Back in stock: Techno (All)

Review: ANAZANAUT is a time-bending audio artefact stitched together from decades of disparate sonic moments. With recordings spanning from 1984 to 2024, the techno project feels like a cosmic scrapbook-fragmented memories reborn through meticulous remixing and remastering. From the icy atmospherics of 'Voice on the Air' to the vintage grit of 'Poacher Path (Extended Mix),' these tracks vibrate with echoes of past lives stitched together by a logic only time understands. ANAZANAUT doesn't follow a linear path; it loops, folds, and bends with compelling grooves and myriad occult sounds adding character and curiosity.

Review: Tom Carruthers is a genuine prodigy - a prolific producer of undeniably excellent techno, electro and house music whose expertly authentic nods to dance music's shared part belie his youthfulness. He's released on L.I.E.S in the past but has mostly put out music on his own Non-Stop Rhythm label. Here he makes his bow on the reliable Craigie Knowes imprint with a predictably good four-tracker. Predictably he's delivered the goods, first joining the dots between Joey Beltram, Chiago jack and LFO on 'Rhythm Control (XTC Mix)', before layering mind-mangling analogue electronics atop a heavy TR-909 techno beat on 'Zeta Wave'. 'Revenge' is moody, rolling and hypnotic, while 'Psyche' sees him once again pay tribute to his favourite genre of all, turn-of-the-90s bleep & bass.

Review: Here's an interesting proposition: two new takes on one of Italo-disco's most celebrated tunes, Charlie's throbbing, synthesizer-powered 1983 masterpiece 'Spacer Woman'. Valentino Kanzayani steps up first, delivering an epic, 11-minute interpretation that subtly beefs up the beats and stretches out the spacey, arpeggio-driven groove before finishing on a lengthy, loved-up ambient section. Dana Ruh's flipside remix is a little more revolutionary, with punchy electro beats, a brand new, TB-303 driven bassline and undulating acid lines underpinning deep space chords, slowly shifting electronic motifs and snippets of the original vocal. It's tastefully done and pleasingly different, which is what you want from modern remixes of classic cuts.

Review: Unmatched textural-ambient vibesetters Mood Hut flaunt their aptitude for the style once again, this time presenting the latest five-track EP from Sydney's current-favourite musical HSP, Cousin. The origin story for HomeSoon, a dearth of synaptic reflections and blissful fuzzouts, goes something like this: on his way back from the New Year's rave, Cousin would perambulate all bleary-eyed, finding himself in the midst of a dense Angophora thicket. What followed was a deluge of plant-like eureka moments - ideas coming thick and fast, taking root in both arborescent and rhizomatic fashion - producing the likes of 'Overpass' and 'Muster', all of which present as ever-moving quasi-electronic organisms.

Review: You might well have caught two thirds of Dina Summer lurking around modern minimal wave circles as Local Suicide, but now they're pressing on into further sinister synthscapes as Dina Summer. Following their standout debut LP Rimini in 2022, the trio are back with a seductive new EP that sees them strutting into 2024 with some of their best material to date. The synth hooks on 'Unter Strom' are towering triumphs of pop-minded sound design, with some discernible Italo throb happening in the low end. 'All Or Nothing' is a fierce and formidable peak time slammer, while 'Excess' is the kind of supersized electro-goth workout you'd equally expect from Miss Kittin & The Hacker.

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


Disguised returns to TRSN with an exhilarating EP that includes standout remixes by MYLE (aka Julian Muller) and Levzon. The Berlin-based duo TRSN is admired for their dynamic and hypnotic soundscapes and continues to captivate and find new creative ground here following the success of their debut album and a remarkable first set on Boiler Room earlier this year. Across this 12" you will hear their signature blend of energy and depth, great use of vocal hooks and fine grass of how to get a 'floor in a frenzy.

Review: We love a good studio DJ name and DJ Europarking sure is exactly that. There is just as much fun and irony to his hard-hitting beats on his new EP for UFO Inc. 'What Is What' takes the iconic sample from a Datboy Slim anthem and slams it over some hard techno drums. 'Musicmakers' has dub harmonicas and female rap vocal hooks, more hard-hitting tech drums and some rave-ready synth stabs. 'Penniless Tonight' barrels along at 100 miles an hour with trance-inducing synths up top and 'Level 10 (Princess Vs Bison)' is a final all out dancefloor assault.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve split at the top but otherwise in excellent condition***


The man best known as Convextion assumes his ERP aka Event Related Potential alias for four more next level cuts that find him pushing his electro electronics ever more into the future. 'V/Eight' opens with a melancholic bassline under busy drum programming to get things going. 'Equiponderance' is more complex with squirming electronics, more hefty bass notes and serene background pads adding a third dimension. 'Engine Vibration' is a more gritty mix of busy analogue machinery and star-gazing chords then 'Enfield' closes with optimistic sonics and propulsive bouncy bass to end this cosmic cruise on a high.

Review: The Orbe label keeps it super deep with this new one from Elias Garcia. This is techno for the late-night hours when you're happy to sink way down below the surface and get lost in the magic of hypnotic rhythm. 'Elton' is a perfect opener that soon locks you in and then '8S5H' brings unsettling synth tones that speak of upcoming danger. 'Targeting' is another heady one with minimal elements but maximum cerebral impact and 'Atonement' closes with an eerie kick.

Review: Capybara France returns with its second ever release, splitting a six-track sonic bay between acid house and techno lowriders Guile, Francisco Fresen, F&I, Marcos Coya, Andre Arruda and Raff&rod. All hail from Latin America, for which the rotund marsupial mammal that this label names itself after is likewise the spirit animal. This release pairs a rather arid and minimalist tonal palette with surlier, deeper sonic gateways. Best of the bunch has to be F&I's 'Streets', which blends industrial punk percussions, pitch-drooping dreamatic pads, and street-smart affirmatives in the vocal register.

Review: Figure label head and longtime German techno titan Len Faki is back with another of his powerful two-track remix releases, and again he mixes up a favourite with a more recent gem. They come under his Hardspace alias, which sees Faki craft a deeper, more refined take that pays homage to his formative years while pushing forward with modern precision. Firstly, he reimagines Benjamin Damage's 2013 anthem '010X,' amplifying its soaring chords with jacking percussion and a beefed-up low end that turns the melodic original into a driving club weapon. On the flip, Faki dives into Aquatrax's late-'90s classic 'Stabilize' by adding a hypnotic, dub-infused loop that pulses with subtle detail and immersive energy.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


IO E Palmieri has cooked up the sort of anthemic and festival-friendly techno tune that will be heard all over the world as soon as the sun comes out and the big tops get erected. It has simple but effective rolling beats, some neat and rising melodies and a celestial Italian vocal that will get hands in the air as people march along. Naples-based techno star Debora De Luca then steps up to remix and quickens the groove and tightens up the synths so that are a bit more forceful. It's another effective cut from this big-time circuit favourite.

Review: While not one of Kraftwerk's most celebrated albums, Techno-Pop (known on its original 1986 release as Electric Cafe) has actually stood the test of time rather well - as this re-mastered, re-packaged clear vinyl reissue proves. The A-side suite of 'Boom-Boom-Tchak', 'Techno-Pop' and 'Musique Non-Stop' provides the perfect mix of clanking, metallic electro percussion, addictive melodies and sassy synth-pop sounds. 'House Phone' - an alternative version of 'The Telephone Call' - is also amongst the German band's heaviest, most club-ready cuts, thanks in no small part to Francois Kevorkian's superb mixing. As with the band's other 2020 reissues, this edition also comes packaged with a glossy booklet containing rare and iconic images of the group.

Review: Coorreente Belgium delivers a compelling slice of modern techno with 'Interlink', a four-track compilation that dives deep into rhythmic exploration and sci-fi atmospheres. Each cut offers a unique perspective, yet together they create an excellent and cohesive experience. Orbe's 'Jaxa' kicks things off with a spacey, melodic groove. The track's sci-fi techno aesthetic is underscored by rhythmic intricacies, creating a sense of forward momentum through the cosmos. It sets the tone with a blend of dreamlike melodies and pulsing beats. 'Refraction' by PTTRNRCRRNT follows, venturing into tribal territory with creative, off-kilter rhythms. Alien-esque warning sounds weave through the mix, adding a sense of unease and mystery that keeps listeners on edge. On Side-2, Deluka's 'Axis' plunges into subterranean techno with a deep, hypnotic vibe. Elements of trance filter through crisp production, guiding the listener on a spacey, introspective journey that feels both grounded and ethereal. Jorge Flukso's 'Synaptic' closes the EP with a nod to classic underground techno. Its dynamic, brooding build recalls the raw energy of Surgeon's warehouse bangers. The track's evolving layers and relentless drive create a late-night atmosphere perfect for dark, crowded dance floors. 'Interlink' is a well-curated snapshot of techno's diverse spectrum, balancing the cerebral and the physical with finesse. If you are one that thinks techno has been over-saturated the last decade and that there is no good techno coming out anymore then I would check this EP out.

Review: Hallowed Ground is a six-track compilation that showcases the depth and variety of Detroit Techno, featuring renowned artists and fresh talents alike. Opening with Scan 7's 'Detroit Built The First Techno Museum,' the track sets a sophisticated tone, rooted in the city's rich musical history. Inohs Sivad's 'Sxerendade' follows with a house anthem highlighted by sultry vocals, adding a layer of sensuality. EM-i-Cee's 'Bounce Glxtch' offers a techy groove, providing a perfect transition to the flip side. AUX88's 'This Is What U Want' delivers crunchy electro beats that will resonate with fans of classic Detroit sounds. The compilation continues with Scan 7's 'I Am From Detroit' (Dre Brown remix), a fresh take that keeps the city's spirit alive. Man With No Name's 'Devil His Due' takes listeners on a Drexciyan electro journey, adding an intriguing edge. Scott Avery closes the set with 'Sxerenade' (Low-Key Seduction mix), wrapping up the compilation with a smooth, seductive vibe. Hallowed Ground is a compelling collection for any techno enthusiast.

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


Uruguayan label Eviterno Records makes a striking debut with a split EP featuring esteemed producers Stonem and Elias Sternin, and it's another that makes us take note of what is going on down there in South America. Stonem takes the A-side with two meticulously crafted tech house tracks. 'Banana Afair' energises with deep basslines while 'Jolgorio' fuses acid sequences and intricate drum patterns that embody the Uruguayan groove. On the B-side, Sternin delivers 'Quema Madera,' a hypnotic, acid-driven cut with commanding basslines before closing with 'Acufenos,' a melodic yet intense finale. This debut release has our attention and locked in for what comes next.

Review: Rotterdam-born but Berlin-based producer delivers a killer techno odyssey, crafting a set of deep, cinematic club tracks with an ominous edge. 'Glimmerfall' beings with a subterranean energy, its pounding German beat driving through layers of dystopian synth textures. The raw, mechanical intensity evokes images of vast, industrial landscapes reminding us of classic Tresor-era James Ruskin. 'The Last Glow' follows with a relentless acid assaultiaggressive, hypnotic and unrelenting, its squelching 303s carving out an electrifying, high-pressure groove. Side-B dives into cinematic realms with 'X1 Shift', a track that feels like the soundtrack to a mysterious alien world. Pulsing bass and intricate sound design create a dramatic, tension-filled atmosphere, as if exploring the depths of an uncharted planet. Closing out, 'Synk C' is a stellar production with a killer groove and immersive depth enhanced by meticulous sound processing. It's a track that feels both expansive and tightly controlled, balancing dancefloor power with artistic precision. A dark, gripping record with serious sonic weight, this is techno built for the late hoursimenacing, sophisticated and ultimately unforgettable.

Review: Luigi Tozzi is a revered techno artist who has a pretty special live show. The way he crafts that informs how he records in the studio which means his music always feels lived-in and impromptu - you never quite know how it is going to unfold. This new outing on Hypnos backs that up - it's full of lithe rhythms and dubby undertones, with ever-evolving synth lines up top taking on various aquatic, alien or more organic forms. 'Sentient' sets the scene then 'Amphibia' further trances you out and 'Uterus' rolls ever deeper. 'Reptilian' is a more textured and dark closer.

Review: Wagram is a powerhouse French label that has put out compilations focused on all manner of genres in the last couple of years. It now looks to the most important techno club in its own capital, Rex, for another outing. This is a legendary place where many a DJ career has blossomed and many a historic techno party has happened. Across four sides of vinyl that is captured in fine selections featuring all the artists you would expect from Laurent Garnier to Daft Punk, Jam & Spoon's take on a trance classic to more from th likes of Marcel Dettmann and Chloe.

Review: Wild Planet was originally a duo consisting of Simon J Hartley and Richard Brook who put out a fine debut album on Warp. After that. Hartley became the sole member for a further album on Octave One's Detroit-based 430 West label. This album came first in 1999 and has been fully remastered and sounds better than ever, with three bonus tracks from the original CD version making their vinyl debut. Transmitter captures a distinct blend of raw, warm and futuristic Detroit electro and techno that ranges from deep machine funk to atmospheric synth work. It's a shining example of Motor City innovation at its peak. Do not sleep.

Review: This is a highly sought-after slice of 90s Detroit techno well cherished by those who like machine soul and siren futurism from the Motor City. It is now reissued, so those who consider it a holy grail are sure to rejoice as it has also been smartly remastered and features two remixes that were never officially released, with only a limited number of white label copies originally distributed as promos by 430 West. 'Vocoder' glistens with cosmic synths that twinkle like distant stars over a rubber, bouncy bassline. Remix 1 is more dark and rugged, and remix 2 has a heftier low end and more snap in the drums. It all makes for high class mind and body music.