New releases this week: Techno

Review: It is five up for the French label Chivalry here and the eponymous production outfit is behind the sounds which are distinctly futuristic and techno-minded. The opener rides on gurgling low ends and distant synth tension that is always on the rise as whistles vie for your attention up front. 'Track 2' is another wonky and industrial tech house sound with snappy drums that will jerk the floor into action and 'Track 3' then gets a little more smooth with its warped tones and alien sound effects. Last of all is 'Track 4', a jacked-up tune that spins you out on loopy synth madness.

Review: Mathew Dexter invites us into his singular techno sound world with this fresh new EP which inaugurates the new Subplanet label. 'New World opens up with main room vibes and nice arpeggios that have a hint of Italo charm to them. 'Godspeed' then layers up more hypnotic synth sequences to build a sense of unresolved tension over darker and more edgy beats. 'Sunbeam' offers a more heady vibe with some mystic flute style leads up top and transcendental synths that warp and weft to great effect. 'Retrograde is a prickly, bouncy, textured closer with euro-centric synths and plenty of melodic colour.

Review: Befitting of the label's name, Drumsauw aka. Joseph Sutherland keeps to the Code with a fresh three-tracker of megatechno heaters. Starting things off with the entraining but no less driving dreamer 'Focus', we're met with riveting sixteenthy knocks and dour breakdowns, a formula devoutly followed throughout; the B offers up two further alarmist pummellings of the third kind, with 'Set Back' repeatedly jabbing the podiatric floor with pressurised weight-kicks and offhand "push it" voxxes, and 'Escape' continuing to sound said alarm while insisting that we "escape" the laboratory, now quarantined to sift out those hesitant to dance.

Review: Much-loved Berlin party wreckers Fjaak have got a brilliant new album on the way soon that traverses every conceivable style of beat and is sure to be of the year's best. But that hasn't stopped them also serving up this 11th EP of hand-stamped goodness on their own self-titled label. It kicks off with some searing acid madness on 'Redemption' then slips into a raw, rib-cracking techno stomper in the form of 'Hustle'. 'Mechanic Love' is pure old-school rave with oversized synth blasts that tickle your inner ear and last of all is a vocal tool, 'Unity' (feat Red Eye - acappella). Very useful indeed.

Review: Kaiserdisco bring some big room techno energy to the one label in the world that is most synonymous with that sound - Adam Beyer's Drumcode. Opener 'In The Music' is a dark and driving cut with an acid tinged bassline over hard, hammering, flat footed drums. Add in a dark vocal hook and you have a real monster. 'Error In The System' on the flip is another moody techno pumper for the main room with hefty drums, eerie siren sounds and of plenty squelchy designs. It's a real headwrecker to close out a big 12".

Review: The Third Room concludes its so far excellent various artists series with a third and final instalment of yet more future-facing and heady cosmic techno. Justine Perry kicks things off with the deep space synths and paired back hypnosis of 'Diversion' while Hadone then bangs a little harder with 'Strain Relief' which has twitchy synth motifs and hard, hammering beats. HWRD's 'Mirage' is a buoyant techno bouncer with loopy synth ringlets all interacting with each other to mind-melting effect and Quelza's 'Domino' dips into deepest of dub techno territory to shut down a nice diverse EP.

Review: Iodic Spirit Vol 1 presents a dynamic showcase of 90s-influenced rave genres under its techno umbrella, featuring five tracks that traverse various sonic landscapes. Side-1 launches with Public Request's 'Trust Your Instinct', an early 90s trance anthem exuding the essence of rave culture with powerful techno elements reminiscent of Belgium's scene, highlighted by a commanding acid line. Following is NND's 'Looser,' a mesmerizing fusion of acid and melodic techno that captivates with its beauty and coolness, painting a vivid sonic tapestry. Flipping to Side-2, Bassy Bee's 'Domo Arigatogozaimasu' delves into hardcore territory with Belgium influences, delivering an electrifying experience. Next, Flood's 'Stress Relief' offers an upbeat journey tinged with Cabaret Voltaire vibes, blurring the lines between techno and trance, while still maintaining an infectious energy. Concluding the EP is 'Acidity' by Public Request, diving deeper into heavy acid territory with harder sounds that command attention and evoke a sense of urgency. Each of these tracks on Iodic Spirit Vol 1 has a unique interpretation of techno, acid, and trance, making for an electrifying listening experience that pays homage to the golden era of rave.

Review: REKAB has been making strong moves in the world of techno with his classic inspired but futuristic blend of melodic techno. The My Future & My Past EP showcases that. 'Soulful Season' opens the album with a magical and traditional Detroit techno sound, featuring playful melodies and ambient touches. Key piano notes impact the tune, setting the tone for the rest of the album. The title track, 'My Future & My Past,' is a robotic funk and techno fusion with a touch of electro. The beautiful melody adds a touch of soul to the track. Side 2 opens with 'Raw Note,' featuring an addictive groove and memorable keys. 'Bad Nights Better Nights' closes the album with a deeper groove, combining UK ambient techno and IDM influences. Overall, Soulful Season is a diverse and engaging album that showcases the artist's range and versatility.

Review: youANDme has always been an important cog in the wheel of underground house and techno and his recent PPPPP was another fine project that has also spawned plenty of equally brilliant remixes. This is a second collection of them and it kicks off with the Polish master of perfect loop techno, Head High aka Shed. His bulky, barreling drums and big percussive loops come with plenty of bounce and raved up vocals. After that come Ian Pooley's dub, and Johannes Albert's deep house trip. Sasha, Roger Sanchez and Laurent Garnier have already been banging these so now it's your turn.

Review: Joseph Capriati is firmly established as a techno DJ, but growing up in Naples his first connection with electronic dance music was actually in house music. 'Peace And Blessings', featuring Arnold Jarvis, is Joseph's very personal tribute to this genre, where he produced a track that he felt encompassed the vibe and spirituality of house music. He wanted a song and vocal performance that would equally represent all the best qualities of the genre, and joined with one of the industry's most iconic and legendary vocal talents Arnold Jarvis to write lyrics and deliver a vocal performance that perfectly complements Joseph's percussion and synth driven track. Bushwhacka! on board as Mix Engineer on The Groove Mix.

Review: Vital Detroit players Luke Hess and Joshua Harrison are back with a second EP that builds on the brilliance of their first. As always this is super deep and atmospheric dub techno outing on the superb EchoChord and all the cuts on it were produced live, in one take, in New York, at BlackCat Recordings. As such each one feels alive and variant, detailed with imperfections and of course defined by weighty low ends, aqueous synth work and a hypnotic sense of groove. These are stylish inward journeys of the highest order once more from this pair.

Review: The superb Philoxenia Records, which is spearheaded by Luigi Di Venere and Neu Verboten, here unveils a coveted addition to its collection with the the super limited Last Place On Earth EP from Vilnius-based Dovydas Platakis aka Jokios Kulturos. It's a cinematic work that immerses listeners in a dystopian realm that blends avant-garde tones with manga-inspired cyberpunk vibes. Each track serves as a gateway to a world where technological progress intertwines with societal decline, which is of course often the focus of classic cyberpunk literature. Di Venere and Verboten also combine under their Affekt Unit alias to deliver captivating remixes and bring trance and tribal techno elements to the party.