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"Life Plans and Parallel Side Tracks" by Ismael Zouaoui (aka Ish) is the highly anticipated album on Libertine Records. Spanning Electro, Drum 'n' Bass, Dark-Wave, and Ambient, Ish's versatile production shines. Inspired by diverse influences like Brave New World, Japanese Anime, and early Techno/Trance, the album's contemporary, textured sound captivates.

For the second release on the buzzing Pearled Records imprint, fast-rising producer Sweater steps up to deliver 4 quality slices of sophisticated dancefloor material.Hailing from Philadelphia, Sweater has been developing a reputation for tight and gripping tracks that deliver big energy with an emotive touch. Known for brilliantly blending house and breakbeat with his own unique style, heʼs built a focused catalog of releases that are always reliable. However, his latest offering on Pearled Records builds on that foundation with clear and thoughtful intention, showcasing arguably his most refined tracks to date.Leading off PRL002 is ‘My Loveʼ a powerfully seductive breakbeat bomb with a delicate piano riff layered over a chugging bass line and that familiar rhythm. Next up is ‘King Ghidorahʼ, aptly named after Godzilla's arch-enemy, the trackʼs signature growl and skipping percussion make this a dark and bumping dancefloor anthem. On the flip side comes ‘Spaced N Pacedʼ that takes us deeper into the night or early morning, leaning on smooth atmospherics, a subtle bass line and of course pacey drums to keep the energy right on time. Rounding out the release is ‘Nice to Meet Youʼ, featuring Sweaterʼs signature breakbeat style and emotional melodies, because he canʼt help but tug at those heart strings.Sweaterʼs PRL002 is set for release XXX via Pearled Records.

Potatoheadz Records come back, out of nowhere, with JCow’s ‘in my elem3nt7’. Often spotted cycling about town, it’s no secret that JCow is diligently & quietly (and not so quietly) crafting big tunes. This release is the sound of that inevitable 2020’s shut-in inspiration. Written during those periods, they are finally seeing the light of day. With focused time in the studio, some serious imagined musical landscapes are the result. Tracks designed for dance-floor breakouts and closed-eye catharsis. We’ve heard these tracks come a long way from inception. Cerebral and kinetic, each track has a unique character, functional yet bound to stand out in any set. Tracks like ‘a complex range of human emojis’ pay-no-mind in referencing the past with a sly smirk and an updated twist. Are we hacking? While the title track ‘in my elem3nt7’ conjures a certain mystical atmos - the tracks bold narrative shift midway is one hell of a notable payoff. Swerving boldly into new territory, the beats fade and return from new angles, sounds cutting and slicing through the speaker like angelic machine gun fire. The drum programming is truly used like a weapon in this one, with those majestic horn samples like calls from the ether. Exaels ‘swampbuggy’ reworking of title track on the B2 provides the perfect alternate universe, working its way from a sparse ambience into an inspired IDM-leaning breakbeat epilogue.

The rattle of drums, scattered along the beaten track, hypnotically guiding you to a place not yet visited; yet all too familiar. Whispers and forgotten chants in surround sound luring an inner urge to surrender, to drink from Sepehr’s Diaspora Cocktail. The 5 track EP finds dwelling on Planet Euphorique for its historical 20th release, emitting a vibration of deeper dance and intriguing electronia the label is notorious for. The first sip opens your ears to the Iranian-American’s sonic sphere, rooted in live freakouts that may or may not be fuelled by his potent audio elixr, a signature special of hedonistic heat. Intoxicated by fragments of percussive EBM, tweaked out dungeon techno and sexy electro, the liquid drips and the delicious potions are stirred and shaken for your pleasure.

A new Glasgow label Future State opens its doors with an EP from one of the city’s finest, the inimitable Pigeon Steve. It’s a certified trip throughout, whether it’s the acid-tinged breakbeats of the opening track ‘Do You Wish To Be Saved?’ or the hypnotic chug of ‘Chuffalump’ and ‘Trancit (Hypno Mix)’. The record closes out in fine style with ‘Polemico’, a techno-trance beauty with some serious bassweight.