May: 20 techno releases you need to hear this month

Ellen Allien 'Nost' (BPitch Control)

One of Berlin’s longest-serving techno warriors, Ellen Allien maintains several key strings to her bow: DJ, producer, head of the influential BPitch Control label and a fashion designer to boot. ‘Nost’ is her latest solo album, and it takes in plenty of influences from her hometown, whether it’s the dour hues of the city’s parks and streets or the sweaty adult playgrounds where techno resides and evolves. In light of that, the LP includes lots of dance floor-orientated cuts, with gravely atmospherics, mesmerising vocal clips that put you into a trance and acid flecks from her beloved 303. ‘Nost’ is Ellen channelling her past through a contemporary lens and paying homage to her city. Every track holds its own, and there are no fillers – just a lot of killers.

9/10