Back in stock: Techno (All)

Review: The mysterious Creature is back with the seventh release on the blazing hot self-titled label. We have a clue who is behind this label but we aren't 100% sure who is making these impressive slabs of house music. For this edition, 'Singing' cleverly picks out a few lines from Moloko's 'Sing It Back' and turns it into dancefloor devastation. On the second side is the exceptionally dirty and sleezy grinder called 'Freaking'. Both, when used properly, should wreak havoc on the floor and make serious waves in the minimal techno world.

Review: The talented Greek duo Artificial DRM - already renowned for their contributions to Koslif, De Stijl and Semantica Records - come through for the sixth Alpengluhen release. 'Enigma' is a curious experimental, IDM and ambient release, neither settling for out-and-out categorisability nor giving up the danceable ends of things and happily resting in the crosstalk between genres. All circling around similar tempi but with some variation therein, these four unnamed tracks reveal themselves, together with their textural details, only as slowly as a desert landscape might reveal itself to a parched wanderer; only through somatic repetitions, such as endless walking, panting, and squinting - compare these to deep listening and/or uninterrupted turntable playing - might we make out the mirages or fata morgana through the horizontal heat haze.

Review: Amsterdam collective Forsvarlig Arkiv is branching out with a new label that is going to represent what they are all about. This debut EP, 'Arkiv I', comes after many years of expert curating of their podcast series and welcomes four different, equally vital artists to offer up some fresh techno. Forest On Stasys kicks off with 'Sunken', a swamp and gurgling bit of mind-melting sound design, Zemog's 'A'te' then rides on silky, meditative loops with rising synth tension and Eyvind Blix follows a similar path with a more psychedelic edge. Biocym shuts down with 'Sabotage', a more percussive and edgy sound for late-night freaks.

Review: Prolific Lithuanian dub techno explorer Grad_U is back with a new album which further develops his explorations in realms well beyond the limitations of the dancefloor. Spectral Decay examines all manner of spatial processing, not to mention celebrating the power of the space between the pulses. There are still some steadfast technoid rhythms to latch onto, but the beats are always secondary to the atmospherics in Aleksandr Martinkevic's immersive productions. With a couple of remixes from kindred spirits such as Dominique Jacquinet and Ohrwert Alter folded in for good measure, this is another essential trip into the echo chamber from a master of the craft.

Review: Ohm and Kvadrant return to their spiritual home of Kontakt with more of that grandiose dub techno immersion they do so well, plumbing epic depths both within and beyond the functional demands of the dancefloor. 'Precious Little Diamond' kicks the record off in a steady-cruising form, guided by a smooth minimal tech house beat as the engine for some choice dub techno chords and mechanical hiccups. Deadbeat then takes the helm for a version which plunges into abstract echo chamber sonics he's spent decades perfecting before Levon Vincent completes the picture with a remix which heads into the outer limits of deep techno immersion.

Review: Positivesource unveils a thrilling new chapter here with Berlin-based producer Regent's brilliantly eclectic new Aphid Riot EP. Having contributed several previous releases to this label, Regent's anthemic tracks have become staples in DJ sets by label founders Blue Hour and Philippa Pacho. The EP kicks off with the hypnotic 'Occult,' featuring infectious bass-lines and blissful atmospherics then 'Khmera' follows in the form of a relentless percussive anthem with nostalgic vocals. 'Aphid Riot' brings bold UK flavours and mashes up vocals, breakbeats, and classic basslines then a 'broken' version of 'Aphid Riot' brings things to a close with a more introspective take. Regent's versatility is on full show here,