Ziger – Control [ICONYC] Ziger returns to John Johnson's ICONYC with the much anticipated 'Control'. The Greek artist got the year underway with a well received remix of Juan Deminicis for Clubsonica Records before collaborating with Spanish star D-Formation on the powerful ‘Purge’. Now fresh off a remix of DJ AroZe for his Eat My Hat imprint, Ziger lands back on ICONYC with a new single alongside a remix from Abstraal. Continuing his affinity for crafting peak time creations, Ziger is on the money once again with 'Control'. Backed by a massive, machine gun style groove it's astral arps and tough percussion immediately create a dramatic tone. Advancing the narrative are trailing effects and a hazy atmospheric glow, before the main break adds hopeful harmonics as sizzling modulation cues a storming finale. Massive stuff from Ziger once again. The lone interpretation of 'Control' is provided by Abstraal who make their label debut here. The French duo call Natura Viva and Family Piknik home while also Read More
Etherwave – Pathfinder | Blue Noah [Clubsonica Records] The latest release from Clubsonica Records welcomes Etherwave to the label for his debut EP. Currently in the early stages of his electronic music journey, a unique amalgamation of progressive house and melodic techno quickly set the UK artist apart. Well received by his contemporaries and tastemakers alike, 2019 was highlighted by releases on RunAfter Records and Extravaganza. Now embarking on the most anticipated project of his young career, Etherwave debuts on Clubsonica with 'Pathfinder | Blue Noah' alongside remixes from DJ Fronter and Paul Angelo and Don Argento. Beginning with 'Pathfinder' Etherwave crafts a proper slice of astral techno. Sitting at the heart of the piece is a tightly wound groove and a charged rhythmic core. Pensive and intriguing, its arcane nature is inviting as melancholic tones, astral arps and icy overlays make for an incredibly heady journey. The storyboard becomes fully realized during the main break, melting down to a collage of vocal edits and cosm Read More
Alec Araujo – Manija [Dopamine White] The latest from Nikko.Z's Dopamine White welcomes Alec Araujo to the label for his debut single. With a long history in progressive music, the Brazilian artist has earned the praise of Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren and Paul Oakenfold over the course of his thirteen-year career. Releases on Balkan Connection, Global Underground, Particles and Plattenbank sit prominently in his discography. Now making his first appearance on Dopamine White Alec presents his latest studio creation 'Manija' alongside a remix from NAHS and DJ Paul. Beginning with the original mix Alec works neatly detailed percussion over a bed of rolling beats and buzzing bass stabs. Hazy atmospheres drift, creating an air of anticipation as rhythmic hooks and ghostly sweeps fill in the framework. Smooth yet powerful, the narrative evolves with phasing overlays and hopeful pads carrying into a short but timely break, perfectly resetting the groove for an exhalating finale. The lone interpretation of Manija' is provid Read More
D-Nox & Beckers – Bitter Rain [Beat Boutique] Beat Boutique celebrates their 100th release with a new single from D-Nox & Beckers. Founded in 2014 by Israeli producer DJ Zombi, Beat Boutique has forged a path to melodic house excellence, building an impressive roster of veteran artists while nurturing new and exciting talent along the way. Now commemorating their 100th release in style they welcome D-Nox & Beckers back to the label with 'Bitter Rain', alongside remixes from Cid Inc and Nico Morano. As one of electronic music’s most beloved duos, Germany’s D-Nox & Beckers have continued to thrill fans with both cutting edge music and enlightening DJ sets. Releases on Bedrock Records, Selador and Sudbeat Music, coupled with appearances at the world’s largest festivals have made the duo a favourite amongst their fans and contemporaries. Now returning to Beat Boutique for the third time they present the immaculately crafted 'Bitter Rain'. Groovy and musical in equal measure, it's effervescent acid lines and charming chord s Read More
GIOKA – Noa EP [Dreamlife] The inaugural release on Dreamlife finds label owners Kamilo Sanclemente and Giovanny Aparicio unveiling their new GIOKA alias. With an ethos centred around deep organic house, the Colombian artists start a new journey with the inception of Dreamlife. Backed by a freeform concept, the label looks to nurture new talent, while also playing host to select industry veterans. Now embarking on their debut release it seems only appropriate that Kamilo and Giovanny launch the imprint with a three track showcase from their new GIOKA project. Both Kamilo and Giovanny are much loved for their exploration of all things progressive minded but now begins a new chapter in deeper, organic sound with GIOKA. The meeting of two such creative minds is always an exciting prospect and they deliver three stunning pieces of music beginning with the title selection ‘Noa’. Coming in at a smooth, free flowing tempo, it’s a deep, soulful and incredibly charming seven minute journey. Dusty atmospheres an Read More
John Rayet & Cusp – Words [Polyptych] The latest release from Polyptych welcomes John Rayet & Cusp to the label for their debut single. Hailing from Switzerland and New Zealand respectively, this marks John's first ever release under his new alias, while Cusp has found a home on Intellect Records, NACHT and PRDS Direct since first arriving in 2017. Now coming together for their first collaboration, John and Cusp present 'Words' alongside remixes from Pysh and Naanù. The mystical vibes of the original set the tone for the entire release. Intriguing vocal samples and a warped yet incredibly catchy lead hook are immediately striking. Linear and stomping, it's dance floor appeal is undeniable and a concise six minute running time only accentuates that. Simplicity is the key and a well crafted break which expands on the vocal narrative, while building anticipation through subtle modulation add just the right shift in energy for a pleasant dance floor romp. First up on the remixes is Pysh who is widely regarded for his r Read More
Max Blade – Moonlook [Stellar Fountain] Stellar Fountain continues a strong spring season by welcoming Max Blade back to the label for a new single. Based in Santa Fe, the Argentinean artist first appeared on the Hungarian imprint in March of last year with a remix (in conjunction with Alejo Gonzalez) of 'Merciless Battles' by Magnovis. Also finding a home on John Digweed's Bedrock Records and Nick Warren's The Soundgarden, Max now returns to Stellar Fountain with 'Moonlook' alongside remixes from Renga Weh and Mauro Augugliaro. Beginning with the original mix Max showcases the pure progressive sensibilities he's become so loved for. Backed by a warm pulsating groove, smooth rhythms and clattering percussion, it’s both energetic and fluid. Wispy atmospherics and a haunting arp advance the narrative across the first act, before smoothly seguing into the main break. Brief but impactful, the centrepiece brings a calming effect with gaseous atmospheres and a ghostly wail, perfectly setting up a hypnotic final act. The f Read More
Starkato – Sunspots [Movement Recordings] The latest release from Tash's Movement Recordings welcomes Starkato back to the label for a new EP. The German artist has found a comfortable home on the Greek imprint with this being his ninth appearance. Also laying claim to releases on Hernan Cattaneo's Sudbeat Music, Beatfreak and ICONYC, the Wiesbaden resident remains an in-demand talent across the melodic techno landscape. Having most recently collaborated with Movement boss Tash on 'SQR', Starkato now makes a welcome return to the label with 'Sunspots' alongside a remix from D-Nox and K.A.L.I.L. Spread across four tracks it's the progressive techno crossover sound of the title track which leads the EP off. Dark and punchy from the outset it's robust low end and crisp stabs make an immediate impact, while driving percussion and luminous arps fill in the framework. Smooth chord changes and poignant overlays advance the narrative into emotive territory, before becoming fully realized during the main break and fiery finale. Con Read More
Rolhay – Cold Cloud [Seta Label] Seta Label opens the spring season by welcoming Rolhay back to the label for a new single. The Hungarian artist first appeared on the Slovakian imprint in February of last year with the well received 'Blue Function' EP. Subsequent releases on Dynamica, Le Platine Records and Massive Harmony Records rounded out what was a successful year. Now following 2020 outings for Conceptual and Monocord Records, the Budapest resident lands back on Seta Label with 'Cold Cloud' alongside remixes from Sensoreal and Tomin Tomovic. Sitting in the creative space between deep house and techno, borderless is often a term aptly associated with Rolhay's music. The original mix sits firmly in the former category with its deep dulcet tones, warm bass swells and dubbed out motifs. Building in waves, it's a series of haunting overlays which sits as the primary theme, perfectly blanketing spacey effects, fragmented arps and finely tuned percussion, across a concise and cosmic seven-minute journey. The fi Read More
Facundo Sosa – Eternity [Soundteller Records] The latest release from Deersky's Soundteller Records welcomes Facundo Sosa back to the label for his debut EP. Based in Buenos Aires, the Argentinean artist first appeared on the Polish imprint in April of last year with a contribution to the label’s popular ‘Vibrant Vibeland’ Sampler. The track 'Kintaro' resonated with progressive music fans due to it's deep yet powerful journey. Also finding a home on Deepwibe Underground and Onestar Records, Facundo now returns to Soundteller with 'Eternity'. Beginning with the title track Facundo crafts a dark, sinister creation that’s nicely geared for peaktime play. Punchy beats and subterranean bass unite for a powerful low end, while piercing stabs and fiery percussion add mightily to its electric nature. Spacey and dramatic, astral artefacts and cosmic arps take the narrative into a tense break, melting down to wall of shimmering electronics, before a lengthy and monumentally epic build cues a crushing drop. The dark, brooding Read More