Back catalogue: Minimal/Tech House

Review: Bicep's second album is shaped by the experience of touring their debut long player for something like three years, a period during which they honed and perfected their instinct for tracks that would stand the test of time and repeated listening. What develops is a distinctive style typified by a combination of ethereal sonics and cheeky, memorable instrumental hooks, only set to a variety of beats that reference and indeed fuse the plethora of different dance genres that have sprung up since the acid house revolution if the mid-80s. So we get everything from the electro-tainted 'X' to 'Rever', where an African choir floats over a subtle deep house shuffle and 'Saku', where UKG bass pressure and skippy beats provide a hypnotic background for Clara La San's sweet but ghostly voice.

Review: Ben Bohmer's upcoming album Bloom marks a significant milestone in his musical journey, offering a reset from the pressures of his previous successes. The album, shows his growth as an artist, emphasising spontaneity and a return to his improvisational roots. The lead single, 'Best Life,' featuring Jonah, explores themes of life's fleeting nature and the importance of cherishing each moment. 'Best Life also represents a sonic departure for Bohmer, signaling his intention to break free from predefined musical boundaries. The album promises a diverse range of styles and tempos, featuring collaborations with artists like Lykke Li, Oh Wonder and Enfant Sauvage. Overall, Bloom appears to be a deeply personal and musically adventurous project that reflects Bohmer's evolution as a musician.

Review: While there are plenty of people rushing to terms like 'tech house' when it comes to Bronson, we're partial to find more fitting descriptions. The ODESZA and Golden Features' producer might be able to deliver something like 'Heart Attack', combining meaty kick drums, lunging low end groove and mournful duet of pitched down and au natural vocals the likes of which we're all familiar with. But there's a lot more than that happening on this debut album. 'Tense' would be a crunching broken techno warehouse job, if it were a little faster, nevertheless its uncompromising beats and gradually building hoovers bring intensity with ease. 'Know Me' takes us somewhere close to future garage, with 'Vaults' picking up from that lead but adding a progressive edge to create a very different, grander atmosphere. A vibe that 'Dawn' masterfully recreates to stadium filling proportions to bring the journey to its conclusion.

Review: Named after the titular character in the Nicolas Winding-Refn movie, Bronson is the new project of Grammy-nominated, Seattle-based duo Odesza with masked Sydneysider Golden Features. Story has it that they first met at a music festival in Australia and formed an instant connection. Years passed by where they collaborated online, until their next meeting in-person where they found a space in a rural area, engaging in open-end jam sessions in an isolated and timeless space. The results appear on their self-titled debut LP for UK label Ninja Tune, which sees the trio 'reflect on their respective needs to challenge personal struggles, both internal and external.'

Review: Floating Points, also known as Sam Shepherd, returns with a new album that pushes his sound even further into exciting new territories. This album, consisting of eight tracks, offers expansive explorations of sounds and grooves, with each piece allowed to develop and evolve over up to eight minutes. Nearly a decade after his acclaimed debut Elaenia, Shepherd continues to blend his experimental inclinations with dancefloor appeal, a fusion that has become a hallmark of his style. Cascade is conceived as a follow-up to Shepherd's rave-reviewed second studio album, Crush from 2019. While Crush introduced listeners to Shepherd's more introspective side, Cascade aims to bring the traditional Floating Points experience back to the dancefloor. Bursting with Buchla rhythms and glitching melodies, it should be more in line with his dance singles. Shepherd describes the album as a continuation, which is reflected in the vibrant artwork by Akiko Nakayamaia colourful sleeve with fluid imagery that mirrors the album's dynamic soundscapes. The album's evocative title, Cascade, suggests movement, beauty and pressure, themes that resonate throughout its paces.

Review: The fifth Flaoting Points album Cascade is a culmination of creative evolution. In late 2022, Shepherd found himself in the California desert, crafting a new sonic journey via his acclaimed Promises, where he ventured into airy dreamscapes with saxophonist Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra, earning a Mercury Prize nomination and a sold-out Hollywood Bowl show in 2023. With Cascade, Shepherd returns to his electronic roots, craving the pulse-racing communion of the dancefloor. This album serves as a sequel to Crush, diving deeper into ravey, experimental realms, unexplored due to lockdown cancellations. Tracks draw inspiration from Manchester's record shops and California's desert landscapes, blending Buchla rhythms and glitching melodies. Shepherd's journey, from orchestral collaborations to laptop productions, underscores his relentless pursuit of innovation.