Phantasy Sound Vinyl & CDs

Review: Terr, the Berlin-based producer, makes electro very noticeably inspired by sci-fi and retrofuturism, with an added sprinkling of cosmic disco to keep things as optimistic (as the former two genres have a habit of being comparatively dystopian) as they need to be. Consciousness As A State Of Matter is a rollicking ride through Terr's manipulably god-playing vision in electro, exploring the concept of consciousness as a physical phenomenon that can be manipulated and transformed. Of course, we don't need this to be spelt out too hard, as Terr's ability to transmute his ideas from potentiated mind-form into real, DAWbound sound is certainly an example of this. Highlights like 'Warp Drive' and 'Final Dance', backed up by dreamy progressions and mysterious vocal contributions, makes this a welcome addition to Erol Alkan's Phantasy Sound label.

Review: A genuinely magical meeting of musical minds, here, as Erol Alkan delivers his interpretations of Chemical Brothers' 'Goodbye', a bleep-speckled slab of soul-seeped electro-breaks first featured on the long-serving duo's 2023 album For That beautiful Feeling. Available in vocal and instrumental mixes, Alkan's revision replaces the pair's electro breaks with a new wave synth-pop-meets-analogue techno groove. Bubbly and melancholic - even more so than the Chems' original version - Alkan's takes also throw in additional lo-fi synth lines, counter melodies and raw, electroclash influenced sounds. It's tasteful and surprisingly poignant whilst still having all the ingredients of a fully fledged peak-time workout.

Review: Daniel Avery's heartfelt tribute to the late, great Andrew Weatherall, the melancholic masterpiece that is 'Lone Swordsmen', was one of the standout tracks on his most recent album, the critically acclaimed Ultra Truth. Here the track returns in remixed form, with Throbbing Gristle's Chris Carter putting his spin on Avery's bittersweet, late-90s style IDM gem. Carter's version is a touch warmer and more percussively up-beat, with Avery's lilting lead lines, poignant melodies and glistening electronic motifs rising above a slipped breakbeat and moody bass. It's an excellent remix all told, and a fine example of how to rework on already excellent track to enhance its key features.