New releases last eight weeks: Minimal/Tech House

Review: CYAN85's PRZ 7SEVEN EP is a vibrant journey through the realms of tech house, filled with lively grooves and inventive beats that bring a fresh energy to the genre. Side-1 opens with 'Don't Phone Me', a track that effortlessly reintroduces fun into tech house. It's lively, energetic, and groovy, with positive vibes carried by infectious keys. 'Cocolint Dreams' follows, a melodic gem that leans into hi-tech jazz, offering a beautiful, dreamy soundscape that stands out with its lush textures. On Side-2, 'Thriller' takes a sleazier, more futuristic turn with a herky-jerky beat that's both catchy and unpredictable. It's a track that grabs attention with its off-kilter rhythm and edgy vibe. 'TST' then brings minimal tech with house elements, delivering a stylish and bouncy groove that's perfect for the dancefloor. Closing the EP, 'JD800 Nonstop' merges groovy tech with New Order-esque drum patterns, creating a balanced and dynamic finale that bridges classic and modern influences. PRZ 7SEVEN is a masterful blend of fun, groove, and innovation in tech house.

Review: James Priestley has always been known as one half of Secretsundaze but is now the sole artist working under that moniker after parting ways with Giles Smith. Here he branches out with a new label 9FINITY which takes its name from his young daughter's mispronunciation of 'infinity'. He says the name aims to capture the label's MO, which is to offer up "no-nonsense, discerning dance records from artists at the vanguard of modern club music." The first outing is a fine various artists collection with Eoin DJ's 'Red Rubber Roses' going deep yet driving, DJ Life twists melons with his cyborg house stomper, Luca Attanasio explores a futuristic tech house sound with a killer bassline, Coffintexts lays down filthy bass and Latinx club sounds and E-Talking cruises through the cosmos with some turbocharged prog-techno. Superb.

Review: GAEG, featuring Monkey Timers and Keita Sano, brings a vibrant mix of sounds on Anarcho Disco Vol 2, a heady blend of wide ranging influences. Side-1 starts off with 'Fountain,' an exhilarating track that merges Italo house, post-disco, and leftfield house elements into a fresh and dynamic sound. It's a track that immediately draws you in with its energetic and eclectic mix. 'Blue Fusion' continues the momentum, offering a similarly bold approach that showcases the duo's flair for blending genres. Side-2 opens with 'Brother,' a standout with its wild drumming and distinctive house vibe, creating a track that feels both innovative and unpredictable. 'Crazy Pa Pa' wraps things up with a psychedelic touch, using varied sampling and unique effects to craft a subversive sound that's both vintage and anarchic. If you are looking for something unqiue, Anarcho Disco Vol 2 is perfect for anyone seeking a fresh, adventurous house music experience.

Review: Cheese Tricks Vol 1: Honey & Cheese Combo EP on Secret Feta is a diverse collection that brings together four distinct tracks, each offering something unique for fans of old skool techno styles and sounds. Side-1 begins with Multivers's 'Mess Around,' a track that channels the iconic sound of Orbital with its chimes and techno-driven, otherworldly atmosphere. It's a journey into the unknown, perfect for setting a mysterious tone. Following that, Syntelman's '3h Kh' blends techno with early Psy-trance influences, creating a hypnotic experience that pulls from the roots of both genres. Side-2 kicks off with Peshka's 'Your Behind,' a big, melodic track designed for dancefloor destruction. Its ravey breakbeat elements give it a nostalgic yet fresh feel, making it a surefire crowd-pleaser. Aqua's 'Pleasure' wraps up the EP with a groovy breakbeat that's both infectious and smooth, keeping the energy flowing - and the bassline is particularly deadly. A well-rounded selection that caters to a variety of tastes.

Review: Riviera's early momentum continues here with a punchy four-tracker from six on-point artists. Lewis Taylor kicks off with 'Non Stop' which is a straight up and funky peak time then pumper with bright chords and plenty of fun in the atmosphere, Cult keeps the energy high with 'Total Kill' and X Coast & DJ RaDa then offer the acid-laced and turbocharged bass stomps of 'Come Together.' LIL NASSTY then flips the script with some sleazy trap beats with menacing bars and futuristic synth patterns on 'Get It Up So' and DJ Pacifier shuts down with some high-speed ghetto-tech in the form of the relentless 'Fried Again.'

Review: microCastle's second release of 2024 sees Upercent return to the label with another great new EP. Since his debut in 2011, the Valencia-based artist has developed a unique style of electronic futurism with an experimental approach and often fresh creative vision. As such he has become one of the standout artists of the past decade and his first microCastle release, 2018's Vuit, marked the label's second vinyl project and featured contemporary club tracks and innovative sound explorations. Persevere continues with his signature aesthetic with tracks like 'Oracle', 'As It May See', 'Cult', and 'Blau Cel' offering immersive grooves and imaginative soundscapes.