New releases last eight weeks: Techno (All)

Review: Imperieux - or Alper Durmush to use the Bulgarian-raised, Berlin-based producer's real name - is not one to follow the crowd, as his debut CD on the always excelling Macro label testifies. He's clearly versed in a number of electronic sub-sets, from breakbeat to techno and bass music, but the ten tracks here follow very much their own path. Not that it's some way-out-leftfield experiment. Durmush clearly knows how to construct a decent groove - see the gliding opener 'Fo Pio'. Our favourite? Possibly the choppy breaks of 'Almost Had It', or the sheer hypnotics of 'Phase Rotation'. But there's no weak links here, just a producer well versed in the spectrum of dance production and, even more importantly, how to make it work for him.

Review: A poignant and triumphant new chapter for the legendary Brum techno icons, hot on the heels of the reissue of their seminal 2010 album Feed Forward and a year of live shows and archival releases. Its creation is rooted in the tragic passing of Juan Mendez, aka Silent Servant, in early 2024. A founding member and visual artist for the group, Mendez's influence resonates throughout the record, with the title End Beginnings serving as a tribute to his enduring legacy. The eight-track album, crafted by Regis and Function alongside collaborators like Rrose, Rivet, Simon Shreeve and Sarah Wreath, embodies a balance of cinematic depth and dancefloor impact. Tracks like 'Dreaming' weave layered rhythms with atmospheric melodies and elastic vocals, while organic elements peek through Sandwell's signature grit. Rrose's contribution to 'Self-Initiate' amplifies this intensity, with low sirens and urgent percussion creating a bubbling, hypnotic effect. 'Hidden,' is a warehouse anthem, drenched in acid-drenched lines and crisp, menacing percussion. Its dark energy and meticulously fine-tuned production signal the collective's evolved direction while honoring the spirit of innovation and rebellion central to their ethos. End Beginnings is more than an album; it's a moving tribute to Mendez and a new start to Sandwell District's enduring commitment to techno as both an art form and a source of joy.