9Finity Vinyl & CDs

Review: The third release on Secretsundaze’s 9FINITY imprint sees Naarm/Melbourne producer DJ Life return to the fold with another batch of psychedelic club tools, balancing UK bass pressure with trippy minimal finesse. ‘Utility’ jolts things into motion with snaking low-end and warped FX, slipping in and out of jagged tech shapes. The sparring synth jolts of ‘Electrolyte’ feel more frenetic, its thwacking groove and dubby vocal chops making for a proper headrush. On the flip, ‘Breathe’ trades upfront energy for depth, layering smoked-out subs beneath lattices of percussion. ‘Stay Playful’ edges toward tribal house but keeps its sci-fi freakiness intact. Digital bonus ‘Love Sensation’ eases the tension with clipped garage swings and pearly pads—a welcome curveball.

Review: Since 2019, Taylor Freels - best known for his work as Urulu - has used the Liquid Earth alias to explore the more psychedelic side of his dancefloor influences, frequently doffing a cap to 1990s acid, breaks and progressive house. This time round, you'll hear some of those inspirations, but also nods to the early days of UK garage. For proof, check 'Handy Boy (Casa de Mama Remix)', where cut-up r&b vocal snippets and mind-mangling electronics ride am Armand Van Helden style 'dark garage' groove, and the psychedelic acid-goes-4/4 UKG madness of 'Big Nik's Speed Garage'. They heady and intoxicating hybrid flavours continue on 'Lick of Life (Just A Little Mix)' - all weird noises, odd samples, acid lines and speed garage drums - while 'Clubber's Exit' sits somewhere between weighty Detroit electro and nu-skool breaks.