Mega City Industry is Ital Tek’s sophomore effort for Civil Music. Formed of four liquid hybrids exploring Footwork’s accelerated template the EP splices the rhythmic memes of Chicago with UK sci-fi sonics rooted in classic ’90s AI and jungle music.
a1. Mega City Industry a2. Shinra b1. Swamp Beat b2. Universal Decay
Former Instra:mentalist Damon Kirkham expands his Jon Convex enterprise with his debut on Civil Music featuring two new original tracks alongside remixes from Civil Music signee Ore and frequent Convex collaborator, Exit Records main man & DnB legend dBridge.
Hayat Zor is a beautiful blend of rave-nostalgia, 80s electro-pop and Italo, all shot through with a melancholic, wistful air. Working with analog synths, vintage drum machines, live instrumentation, and the help of a few friends and collaborators along the way.
a1. Everything a2. At Least I Know Why b1. Smoulders b2. Ancient Mariner
Kuhn’s sophomore effort for Civil Music, Kings EP is a collection of four diverse uptempo club tracks with an eclectic sampling palette and Footwork-inspired rhythmic complexities. “I Quit,” featuring Astro Nautico brother in arms and LuckyMe contributor Obey City, flips a glittery pitched-up soul loop into an 808-fuelled dance floor workout with insistent vocal mantras and a jumpy kick drum rhythm. “NWYRK” grabs horns from Cuban Carnival music and places them over an off-kilter tom shuffle. “Boombox” merges hyper-pitched rave stabs, quaking sub kicks and sultry female vocal cutups to form a halftime beat before flipping into a hyperspeed finale. Finally, “Never Forget” carves massive choral samples into a manic haze with added hyperactive kick drums and lightning trap fills.
a1. I Quit (feat. Obey City) a2. NWYRK b1. Boombox b2. Never Forget
Fluxus is Danny Scrilla’s first transmission for Civil Music and the Munich based producer’s second release. Following on from 2012′s Flash Powder EP for Om Unit’s ‘Cosmic Bridge’ label, ‘Fluxus’ sees Scrilla in expected fine form, and takes in four original neck snapping instrumental tracks plus two remixes from Japan’s Deep Medi member Goth-Trad and London producer and one to watch Deft.
‘Body Remixed’ follows Darling Farah’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘Body’. Jimmy Edgar, Lando Kal and Bambounou each choose tracks from the LP to remix and Darling Farah’s adds his own ‘Live Edit’ of ‘Aaangel’
a1. Aangel (Darling Farah's Live Edit) a2. Aangel (Lando Kal Remix) b1. Body (Jimmy Edgar Remix) b2. Fortune (Bambounou Remix)
Since the latter half of the last decade, Alex Melia aka Reso has been blending heightened technological futurism with dancefloor prowess to create a densely cinematic musical universe. Following last years ‘Ishimura’ EP, ‘Check 1,2′ is the next single to be introduced from forthcoming debut album ‘Tangram’ on Civil Music. An unflinching vision of the future and complete competency in his craft sees Reso construct a brave new narrative in the way that timeless artists like Richard D James, Photek, DJ Shadow and A Guy Called Gerald have done for earlier generations.
Having a rich history in electronic music, with beats released under a number of different aliases (including a rich vein as Gultskra Artikler), Devyanin’s latest incarnation as Pixelord has seen the producer traverse a wealth of influences, from the experimental field recordings of Fennesz, to the heavy-hitting rhythms of a new Russian beats scene and beyond. With the Supaplex EP we see Pixelord taking the reins of an exciting new chapter for his country’s club music, leading the way through Russian juke, emotive digitalism and half-stepping bass works.
a1. Been Lookin a2. Freeze the Star b1. Paperball b2. Vibrate
And so the final piece of the Drums Of Death Waves Trilogy EP’s snaps into place, DoD caps his latest run of releases with 4 tracks of varied, taut, emboldened dance floor rhythms.
a1. Life in the Machine a2. Let No Shadow Fall Upon You a3. Life in the Machine (Acapella) b1. Transistor Rhythm b2. Waves City
‘From the Horizon’ is Débruit’s debut album. It is the culmination of 3 years work, collecting field recordings, delving into restricted archives, sampling lost African VHS and reinterpreting discovered African melodies and rhythms, for synths and drum machines.
01. Cri 02. Ata 03. Cuivree 04. Afro Booty Musique 05. Ogene Udu 06. Frere 07. Zef 08. Mega Wagna 09. Ouest Wind's Seagulls 10. Akoula 11. Reve Du Niger 12. Marabout 13. The Day I Lost My Funk
Om Unit returns with ‘Transport’ a four track EP of blissful, instrumental, mechanical soul. Transport’s strength lies in the leeway afforded to the listener, rewarding patience and immersion, the EP allows those that truly engage to digest and appreciate it’s many qualities and those of it’s persistently excellent creator. Transport showcases both exceptional production and creative excellence, yet never does form displace method or vice versa. The eminence of ‘Transport’ is echoed in its remixers; revered producers Machinedrum and Ital Tek both contribute revisions to this astonishing package.
a1. Swimming Dragon a2. An Eternal Way b1. Vibrations b2. Cold World
Darling Farah’s third release for Civil. The Detroit-born producer offers four tracks that journey further into deep house, techno and machine-soul. Dream-like qualities wash over the listener they contrast perfectly with an offbeat, energetic 4/4 backbone. Division will undoubtedly solidify the hype around it’s precociously talented 19 year old producer and add more critical acclaim to that already received from his previous releases, ‘Berline’ and ‘EXXY’.
Reso returns with the Ishimura EP and further showcases his production excellence. Reso’s unique brand of hi-tech dubstep and sinister electronics are exquisitely presented across tracks ‘Ishimura’ and ‘Vanquish’ The package is completed with remixes from D’n’B aficionados Evol Intent and Trouble and Bass’ Drop the Lime. From the outset ‘Ishimura’ is ominously futuristic.
a1. Ishimura a2. Vanquish b1. Ishimura (Evol Intent Remix) b2. Ishimura (Drop the Lime's Dark Tunnels Remix)
Black Waves is 4 tracks of deep, dark club music. Since the release of his critically acclaimed album “Generation Hexed”, Drums of Death has been obsessively developing a deeper and darker sound that is tailored for the dance-floor. Black Waves fuses frantic 808 drum patterns and dramatic synth lines with fresh, contemplative melodies. It’s music born out of its maker’s passion for techno and house.
a1. Cold Lazarus a2. Lost Highway b1. I Can't Take It b2. Love's Labour's Lost
Ltd 4 track 12″ Vinyl with cover mounted 13 track CD including bonus track Bricks (feat. Curly Castro) and remixes by Darling Farah, Innerpartysystem, Om Unit, Distal, Monky and The Elementz.
01. Lost In Space (feat. Charli XCX) 02. Cockroach 03. Sunlight 04. Street Rockers 05. Bricks (feat. Curly Castro) 06. Craters 07. Space Traitor Vol. 2 (Narration by Halfcast) 08. Lost In Space (feat. Charli XCX) (Innerpartysystem Remix) 09. Lost In Space (feat. Charli XCX) (Om Unit Remix) 10. Lost In Space (feat. Charli XCX) (Darling Farah Remix) 11. Cockroach (Distal Remix) 12. Sunlight (Monky Remix) 13. Bricks (feat. Curly Castro) (The Elementz Remix)
Make no mistake: ‘War Machine / Valken’ is not a record for the faint-hearted. It’s certainly not suitable background music, and probably should come equipped with an explicit NSFW label. It will, however, be a record for discerning listeners who appreciate the subtleties and complexities that go into high-tech productions that carry this much conceptual and compositional weight, as is always the case with London’s chameleonic and many-masked mastermind. This is the sound of the end of the world, of machines breaking and technology folding, when all that’s left is carnal rage and chaos. A forceful onslaught of sound, the four tracks on Reso’s ‘War Machine / Valken’ EP intricately mesh high amp leads and emphatic beats that entrance any dancefloor into riotous frenzy.
Part 1 of 2 – Deluxe 4 Track Vinyl with 12 Track CD Package: Remixes from Eygptrixx, ARP101, Ital Tek, +Verb, Rudi Zygadlo, Kaiser and Vocals from Anneka. Photos: Dan Wilton / Artwork: Remote Location
01. Robot Hands 02. Playing with Fire 03. Holodeck 04. Paradise (feat. Anneka) 05. Lenses 06. Robot Hands (Egyptrixx Remix) 07. Robot Hands (Kaiser Remix) 08. Paradise (Rudi Zygadlo Remix) 09. Paradise (ARP101 Remix) 10. Paradise (+Verb Remix) 11. Playing with Fire (Ital Tek Remix) 12. Starkbot Beats Space Traitor Vol. 1 (Narration by Halfcast)
Darling Farah is like a shot of adrenalin, administered by his own mind to escape from the anaesthetised music scene of his home, the United Arab Emirates. Despite living in one of the most club baron countries in the world and a city that actually prohibits live music to be played in public, the talented eighteen year old has managed to master the art of production and there in spawn an underground scene all on his own. Originally from Detroit, Farah was born into this world with techno already sewn into his DNA, something that despite his relocation, came to the forefront of his mind as early as sixteen. Now regarded as the leader of a new, curious underground scene that resists the lock-down of the the UAE’s mainstream culture, Farah has truly positioned himself as the ultimate innovator. Berline draws on a variation of musical styles to bring a sound totally of its own. The stripped down beat and subtle swing of minimal is given a fresh electro sensibility from the distorted chords and cut up vocals. Fused together with the sophistication of house and hints of dub. Remix package includes a futuristic acid rework from Funkineven and exceptional revisions from Dirty Bird’s Christian Martin, Clara Moto, A Taut Line and Bzode, as well as Farah’s own Club rework.
Reso’s third release for Civil Music, Temjin EP, is 6 tracks across 2 slabs of musical genius that simultaneously moves a whole spectrum of electronic genres forward while further cementing his place as the overlord of hi-tech dubstep. On Temjin wobble, hypercrunk, breaks, wonky, hip-hop and D n B all receive the treatment. Reso’s deep musicality, incredible skill, intricate programming and wildly diverse references place him at the peak of a new breed of electronic producers. Otacon, the lead track, and Armored Core are the big ones for the dubstep massive to get crazy with in the dance. Fans of “If You Can’t Beat Em” and “Heavy Arms” will not be disappointed here. Hemisphere is a liquid epic. Lush and deep, Pulsing and driven while soulful, intelligent atmospherics cocoon you with warmth throughout. Hyperglide twitches and skips into something undeniably incredible. A future hip-hop, hyper crunk monster programmed to perfection. Its uncontrollable beats spill effortlessly over the hypercolor final boss synths and set a new bench mark. On Channel Pressure Reso touches down in LA with dangerously laid back future hip-hop and lolloping funk. A track has already put Fly Lo’s west coast scene on high alert to Reso’s imminent takeover. The release wraps out with the killer, drum and bass genre-redefining, Mind games. The last drum break of which will make people cry on the dance floor then explode. Styles unheard made unmistakable. The sonic counterpart to roaring robotic futurism, Reso’s hybrid of rising ambience, hyper beats and speaker busting tech-basslines feels more suited to a post apocalyptic Tokyo than the contemporary concrete of most Dubstep. A truly visual experience Temjin’s mech-mania induced synthesesia conjures images of neon-tinged neo-Japanese cityscapes, powerful hulking automatons and violent bassline machismo. Temjin will open new musical worlds for the wider electronic audience and rewards the playstation generation, loyal club kids and seasoned steppers who go wild for Reso’s productions already. Reso’s meld of references will draw fans from all realms of the electronic spectrum. Emotive and unique, Reso’s new rhythmic possibilities and perfectly chaotic programming make this essential for fans of Dubstep through Techno to IDM, from Skream to Thom Yorke to Rustie via Bukem. As Reso moves towards his debut album for Civil Music and with this, yet another sensational release, Reso’s sonic take over is surely underway. Temjin marks the beginning of Reso’s career redefining electronic music. Undeniably not where you would expect such musical genius to stem from. But then no-one can predict genius, especially not one so humbly masterful. Reso’s artwork is a perfect compliment to his sound. Hawaii Design has moved Reso’s Manga stylings forward, to match his post-Mecha soundscape. The old outlined manga beast has been replaced by a slicker, more deliberate machine – reflecting the development of Reso’s style. Vital.
Brassica returns with a brand new 12” single for Civil Music that includes new track ‘Get Down’ and a remix of ‘TearsI Can Afford’ from Belfast duo Bicep.
‘Get Down’ arrives simultaneously with ‘Nature Isn’t Mute’; a deluxe extend- ed edition of ‘Man Is Deaf’, the producers debut album praised by Dazed & Confused and De:Bug and nominated for Album of the Year at the DJ Mag awards. ‘Nature Isn’t Mute’ completes the Terence McKenna quote the album was named after and contains 7 additional tracks.
On ‘Get Down’ Michael Wright shows he hasn’t lost any of that Brassica mag- ic with a heady 6 minute workout. As the track sprawls and unfurls, various elements come in and out of play——hinting at the foundations of the Brassica sound——with Wright guiding the listener along for a joyous ride. The single is backed by a remix of album track ‘Tears I Can Afford’ courtesy of Belfast duo Bicep who embrace the occasion fully by extending the original to 8 min- utes and playing with its acid elements in ne fashion.
Happier in the shadows than under the glare of projectors, Brassica continues to refine a unique sound and approach that has made him a favourite of your favourites.
Heartland is the debut from 24 year old Portland, Oregon resident Dylan Stark. Tropical and immersive the album is brimming with emotion, spontaneity, reflection, and general human-ness. This is celebration music, exhilarating and invigorating.
All nervous energy, ill-defined brilliance, detached emotion, and subdued minimalism, Man is Deaf is the new album from London based electronic musician Brassica. Sophisticated and distinctive it distills Michael Anthony Wright’s storied musical past; capturing new wave, psych, synth music, avant garde electronics, house, and italo disco; without sounding consigned to any part of it.
a1. Be Lost (feat. Veronica So) a2. Dance (feat. Stuart Warwick) b1. Turn Me (feat. Ghostape) b2. Psychic Heartburn b3. Deplore c1. Tears I Can Afford c2. Art Ebb Lull Us c3. Spiral d1. The Lodger d2. Ballo Dei Morti d3. No Apocalypse