Juno Recommends Electro: February 2025

Review: Egyptian Lover has been kicking out the jams now for a full four decades. His famously hardware-driven sound is pure bay-popping perfection and has seen him define and redefine electro many times over. Staying true to his signature 80s west-coast electro sound, his new album 1987 echos classics of his like 'Egypt, Egypt' and Thebes of them all, 'I Need a Freak', by blending signature Roland 808 beats with Kraftwerk and hip-hop influences. He's a veteran at this stage, but he still moves a floor like few others can.

Review: The perfect mix of "cheeky" and "darkside" best describes this latest signing by electroclash figurehead The Hacker to Rekids, emulsifying two oppositely-humoured vibe mixers, like pink and green, horror and comedy. 'Turborave' and 'Harmonia' stir the pot from different points of view; the former uses pitched-down orchestral stabs, and the latter fires off laser-powered globs against cosmic, final-hurrah synths. The latter track, especially, is commendable for its squelch control, with said lasers firing at a ballistically variable harmonic frequencies in the breakdown; miraculously, all angles are housed in a slinky sonic wire casing, carefully conducted to tempt us to, but ultimately not, blow a fuse.

Review: A double A-side featuring 'RESIST!' and 'I Keep on Making the Same Mistake', Ghost Assembly's latest offering is less a release and more a protest on wax. Abigail Ward, the force behind Ghost Assembly, has crafted two distinct yet complementary tracks that pulse with raw energy and emotional depth. 'RESIST!' (Extended 12" Mix) is a primal scream against the injustices of the world. This 111bpm acid track is a visceral call to arms, primed for ALFOS and Optimo crowds. Think of it as a sonic Molotov cocktail: squelching 303s intertwine with a driving 707 beat, while unexpected bursts of Arabic melody add an intriguing layer of texture. It's like DJ Pierre jamming with Omar Souleyman in a Berlin basement. A fragmented vocal sample adds to the urgency, culminating in an icy string coda. The 'Utter Kunt Mix' of 'RESIST!' takes a detour into dub territory. It's a stripped-down, bass-heavy reimagining that draws inspiration from Sleng Teng rhythms. It's a hypnotic, almost meditative experience, where echoes of the Mission Impossible theme collide with the playful energy of Les Negresses Vertes and the raw sampling aesthetic of 'Duck Rock'. It's unexpected, yet strangely compelling. 'I Keep on Making the Same Mistake' (120bpm), on the other hand, explores the darker recesses of the human heart. It's a cinematic journey through heartbreak and regret. A glacial breakbeat provides the backdrop for a mournful bassline that tugs at the heartstrings. Hazel Grove's haunting vocals are fragmented and distorted, adding to the sense of unease, before being consumed by a wave of melancholic strings. A fleeting French voiceover adds a final touch of poignancy. The release concludes with a stripped-back string-a-pella version, a haunting reminder of the track's emotional core.

Review: For the fourth release in the electro-acid V/A series 'The Electro Guilde', Zodiak Commune present a three-split 12" from the combined forces of Johnfaustus, Akkaelle and AXIS3340, with a doombound selection of ominous tunes in the style. 'Deimos' and 'Dione' are Johnfaustus' opening odysseys and the latter especially blindsides us with its strained synth strings and trepidatiously tuned sixteenths. B-sider 'The Plants Move' is pitiless by comparison, annihilating everything in its path with bodying impacts and piquant pluck-slips; 'Ashes', on the close, incorporates guttural, stretchy sound design below a skeletal, atrial mix over and above.

Review: Funky, understated, unserious deep house then electro from Lazer Man, taking after many a swung and gleeful retro urban dance musical styling. The Lyon native opts for melodic sostenuti and flashy textures, with flickering snare-snaps and freewheeling electro house motifs nailing moods of ostentation and fur-lined pomp. Maximised to a crazed, glitching extent, the breakdown on 'Bip Bip' is a refreshing technical detour, recalling glitch-garage peers such as Ardisson in dialogue with sugar-rushing complextro jerks. Leopard-print, Speedo'd hip thrusts are invoked on 'Boogie Down', while Atree brings talkboxing, bitcrushed anticipation on their closing remix.

Review: A captivating exploration of Finland's underground electro scene from the late 90s to the early 00s, showcasing 12 rare and previously unreleased tracks. It unveils a fiercely DIY-driven movement that blossomed far from Europe's electronic centers with its raw, innovative energy that has since been overlooked. The collection opens with two tracks from the early 90s, including B-Rock and the collaboration between Mika Vainio and Jaakko Salovaara, setting the tone for the album's eclectic journey. Highlights include the unreleased early work of Mr. Velcro Fastener, brimming with robotic charm, and dark electro cuts from Decepticons and Dr. Robotnik, whose minimal wave influences stand out. Another gem is the extended track by Jori Hulkkonen, originally a promo-only release, alongside Markus & Kristian's cult-classic take on Kraftwerk's 'The Model'. Industrial beats from Feng Shui feat. Monsieur and gritty bass-driven anthems from Imatran Voima pay tribute to the era's diverse sounds. The compilation also delves into Finland's demoscene roots with primitive synth explorations from Spektor and Tero that revel in the early days of digital hardware. Liner notes from curator Erkko Lehtinen and artwork by Ed Cheverton complete the package, preserving the raw underground energy of a vital moment in electronic music.

Review: DMX Krew is an artist who will always get electro lovers excited. His levels of quality are rarely surpassed and he is always pretty busy too. This time he links with DVDE on the fledgling House of Underground label for a deep take on his signature sound. 'Set Free (feat Robert Owens)' has the tones of Chicago house royalty and soft acid, lush bells and languid grooves. 'Lost In Music' also has Owen on it, this time chopped up with a darker groove. 'Gangster Acid' slows down and brings 80s Windy City claps to a frosted bassline and 'Madness Of Rhythm' is an early techno banger with wiry synth madness.

Review: For many artists the world over, the Castlevania anime, game and manga franchise is a huge source of inspiration. What's not to love about superhuman vampires and vampire hunters represented in gothic anime style? Here the UK producer Richer dedicates his latest EP for REM/Voyage to the series, by way of a four-track trans-Sylvanian-formation, through haunting self-dubbed vocals, eerily emulant gothic new wave percussions, and phasers set to a discernibly house and techno stun. Best on this bloodthirsty haul has to be the alternate take of 'Delomelanicon', which, through its preternatural pad harmonics and faint chain rattling sounds, plays back with the same sense of mistily cloaked drama as is best conveyed in a first edition copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Review: A five-track EP of pure dancefloor bangers from Hermeth, the enigmatic Valencian-raised, Swiss-based artist. It's a potent blend of breakbeat, techno, house and dubstep, showcasing Hermeth's signature sound - a dynamic fusion of styles that defies categorisation. Tracks like 'Bababoy' and 'Fvck War' are guaranteed to ignite dancefloors with their infectious energy and pulsating rhythms, while '10Min' and 'P*ta Que Pariu' delve into deeper, more hypnotic territories. The EP also features a remix from Ben Pest, adding another dimension to Hermeth's already captivating sound, and with its blend of saturated breaks and ghetto vibes, this release is a must-have for those who like their music raw, energetic and undeniably funky.

Review: DJ Sotofett is one of those producers who operates on his own plane. His sounds are like no other, his ideas are weird and wonderful and his execution is always exceptional. He is a producer who does things in his own playful way and that bears out on this new 12-track album. It's couched in electro with 80s Nintendo console vibes and a fusion of analogue and digital synthesis that makes for a jubilant celebration. Along the way, things shift from acid-infected beats and catchy electronic pop to avant-garde electro cuts. Vital stuff.

Review: The sixth album from Radioactive Man aka former Weatherall collaborator Keith Tenniswood, written amid a whirlwind of international touring,. 'Under The Counter' sets the tone with its soft, gleaming textures and deep bass. From there, the album dives into a vibrant mix of styles, from the slap bass funk of 'See Above' to the dense techno of 'Colourful Language'. But there's more than bangers. 'Sinkhole', for example, a collaboration with Suade Bergemann featuring vocals from Ali Love and Chloe Raunet, provides a poignant counterpoint with its melancholic melody. This triple 12" package, released on Tenniswood's own label, is a journey through UK rave, breakbeat and Detroit techno, all filtered through the lens of a master electro craftsman.

Review: Harlem, the Stockholm-based duo, return with an eight-track exploration of dark, pulsating electronics. Drawing on influences ranging from King Tubby's dub to Robert Hood's minimal techno, they craft a sound that defies easy categorisation. Echoing the no wave dissonance of early ESG and the industrial edge of Cabaret Voltaire, they fuse these disparate elements into a potent sonic cocktail. 'Shut Your Body' opens with a muscular intensity reminiscent of Nitzer Ebb, its driving rhythms and gritty textures setting the stage. 'Fantasy Scan' picks up the pace, a dancefloor-ready jam that recalls Underground Resistance's hypnotic grooves. 'Blow By Blow' channels a nihilistic energy, its sparse arrangement and spoken-word vocals evoking the cold wave sounds of Kas Product. The B-side continues the sonic exploration with 'Dummy Up', a track that evokes the frenetic energy of a cult gathering, its electro and body influences recalling the darker side of the 80s underground. 'Sleuth' takes a more introspective turn, its repetitive grind suggesting a relentless search for the unknown. 'Contact High' brings back the seductive energy, its dancefloor-ready rhythms and infectious melodies reminiscent of early Detroit techno. The album closes with 'Wiggle Walker', a melancholic track that suggests a journey into the unknown. Harlem's music is a thrilling ride through a landscape of sonic extremes, a sonic experience that is both exhilarating and unsettling. Visceral but thought-provoking, this is a potent blend of genres and influences that defies expectations.

Review: The legendary German producer behind such mythical techno names like Acid Jesus and Alter Ego delivers an eclectic exploration of electro and acid with 'Pan Sonic Youth'. This release shows his ability to create genre-bending soundscapes and analogue textures, each of the four mixes offering a unique perspective on the original. Side-1 starts with the acid version which is a deep, addictive dive into heavily drenched acid sounds. Harnessing the spirit of 80s electro, its bold, immersive energy demands attention. The original version follows, delivering strong electro rhythms and a sharp, immediate impact. Both versions are sure to wow any listener. Side-2 opens with the drone version, where heavily processed analogue tones create a dense, experimental atmosphere. Jorn's 'Thee Church Ov Acid House Balearic Mix' reimagines the track as a chill-out anthem, blending beachy vibes and lounge influences while retaining the original's spirit. Closing the release, the 'Sampledica Dub' deconstructs the original into abstract fragments, offering a more avant-garde, interpretive take. Wuttke's ability to create so many different versions of one track is truly amazing in itself, and add the extra demension that a true veteran brings and you have one unmissable piece of vinyl.

Review: Mr. De's debut full-length album, originally from 2000, is only now reaching a wider audience thanks to Submerge, the distribution arm of Underground Resistance. Electronic Funkysht* blends funk, rap, soul, electro and techno with vocal and instrumental tracks that define Detroit's cutting-edge sound. Mr. De claims to have invented Detroit ghettotech with his classic 'Throw,' which is featured here, alongside 19 tracks packed with nasty basslines and hard-hitting drums as well as some signature D-Town bold lyrics. Highlights include 'Sex On The Beach 2000,' 'Give It Up' and the Prince-inspired 'Friday Night' all delivering raw, XXX-rated energy.

Review: Cosmic Tribe presents a reimagining of Calagad 13's acclaimed album with a collection of remixes from a stellar cast of underground artists. Erhalder's take on 'Unconscious Self' sets the tone with its driving techno energy, while Wicked Wes' remix of 'S-Cape' adds a touch of hypnotic darkness. Creasol's reinterpretation of 'Non-Duality' injects a pulsating acid vibe, while Alien Rave's remix of the same track explores a more atmospheric and ethereal soundscape. Cliff Dalton's mix of 'Chaos' is a high-energy stomper and 5zyl closes out the release with a deep and dubby take on 'Non-Duality'. This compilation is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the underground electronic music scene, offering a fresh perspective on Calagad 13's original work and showcasing the diverse talents of the remixers involved.

Review: Captain Barbatus D. Wreckords' journey started on the label's first release and carries on with aplomb in Episode 2, "where the pirate sails through The New World." In this sophomore outing, the mystery of the 'Void Century' unfolds and is brought to life through the sound of two seasoned Neapolitan sailors, Luigi and Andrea, aka Two Opposites. They infuse the tale with Italian romanticism by blending trance-infused electro with haunting sirens and secret government whispers. In short, this is a nice storytelling EP of well-designed electro.

Review: Inhuman (but not inhumane) electro-techno from Kafkactrl, bringing moods of faceless robo-bureaucracy to the Spanish label Another Perspective. Highlights on this cryosonic clatterer include the Modular K collaboration 'Weird Particules', an inner isolation chamber packed with overactive reagents, and Alonzo's version of 'Kuramoto Model', whose muddied UR-style hits resound like mechy hand-claps, as chaotic bass gunfire unloads itself across a traipsing mix.

Review: Barcelona's 22Recordings mark a curveball with Nativo's new release, moving away from their trademark darkness and ever further into playful and melodic, if still diatonic, sounds. Patently led by the drum machine and the step sequencer, the rising producer Nativo flexes their chops across five tracks of varying speed and tenacity, all of which cross between an intuitive pastiche of dark Italo on one spectral end, and pure outsider house music on the other. The mood is gruff but clownish; it's as if your local fairground had been overtaken by vampire bats and bloodthirsty goths. Closer 'Onivia' is the only moment of respite, bringing an impressive substrate of arpeggios to an overall final-shebang feel.

Review: Wiesbaden, Germany-born Florian Kupfer has spent the last decade exploring around the edges of the dancefloor with hugely evocative sounds that are always much more than mere tools. This latest mad-limited 12" is another doozy that opens with the menacing and mechanical rhythms of 'Sidelined' topped with eerie spoken word loops. 'Integrating The Shadow' is a more rugged electro rhythm with hissing hi-hats sweeping through the mix and downbeat chords adding a touch of melancholy. 'Unmasked' gets dark, dirty and messed up for those 5am wig-outs and 'Severed Lines Of Communication' is a hypnotic roller alive with static electricity.

Review: The Abstract Eye often works live and crafts tunes in one take, and that MO is the idea behind this new collection. It features plenty of hard-to-define sounds from over the last ten years, many of them with a cosmic synth outlook and raw analogue drums. 'Skyfather' is a real eye opener with its sense of mystic cosmic wonder, 'Real Myths' fizzes bring as burning phosphorus and 'A Yearning Feeling' is more paired back and introspective with jittery drums and electro rhythms all soothed by the melancholic synth work.

Review: Quinoa Cuts's fourth release combines some smart nostalgia with plenty of modern innovation. Side A opens with two analogue-driven tracks reminiscent of the 80s synth-wave era, so rich with electro-inspired nuances that evoke a bittersweet and rather romantic atmosphere. It transports you to a dreamlike, neon-lit past then Side B takes a darker, more introspective turn by exploring shadowy, progressive sounds. These haunting tracks come with deep, emotional layers and show Marvin to be quite the producer.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


'Lords Of Miami' is a fantastic name for this new one from Domesticated, a label run by one of Berlin's best electro aficionados, Robyrt Hecht. Sshadess, The Coomers, Girlcop and Emscho Shoshe each contribute original cuts ranging from the janky to the smooth, with choice bits like 'Carbonara' remaining unpretentious and not-too-produced, yet also peppery on the glitches. Shoshe's 'Give Up' lends an experiment to vocal booty house too, adding an extra creep factor to the genre with freq-scooping phasers on the sample.