New releases today: Deep House

Review: David Agrella returns on his newly-minted Agrellomatica Records with three fresh interpretations of Robot Romance. Agrella is a DJ, producer and recording artist with a growing reputation as a versatile selector. Showcasing his musical inspirations across genres via his Agrellomatica slot on London radio station Bloop, the first release on his recently launched eponymous imprint gained support from artists including Moxie, Korea Town Acid and Jane Fitz, alongside high praise from the likes of Ransom Note, Vinyl Factory and Bolting Bits. Electric Nostalgia is an utterly addictive track that draws you in right from the start, as swirling synths and subby pads float above crisp breaks. Robot Romance slowly intensifies with fluttering chords that feel weightless, as the even kick drums meet an elastic bassline - providing a propulsive gem. Agrella's Transition Mix of Fallin', which closes the E.P comes with pummeling drums and muscular acidic melodies.

Review: When cult Canadian Akufen (which is, fact fans, a phonetic spelling of acouphene, the French word for tinnitus) releases music, it doesn't hang around long. And it has been that way for decades now. This new one on Ourway will surely keep up that long tradition, offering as it does more timeless house minimalists and studio trickery. 'The Arising Of The Phoenix (In Memory Of Mark Bartissol)' is a deep house groove with heavenly melodic loops that cast your mind free from this world. 'Running Out Of Thyme' offers a wonky, jerking beat to make you move your feet and the pixelated pads of 'Hey, Rube!' bring scintillating texture, while 'Picked Beats' is a darker, dubbier closer.

Review: Canadian producer The Mole, or Colin de la Plante to friends, has been in fine production fettle so far this year, gracing labels as varied as Red Motorbike, Slices Of Life and his own Maybe Tomorrow operation with his distinct brand of tongue in cheek mutant house. History Of Dates marks the long overdue Perlon debut for The Mole and it's celebrated in style as Zip's venerated label call in DJ Sprinkles on remix duties! The title track and "Lockdown Party" line up on the A Side with the latter track a particularly cheeky production, as playground chants sit deep beneath an insouciant house groove. It's this track that Sprinkles remixes, implementing some subtle production additions such as handclaps and playful filtration on the vocal samples which lend the track a different energy as Thaemlitz deftly builds up a killer contemporary disco groove.

Review: Black Key return from a four year hiatus in style, with 4 sublime tracks from Australian ultra deep house don, Planisphere, aka David Swatten. Following an incredibly well received LP on reissue label, For Those That Knoe, Swatten returns here with more expansive, smokey and utterly consuming deep house cuts, stamped with his unique sound but offering a different flavour from his Definitive Transmission LP – one which immediately stands out from the crowd. Being only his third release in 20 years, there's an understandable sense of anticipation around Swatten's output. This release undoubtedly puts Black Key firmly back on the map, picking up their deserved reputation for releasing only the very best deep house, aimed well and truly at the heads.