Electro: February

COMPILATION OF THE MONTH

Various Artists
Turbo DX040 Warehouse Series Compilation (Turbo)
Aside from its already great discography, Turbo has been punishing eardrums throughout 2014 with their wall-shaking Warehouse Series. Now the 12"s have been compiled into one neat album, with some fiery exclusives. The cast is strong, with tracks from all the big players. Clouds do their best to punish with 'Sacred Heritage', Gingy & Bordello maintain high levels of angst but throw in a playful groove and Sei A brings crushing 127bpm fire. TWR72 offer up with two sterling tracks before that trademark Randomer glitchiness comes steamrolling through on 'Ruffa'. Our pick of the bunch is JoeFarr's unreleased remix of 'Let's Go Dancing' by Tiga & Audion. Rough drums, staggered rave pianos and chopped vocal barbs are a perfect example of the heat that Turbo consistently bring.
8/10
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TUNE OF THE MONTH
Ghost Culture (pictured)
Guidecca (Gabe Gurnsey remix) (Phantasy)
The only way we could praise Ghost Culture more for the last 12 months' output is if we got on the roof of Mixmag HQ and screamed it at the top of our lungs. The relative newcomer has impressed not only with a slew of fantastic EPs but a stellar debut album. One of the best tracks on that album is 'Guidecca', which here gets a remix courtesy of Factory Floor's Gabe Gurnsey. It oscillates from start to finish, adding small elements that give it big impact. It's less glitzy than the original, more robotic; fans of Gurnsey will revel in it.
8/10
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Tiga
Bugatti (Vinyl Remixes) (Turbo Recordings)
Those lyrics, that bassline, oh the groove. Yes, we're still in love with Tiga's mammoth summer smash 'Bugatti', and after we heard the big set of remixes from the likes of Eats Everything, Amine Edge & Dance and Doorly, the love just kept growing. For all you wax purists, however, there's another lot of vinyl-only edits set to emerge – and let's just say the bar has been raised. Tiga says he "hand-selected remixers of the highest order", and though they might not be household names, it doesn't mean they don't pack a punch. Rebolledo comes steaming through with a glitchy, mutant version which is similar to the original, just a bit gnarlier, while Perth Drug Legend steers his remix in a tribal direction thanks to stomping drums and big, terrace-proof builds. The highlight is Cliff Lothar's psychedelic slo-mo monster, one that clocks in at over eight minutes and hypnotises as much as it terrifies.
8/10
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Aden
Tanz (Ultramajic)
Aden's identity might not be the best-kept secret, but regardless of the elusive producer's other projects, the records that he's released on Ultramajic have all been massive. The 'Tanz' EP is more of the bass-heavy, unique same and here we have four tracks that pummell and dazzle in equal measures. Both 'Grau' and 'Hass' contain the bass stabs that Aden has become known for but they also showcase warm pads and uplifting melodies, something less common. 'Lieb' is also soft and floaty number but our pick of the bunch is 'Hell' and what a thrasher it is. Some of the fruitiest and vivid sounds we've heard in ages are merged with flailing vocal cuts and escalating synths. Outrageously good.
8/10
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Bobmo
I Want You Remixes (Marble)
When Bobmo dropped his debut album earlier in the year we were treated to an electro fiesta of epic proportions. The Marble key player had been teasing us with his unique brand of bangers for years, so his first step into LP territory was welcomed open arms. 'I Want You' is the latest track to be remixed, and there are fantastic versions from both Matthias Zimmermann and Strip Steve. However, fellow Frenchman Crackboy has made a flitty, scratchy and damn groovy edit that meanders through sharp vocal cuts, pounding drums and dream-inducing synths. Top notch.
7/10
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Arnaud Rebotini
Eastern Boys Extended (Blackstrobe Records)
Let's get one thing clear: Arnaud Rebotini is fucking don when it comes to electro. When he's not got his guitar out for his electroclash project Black Strobe, he produces four-to-the-floor electro under his own name. The 'Eastern Boys Extended' EP is a perfect example of his talent, and listeners can expect four heavy artillery dance floor weapons. 'Un Peu Verre Cassé' gets things off to a flying start and is easily the heaviest cuts on the EP. This is swiftly followed by the less harrowing, more melodic 'L'éternel Retour' – and we're feeling this one. The soft basslines and twinkly tones make it more soothing on the ears, despite it still having serious drive. Two more quality numbers round off another devilishly good EP from a Gaul who's been bringing his A-game since the day he began.
8/10
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Erol Alkan
Sub Conscious (remixes) (Phantasy)
When Erol Alkan released his long-awaited Fabric mix a few months ago, one of the stand-out tracks was 'Sub Conscious', a beautifully acidic new production from the man himself. As with most Phantasy releases, Alkan has hand-picked some fantastic remixes to accompany the track and both Tin Man and Kamera absolutely nail it. Tin Man's version puts a sharper sound on the acid tones while ramping up the pressure with some gloriously majestic synths. The track progresses beautifully before things get Balearic with explosive piano chords. Kamera on the flipside takes it darker and more ominous than Tin Man for a track that's screaming to be played in a warehouse. Essential listening.
9/10
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Monoblok & PSLKTR
Relapse (Meant Records)
Oh, what's that? Remain's stellar Meant Records has released another banging EP? Nothing new there – but this time the label boss has called upon Monoblok & PSLKTR to deliver the goods. The duo have built on their throwback electro sound with 'Relapse' and the title track manages to blend robotic synths with thick bass guitar licks to make the perfect crossover cut. Rework's, er, rework strips back the strings in favour of a more mechanical groove, and it might even be better than the original. Second track 'Walking Disaster' is another moody jam with a ferocious Arnaud Rebotini remix, and another edit from My Favourite Robot round off a strong EP.
7/10
Download here