XL Vinyl & CDs

Review: Horrorcore techno titan Blawan is back, making his XL debut under exclusive license from his own Ternesc imprint. A five-tracker of humorous, hellish heat, this new EP careens through only the most impish, wicked sounds. Lead piece 'Under Belly' hears back like an incubus toying with a conjured synthesizer, before a farting electrance breakdown ensues; the as yet unreleased bits 'Gosk' and 'Blika' are no less unnerving.

Review: Blawan is not only the most notable electronic producer to have ever come out of Barnsley (as far as we know, anyway_ but is also one of techno's most relentless innovators. He's done it all from heft, swinging bass to the most caustic and experimental techno. For this one on XL he aims at the club once more. 'Fires' is our pick - an unrelenting, tightly stacked rhythm with alluring vocal hooks swirling up top and weird synth sounds adding even more unusualness.