Exit Vinyl & CDs

Review: The latest EP by EVA808 is a bold departure from their emotionally intense past work. This new project, released on Exit Records, channels an eccentric, energetic vibe designed specifically for the club scene. The opening track, 'Let's Be Havin U,' defies easy categorisation, blending a unique tempo that feels both slow and fast. It caught the attention of Exit's Darren aka dBridge, who eagerly signed it, much to the artist's surprise and delight. Inspired by observations of club-goers too out of it to enjoy the music, the artist aimed to create tracks that make a statement on dancefloor culture. Tracks on this EP were road-tested in Reykjavik and Bristol, where their dynamic impact became cleariespecially during a memorable performance at Thekla, where the intensity of the music literally made the ceiling leak. The EP's sound is crafted using a mix of hardware, outboard gear, and creative sampling techniques, and from resampled teeth biting to gum chewing, the artist brings a tactile, unconventional approach to percussion and textures. Recommended.

Review: Onetime halftime exclusivist Fixate has set his sights on new temporal horizons. 'Conundrum' is one such dance musical venture, clocking in at a rough 130ish BPM while also securing enough of an atmospheric likeness to earlier releases so as to remain Fixated on the same vibe. A six-track mini-album debuting on the artist's resident Exit Records, 'Conundrum' flaunts a formerly undisclosed affection for house, electro and techno; in the artist's own words, "I made these tracks to fit into my own DJ sets, bridging the gap between tempos when playing out." Functional intentions do often still lead to excessively wicked results and the tracks here all provide a serious underfoot scalding, their 808 snares and underhand grimey melodies sure to make you hoo, hah, suck teeth and dance.

Review: Exit Records wraps up its 100 series with EXIT100 Pt. Four, featuring an eclectic line-up of cutting-edge beats, drum & bass, techno and experimental tracks. Curated by label boss dBridge, it embodies Exit's forward-thinking ethos that brings together some of the most inventive names in the scene. From Tasha & Cadans' 'Soft Grimness' to Freedom Engine's atmospheric 'Welcome to the Pharmacy,' each track showcases a unique approach to the electronic dance scene. This final instalment perfectly represents Exit's progressive sound and vision, celebrating a legacy while firmly looking to the future.

Review: A seamless blend of bass-driven soundscapes and emotive intricacy unfolds across this five-strong remix collection. 'Patient' is euphoric and melodic, bass music meeting orchestral beauty in a stunning interplay. Following it, Hold Me A Bit Longer (Ehua remix) sees the broken beat aesthetic exploding with jittery, cut-up keyboard edits, crafting a fragmented yet catchy rhythm, before Sinistarr's mix of 'Divinity' offers an ambient and atmospheric dive into lush, beautiful textures. Flipping to Side-2, listeners are greeted with R&S alumni Synkro offering up a downtempo version of 'Birth' that balances growling basslines and ethereal vocals, enhanced by delicate piano notes. 'Prayer' (Itoa remix) closes proceedings with a slow-churning groove, blending techno influences with inventive twists, resulting in a hypnotic and creative sonic experience.