New releases last four weeks: Electro House

Review: The second album from the Toronto-based Crystal Castles dives headfirst into a more polished pop direction while keeping the razor-sharp edge that made their eponymous debut unforgettable. It sees the duo tightening their sound, swapping the erratic juxtapositions of their first record for a more cohesive and dynamic approach. Tracks like 'Celestica', 'Suffocation' and 'Empathy' blend shimmering synths with biting distortion, striking a balance between beauty and bite. There's no shortage of potential singles here. The rave-tinged 'Baptism'. the hazy allure of 'Not in Love' and the frenetic energy of 'Vietnam' shows their knack for crafting tracks that feel equally at home on dancefloors and in headphones. While the shift toward a poppier sound might seem like a concession, the duo's grit remains intact, with moments like the chaotic 'Doe Deer' and the eerie closer 'I Am Made of Chalk' adding depth and darkness. Ethan Kath's production is layered and inventive, building a world of haunting synths and lo-fi beats, while Alice Glass' vocals morph between distorted whispers and guttural screams. Her versatility shines, avoiding the bratty screamer stereotype and instead presenting a nuanced and unsettling performance. The record's ambition is clear, as Crystal Castles evolve from their 8-bit beginnings into something more expansive and mature. A landmark album from a band who at the time, created a buzz like no other.

Review: Juaan's debut on Kalahari Oyster Cult channels the Argentinian producer's ability to merge gritty, hypnotic house and electro with an unmistakable dark edge. With these four cuts, he expertly navigates a sonic landscape where urgency and allure coexist in perfect harmony. 'O Bianco O Negro' opens with a deep, rolling bassline, leading into acidic bursts and sharp percussive hits. It's a track that demands the dancefloor's attention, moody and relentless. 'Ladron' takes a slightly more sinister turn, with rumbling synths and a touch of tension, while still maintaining Juaan's fluid, dancefloor-driven momentum. Over on the B-side, 'Puntual' drops into an intricate mesh of stuttering rhythms and hypnotic arpeggios, perfect for those late-night sessions. Closing with 'Apego,' he draws the EP to a close with a darkly seductive groove, laced with eerie atmospheres and an unyielding forward motion. Informed by 90s influences but firmly grounded in the present, the EP delivers the kind of atmospheric, high-octane dancefloor heat that's made Juaan a standout talent in the underground scene. It's dark, sleek and perfectly calibrated for the dancefloorian intoxicating blend of funked-out futurism and dystopian allure.