Back in stock: Leftfield

Review: Unusual Systems returns with their seventh release, a 12" single with sides shared between pushers Corp and Cavalry Stone. Traversing the wastes of bolshy Italo and new beat, and lending both an apocalyptic flair, opener 'The End Of The Days' seems to sonically describe as much through its use of massive gate-snares, janky ascendant riffs and trancelike string-n-stab breakdowns. The Bside is brought up rawly and raggedly by Spanish duo Cavalry Stone, who match the A's eerie melodic aura with a similarly strange lo-fi electro cut, sounding originally bound for cassette.

Review: A three-track journey through meticulously crafted linear techno. Kicking off with the title song, the sci-fi groove, pulsates with a hypnotic energy perfect for main floors in the techno club. The production feels futuristic yet grounded, drawing listeners into a deep, atmospheric rhythm. On the flip side, 'Engine' intensifies the vibe with its crisp, addictive production. The track evokes an alien world, its steady beat anchored by sharp, precision-driven elements that build a sense of both tension and release. Closing with 'Cali', the EP takes a detour into ambient territory, offering a spacey, atmospheric experience. This one has you feeling like drifting through the cosmosiits sounds evoke a sense of weightless movement, accompanied by abstract noises that conjure imagery of space junk and distant space flights. Each track offers a different layer of sonic exploration.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Ghost Dubs aka. Michael Fiedler returns to pile on the Pressure. Following recent acclaim-gatherer Damaged, this extension of the LP further serves to distend the dub, surveying and excavating fossil-rich terrains of soiled bass and coarse texture. Six reconstructed dub reformations, only two tracks, ';Chemical Version' and 'Wired Version', were previously available digitally; both introduce the record as warped yet unassuming undercuts, ripe for the meditating-to. 'Thin Dub' dissolves the mood into an echo-drenched texture; the track is marked by an up-down, contradistinct set of tuned impacts. 'Dub Craft', meanwhile, snatches the crown for most subby tune of the year.

Review: Q Lazzarus was always going to be a good fit for the cult synth and cold wave crew, Dark Entries, and so it proves here with this overdue debut. Diane Luckey was born in 1960 in New Jersey and created her iconic moniker while living in NYC's East Village. Her breakout moment came after meeting director Jonathan Demme during a 1986 snowstorm; he was captivated by her demo playing in her taxi. Their encounter led to the unforgettable inclusion of 'Goodbye Horses' in Silence of the Lambs. Despite its cult status, Luckey and collaborator William Garvey remained largely overlooked but surely that will change now as they offer up five unreleased tracks that have been newly mixed from original master tapes.

Review: Bonafide and veteran Japanese house legend Satoshi Tommie is back with a second taste of his upcoming new album Magic Hour alongside a selection of fine remixes. First is a Freund der Familie Reshape of 'N01' which is deep, atmospheric and mid tempo techno, while the album's title cut then becomes a swamp, deep, menacing rework from Andrey Pushkarev. Freund der Familie Rewire Fix of 'Phase Space' makes it into a deft, loopy, stuttering workout for the mind and the Satoshi Tommie's Alternate Cut of 'Fast Track' is a killer slow track steeped in dub dynamics.

Review: Volksmusik's Underground is a captivating release on Unusual Systems, featuring five dance tracks that fuse various darker subgenres into a compelling electro house hybrid. The album explores dark wave, EBM, and electro techno, creating a unique sonic experience. Side-1 opens with 'Underground,' an uptempo track with a darker Italo house feel that captures an 80s futuristic vibe. Following is 'The Force,' a dynamic piece with engaging lyrics that blend a Nu-Romantic vibe reminiscent of Visage. Side-2 begins with 'Glowing In The Dark,' maintaining the album's dark and atmospheric tone. 'Snake Island' shifts towards a darker rock sound, verging on Goth rock, adding variety to the album's texture. Closing the release is 'We Danced,' which infuses an EBM edge, rounding out the collection with its energetic and intense rhythm. Underground stands out for its innovative blend of genres, making it a great release for fans of dark, electro-infused dance music.