Simon Lovejoy
The Rave Age

Well who would have bloody thought it. 20 releases on Holding Hands. That is bananas to be typing that out. It’s been a hell of a ride and I am over the moon to be able to confidently sit here and say that I still absolutely love every single release that has been put out since the first back in 2017. What a bunch of absolute slammers!

Two fresh tunes from the Safe archive!

His five years at the helm of IDO (Intercontinental Dance Organization) have provided Valentino Mora the outlet to explore his concept of "active meditation", through the lexicon of deep and organically-textured ambient house and techno. Now with the inking of sub-label imprint EDO (Exothermal Dance Organization) Mora's newest output finds direct, molecular inspiration from deep in the aquaverse. Taking its name from the chemical release of heat, EDO's exothermic first EP delivers four tracks of heady, transformative techno atmospheres. Charting Mora's evolution from multi-channel acoustic recordings, samples and digital-analog hybridity, Hydrosphere EP continues his production complexity yet arrives at this point via the singular expression of modular synthesis. "Erosion" opens as a cryptic transmission from submersed entities, with haunting tone tendrils emerging from within the indigo unknown. A subtle echo of reverb softens the edge of its propulsive kick drum, creating an entrancing, enticing and unsettling journey into the deep. The snaking minimalist shimmer of the title track "Hydrosphere" evokes a landscape of frozen tundra, with a backdrop of shifting, urgent techno precision. Bewitching through endless motion and slow deliberation, chimes and pings are stretched out and warped to mind-bending effect. "Doppler Shift" takes a forthright approach, leading with prominent looped bass tones, percussion and rhythmic sweeps. Rounded shapes move rapidly through the inkinesss, forming repetitions that only intensify in pace and energy. To complete the resynthesis, "Solarized" embodies the life-giving warmth of it's name, beaming irregular shafts of illumination into dark, bass-heavy, chugging terrain, forming melodic wisps of tonal condensation.

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.

Berlin based Spin Desire is returning with its second outing. Welcoming the debut release of Ukrainian based producer / live act from Odessa : victor.b Victor has been making waves with his live sets for the last 2 years and this is his first full length release. We are more than happy to have him on board with this amazing record. Four trance infused tracks designed straight for the dance floor and cut directly from his live set!

Canadian imprint SEKS TAPES are pleased to present "Kaiser - Language Development". The Italian-born Berlin-based techno architect provides 4 tracks of cerebral and hypnotic floor shaking late night tools for the label's inaugural EP.