Various Artists
Hyper Love II

Fraxinus emerges from temporary suspension with a monolithic 6-track offering on his new self-release label Powerplant. This is his debut EP Position [Displacement], carved from a solid block of Devonian granite.After a 4-year dormancy, the Amsterdam-based artist returns with a 30 minute transmission of earth-shaking kick drums, thunderous percussion and razor-sharp sound design. The label’s inaugural release simultaneously marks the first proper outing for the artist, following a run of compilation features & special edition vinyl excursions dating back to 2014.Position [Displacement] is a journey of divergent moods & cadences, from the wistful flutes of opener ‘Overland’ to final track ‘Laced’’s uncompromising arpeggios. Billowing melodies & piercing stabs run in tandem with a pummelling & steppy rhythm section; ‘Source Code’ builds steadily, paving the way for ‘Pass One’’s warehouse-ready assault. The blooming, fluorescent synths of ‘115 (Kondo)’ — named for the mythical Amsterdam club — create a mid-way moment of euphoria, before ‘Larch’ marches on with its clattering drums.The tracks clearly contain DNA from Fraxinus’ foundations with the Her Records cohort — lean, direct & forward-thinking. This time around the aesthetic is more focused, transferred to techno schematics but veering away from 4/4 fare. The sonics have been compacted into dense slabs of energy, primed for soundsystem dispatch.Wholly original, crafted with precision; the EP serves as a powerful statement of intent for both artist & label. Position [Displacement] will be released 05/11/2021 on 12” vinyl and digital download, presented with full sleeve artwork. The record is followed by a further 2 EPs on Powerplant as we enter 2022.

Maja Pa presents the third and final installment in the Casting Shadows series with five tracks showcasing her unique style.The EP opens with "A Perfect Day" by Art Teachers, an excellent example of their distinct synth punk sound, providing the perfect introduction to the Veveo-verse. Next up is Vastechoses associate Brique Corps, who delivers the jagged body music of "Has Yo For All4,". On the B-side, Czech duo Kontrajas contribute "Lunt," a circuit-breaker from their self-released Laguna EP. Label regular Rory McPike returns to his post-punk persona 2200 for the goth-infused Outlaw. The record concludes with Geoid Color Circle’s mournful "Adieu Trois Mort En Juin”, taken from their Six Sad World tape.

Beta Librae returns to Incienso with her third album, “DAYSTAR”. Whereas her previous album for the label, “Sanguine Bond” was an altogether more heady affair - “DAYSTAR”, like the name implies, is a bright and bold waypoint in the ever expanding Beta Librae universe.On eight songs, including a striking collaboration with james K on the lead single “Late At Night”, Beta gathers up new elements of sound and pairs them her unmistakable rhythmic shapes to bring us the most wide-ranging and cohesive B.L. album yet.

In contrast to their previous EP’s, ‘Xenolith’ ups the intensity focusing on rugged breakbeats and destructive low end pressure. Across four tracks the duo experiment at different tempos, unearthing a myriad of themes inspired by forensic analysis and autonomous technological forces. Like alloys mysteriously grown from ore, fragmented artifacts of familiar origin take on new meaning. ‘Xenolith’ is bound together by complex and dystopian atmospheres, forging perhaps Tracing Xircles most intriguing record so far.

Outside In is back in quick succession with number 3, this time from two artists close to home. LVCA & Justin Pakzad combine for an EP for the first time, with a top remix from one of our favourites, German electro maestro - Christian Gleinser.Music made for many occasions.300 copies, grab it quick!