November: 19 techno releases you need to hear this month

Illum Sphere 'Glass' (Ninja Tune)

Take a walk on the experimental side with ‘Glass’, the new album from one of Manchester’s finest contemporary electronic artists, Illum Sphere. From putting on the infamous Hoya: Hoya parties to remixing Radiohead and signing with Ninja Tune, there’s no denying that he’s carved out an serious rep as both a producer and performer. On this, his second LP, we get a large dose of his studied approach to techno as he lays out nine little treats for all you connoisseurs of authentic, modern electronic music. ‘Wounded’ struts along with a confident gait and classic techno keys, while ‘Red Glass’ wraps white noise around a set of stirring strings and chimes with an off-key rhythm. Strings also form the structure of ‘Fuel The Fire’, one of the album’s standouts. And then there’s the ominous ‘Paradise’, which places light and darkness side by side in a tremendous exercise of juxtaposition. That same balance is present through the album and, combined with Illum’s knack for making everything sound so exquisite, makes it a superb little record.

9/10

Radio Slave 'Vision' (Obscure Shape & SHDW remix) (Rekids)

This whole EP takes Tune Of The Month because all three remixes are a cut above everything else that’s landed with us recently. Rødhåd and Johannes Heil both turn in stellar mixes of Radio Slave’s original, but Obscure Shape and SHDW go that extra mile with a slick combination of strings, cataclysmic drums and the kind of progression that makes it interesting from start to finish without needing to mix in other tracks.

9/10

Cowboy Rhythmbox 'Soda Jerk' (Phantasy)

You’ll be shaking your booty within the first minute of the needle hitting this track: it’s a very modern electro-tinged techno wobbler with personality by the truckload, something that’s sometimes lacking in the genre. A sense of fun lies at the heart of this track, and its positive outlook and high energy combined with sterling production and great progression mean it’s bound to be a winner on the dancefloors of the world.

8/10

Bastian Bux 'Protest' (MOOD Music)

Nicole Moudaber’s MOOD Music plays host to this two-tracker from Bastian Bux, who’s a resident at Elrow – that madcap party where music and silliness are present in equal measure. This sultry groover meanders along like a sidewinder, both smooth and highly dangerous. Once captured by its hypnotic allure, you’re slowly led into a solemn breakdown punctuated by a vocal.

8/10

Krenzlin 'Stroke' (Miss Electric & Greencross remix) (Complexed Records)

Sometimes all you want is to be hammered in the chest by a mass of bass and beats. Thankfully, Miss Electric and Greencross duly oblige on this no-nonsense remix. Straight away we’re beaten into submission by a hard-as-nails kick, and surrounded by what sounds like a human voice that’s been warped and decayed until its barely recognisable. The runaway train judders on until a deep, atmospheric breakdown and then even more of the same, albeit with added depth.

7/10

Roman Lindau 'Submarine Surface' (RAWAX)

Roman Lindau goes for a simplistic workout with this new release on Rawax. As is often the way with simple rollers, it works a treat because of its repetitive nature, and there’s more than enough character and funk to get you moving, especially the ultra groovy bassline. It doesn’t progress much, but it doesn’t need to – all that’s needed is a good bassline, a smattering of effects and those sturdy drums.

7/10

Struction 'Warrior' (R&S)

Heavyweight drum programming is in full effect with this R&S debut from Struction. Across all four tracks on this EP we hear echoes of the rave scene from years gone by: breaks, stabs, smooth throwback melodies – it’s all here, smothered in a 21st century gauze and presented to us in a smart package. ‘Warrior’, in particular, has all of those elements, which is why we’re a little bit in love with it. Swirly pads from a mid-90s jungle track, pitched-up echoing vocal clips and thunderous beats makes it a winner.

8/10

TM404 '303_303_303_606_606' (Dorisburg remix) (Kontra-Musik)

Simmering menace sits at the foundation of this smasher of a remix from one of the house and techno world’s brightest talents. Swedish producer Dorisburg takes TM404’s original and shaves off some of the sharp edges, making it a more muted, heads-down affair. Sombre vocals are used to create an electrifying but understated atmosphere and, in league with the persistent, sour-faced bassline, make for a darkside riot.

9/10

rRoxymore 'About Finding The Right Balance' (Don’t Be Afraid)

You can always rely on rRoxymore to mix things up and produce music that uses a slightly different formula to other, less imaginative artists. On ‘About Finding The Right Balance’ we witness first-hand how her blending of odd rhythms with warped effects can produce great results. The beat alone makes it impossible not to dance to this, and that’s before she’s addedthe metallic chimes, twisted vocals and a bubbler’s bassline to suck you in.

8/10

Physical Therapy '909 Reasons Why' (Delft)

We know it’s probably not fair to have favourites, but Physical Therapy is one of those artists who does it so well in his own way that we just can’t help liking every new release he decides to put out. His new one on Delft has a bloody catchy beat, with swinging tribal drums hacking into your mainframe to possess your body and make it dance relentlessly. Trust us, it will happen. Get ready for the smooth transition into the latter part of the tune, which is equally mesmerising.

9/10

Hunter/Game 'Inside World' (Just This)

Hunter/Game lead the charge on the second part of a new various artists EP for their own label Just This. ‘Inside World’ is, unsurprisingly, a potent slice of melodramatic techno – but while fans of the pair will know exactly what to expect from the track’s vibe, it still works its magic as soon as that arpeggiated melody comes in. You can’t help but be caught by it hook, line and sinker, before a large buzzsaw synth line drops and the guys really get to work.

8/10

A Sacred Geometry 'Atheres' (A Sacred Geometry)

There are plenty of pulsating vibes on this deep, absorbing piece of work from the mysterious A Sacred Geometry. With a low end that sounds as though it’s been submerged in the sea, this would be the perfect soundtrack to some underwater dystopian nightmare. Choir-like vocals in the background give the track an eerie aura, while crisp hats slice and dice their way through the thick atmosphere. A beast from the abyss.

8/10

Kit Grill 'Street Runner' (Primary Colours)

NTS Radio host Kit Grill drops a new EP on his Primary Colours label, which has been home to his own productions since 2013. Only on its fourth release, it’s allowing Kit to put out music as and when he pleases, with no constraints apart from those he places
on himself. ‘Street Runner’ has a heavy 80s synth influence as it rolls out with all manner of pleasing retro sounds, together with an extremely uplifting melody. Bliss.

8/10

Rote 'End Of The Sky' (BleeD)

Volte-Face and Daniel Avery reunite for their highly impressive Rote project. We nominated one of their last efforts, ‘Rote 2’, as one of our favourite tunes of 2015 and this EP includes some equally special music. ‘End Of The Sky’ is a contemplative number that brings together the softened, calming thud of a kick drum with a light symphony of stirring pads and analogue squawks. Put it on when you’re kicking back at home, and let it take you somewhere else.

8/10

Luke Hess 'Selector' (D5 remix) (Visionquest)

D5 nabbed Album Of The Month in December last year, and now he’s back with this playful ditty on Visionquest. It has all the typical techno motifs rolled into one very enjoyable track – in fact, this is proof that you don’t always need to push the boundaries to create something special. Hold tight for the strings that come in here just after the two-minute mark; they add a sense of drama and emotion that’s certain to send you to another dimension.

8/10

Asusu 'Sendak' (Livity Sound)

Creepy tribal-esque drums get this one off to an eerie start, with what sounds like a filtered didgeridoo layered over the top before we move slowly from the unsettling intro into a more hypnotic, driving track. The steppy drums move the body, while that filtered effect burrows into your subconscious and keeps you locked in to the contagious rhythm.

8/10

Vesa-Matti Kivioja 'Universo' (Ljudverket)

Forget all those battering ram-esque kick drums: sometimes, all you need is a fresh collection of synth lines and pads to whisk you away and plop you down in a more soothing place. Vesa-Matti Kivioja’s ‘Universo’ is that calming slice of music that you’ve been waiting for. The atmospherics shimmer with an invigorating glow and delicate drums play out underneath the shiny top layer, but rather than aim for the hip, they lull you into a zen state in perfect harmony with the bright synths.

8/10

Echologist 'Candy Mountain' (Kynant Records)

Moody, atmospheric techno gloom from Echologist, aka Brendon Moeller. This is the kind of techno that should be playing when a futuristic robot army marches towards its target during a night time downpour. Spine-tingling effects echo and reverberate around the background as the kick pounds its way forward relentlessly, but there’s little time for respite – just a couple of breathers before it carries on slamming you into oblivion.

7/10

Perc & Randomer 'Flooring' (Perc Trax)

As soon as the jagged edge of this track’s main analogue riff cuts in, you know you’re
in for a bumpy ride. With a tantalising intro lasting just over a minute, this one has the art of techno foreplay locked down tight. That build culminates in a sucker punch of a drop and, like a brick-filled boxing glove, the snub-nosed kick will send you to the floor while the riff judders in and out of those cascading sirens.

8/10

[Photo: Vivek Vadoliya]