 80s. The tracks are all pretty simple, made up of only two or three analogue instruments each, but they seem to hold these timeless melodies that you can never tire of. Other moments are eerie, menacing and downright strange, but still pure genius. You know how a lot of the time when you buy a new record it becomes your favourite for a while, and then it starts to lose a little life? (Of course it's still good, but just not as fresh as the first couple of weeks when you listened to it on repeat). Well guess what? That doesn't happen with this record. I must have listened to some of the tracks on here over a 1000 times and they still send shivers down my spine. It's one of those special albums that just don't seem to age.

Review: Cybotron's Parallel Shift transports listeners to a meta-narrative that blurs the lines between military science, speculative futures, and the possibility of other dimensions. The album spirals through time, taking us from a hyper-structured 2100, where general intelligence reigns, back to mid-century modernity, a pivotal moment for technological advancement. The 'Skynet module' activates, retreating to a world on the edge of collapse, as the Infiniti process morphs into a cosmotechnic vehicle racing through a landscape dominated by emergent AI. This isn't just a sonic journeyiit's a study in rhythmanalysis, dissecting the ecological consequences of industrial overshoot. At the core of this tale is a scientist named Don Lewis, an expert tasked with decoding a cryptic black dodecagonal disc, Fortec. With origins tied to Roswell's extraterrestrial mysteries, the narrative dives into the dodecahedral patterns that hint at unknown neural pathways. It's a fusion of retro-futurism and advanced theoretical speculation, layered with Cybotron's signature electronic touch. The album is more than just a collection of tracks; it's a bold, futuristic exploration, offering glimpses of war, innovation, and a fragmented reality. Each beat pulses with tension, dragging the listener ever deeper into the layers of sound and story, leaving you questioning the boundaries of both music and existence.

Review: Greg Wilson returns to Running Back, celebrating 40 years since the release of the classic and highly influential Street Sounds UK Electro compilation. The groundbreaking track 'Real Time,' which opened the 1984 album, finally gets a 12" release here. Featuring a Greg Wilson edit, a Gerd Janson bonus beats edit and two 2024 reworks, this limited edition showcases Wilson's continued influence in the electronic music scene, alongside collaborations with his son, Che Wilson, including remixes for Gabriels and Confidence Man.

Review: The crucial Mr K is back with a special repress for Record Store Day 2024. This one throws it back to his two superb edits of Kratwerk's 'Trans Euro Express' which is cited often as the start of techno. Side A offers stripped-down, bare drum bones, with naked drums shaped into futuristic fusion, while Part II adds synthetic context. Deconstructing Kraftwerk's original sci-fi masterpiece at a slow, smouldering pace, it presents a classic in an entirely new light. This release unlocks doors of serious DJ creativity and should be snapped up quickly before it's gone again.

Review: The last of the Konduko series from Emotional Rescue arrives now and quite possibly it is the best of the lot from Noel Williams. His 'Fantasy' saw him work with Larry Dermer aka Der Mer on what is an effective and catchy electro jam that operates at the higher end of the tempo chart with some classic vocoder vocal action to really make it pop. Despite being released originally in 1984 this one still bangs with its emulated TR-808 beats and nagging melodies. The instrumental heightens that and then the Jonny Rock Discomix shuts down with long-form rework that shows why the DJ, editor and all-round amiable bloke is so well regarded.

Review: Plant43 is the alias of Emile Facey, one of electro's most tireless innovators. He has a vast discography that never fails to prove he can speak through his machines more ably than just about anyone in the game, and certainly within the genre. Luminous Machines comes on his own label and is an album, his eighth in all, of cinematic and futuristic jams written before a gig at Tresor in April this year. 'Haunting The Depths' has an icy minimalism to it, with crisp drums and snappy hits all underpinned by textured bass. The title cut is a restless affair that pings about the stereo field with squiggling lines and loopy breaks and 'Fixed Point Rotation' has a more dark and menacing feel. These are just some of the highlights of another standout collection.

Review: Veteran electrohead and former artist on the Rephlex Records roseter DMX Krew's Ed DMX takes the well-known story by Jorge Luis Borges of The Library of Babel, said to contain all the different languages of the earth. Some deep philosophical thought has gone into the album's concept, but we'll leave that to Ed to explain. Instead, we'll tell you that from beginning to end there's plenty of the kind of trademark 80s synth playfulness in evidence, with a generally more mellow and soundtrack-related rather than frenetic and dancefloor-filling vibe in evidence, even on faster tracks like 'The Combed Thunderclap'. Still, Ed knows what he's doing when it comes to this kind of leftfield electro gear, and it's a rewarding, never boring listen.

Review: Marco Lazovic shows his jazzy electro side with this new outing on Scruniversal. It's a sixth EP from this label and another one you need to cop. The A-side tune is 'Amour Translanatique' and is one doused in romantic pad work, reverential moods and gentle drums that soothe the mind, body and soul. 'Uslada' is more upbeat but no less deft and silky. This one has lush cosmic chords and wispy melodies peeling off the busy beats which have a whiff of liquid jungle goodness to them. Two high-class cuts for tender dancefloors.

Review: Egyptian Lover's Egypt Egypt: 40th Anniversary 1984-2024 celebrates a seminal track in the evolution of electro and techno. Originally released in 1984, 'Egypt Egypt' remains a cornerstone of West Coast electro, influencing both early techno and hip-hop. This anniversary reissue underscores the track's enduring impact, as its innovative rhythms and pioneering sound continue to resonate with new generations of listeners. The 40th Anniversary edition features a remastered version of 'Egypt Egypt' on Side-1, preserving its original energy and groundbreaking appeal. Side-2 offers the 'Girls' (40th Anniversary Mix), which breathes new life into the classic while retaining its iconic essence. This reissue not only honors the legacy of Egyptian Lover's influence but also introduces its revolutionary sound to contemporary fans, highlighting its crucial role in shaping electronic music and hip-hop culture.

Review: Carl Finlow really is the electro gift that keeps on giving. It seems like he drops new music on a near-weekly basis and it never dips in quality. This time he is on the We're Going Deep label and his music-making machines are in fine fettle. 'Equi' opens up with a sense of caution - the nimble drums and chrome-plated synths keeping you on edge, while 'Aether' unfurls into a widescreen and laid-back electro journey to the stars. There is more menace and bite to 'Affinity' with its superbly reverb-enriched kicks and 'Septagon' again cuts loose on playful melodic sequences.

Review: Return To Disorder welcomes Evighet Records label head Marco Bruno for some brilliantly controlled sonic chaos on this new electro exploration. His Sharp Focus EP brings together ambient, breaks and techno to snappy electro rhythms of the sort that he has already showcased in style on labels such as Blueprint Records and Machine. This one opens with the sleek, future-facing and speedy sounds of 'Storyteller' before 'Values Over Ego' gets more textured and raw with knick-snapping hits and prying synth lines making for real turbulence. 'Twist Of Fate' is a jungle workout that ducks and dives on warped bass and 'Karmic Pattern' is a slow but textural and intense closer with rueful chords.

Review: Roll out the linoleum for breakdancin' in the streets to Soul Jazz's expertly curated Electro Throwdown: Sci-Fi Inter-Planetary Electro Attack on Planet Earth 1982-89. The compilation documents a distinct period of prolific creativity and sonic futurism, delivering thirteen body-rockin' classics, obscurities, and deep cuts from the '80s. Leading the charge is Professor X's 'Professor X (Saga)', outlining his self-referential bodypopping beat manifesto in sound, while certain other emblematic come procured by originators like The Rickie Clark Company, Jonzun Crew, Mo-Jo, The Troids and Jazaq. Harking to a time when the only prerequisite for rocking a crowd was a TR-808 and a sense of groove, we're more than happy to be beamed back.

Review: Esteemed electro explorer Emile Facey aka Plant 43 is back on his Plant43 Recordings imprint. Despite being hugely prolific, the artist always managed to find fresh new creative ground with each new outing and Concrete Echo is no different. The title cut is a high-speed opener with shimmering lines, fizzing static electricity and drama in the chords that make you take note. 'Emerald Shift' is a broken beat kicker with raw claps and scintillating liquid metal leads while 'Raw Vectors' layers up acid wobbliness and textbook electro rhythms. 'Mist Memory' closes down with a melancholic vibe and heady synths that take you into the cosmos.

Review: Long-time electro stalwart Carl Finlow is the man behind the Random Factor alias. He started it back in 1994 and it has given rise to four full lengths on 20/20 Vision, which is where he now returns with his first new long player in 15 years. Silencer is a superb return to form with a mix of electro-pop that is laden with indelible melodies, granular vocoders, angelic vocals and the occasion back room, heads down electro banger. As always these cuts are second to none with bumping electro-funkers like 'Adulterant' and celestial trips like 'Lab Grown' perfect for back rooms.

Review: Gilbert's Astral Harmonics, released on the esteemed Distant Worlds label, is a standout addition to the techno landscape, showing the label's commitment to quality over quantity with only it's 13th release in the last 8 years. The EP opens with 'Lost Frequency,' a track defined by its tight bass and precise rhythm programming. The production is top-notch, with futuristic accents and expertly layered melodies that create a crisp, engaging sound. 'Quantum Echoes' follows on Side 1, offering a slower, electro groove that flirts with downtempo and ambient elements. The track's beautiful, almost magical melody gives it a serene, otherworldly quality, making it a perfect blend of genres that stands out in its subtlety. Side-2 kicks off with 'Earthscapes,' a unique fusion that combines the energy of broken drum and bass with melodic inspiration drawn from both Detroit and UK techno. The track's great bassline and rich atmosphere push the boundaries of techno, offering a refreshing sound that actually pushes the envelope of techno. The EP concludes with 'Particle Drift,' an ambient techno piece that feels like a nod to the greats of the genre. Reminiscent of artists like B12, Stasis, Future Beat Alliance, Derek Carr, John Shima, and As One, this track provides a soothing, contemplative end to the journey, wrapping up the record with a sense of calm and introspection. Astral Harmonics succeeds due to Gilbert's ability to craft intricate, boundary-pushing techno, and Distant Worlds' dedication to curating exceptional releases. One of the smoothest techno records out this year.

Review: There is some serious electro talent on this new EP from Fanzine, starting with now US-based, UK-favourite Carl Finlow. His machines are in fine fettle once more as crisp, kicking electro rhythms are overlaid with bright, silvery, pixelated melodic fireworks on the sublime 'Organoiods'. Hoax Believers get more gritty with the sheet metal snares and in-your-face arps of 'Short Circuit' while Sound Synthesis offers something moody and unsettling on their 'Vertex43'. Univac will make your eyes water with the abrasive textures of 'H Beat.'

Review: Following previous drops from Lukey, Enzo Leep and dot13, Into The Wizard's Sleeve welcomes David G Tronic and Reboot for a taut trip through high-end electro for all razor-sharp selectors. 'Leave Your Body' is a bouncy affair with an ear-snagging snatch of toasting certain to get the floor loosened up good and proper. 'Loose' meanwhile is anything but, revolving round a punchy beatdown and choice vocoder licks. 'Mind Games' heads into the zone between electro and tech house, while 'Orlando Bass' lets a few boogie licks sneak into the mix around the sleek 808 drums with sparkling results.

Review: Introducing Diner's Club International, a new and anonymous collective, we have been told on the low down, that is here to keep clubs bumping. They hail from Joy Rd on the East of the city of Detroit and are here to keep the ghetto tech scene going strong with a vast array of breathless new rhythms across three different records. Their MO is to get in and out quickly with each track - short, snappy sketches packed with attitude, cut-up vocals and spongy drum and bass patterns. As physical as all these cuts are, they also have a real human heart thanks to the warming pads and well-deployed r&b stabs. These are red hot so do not sleep.

Review: Electro has so much representation already that we'd have hardly imagined it needed a Coalition, but colour us mistaken, of course. Presumably functioning both as intergalactic senate and record label, here, on 'Robot Connection 001', the Electro Coalition commission four delegates to lay down one lengthy sonic deposition each. Sound Synthesis kicks things off with a moving acid purging, with soaring cutoff filters aplenty, setting the diplomatic record straight with a grand metaphysical treatise - 'Physical Terrain' - on the cosmopolitical terrain thus faced. Then Arsonist Recorder objects by way of a pure immaterial antithesis, with 'T & A' locking in heavy freq-layered constrictions between an accursed beat; then Neonicle's 'Combination' and Sinitsin's 'People Are Aliens', finally, form a worthy synthesis and thesis-return respectively, ending on a suspension of humanly intelligible feeling, in favour of a bellicist's power fantasy in harsh snap-breaks and chromatic arp-arcs.

Review: Versalife is a master of the deep and one of many aliases from the Dutchman born Boris Bunnik. From dub to techno to the electro he explores here, his grainy sound is impossibly atmospheric. 'Copepods' opens up with far-sighted and sustained chords that speak of a future metropolis and 'Ultraviolet' then rides a lush broken rhythm and has melodies that glow like fireflies. 'Counter-illumination' gets more turbulent with its edgy lines and rubbery reverberating bassline and 'Vortex Storm' is like a reflective hall of mirrors with tension and eeriness in the air.

Review: We don't know who is involved in this brand new Diner's Club International project but we do know that they have put together three superb new records, all of which are landing at the same time. We also know they have come from Detroit, specifically Joy Rd on the West Side, and so come drenched in plenty of the swaggering attitudes you would expect. Diners Club International Part 1 fuses electro, ghetto and techno into booty-shaking cuts designed square for the club. The rhythms are infectious, the drums booming and the vocals bawdy, so snap these up before they're gone as quickly as they arrived.

Review: The Paris based Velvet Spirit releases its fourth EP. After appearing on their third releases, the label had to have a release specifically dedicated to Numero 6 solely. If you are looking for something different then check out the head turning 'Midnight Treat'. Electro like you may have not heard. The Indy Jane mix of 'Are You Sure' is particularly nasty (in all the right ways), while on the second side, 'Vicious' is a clever and unique take on tech house that injects a bit of electro in it while 'Bloodline' is the smoothest cut of the lot. Quite eerie in a new wave way, you have to hand it to Numero 6 for making something quite unique.

Review: Every new Carl Finlow record release brings an enthusiastic interest to those who follow him. Carl's robotic electro prowess is on full display on the A-side in 'Heed'. Fans of early 80s electro, Kraftwerk and the future of the genre, swear by this guy. 'Overlord' is a deeper groove that reminds of his otherworldly Silicon Scally moniker. 'Expansion' is just down right dirty. Nuff said! Dangerous stuff from one of the most consistent producers in futuristic electro.

Review: To coincide with the reissue of the standout Exaltics album Das Heise Experiment, Robert Witschakowski has reached out to an all-star cast for a bonus 12" of remixes and collaborations which will only serve to add weight to the whole project. Iconic Detroit duo ADULT. team up with Exaltics on 'Dreizehn Habits', which is a vocal update of a track from the original soundtrack. Then Gesloten Cirkel jumps on for the typically incisive, edged-out machine language typical to his Bunker Releases. The mighty Keith Tucker dons his K1 cap for a punchy slice of Motor City machine funk, and then Gerald Donald's Arpanet alias locks on for a creeping, slippery excursion to close the record out on the B2.

Review: Remastered and reissued with new a new album cover via the Clone West Coast Series, Adult's 'New Phonies' EP first appeared in 2000 as the duo moniker of Nicola Kuperus and Adam Lee Miller, two legit electro stalwarts. This is a proper snappy electro EP - of the least sympathetic and most coldly calculating kind - evoking the fright of becoming trapped inside an inescapable subliminal-sonic cybernetic feedback loop, with all human faculties thrown to the wayside. 'Hand To Phone', for example, locks us into a communicative-cybernetic stasis, with spitty acid 16ths betraying the mood of becoming affective chasers of electromagnetic signals, unwittingly carrying out the bidding of our new techno-evangelist overlords. The A-sider 'New Object', meanwhile, with its sizzling 808s, transitional fluctuations and hip-hop vocal refrain - "I need you to accommodate my comunication needs" - touches on several layers of objectification at once: sexual, commodification, loss of the ability to speak. Adult truly dealt with adult themes and embraced their recapture into the machine - now you too can own their New Object.

Review: Carl Finlow is one of those artists who is universally admired and respected. His work in the world of electro is second to none and all these years later the Stateside Brit keeps on turning out the jams. He does so for Belgian label Elypsia here and starts off with some fizzing and snappy action in the form of 'Fractionality' which has bounce and bite in equal measure. There's a more zoned-out deep space feel to 'Anomaly' and a downtempo bliss to 'Dust To Dust'. The flipside kicks off with some turbo-charged and ghetto-fried Motor Citry electro in 'Visceral' before two more electro gems get a little more atmospheric and deep.

Review: Hypnotone's iconic self titled mini album reissued and released just in time for this Summer Solstice. Originally released by Creation Records in 1991 - long out of print and now reissued - this one comes now meticulously remastered and pressed onto pristine white vinyl, aesthetically bolstering its pure, ascendant sound to match. The Hypnotone moniker was formed out of the bemused miasma that came after the wake of the infamous Hacienda nightclub in Manchester; made up of another related but no less legendary Tony (Martin, not Wilson) and yet another Martin (Mittler) (don't get confused, now), their eponymous debut came after an inspirational spell of digital sampler experiments and intentional Balearic hitmaking.

Review: Four dreamy exoplanetary electro cuts from Nullptr. With a melancholic orbit, the mood of this EP is wistful and lachrymose, as if the sonar-HUD on our spaceship's cockpit is over-bleeping at rapidfire; we've flown too close to the celestial object we sought, and have nothing left to do but bask in the bittersweet antagonism of space-faring victory and revelatory disappointment. 'Exolon' portrays some leftover remnant of trekkers' curiosity, suggesting we're still driven - motivated - on our quest to grasp said strange attractor. Yet 'Sytasol' moves sadder, locking in a grooved stasis through a mixture of fidgeting melodic acid and clappage. 'Alpha Grid' and 'Gekko7' hear spirits revive for a no less dreamy revolution about the sun.

Review: Here comes the ever-prolific Eversines with more of that sinewy, seductive electro he's made his own over the past ten years. There's a bubbling, braindance-esque flavour to 'Void Walk' with its interwoven synth lines tickling your grey matter in all the right ways. 'User Six' maintains the vibe while nudging a little more towards that spooky vibe you'll hear on labels like Eya, while 'Rainy Move' switches things up on the B-side with plenty of boxy swing and some cheeky organ flex which comes on like a vintage Wagon Repair release.

Review: The first record in a new series of VA releases, 'Constellations Vol. 1', features Zeta Reticula, LUZ1E, Serge Geyzel, Aura Nox, Vertical67 and Ufaze. 'Dial That Number' opens with vanguard skirmishes of buckshot FM bass and sonic warmongery, a robo-voice superegoically charging the listener with a command to "dial that number" amid bloopy sonic ratiocinations and momentary forgoings of bass. Luz1e's 'Data Motions' recalls the scope and intensity of the recent DJ Stingray 313 release, with its titular musings on data fungibility and capture proving apt to the track's metallic snares and full-bodied gnarls. Geyzel's track moves more electric and playful, record scratches and synth piques-and-jerks galore. The B-siders move more barren and ruinous, with planetarily stacked cairns of bass layering, girding and trussing the mixes of 'Non Stop Overstimulation' (a tautology if you think about it) and 'Tear Down Those Walls'. Finally 'I Should Have Known' sounds more conclusive, its sense of finality and solubility helped along by snares and kick transients that, rather than merely contrasting them, seep into the track's overall dystopian smog.

Review: Versalife is one of the many aliases of prolific Dutch producer Versalife. It is where he explores electro in meticulous detail and this new Technofeudalism 12" is as good as it gets. 'Cataclysm' kicks off with a deft and broken beat rhythm, celestial chords and eerie little melodic details that keep you on your toes. 'Intrusion' is darker and more direct with a menacing bassline. 'Syndicate War' ups the ante once more with more energetic rhythms and jagged synths flashing across the face of the tune while 'Axon Terminal' is a moody closer with bittersweet melancholic in the pads.

Review: The propulsive, tectonic Force of Electro is embodied in the eponymous moniker, returning for their its release since 1997 (notable indeed, that the multi-moniker artist should return to this one only now). Six masterclassics in the mode of acid electro beckon us into alternate frenzies, highlights among these experiences being the central banger 'Beyond After Dark' and the lesser-spottable ambi-acid closer, 'Beyond The Beats'.

Review: Here's a welcome link-up between stalwarts of the electro scene, as Lunar Disko welcomes Spanish artist Annie Hall for what is sadly the Irish label's final release. It's a strong note to go out on, continuing to platform the freshest ideas within the much-mined electro magnetic field. Hall's sonic vocabulary continues to set her apart from the rest of the pack as she elicits particularly nuanced patterns and interplay between the component parts of her tracks. Hats off to Lunar Disko for always pushing quality and to Hall who continues to dazzle with every release she puts out.

Review: D'Monk makes his debut with a hard-hitting EP on Touching Bass, a label known for its refined taste. From the start, it's clear that this one's designed for the dancefloor, opening with 'Broken Rhythm Composer'ia techno-heavy, machine-soul masterpiece. A barrage of driving drums, sharp hi-hats, and that unmistakable 808 tom bassline set the tone, while a distorted vocal subtly weaves through the mix, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The groove is tight but forward-thinking, flanged drums swirling in halfway through, pulling you further into the EP's hypnotic world. 'Listen' follows, stepping things up with a vocal loop floating over bass-heavy, reverberating drums. Three minutes in, just when you think it's simmering, a riser builds, leading to a huge drop. Acid squelches pierce the dubby undercurrent, rolling back into a thick, groovy bassline. It's Detroit-inspired, but also nods to London's broken beat scene and Berlin's electronic landscape. Then, out of nowhere, the track is transformed by Herbie Hancock-style jazz keys, adding a funky, spaced-out layer before snapping back to the minimal, bass-driven core. This is music crafted by someone who understands the dynamics of the dancefloor, knowing exactly when to push and pull, when to layer, and when to strip things back. It's raw, precise, and absolutely uncompromising. A debut that not only stands out but suggests D'Monk's already seasoned in crafting dancefloor dynamite.

Review: Craigie Knowes has solidified its standing as a label synonymous with quality electro and techno releases. Known for its consistent ability to unearth and champion fresh talent, the label's latest addition, Obergman's Pentaquark EP, continues this tradition with commendable flair. This new offering, marked by its distinctive blend of classic electro and modern dance floor sensibilities, is a testament to Craigie Knowes' keen ear for cutting-edge sounds. The EP opens with "Quasiparticle," where a melodic hook resonates with echoes of "Blue Monday." Its crisp, metallic quality and syncopated rhythm create a hypnotic effect that is both captivating and rhythmically engaging. Following this, "Omega Centuri" delivers a satisfying dose of acid-infused, chugging beats that cater to the needs of any club environment. On Side B, the title track "Pentaquark" presents a dark, spooky acid bassline, showcasing Obergman's skill in blending eerie atmospheres with classic acid sounds. Finally, "Cuspy Halo Problem" rounds off the EP with its crunchy drums and a similarly dark, acid-tinged vibe. The Pentaquark EP is a fine addition to Craigie Knowes' roster, reinforcing the label's reputation for releasing high-quality, innovative electronic music. Obergman's latest work is a prime example of the label's commitment to pushing the boundaries of the genre while maintaining a solid connection to its roots.

Review: Body Mechanic has been turning out definitive Motor City techno on solid labels like Cryovac, and GASS for several years. This time out he lands-on Detroit Techno and serves up, well, some electro. It's classic 313 tackle though - heavy on the kicks, snappy snares and filthy dirty basslines that make you want to move. Ghoulish vocals add extra grit to the opener and from there 'Dance' gets more playful with jittery drum funk and scratching, 'Beautiful Bum' has a gorgeously tender and reflective vibe thanks to the minor chords and smooth electro rhythms, 'Magic (feat Tay) ' slips into a deep and soulful house groove and 'Househead' is jacked up, loopy and well swung amongst several more timeless cuts. All in all, a killer double 12".

Review: White Fetish X, the latest release by enigmatic collaboration between Dataintrang and Luke Eargoggle on the Italian label Pareidolia Recordings, is a hypnotic and eerie exploration of the dark side of electronica. The album's six tracks veritably pulsate with a sinister energy, blending elements of EBM, electro clash, and sci-fi to create a truly unique and unsettling soundscape. 'Starting Shift' sets the tone with its menacing EBM stomp and early techno sound, while 'Mann Gegen Mann' ups the ante with its sinister electroclash beats. The title track is a hypnotic and eerie soundscape, with its sci-fi synths and demented, horror-like atmosphere. 'Radiowelt' is a heavy electro track with a pulsing body funk rhythm, while 'Audio Warrior' closes the album out with its dark and evil-sounding but funky bassline. Overall, White Fetish X is a challenging and rewarding listen for fans of dark electronica. Its sinister soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms create a truly unique and unsettling experience that will stay with you long after the final track has faded out.

Review: Karsten Pflum's album Liars explores the underground sound of techno and creates a captivating and energetic soundscape. Pflum's album is a journey through the dark and enigmatic underbelly of electronic music. He skillfully blends elements of techno, electro, and acid to create a unique and immersive experience. The album's jittery rhythms and moody soundscapes are perfect for late-night listening or for energizing a dancefloor. Tracks like 'Mousfolk Acid' are raw, intense, and uncompromising. Tracks like Lola' are sure to get comparisons to AFX and Squarepusher and that's not a bad thing at all. But for those who are willing to delve into its depths, Liars offers a rewarding and transformative experience.

Review: Curtis Electonix is already well-loved by electro heads and this new EP from CEM3340 is only going to heighten that feeling. It's a timeless workout that looks to the future with plenty of intergalactic energy. 'Profondo Rosso' is a real standout with its snappy drum funk and wiggling lines. 'Jiminy Cricket' then ups the ante with even more fast-paced drum programming and some classic vocoder vocals, while 'Voce' has a corrugated bassline and knick-snapping hits with silvery slithers of synth worming their way into the next dimension.

Review: We imagine "Neonicle" - judging by the affixes of the name alone - would likely mean something like "new instance of a half-biological, half-mechanical monstrosity, capable of lamellic self-regeneration when mortally wounded". Think of Terminator, grey goo or The Thing. Whatever idea the producer behind this alias had in mind when coming up with the name, you cannot deny that this nominal vagary still conjures up a certain set of (grisly, technological) images when paired with such solemn, fatal electro sounds. Machinic desecrations and vocal litanies abound on A-siders 'Kagome' featuring Julia Marks and 'Dirty Sanchez', both of which portray a tarred, oiled and feathered sound, as of an unstoppable automaton setting about a new reformative mission. Then 'Train' and 'New Culture' go on to utterly usurp and displace the old narrative, with the hip cyber electro of the latter - modifying the laryngeal emissions of vocalist Dyroplane - extending this robotic coup d'etat to lay down a new, sinister futural law.

Review: Soul Jazz Records' Electro Throwdown - Sci-Fi Inter-Planetary Electro Attack on Planet Earth 1982-89 is a thrilling expedition into the farthest corners of electro music. This collection captures the raw energy of the 1980s, highlighting mostly private-press and indie label gems that are also rare. With iconic vocoders, Roland TR-808 drum machines, and infectious grooves, these tracks embody the era's cutting-edge electronic sound. Aside from a few familiar names like Michael Jonzun's Jonzun Crew and The Packman, the album shines a spotlight on lesser-known pioneers such as Pretty Tony, Planet Detroit (aka Maggotron), and Rich Cason. These underground innovators helped define the electro scene across the U.S., from Miami to New York and Los Angeles. Each track showcases the futuristic, funk-laden spirit of the 80s electro boom, making this compilation an essential ride through sci-fi-inspired, beat-driven landscapes. It's an indispensable time capsule for any electro aficionado.

Review: Maelstrom returns to Central Processing Unit for his fourth outing, and this time he's dropping his longest release yet. French electro mainstay Joan-Mael Peneau, known to many as Maelstrom, has been a fixture on the scene since the early 2000s, and he brings every ounce of that experience to his new LP, The FM Tapes. Spanning 11 tracks, this album is a masterclass in precision, confidence, and control. From the opening moments of 'Ondes Courtes', Maelstrom makes it clear that he's not here to mess around. The track offers a dark, brooding take on electro, with tight, shuffling beats and expertly layered synth work that sets the tone for what's to come. Tracks like 'Alt50ser' follow, pushing forward with mechanical rhythms and a frenetic energy that could only come from an artist with such a seasoned hand. 'La Vie Sociale Des Sons' showcases his knack for combining complex soundscapes with raw, dancefloor-ready energy, blending heavy basslines with shimmering top-end details. The album's centrepiece, 'Res 06 (feat. Fasme)', serves as a standout, bringing in an almost cinematic quality. The beats remain hard and driving, but there's a subtle elegance in the way Maelstrom weaves textures around them, creating something that feels both intense and intricate. Yet, despite all the technical wizardry, The FM Tapes never feels cold or clinical. There's a warmth to tracks like 'My Digitone', where the rhythms are precise but still leave room for playfulness and experimentation. It's this balance of meticulous craftsmanship and spontaneous energy that defines the LP and makes it feel so vital.

Review: Lake Haze has landed on a wide array of labels from Shall Not Fade to Time Is Now but always his music exudes the same great qualities - electro, acid, techno and prog doused in gorgeous ambient designs. He exhibits that again on this new EP for Atlantic Thunder which kick off with the gurgling synths and tanging bass notes of 'First Contact'. Silky arps are what ensure it takes flight through the cosmos, though. 'Niburi Ritual' has a darker mood and heavier kick patterns and 'Ionosphere' is a supple and lithe electro workout that channels the best of Detroit. A fine sense of menace and end of the world finality then characterises the excellent closer 'No Escape.'

Review: The one and only DMX Krew is back once again with yet another superb release, this time on the emerging and already exciting No Static/Automatic label. This time out he blends electro with bass, acid and techno and opens up with the squelchy 303s and prickly beats of 'Mutated Brain Process' before 'Electric Mutant' layers up whirring machines and jerking drum patterns. 'Non-Euclidean Coordinates' is a high-speed and physical workout with low end menace and the superb closer 'Depressed Mutant' might just be the best of the lot with its withering sci-fi motifs and alien sounds, kinetic electro beats and otherwordly vibes.

Review: If it feels like we've been waiting a minute for some fresh material from the ever-excellent Roger Geressen, then the wait has been worth it as he gifts us this exemplary extended EP which borders on mini-album territory. The Dutch producer has evolved his sound in subtle ways over the years, but his affinity for mellow atmospheres abounds on this drop for Chapelle XIV, leading in with the relaxed broken beat machine soul of 'Other Dimensions' before switching into the more heads-down roll of 'Oceans Of Ganymede' and 'Solar Flare's winsome synth lines and snappy electro rhythm section. 'Future Visions' continues the exploration of broad melodic vistas and 'Moons Of Mercury' goes in hard on the delays for shimmering results. 'User Interface' completes the picture with a perfect sign off on this refined and immersive six-tracker from an artist you know you can trust.

Review: The unstoppable tide of posthuman electro continues with the crazed output of London's Warehouse Manifesto, whom (or, should we say, which) offers a singular remix EP curveball by label newcomer Zeta Reticula and friends; Reticula is already a heavyweight on this topical present-future scene. With six direct, subcutaneous, isotopic injections of the same alkaline sonic formula by the artist, 'Binary Pair', we hear 0s and 1s filter themselves into our bloodstreams and brains, overriding any possibility of probabilism, compatibility or free will. Nay, sheer metallic, plastoskeletal objectivity whiles away enough on the OG tune, while even sturdier and more menacing highlights take form especially in Code Rising and DVS's remixes.

Review: A sprawling, typically irreverent effort from the ever-prolific DMX Krew. With each unfolding track, Edward Upton charts a new tributary in the Detroit-Berlin-Sheffield pipeline, from the grouchy technoid stomp of 'Bathtime Bobby', to the hazy chillout room introspection of 'Escape To 92', to the dazzled machine funk of aptly named elektro quest 'Desperate Measures'. Another thoroughly satisfying entry in the ever-growing DMX catalogue, Spiral Dance is a sizzling hotplate of timeless electro wizardry.