Steve O'Sullivan
Fresh Loopin' EP

Balmat is a new label with a cloudy outline.Jointly shepherded by Philip Sherburne and Albert Salinas, two friends living in Cardedeu, Catalonia, and on the Balearic island of Menorca, Balmat grew out of Lapsus Radio, a weekly show on Spain’s Radio 3. Balmat’s mission is simple: to foster new ideas, expand upon personal obsessions, and put enveloping sounds out into the world.“Balmat” means “empty” or “void” in Catalan. But quite apart from any negative connotations, we prefer to think of it in terms of possibility: a space waiting to be filled.Balmat’s first release comes from Luke Sanger, a Norwich, UK-based artist whose two decades of electronic music making have encompassed a range of tools and techniques, from MaxMSP to modular synthesis. Along the way he has built an extensive catalog encompassing ambient atmospheres, abstract soundscaping, and more. With Languid Gongue, he puts multiple approaches into play. Experiments in microtonal composition balance out pieces in standard tunings, while esoteric electronic machines merge with familiar acoustic treatments and microphone techniques.The result is a constellation of his signature sounds: freeform new-age fantasia; spring-loaded toytronic arpeggios; quartz-driven braindance clockworks. Drifting between consonant, almost lyrical compositions and shape-shifting textural sketches, the album drifts with the nonchalance of a sky-high cirrus cloud, and it glows as if illuminated from within. When we heard the material, we knew that it was the perfect choice to launch the label. To us, it sounds like a roadmap for points unknown.

London-based producer, DJ, and promoter Saoirse is back with a follow up to her critically acclaimed and hugely welcomed debut solo release on her new imprint trUst Recordings.'Gentle Romance' is the first single from the forthcoming 3 track EP written by Saoirse.TRUST is one of the key foundations of safety, within yourself and with others. Vital for good health and happiness. The inception of trUst recordings was finally being able to trust in one's own ability. Trust in music made for dancefloors. Trust in its simplicity yet importance. This label founded by Saoirse will be asking those who she trusts, herself, her friends and her most loved producers to join the label as collaborators and solo artists.

New Norwegian imprint Continually with a debut EP from Ruton (Rub800 & Tonchius), touching through a variety of genres within the modern sound between house and techno.

A label that has pathed careers for the likes of Nightwave, Hodge, Special Request/Paul Woolford and many more, DEXT Recordings announce 'Blizzard'; a fresh 12" from the enigmatic Russian techno-head, Dawn Razor.Following releases on A R T S, Scuffed and Holding Hands to name but a few, he is best known for both his live performances and DJ sets of broken beat techno, electro, mutated bass, post-trance and everything in between.On remix duties enters Desert Sound Colony (Holding Hands/Dr Banana), portraying his own inimitable two-step spin on 'Blizzard'. Utilising the pads to create a unique air that sits around a playful and warm bassline, the choice of remixer truly sits perfectly with the overall palate of the record.

Arriving on There Is Love On You, following killer releases from Posthuman, Denham Audio and Saturday Night Rush, comes a sci-fi soaked five-tracker spanning headsy techno, proggytrance and chugging ethereal noise from 'Us' founder Desire, who heads the project that aims to 'shine the light on queer people' through releases and mixes.'Express Self Love' sounds much like the expression of ecstasy. Spacey atmospheric and ear-wriggle acid lines meet in a dimly lit room with dark techno, electro and trance for a proper headsdown affair. 'Dernier Souffle' is a cut of contemporary progressiveness being championed by labels such as Kalahari Oyster Cult and Butter Side Up - minimal, malfunctioning and dubbed-out goodness.'Keep Moving' maintains a meaty bassline that threatens to overflow at almost every turn - moments of celestial high-ends emotional transfixation sparkle amongst the tough-as-nails techno - before 'Incisiveness' follows up with what might be the fun-loving twin of its predecessor; a cut of peak moment, intellectual techno-trance.The tempo comes down on 'Voyage Infini'; a chugging cut of transcendental synthwave best played as the sun is just coming up.

With this EP James Bangura has definitely taken me to another place musically. It certainly is the deepest record on any of the Holding Hands labels and yet I was so drawn to the tracks. Something about the weight of the sub just called to me and then shot me off into an imaginary club space. I could feel myself swaying with my eyes closed in a dark space with enormous subs and it felt right.