Leeds-based producer Krotone, takes the listener on a journey through the past, present and future of underground dance music, as he pays homage to his home city with Stranger, a 5-track EP that traverses the outer limits of UK club music.
Following his appearances on Of Paradise Vol. 2 and Of Paradise Vol. 3, Nuremberg based producer Lazarus, lays his emotions bare and delivers Downwards, an expansive and profound 4-track journey through breakbeat and techno.
The A-side launches with title track Downwards, a bold and razor-sharp slice of future-focused techno and subtle breakbeat ammunition. Rumbling drums are backed up by expertly assembled bursts of percussion; whilst texture, tone and rhythm shine through in equal measure.
Following this is Back One Eighty, an ever-evolving and at times, raw-boned masterclass in transformative breaks and techno. Brimming with complex percussion, blistering drum programming and luminous melodies, with each component distilled to perfection.
The B-side begins with There Is No Meaning, a formidable injection of celestial techno that crisscrosses between the club and full scale immersive live experience. Angular drums, glacial percussive elements and brooding pad explorations all fit together effortlessly to form Lazarus’ very own version of the future.
Closing out the EP is Conjunct, a graceful yet urgent voyage through the unknown. Crushing drums and a lethal bassline are supported by soaring percussion and dancing melodies that flow through the listener like hallucinogenic saline.
Downwards is a tremendous accomplishment that further cements Lazarus’ status as a hugely exciting and incredibly talented producer.
Oall Hates returns to Of Paradise with Tranceporter, a ferocious 5-tracker that pushes the artists music into new and intoxicating waters, showcasing a truly innovative sound; one that this Austrian producer has honed and crafted meticulously over recent years.
Kicking off the A-side is the title track, Tranceporter a thumping club workout that fuses house, techno and acid together to form one glorious sphere of unrelenting audio hedonism. Following this is Gentrifies a monstrous slab of techno and acid that is guaranteed to tear through sound systems like rolling thunder and open portals to the subconscious.
The B-side opens with Adderol, an in your face house number that hurtles out of the starting blocks and never lets up. Thumping drum work and percussion work side by side whilst a sprinkling of acid and an infectious vocal detail keep the heart racing. Bones Faro keeps the adrenaline pumping as it pushes the release into more sinister territory with spiralling drums and percussion, backed up by nuanced flecks of acid and a snakelike bass line. Closing out the EP is Feelings a deftly produced slice of leftfield house that navigates the 5am streets with enough energy to keep everyone going well into the following weekend.
The digital release comes complete with the bonus track PCT-666 a pounding and relentless house number that travels deep into the belly of the rave. Hydraulic like drums merge with restless percussion to shake the foundations and bring the curtain down on an essential release.
London label Of Paradise marks its inaugural release with the Incipience EP, the debut 12-inch from Melbourne based producer Shedbug. Four dusty, tough and emotionally driven house jams born out of sun drenched hardware experimentation.
Opener ‘Jungle Fantasy’ is a joyous kaleidoscope of tropical colours and escapism. Undulating drums cross paths with a sinuous synth and dreamy pads that bubble up out of the early morning ocean. A tropical embrace; where goodbye doesn’t mean a thing. ‘Swim’ heads further out into uncharted territories. Rolling drums and infectious acid that breaks through the clouds to reveal a crystalline sky that pulls the listen up before submerging them once again into deep yet life-affirming waters.
‘187 District’ is a raw, frenzied and crime riddled workout. One for the warehouse heads, one to put the lights down real low too, one that thunders along until the very end. Drum smacks ride alongside menacing tribal undertones and a ferocious bass driven underbelly. This is where the hammer comes out to play. Closing out the EP is ‘Dial A Moose’ a bittersweet journey to the heart of Shedbug. A reassuring kick drum floats over the horizon accompanied by bursts of aquatic acid and rolling electronics that smooth out into a crushingly tender pad breakdown. This one has got sparkly hearts stamped all over it.
The A-side opens with the warehouse rattling ‘Coming’, a rollercoaster introduction to the hedonism that awaits. A breakbeat-fuelled homage to the UK raves of the late 80s and early 90s.Following this is ‘Wide-Eyed And Painless’, a ferocious 7min exploration into the belly of the rave that sees the dials firmly cranked up to 11 as the strobes flicker ever faster and the mind begins to transcend the party.
Kicking off the B-side is ‘Bad Advice’ a storming breakbeat / hardcore number packed full of rolling drums and swirling percussion. This is the sound of the sunlight creeping into view as the party keeps on driving forward.
Rounding off the EP is ‘Gettin’ Out (Unhappy Hardcore Mix)’ a sublime piece of breakcore / hardcore that sits just as comfortably on Of Paradise as it could on Suburban Base or Planet Mu. A 166bpm piano fuelled weapon that draws the curtain down on a real tour de force release from Swindon’s finest.
Having made his debut with the track ‘Sky Stepping’ on ‘Of Paradise Vol. 2’, Will Lister now cements his status as a full time family member with the release of his ‘Glow EP’, a masterful four-tracker that firmly establishes this young talent as one to watch in 2020 and beyond.
Kicking off the A-side is ‘Glow’ a cinematic and expansive slice of deftly produced electronica. Pattering synths and glistening melodies work in unison with full-bodied drums and intricate percussion to create an atmospheric and intoxicating journey through sound and rhythm. Following this is ‘Pleasant Air’ a deconstructed and slightly frantic house number. Playful melodies, stumbling drums and urgent percussion all work together to build a wonderfully colourful yet sinister landscape of sound.
The flipside launches with ‘Patience’, a spiralling and constantly building breaks affair that pushes the release into darker territory and showcases a rich new layer to Lister’s dynamic and expansive sound. Closing out the EP is ‘Forth’ an expertly crafted piece of electronic music that sits somewhere between deconstructed house, techno and breaks. Jagged drums, razor sharp percussion and sentient synths cut through the smoke like the distress signal from a long lost starship, as Lister pushes things into uncharted territory and brings the lights down on a breathtaking collection of future music.
