Kage
A Future Remembered

Finest Hour delivers its first 2 x LP, “Universal Voyage”, courtesy of Ukrainian up and coming producer Aliana, seamlessly matching the label’s aesthetics with her non-conformist sound offering hints of minimalist neo-detroit house and early 90s electro as well as UK tech-house influences. After a little sabbatical year, Finest Hour comes back with a subtle bang, presenting its first full cover artwork cover in the process.

Jochem Peteri comes drifting back into earshot with some new NWAQ tackle in tow. Beyond the plentiful reissues of his timeless earlier works, Peteri is just as productive in the here and now. Now he’s minting a new label with three pieces that embellish the NWAQ soundworld with a fresh slant. ‘Above II’ is a crystal clear beam of light strapped to a kick that trips over itself with grace and poise. It’s forthright and yet wholly untethered, a pre-echo for the anchorless expanse of ‘Above I’, which buries some heavy bass ruminations very far down in the mix. That leaves it to ‘Dume’ to come staggering out all bleary-eyed, caked in last night’s distortion and yet still exuding a cracked beauty that stands up to the first light of dawn. The artwork which adorns this record is by environment sculpting internet artist Jan-Robert Leegte. NWAQ has always stood for a kind of environmental immersion, and this new emission compounds that idea in three distinct, refreshing ways.

A thirst for all things alien encompasses the philosophy behind Sex Tapes From Mars - a brand-new vinyl-only imprint demanding humans to take them to their leader. So, two questions: who’s helming the record stores, and what message are they trying to deliver? For their inaugural release, the label beams down a VA from three impeccable rising stars intent on supplying some much-needed freakishness to Earth.Nemo Vachez sets the bearings for outer space with ‘Overload (Interstellar Rave Mix)’ – a sulking electro and acid intro that rambles with all the madness of a spaceship determined to veer off-course. It’s imaginatively paced, with scorning breakdowns and a lethal sense of some threat sitting on the horizon.Muelsa loads up a biological weapon of warfare with ‘A Message’, aptly named largely for its ruthless electro lines and a drawling voice asking for the answer to an age-old dilemma: “Please tell me it’s aliens? Maybe they’ve got rhythm too”.The signal glitches to Hubz for the close. ‘Fly By The Comets’ reverberates with great waves of synths before lunging into the first of two menacing drops, riffing and warring against some unseen force before exterminating the target.Wherever this UFO’s destination is set, all eyes are clearly watching. Sex Tapes From Mars delivers emotionally ambiguous cinematics for the dancefloor, so space helmets on and buckle in for the ride – the thrill is what makes it fun.

THE LIGHTS, THE HEAT, THE STROBE, THE SWEAT! Just in time for the club season, Sneaker hands in two ten-minute trips containing the darkest secrets of dance music. And for the working DJ, there are 4 stripped-down tools on top. The Flow is the sound of tomorrow! The Flow is the sound of the 90s. But elevated to the next level. Yeah, progressive! The Flow is the sound of our heroes. The Flow is the sound of NY and Boccaccio wrought into DEEP BEAT. The Flow is the mellow of LB and the trip of Andrew. May they rest in heaven's glory on the wings of eternity! The Flow is the endless vibe of Josh's groove and the elegant abyss of Murk ensouled with celestial angels. The Flow switches paradigm into the extravaganza synthesis of Dazzle Ships. Ain't nuthin but a 909, an Emulator and a Studer. Cream of the crop. Plus the immersive soul of Yvonne drawing from half a century of light, heat, strobe and sweat. And the vision of a continental producer, whose perspective is timeless, deep, and loving. The Flow is a utopia, where clubs exist. - And flourish!

Art of Dark’s Grotty Little Sister “DHUTT” releases split 12 by Keo Lab and DJ BD-Beatz.