Various Artists
Brothers In Arms

DIFF003 Distributed by One Eye Witness.All tracks written & produced by Michael Melchner.Mastered by Tangible Air.Designed by Gerardo Corizzo. Stickered cover.

Maailma. Ethereal, hypnotic, entrancing - emkay’s release, the third on Espace Noir, is all of the above and more. Gated vocals, deep pads and shimmering stabs, Maailma feels like a memory from another time, a cloudy dream, or a place you’ve never quite been. It’s familiar but foreign, comforting yet thought provoking. And to top it all off? Maailma includes a remix from Finnish partner in crime (and Espace Noir favourite), Sansibar.

a1: main-room energy radiated by arpeggios and chords, with a nostalgic nod to the evergreen Italia novanta sound. a 'New World’ is on the horizon. a2: as 'Godspeed' takes the inner circle, hypnotic sequences infuse the journey with tension, while synthesisers intertwine creating idiosyncratic textures. b1: like a 'Sunbeam' on a cloudy day, a synth line shines through, coming out of left field, weaving a narrative with melodies and harmonies. b2: the ep reaches its crescendo concluding with 'Retrograde': an unwavering, euphoria-driven homecoming.

Split #3 is the latest installment in the Split Series released by Overthink Records, showcasing a dynamic blend of techno and EBM from talented producers. This record features two sides, each offering distinct yet complementary styles.

Barna mainstay oma totem is dishing out the cerebral and dubby like it’s nobody’s business. 3 tripped-out accelerators courtesy of the Oyster Cult debutant, complete with an OK EG rework for good measure.No messing with this purveyor of reverb-drenched dynamics and fractal polyrhythm. But this time, rather than the inward contemplation of releases past, we get something a little more full-frontal.Robust club gear rooted in ominous portent, opener ‘The Trick’ recalls the heyday of early 00s bass music. It’s tunnelling prog caught on a dark side flex. Then, in a coming together of kindred spirits, Melbourne hardware duo OK EG take it upon themselves to provide some introspection. Expect depth charge bass-weight primed for meditative moments. ‘Choreos’ finds the Hivern Discs affiliate at his deftest. Intricate and kaleidoscopic with careful attention to rhythmic intricacies, but never at the expense of dancefloor propulsion. The same could be said for the follow-up. Equal parts driving and trance state-inducing, closing number ‘Mania’ has oma returning to the inky abyss from whence he came. Detailed, dubbed-out and quintessentially Kalahari.

Limping on Clouds is an EP born from an in-depth collaboration between Polygonia and Shoal. The A-side features one carefully curated track by each artist, while the B-side is a true symbiosis of their work, evolving from a single element or layer loop into a complete mix and arrangement that was gradually developed over time and distance. Side A opens with Shoal's “Majola,” featuring layered breaks and a deep, slung bass, followed by Polygonia's “Repeat,” infused with kinetic energy, rhythmic elements, and euphonic vocal samples.The synergistic B-side unfolds with a subtle, organic rhythm. “Pendulum” overflows with lush ambiance, creating an ethereal mood that pervades the record. The EP concludes on a downtempo note with the track “Limping on Clouds.”