Running Out Of Steam have quickly established themselves as one of the pacesetters in the world of emotionally driven club music, so it’s truly a match made in heaven as NYC No_4mat joins the roster.
When he isn’t promoting Black and Asian solidarity through his visual effects work with Nike, Mikhael Villegas is crafting his own characteristic take on the techno format; brimming with exploration atmospherics, emotional familiarity and cry-in-the-club energy.
‘Nuthin Left To Say’ begins our journey in a sombre mood; synth stabs bleep and bloop as the bassline wobbles and subtle vocal samples act as a guide through our mutually felt sadness; a tale of emotional distance and the void that inevitably widens when words begin to fail.
Deepness is the order of the day on Mantis Hands collaboration ‘Riddm’; a swirling vortex of rhythmic noise that provides the perfect jumping off point from warm-up to heads down. ‘High Rider’ has a more progressive approach - across six minutes angelic sound patterns and early Bicep-esque house energy inspire movement and deep self-reflection.
The two toughest tracks on the record see us out as ‘Rockergirl’ blasts off into space in a kaleidoscope of colour and imagination; a real feeling of expressiveness and incredible discovery pushing the listeners emotional palette to breaking point, before the pounding triple-kicks and staple No_4mat sensitivity see us out amongst cries of ‘one more tune’.
Running Out of Steam return with their eighth release this time from London born, Berlin-based DJ and producer Amy Dabbs. The daughter of an original Northern Soul DJ, Amy started her musical journey through a vast collection of Motown records - lending itself to further exploration and inspiring her unique take on electronic music today.
Since her widely acclaimed debut EP on Distant Horizons, Amy has released music on Slothboogie and Lobster Theremin’s White label - infusing a classic style at various speeds; from house, jungle and drum & bass. Now, across four tracks, walking basslines and warm sound-design incite feelings of nostalgia, hope and good old-fashioned fun - so let's dance.
Austrian producer DOS rolls through making his mark on the first release of new label, Running Out of Steam, already scoring a modern summer classic house infused release to make memories too.
EP track title 'Lucid Dreams' entwines twinkling, twitching vocals with deep compressed pads for the summer hazy days ahead with tropical synth melodies blending into a euphoric after-hours haze.
Dublin based producer M4A4 releases his debut 12” for Running Out of Steam, with 4 luscious cuts of NY House inspired goodness. It’s hard to believe that ‘Forever Underground’ was scene newcomer M4A4’s first vinyl outing, the talented young Irish producer flawlessly blends the sounds of Deep House with those of Jersey & NY House, creating a record that’s destined to make people dance.
On his follow-up to his inaugural Running out of Steam Release, No Advice, French DJ and producer Adam BFD lets imagination thrive with five mesmerizing breaksy house cuts, best heard under a star-lit sky. Duality flows seamlessly throughout the whole record, Adam harnessing the power to connect everyday experiences with a higher state of consciousness.
The EP kicks off with ‘Digital Tales’ which layers wistful secrets over mood-altering pads; it’s hypnotic undertone grounding and continuous. ‘Cirrus Dreamz' ascends even further into the clouds, it’s steady pace expertly infused with cosmic melody and shuffling rhythms. In a world driven by hyper-connectivity, Adam’s productions are a welcome reminder to stop and explore, none more so than in the immersive world of B side opener ‘1st Sight’. Dynamic percussion provides the movement, while meditative sonics produce the feeling of being swept up in a magic carpet and taken along for the ride. Adam’s depth of field widens in title track ‘Rose’, a quasi-epic composition combining all the best elements of house and breakbeat.
The record comes to a contemplative halt with ‘Siniestro’ - an ambient bubble-bath with field recordings poignantly placed across developing pads yearning for connection; showcasing another side to a producer who knows how to tug at the heartstrings.
Parisian producer DJ Atlance follows up an appearance on Happiness Energy’s various artist compilation late last year with five sun-soaked house cuts on Running Out Of Steam, just in time for January coming to an end.
‘Le Club, La Nuit’ gets things underway with a sample-heavy slice of early evening house music; funk-driven basslines, radiant atmospherics and a distinctive Atlance, hip-house bounce hold the door for the listener as they venture further into the dimly lit room. ‘When I Hear Your Voice’ throws it back to the 00’s with its MTV-pop-dance blend of catchy vocals and murder-on-the-dancefloor energy.
‘Eternal Sunshine’ is as radiant as the title would suggest; a bright sequence ofsaxophones, jazz-keys and feel-good warmth that we wish would never come to an end, before Atlance shows what he would ‘Do For Love’ on a synth-bending, playful cut of coastal house music.
‘After The Storm’ maintains its housey aesthetic, but this time on an electro-tipped 2-step; instantly recognisable vocal samples, dreamscape aesthetics and meditative breaks uniting on a blissed-out trip.
Tony Q & Barry Scran, also known as production and DJ duo 't e s t p r e s s', substitute their well-beloved moniker on Bout To Get It EP and explore a more world-building approach to their productions; featuring four patient and intricate pieces in search of new ground.
‘You Should Be Listening’ opens up the A-side with its larger-than-life and levitating textures, held in suspense by its solidified groove. ‘Bout 2 Get It’ comes in steady, and hits pace at the one minute park; the track's bassline opening and closing for maximum effect, and a tantalising vocal-loop that helps build as much suspense as it keeps the track in forward-motion.
‘Vivarium’ show’s off the pairing's knack for hybridized methods, with its UKG drum patterns and trance-tinged leads; paired with a sense of optimism and world-building, it feels like a special and versatile record; fit for multiple purposes. Finally ‘Horsepower’ shuts things down with enough energy and grace to close any set. The duo unleash a barrage of layered brakes against a silhouette of hypnotic leads and gnarly bass; embodying many of the ideas and knowledge from previous tracks, into a breathless masterstroke.
Originally from Normandy now residing in the country's capital, French DJ and producer Adam Boufeldja (aka Adam BFD) has been making a serious name for himself, having put out a string of self-released singles and curating his own self-titled Youtube channel.
Adam’s tracks have always been vivid, detailed portraits; drawing from memories and influences from around the world, and his latest EP is no exception; using his eclectic tastes to produce a record truly unique, and brimming with personality.
‘I’ll be walking’ meanders through an always evolving city, creating space and a sense of an otherwise chaotic and fleeting world. The track’s softly spoken synths hold the torch, while the effortless drums walk us home. ‘Call A Taxi’ follows suit, a fruitful marriage between shuffling drum patterns and hypnotic tones, while the track's subtle low-end provides the glue; closing off an A side that feels more like a story being told than another dance-floor memento.
Title track ‘No Advice’ launches the B side on a slightly more ominous tone, in a microcosmic portrait of opposing forces; before ‘An Ode To La Condesa’ glides through like a letter from an old friend, the smell of fresh ink still prevalent on the page as we’re whisked away through the wide-tree lined avenues of La Condesa. The EP comes to a close with ‘For The Good Times’ combining nostalgic tinged leads, forward-marching drums and sprawling pads that act as a backdrop to another highly impressive EP from one of France’s best emerging artists.
Bristol producer Boulderhead combines his affinity to minimalism with a range of influences across the club spectrum on Super Portal.
The minimal, breakbeat flaked Metamaterial opens before the stripped-out acid of the aptly named Wanna Go To A Party that evokes its title. On the flip, Super Portal combines broken bristol techno rhythms with a hypnotic driving synth while skeletal stepper Humons combines muted chords with skippy drums. Closing proceedings is Grooverider, a rumbling roller that succeeds in making a lot out of few elements.
Meowsn joins the Running Out of Steam family, serving up 8 cuts of feel good, hip hop infused house music.
Rising producer Meowsn has had a killer year with notable dance discs on labels such as Outplay, Flat White Records and Blaq Numbers, amongst others. His latest outing sees him join forces with the mysterious Running Out of Steam imprint, delving deep into all things house music, whilst also drawing influence on choppy hip hop grooves.
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