Electro/club spring/summer 2019

While other genres and sectors have recently witnessed a massive rediscovery of the Ep, especially as a format for launching and promoting new talent, the entire world of dancefloor electronic music has always held the format in the highest regard, still considering it the prime vehicle for spreading new tracks and bringing fresh talent to the fore, allowing artists to build a solid audience while waiting for more ambitious projects. Practical and versatile enough to be used on the most varied occasions, with the added benefit of offering a broader perspective than the standalone track, the beloved twelve-inch remains the preferred currency among club-culture enthusiasts, a medium as fascinating as it is dizzyingly dispersive, especially amid today's overflowing sea of releases. To bring a bit of order to a distribution landscape that's often all too chaotic, this article attempts to offer a selection of the best Ep/12” releases from the past four months, delving into cult names, connoisseur's gems and new talent seeking the spotlight. Without hierarchies or particular preferences, the most enticing new house, techno, electro and related releases, picked from the most varied corners of the globe. Now dance, dance, dance till you drop!

DJ Delish – XP (Sweet Equity NYC)

In recent years the ballroom scene has enjoyed renewed interest, between TV series, mainstream shout-outs and new talent that has relaunched its exploits, giving the scene's classic angular sound fresh momentum and avant-garde ambitions. Coming out of Philadelphia's drag circuit, DJ Delish is one of the many young talents who cut their teeth mixing records at balls, and who has since crafted a thoroughly personal take on that world, one through which to express her full personality. From this angle, "XP" is a project that fully showcases the producer's distinctive sonic vocabulary, which, while taking its cues from her scene of origin, often has fun hybridizing it — or even masking it — through dazzling synthetic detours and delicious urban framing. In advancing her multifaceted ballroom vision, DJ Delish clearly can't do without the vocal element: it's precisely this that gives extra depth to three of the project's five tracks, letting the proposal's queer traits emerge with due vigour, in all their spontaneous effervescence (just listen to "Musical Chairs"). Powerful yet not lacking a dynamic lightness of its own, "XP" proves an interesting project in capturing the here and now of 2019-vintage ballroom.

DJ Lag & Okzharp – Steam Rooms EP (Hyperdub)

2019 has already proven a fruitful year for DJ Lag, the most famous producer from Durban's extremely dense gqom scene, with one of his co-productions ("My Power") appearing on the soundtrack of the live-action "The Lion King", curated by Beyoncé. The release on Hyperdub of this "Steam Rooms", a collaborative EP with Anglo-South African producer Okzharp (known for his excellent outing with multimedia artist Manthe Ribane), is the cherry on top crowning the rise of one of the most creative and forward-thinking minds in the buzzing gqom scene, for which he continues to seek out fascinating new expressive avenues. In a kind of bridge connecting South Africa to the UK, the pair pinpoint the line linking the dark tension of Durban's parties to the neurotic charge of London's clubs, in a stylistic blend that grafts onto its core structure elements of grime, extroverted funky lines, and generous helpings of bass music. It's not that the duo can't work within more standard parameters (the opening "Now What" is an excellent quintessence of gqom), but it's in hybridization that they truly capture their essence, offering new expressive possibilities in a field that has often risked stagnation. From the funk-Caribbean overtones of "Steam One" to the haunted atmosphere of "Nyusa" (a genuine floor-shaking anthem), the combination of DJ Lag's and Okzharp's production approaches knows how to push the genre's boundaries forward, laying the groundwork for a partnership with exceptional potential. An essential EP.

DJ Python – Derretirse (Dekmantel)

Being the mastermind behind a sonic possibility that had until then remained unexplored, especially when it becomes the cornerstone of an entire full-length, can bring with it undue pressure, and cause follow-up efforts to founder. That's not the case with Brian Piñeyro, who two years ago crafted a refined and impeccably polished stylistic blend aptly dubbed deep-reggaeton, and who now returns with "Derretirse", a mid-length effort in which he further develops and consolidates the ideas of that full-length, adopting a more composite and varied approach to dynamics and composition. While the overall feel remains strongly marked by an atmospheric imprint, the tracks leaning more towards the Latin side enjoy fresh momentum, adapting reggaeton patterns in light of further recombinant possibilities. "Be Si To" plays with disco constructs, with production quality sharp enough to push the sound into territory bordering on industrial; on the other hand, the rhythms of Jamaican dembow shift shape and set the tone for the closing "PQ CQ", among the most complex moments in the producer's career, one where he suggests the rhythmic idea rather than actually spelling it out. Scenes of pure ambient idyll (the blissful haze of opener "Lampara") and para-vocal touches ("Cuando") speak of an artist who still has plenty to say within his own gentle expressive niche, one capable of taking his core idea to new creative heights. "Derretirse" is already an excellent springboard.

India Jordan – DNT STP MY LV (Local Action)

Across the four original tracks (plus a remix) that make up this "DNT STP MY LV", it's clear just how much love its author has for the world of the hardcore-continuum, for the early rave scene that still remains an inexhaustible source of inspiration. It's safe to say that here that passion pays off in full: over the record's twenty-six minutes, the British producer gives free rein to all her creativity, in a quartet of cuts ranging from explosive house crescendos (the glorious basslines of the title track, a compelling backdrop for a boogie-funk vocal sample), breakbeat from the good old days, somewhere between the burlier side of Goldie and the big-beat of times gone by ("DN4"), and hardcore-tinged trance flashes gone astray ("Leaving Stanley"). In between, a small synthetic paradise with almost ambient shades, a "Through Lacuna" with a comforting touch that offers real proof of India Jordan's production potential. A remarkable launchpad for an artist who has everything it takes to make her mark.

Luksek – Sweaty Ritual (Jun)

With a cover like this, made up of splashes of colour arranged into a fun abstract pattern, it's hard not to think of the close bond between Luksek (born Luca Guarducci) and Jun Kamoda, author of one of last season's liveliest and brightest house albums. Indeed, the two share a fruitful working relationship, already resulting in a jointly produced EP marked by a shared set of interests. Across the three tracks of "Sweaty Ritual", released on his associate's label, the Florentine producer's house vision comes through strongly, built on colourful disco-funk parameters (though the closing "Silver Choir" also taps into lush deep-lounge melodicism) that reveal a real passion for italo-disco and the loop culture of his French cousins (the sample interplay on the title track is excellent), guaranteeing all the fun and energy possible. Pure dancefloor grit.

My Girlfriend – Apron EP (Apron)

From improvised sets at São Paulo's most exclusive nights to a release on Apron, one of the most interesting labels around when it comes to electro-funk and its surrounding territory, it took no time at all for Pedro Zopelar and his very young partner Benjamin Sallum to give us a first taste of their production skills with the aptly titled "Apron EP". A record of undeniable appeal, enough to let listeners fully appreciate the duo's powerful versatility, devoted to a syncopated, odd-metered synth-funk that can be dreamy and hazy (the dreamy acrobatics of "Believe In Something"), or, at other times, more direct and warm, close to the pyrotechnic moves of Dâm-Funk ("Gidi"). The project's real gem is the pairing of "Corner Club" and "Fingers", a genuine touch of class that drags the duo's funky lines into a nostalgic MPB setting, proof of their deep connection to the most significant cultural roots of their country. A more committed deep dive into Brazilian-style electro-funk could really set off some sparks.

Nina Kraviz – Stranno Stranno. Neobjatno (Trip)

"Strange, immensely strange". That's what you get translating the title of the famed Siberian producer/DJ's new EP, and that's exactly what you take away from listening to its three tracks, among the best releases in the extensive career of Trip's label boss. Despite the immediate recognisability of the elements they're built from (this is still techno, after all), the tracks take on a sinister, mysterious quality, turning seemingly linear progressions into a far more rewarding, multi-faceted experience. "Dream Machine" lives up to its title too, burying faint melodic nuances under a sea of noise textures and synthetic openings, building a strange, welcoming dream-techno framework. The following two cuts turn out to be much faster and more percussive, excellent showcases of the sharper, but still eminently danceable, style that runs through the latest Kraviz, now mistress of a wide expressive range. On one side, "I Want You" unleashes a pounding, vaguely retro edge, where different timbral patterns take turns in an irresistible hypnotic alchemy; on the other, the title track celebrates the artist's most obsessive side, quirky and unsettling techno, with distressing synthetic touches and pounding bass grooves. Strange indeed.

Peggy Gou – Moment EP (Gudu)

Come to think of it, it only makes sense that the new label launched by the noted Korean producer should license one of her own works as its first release, immediately setting the tone for what's to come. In keeping with the disco-house sound that defined the previous "Once" and much of her earlier output, the two tracks making up "Moment" follow a similar blueprint, offering two engaging, strongly melodic cuts, once again sung by Peggy Gou in her native tongue. Where "Starry Night" digs into a sound built on thick funk propulsion and brief piano flourishes as its strong suit, "Han Pan" instead opts for a more acidic, asymmetrical approach, where synthetic gear and instrumental melodies conjure up a futuristic tropical setting. A solid launching point for Gudu, which looks set to become an interesting springboard for new house talent.

Seph – Tierra Del Fuego (Insurgentes)

Argentina is also fertile ground for electronic exploration, and Seph (born Sebastian Galante) is among its foremost names. His is an exploration through the folds of the most atmospheric, experimental techno, one that never forgets its founding traits while also loving to push further, straying into uncharted territory. And so, the vast expanses of Tierra del Fuego provide the conceptual and geographical backdrop for the four explorations of this prolific Argentine talent, suspended between arctic modulations worthy of Glacial Movements ("Ritual 34.6037"), ambient meditations that meet somewhere between Biosphere and Boards Of Canada (the closing title track), and beefier sonic structures that could well earn a spot in some excellent mix in the field ("Symbol"). A refreshing break with a chillout touch, in this scorching late summer.

Tropical Interface – Signature // Food Chain (Hyperboloid)

Hyperboloid has no qualms about throwing down the gauntlet, describing the four tracks of "Signature // Food Chain" as a genuine nightmare for anyone trying to mix them into their own sets. Aside from the challenge thrown at all the DJs eager to test their skills, the sound captured by Tropical Interface is about as chaotic and intricate as it gets, within a micro-niche calling itself eco-grime, which, ecological themes aside, draws from territory far removed from the world of Skepta and Wiley. What dominates the scene are instead extremely jagged breakbeat patterns, simply frantic even in the calmer episodes ("451 [+1/4]" embraces a more "welcoming" house dimension), and pounding and furious in the more intense moments, hurled towards the embrace of gabber and hardcore techno (the aggressive "Food Chain"). Even so, the mix isn't devoid of its own particular humanity: coming to the rescue of this rhythmic mayhem are wildly distorted melodic lines (simulating robots out of control) and recognisable harmonic touches (such as those on opener "Reborn"), which enrich the project and pull it out of static experimentalism. In the end, hitting repeat to untangle the knot takes no time at all.

Bonus: Roberto Surace – Joys (Defected)

Even at the risk of overstating it, this is the house track of summer 2019. You'd struggle to find a tune more infectious, joyful and upbeat than this one - a song that spreads good vibes without any forced twists, relying solely on the sheer strength of an excellent vocal sample ("The Finest" by S.O.S.), a razor-sharp percussive backbone, and a killer bassline groove, shaping up into one of the most memorable beats of the season. You won't need anything else.

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