Steve Rutter
Close Your Eyes And Breathe

The new LP by Krefeld-born, Berlin-based artist Philipp Otterbach entitled 'The Dahlem Diaries'.Recorded in a little-visited corner of the German capital, 'The Dahlem Diaries' is a convergence of ideas, sketches and tracks, both old and new, most of which were produced between 2020-2022. Whilst eerie atmospheres, electronics and drums have played a pivotal role in Philipp’s earlier releases, his latest is a rather more introspective affair, in which the guitar takes a leading role. A role Otterbach uses to quietly bring light and hope to his music.Speaking about his writing process, Philipp explains that, based around his original compositions, “Friends were nice enough to contribute additional parts on their instruments which I then reworked, put together and re-contextualized. The recordings encapsulate a very specific moment in time, one that would have sounded perhaps very different the day before or after.”Combined with a strong use of effects and field recordings, 'The Dahlem Diaries' feels somewhat like a scene or fragment from a story, in which the narrative remains undefined. It is a playful album that is something of a blurred underwater adventure, sounding as bright as it is hazy, even psychedelic at times, yet with an almost melancholic positivity. In Philipp’s own words: “It could be an album about friendship and being at one with myself, whilst at the same time bringing a certain seriousness to my music, but not necessarily to myself; there is also a playful humour hidden in there. ”Artwork by David McFarline.

"Octopus’s Garden" opens like curtains parting to reveal a gleaming aquatic dreamrealm. Rippling percussion and notes dissipating into fathomless seas conjure visions of vivid coraline grottos. In "Introspection," lacey patterns of synthesized thought crystallize upon subdued beats, steeping the listener in hypnotic reflection.The journey peaks within the kaleidoscopic whorls of "Circles," its radial pulses emanating from a shimmering nebula of tuned light. Within this mesmeric vortex, all notions of terrestrial logic dissolve into rapture's core.Techno maestro Luigi Tozzi adds his magic with the remix of "Introduction", retaining the original's ethereal aura but ramping up the rhythmic intensity and full-bodied low ends for the dancefloor.

6th Hypnus record by Birds ov Paradise.Early support from Dorisburg, TM404, Brando Lupi, Abstract Division, Arnaud le Texier, Ben Buitendijk, Felix Lorusso, Mosam Howieson, Samuli Kemppi, Takaaki Itoh, Hydrangea and Forest on Stasys to name a few.Love and light

Die Orakel presents three tripped out leftfield excursions by Jaures

Next up on Seven Hills, we have an original release from the Holland-based Timo Faber and Jeffrey Baardolf AKA Young Adults!Serving up 4 slices of tech’d out wiggle, melding: techno, minimal, electro, and a splash of noxious chemicals, the Anxiety Bar EP comprises a variety of heavyweight d-floor weapons.Threat Level Midnight blends a combo of idiosyncratic drum samples with an infectious bubbling synth line, a prime example of peak-time tech-house tackle. While the title track Anxiety Bar takes a dark, moody, almost gothic turn, seriously phat bass for seriously phat systems.On the B, Integrated Lizard People slithers and slinks about gurgling synth lines and features unsettling reptilian almost-vocal sounds. Serving as a high-class closer, Fermented Feelings reigns in the trip with satisfying electro-ish drums, sauntering atop a sophisticated, warping melody.

REPRESS ALERT: Trelik returns with a repackaged edition of one of the catalogue's most treasured releases. "Overcome" and "Lady Science (NYC Sunrise)" need little introduction, and now come sporting the new TR11:11 matrix number. Written and produced by Thomas Melchior and Baby Ford aka Soul Capsule, these tracks came from one of the many sessions recorded at the West London Ifach Studio in 1999. On the A Side "Overcome" is stripped back and energetic, driven by rolling and shuffling garage style beats, tight bubbling bass and atmospheric synth pads. The intermittent vocal samples and the release's signature organ set you up for the flip, "Lady Science (NYC Sunrise)". Possibly one of house music's most emotive pieces, the track builds slowly with the introduction of each part building a story of soulful optimism based around a sparse palette of deep synths, uplifting keys and warm analogue bass. The understated beauty of the main vocal riff never seems to grow old or tired with the track lending itself perfectly to either main room, peak-time play or after-hours sessions alike. Remastered by Rashad at D & M.