Constant Repetitive Rhythm, by Moog Conspiracy

Constant Repetitive Rhythm is the latest album by Moog Conspiracy – a collection of 10 tracks with a deep and dark techno flavor.

Very energetic sounds with just the right amount of sonic experimentation. Moog Conspiracy does a nice job weaving dark ambience and fuzzy textures into the club framework – resulting in a subtly cyberpunk experience.

There’s enough going on in this project to elevate it beyond a bundle of tracks for DJ placement despite its club sensibility. The close listener will be rewarded with lush synthesizers and dank atmospherics churning beneath a pulsing kick drum.

It will come as no surprise that the tracks sit in the realm of techno (which Constant Repetitive Rhythm is a pretty solid definition of!), and Moog Conspiracy uses this framework to propel the listener forward, feeding interesting sounds along the way. Tracks like Wizard and Tristesse highlight some very satisfying synths and sounds, where others like Dark Side of the Light are constructed as classic deep-techno bangers.

If you’re a fan of club sounds, deconstructed or otherwise, you will find something to enjoy in this release! You can pick up the digital version and stream now via the artists Bandcamp page.

Flow State, by Zvrra

The recent EP, Flow State by Illinois based techno producer Zvrra brings us minimalist, driving techno that instantly puts us into the state of, well, flow promised.

The opener, the eponymous Flow State, is crisp, punchy and brittle in equal measure. We’re night-driving through a deserted strip-lighted tunnel in search of some warehouse rave that will never emerge.

Flow State II follows, taking things to an even more minimal place with subtly skittering beats and a menacing bass riff slowly-but-insistently driving us forwards.

Track 3, The Gift of Dexterity, sees a glimmer of albeit-still-quite-icy synths breaking cover over the sparse horizon. The track’s title hints at Zvrra’s ability to deftly introduce new elements to their compositions that keep us hooked whilst never breaking us out of the titular flow state we’re locked into. 

This EP’s closer, The Curse of Dexterity, flips the tone of the first three pieces, introducing a harder, more submerged soundscape with a rapid bass kick and the future-kitsch chirruping of computer systems fluttering in the background.

Zvrra’s ability to keep techno fresh and exciting whilst staying true to its minimalist hypnotic essence makes their music an essential addition to your sonic world.

Walking, by Docetism

Classic and satisfying dub-techno sounds from Docetism, brought to us by the amazing Nichts records of Poland. Walking is a 5-track EP with each track taking aim at a different angle of dub-techno sound. Perhaps you could call it a master-class in this genre, just because the style and essence is boiled down appropriately from track to track. Deep pulsing sub-bass, echoing and pulsing plucks, all wrapped up in lush crispy atmospherics. It’s a clever little collection of tracks, and will find a nice home in any collection…

Ileus, by Daniel[i]

Lowless Records presents us with this lovely dub techno 4-track EP by Daniel[i]. Lush and vibrant while maintaining a nice relaxed atmosphere, Ileus is a hypnotically atmospheric project with satisfying depth.

Exploring different corners of deep techno and soundscape electronics, Daniel[i] builds off foundations of soft rhythmic elements, layered meticulously with luscious pads and synths sprinkled around. A wonderful balance of light and dark – that subtle melancholy vibe I adore so much.

Unfortunately the Vinyl has already sold out – but you can stream the release and purchase the digital version still via bandcamp!

Microcosmos, by Heavenchord

True, pure dub-techno vibes brought to us by the crew at Hello Strange – this fresh full-length from Heavenchord is pulsing with fresh energy and signature mellow tone. Wandering across 7 tracks and 2 remixes, we are greeted by deep and round bass, steady rhythms and lush chords (as one would expect!). It’s quite a relaxed listen, with a very nice flow both overall and within the individual tracks. Microcosmos 3 is a favorite with a definite old school dub techno vibe sounding straight out of the early 2000’s with those echo’d hits and laid back yet excited pace.

Different Worlds Compilation, by Drift Deeper Recordings.

Different Worlds is a new Various Artists compilation, put together and released by the UK’s Drift Deeper Recordings. Gathering an international roster of producers, Different Worlds does a magnificent job of highlighting the subtle differences in Deep-House style and interpretation from around the globe.

With a healthy 13 tracks, Different Worlds is a lovely long-player with a great energy. It has introduced me to a few deep-house producers I was unaware of, so I definitely encourage giving this one a listen! You can stream the whole thing via Bandcamp or purchase a digital copy from the label!

Varsovie, by Odes Of The Kabatians

British-Colombian Label Silent Season brings us a chilled out ambient-techno treat in the form of Varsovie, by Odes of the Kabatians.

Varsovie is a part of the Labels “SSX“, or Silent Season 10-Year Anniversary, series, which focuses on textural ambience and geography. This installment is no disappointment, with 5 expansive tracks that are all both deep and delicious.

You can grab the digital download via the Labels Bandcamp page, or head over to Juno Records for a copy on wax.

Silent Season 10 Year Collection 2007-2017 [SSX10]

The Silent Season 10 Year Anniversary collection celebrates a decade of deeper electronic music. This special edition vinyl series features artists whose music continues to inspire the Silent Season journey from 2007-2017.

silentseason.com/ssx10/

The SSX series showcases elemental textures found in the nature surroundings of Vancouver Island. The collection features 2 different sleeve colour editions: Dark & Light. The first 5 EPs for Winter share a dark smoke transparent vinyl in a custom 10th anniversary black sleeve emboldened with the Silent Season Tree of Life.

The first 5 x 12″s will be available at Juno and other fine record shops starting Spring 2017. The vinyl series will roll out over the year with the remaining 5 eps coming out in the Fall.

++ VINYL ++

www.juno.co.uk/products/odes-of-the-kabatians-varsovie/637283-01/

credits

released May 24, 2017

French artists PVNV and Amandra work together under the project Odes Of the Kabatians. They are cofounders of Taapion Records and Ahrpe Records. The Varsovie EP has been produced in Amandra’s studio in Warsaw, Poland.

Springthaw I & II, by Coppice Halifax

Dayton Ohio’s Coppice Halifax brings us two long-form projects to ease us into the coming summer. Springthaw is a unique and robust project, utilizing live recordings and improvisation to create vivid soundscapes. With all 4 tracks from the 2 EP’s played back to back, it results in nearly 2 hours of dense sonic exploration, reaching into the dark corners or ambience, electronics and dub tendencies.

Both EP’s are available via bandcamp either as Digital Downloads or Compact Discs.

Initially conceived as a more open-ended project, Springthaw manifested itself as four near-half-hour pieces that herald the arrival of Spring. This second volume contains the third and fourth pieces recorded for the project – Dark Room and Wind Hues – both bubbling over with organic textures and floral hiss. Deep dub techno basslines and rhythms anchor a drifting pastoral landscape of melting ice, blossoming color and bounding green hills.

Springthaw was improvised and captured live in the White Pillar Workshop, using a Gemini PDT-6000 turntable to select sides of heavily processed vinyl (solo piano pieces and chamber music) which set an atmospheric tone above/below a Korg ER-1 drum machine, Yamaha QY-70 sequencer, Grass S10CTCMA and a Unisonic “Chippendale” 8-track receiver (channeling local AM radio stations), augmented by FX units including three Moogerfoogers, Alesis Quadraverb, Pioneer spring reverb box, Boss RV-3, SL-20 & RC-20 and a Behringer US600. Everything was mixed on a Peavey FX24 hybrid mixer, and resident collaborator John-Paul Kramer (Coal, Casio Commander) assisted with pitch and modulation of the vinyl sides during three of the four performances.

Springthaw is (at present) a two-volume set, much like the previous Earthworks, Autochromata and the as-yet-unpublished Cedar Mastodon. Time, and seasonal change, will tell whether or not there will be further installments next year. The two volumes make a solid companion/postscript to the recently reinstated 24xCD-R set Dripping Earth, which also venerates Spring in its own way.

released May 30, 2017

W/P by Brian Grainger. Recorded live at White Pillar Workshop, March 2017. Assisted by John-Paul Kramer on “Dark Room”. Mastered by The Analog Botanist, April 2017. Photograph by Brian, Dayton 2017. This is Milieu Music number ABX63.

 

Interstellar, by Lars Leonhard

One of my favorite Dub-Techno Producers Lars Leonhard has dropped a new project titled “Interstellar”. Not to be confused with the Hollywood blockbuster from a few years back, this “Interstellar” is deep, dark and delicious. 10 tracks of brilliantly sculpted techno tunes floating at a comfortable 120 bmp. I have always been impressed with Lars’ ability to blend darkness and melody to create unique atmospheres, and this album is no exception!

You can download the album via Bandcamp. You can also get nearly 20 of Lars’ albums bundled together at an insane discount, definitely something worth looking into if you find yourself enjoying this release.

Concepto Hipnotico Five Years Anniversary

Concepto Hipnotico celebrates their 5-year Anniversary with one heck of a compilation. 22 tracks strong, you can purchase the album via bandcamp.