Release date (vinyl & digital): 14th of May

A1: Bang Wap
A2: Bolt
B1: Say It Loud
B2: Shine

Token celebrates its 100th release with Luke Slater, a legend of the genre, releasing under one of his most iconic aliases: Planetary Assault Systems. For over 25 years, Slater has delivered unparalleled quality in his music - a formative figure in Techno and instrumental in defining the sound globally, few can touch the Brit for depth, urgency and hit rate.

Exhibiting near enough perfect renditions of classic dance-floor moods, the four track EP is a wrought iron rollercoaster through some of the artist’s most exacting work. Booming opener Bang Wap chugs unrelentingly while a lithe FX line does the bulk of the movement in the high mid range - building tension before a satisfying release in the last quarter. A2 Bolt is classic Planetary Assault Systems - hypnotic and driving with a single sequence dipping in and out of view. On the flip, Say It Loud could be an idiosyncratic hit waiting to happen - dry and tight in the drum department for maximum effect, and featuring a recurring vocal sample chopped and skewed for tension. Closer Shine takes a deeper, more psychedelic route with shades of the classic, jacking Detroit sound in the pitch bent lead line, but maintains the energy throughout with stylish delay sends upping the ante where required, all in all delivering a neat finish to the EP.

TOKEN100 - Planetary Assault Systems - Say It Loud

Release date (vinyl & digital): 25th of March 2022

A1/1 Ignez - Celestial  
A2/2 Emily Jeanne - Red River Delta
B1/3 Altinbas & Cirkle - Uhlanga  
B2/4 Alarico - Spit 
C1/5 Dustmite - Filaments & Jaws
C2/6 Yant - Take The Reins 
D1/7 Marcal - Dancing Pursuit  
D2/8 Decka - Fractured

	
For the third installment of Token’s Fuga compilations, the label invites another list of 9 cutting edge artists to put their skills to the test. Ignez, Emily Jeanne, Altinbas & Cirkle, Alarico, Dustmite, Yant, Marcal, and Decka all offer their unique vision of contemporary club music for a collection of tunneling and intelligent cuts. 

Introducing the compilation, Ignez warms us up with the appropriately-named ‘Celestial’ - a 6 minute argument between melody and dissonance over a thick percussive line. Emily Jeanne then continues with ‘Red River Delta’ to lift some of the weight with a dissociative mind-bender. The crisp sound design and wide stereo image allow for an exhale before Altinbas and Cirkle introduce their collaboration ‘Uhlanga’. With our focus back on the body, the duo turn up the pace and prioritize groove. With rhythm at the forefront, depth is given to the track in the ambience, creating a rainforest-like atmosphere with resonant stabs streaking over the tighter low-end. Alarico then picks things up by taking advantage of this crescendo to present the energetic climax of the compilation with ‘Spit’. Hypnotism becomes almost paranoia with vocal cuts camouflaging themselves in the pulse of the track that only releases us with the occasional fleeting arpeggio. Walls rise and we’re in concrete for Dustmite’s ‘Filaments and Jaws’, which wastes no time in introducing itself with clear intentions and an imposing, low hi hat. He then lifts the record with a hovering main synth that drifts the experience back into a nervosity that complements the preceding track. It’s Yant’s turn to guide us with ‘Take the Reins’ - an almost nostalgic record with infectious chord stabs over a pounding 909, before leaving us with Marcal. ‘Dancing Pursuit’ is offered to the listener as another dance floor weapon with a density in its percussion and ambience that’s balanced by the sequence of the lead synth and creates a lot of energy. Decka then takes control with ‘Fracture’ with a brutally saturated kick over whipping two-bar synth loops to close out the compilation with a head-spinner.

TOKEN106 - Various Artists - Fuga III

Release date (vinyl & digital): 10th of June

TRACKLISTING:
A1. Devotion
A2. Devotion (Truncate Remix)
B1. Eden Tide
B2. Eden Tide (Barker Remix)

INFO:
Hot on the heels of his full-length LP 'Sky Scraping', Luke Slater is back as Planetary Assault Systems with a victory lap titled 'Devotion'. A trailblazer in techno with anticipation ahead of every release, Slater appoints complementary scene heavy weights Truncate and Barker for the remixes.

With the title track being reissued after its primary release on 'Sky Scraping', 'Devotion' opens the EP with what can only be described as raw drum machine psychosis. Slater whips up a classic tom-based 909 sequence with impact, keeping things straight to the point before introducing the defining vocal sample. Wasting no time with 1 bar melodies, Slater boosts up the resonance and LFO rates to create hypnotic textures with a large stereo spread to affirm the sheer size of the track. It comes as no surprise that 'Devotion' was picked up by Los Angeles's Truncate for the remix. Truncate employs the head-turning efficiency that's made his name a stylistic reference for the past 10 years for this remix, making the vocal cut seem like his idea to begin with. Stripping down the track to its bare essentials and emphasizing the rumble of the kick that clears the way for his original groove, Truncate surprises the listener with a progression into a more maximalist record than his fans might be used to. This marks a fair compromise with Slater's original track and makes for a reliable weapon for clubs everywhere. Slater then offers 'Eden Tide' as his B1 for this record, introducing a track independent of the LP. Here, Planetary Assault Systems fans find comfort in the cosmic synth lines and ambience that justify his name. This glides over a reliable groove with shaker-like hi-hats he's been known to use in the past coupled with an identifying progressive structure to make things even more hypnotic, making the track a recipe for acclaim. 'Eden Tide' could only be strengthened with a remix from Berghain resident Barker, who takes things even further into the mind with his signature kickless techno. Always picking up on the details, Barker takes advantage of the space given by Slater to offer his rendition of 'Eden Tide'. Barker lifts the mood with melody and dives into the subconscious through dub with delays and psychedelic movement, introducing the end of the EP with a meditative eye closer to smooth the edges of a rougher record.

TOKEN108 - Planetary Assault Systems - Devotion

Release date (vinyl & digital): 10th of March 

After a string of acclaimed releases on Token and a selection of remixes, Ø [Phase] released his debut album 'Frames Of Reference' on Token last fall. It earned him outstanding reviews at Resident Advisor ("a display of real power and finesse" 4/5), in DJmag ("a calculated masterpiece" 9,5/10), at XLR8R ("sticks out as an alternate route to the heart of machine music's appeal" 8/10), Groove Magazine ("pulsating techno in which every sonic details fits") and more.

Following the first single “On The Edge / Perplexed” & the second single “Dirtro II” (including the stellar ‘New Device Remix’ by Robert Hood), we now present you the last segment of the series with 2 remixes. On the A-side Rødhåd delivers an epic 10 minute interpretation of the first single ‘Perplexed’, while Robert Hood delivers a second, more minimalistic take on “Dirtro II” for the flip.

TRACKLISTING
A. Perplexed (Rødhåd's Extended Mix)
B. Dirtro II (Robert Hood's Redeemed Mix)

www.tokenrecords.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyphase
www.facebook.com/tokenrecords


Remixed

Ø [Phase]- Perplexed (Rødhåd's Extended Mix)

Ø [Phase]- Dirtro II (Robert Hood's Redeemed Mix)

Release date (vinyl & digital): 27th of January

TRACKLISTING:
A1: Illumination
A2: Integrate The Shadow
B1: Tenacity
B2: Follow The Eyes

INFO:
	
After a year of acclaimed releases on SK_Eleven, Voltage, and his own Observer Station, the ever exciting up-and-comer Altinbas strikes with his debut on Token. Known for crafting club textures with the utmost attention to detail, Altinbas offers his four contributions to the Belgian label under the name ‘Illumination’. 

Grabbing the A1 slot with the title name, ‘Illumination’ unveils Altinbas’s story with a bubbly and strobe-like introduction. With a long arrangement and sustained tension, suspense is never far from an otherwise aquatic record. ‘Integrate the Shadow’ claims A2 as an introverted and mischievous follow up. Nervous keys loop along with dissonant bells accentuating the mystery to an already obscure soundscape. More playful with the percussion here, Altinbas structures his second track with electric stabs and wide rides to provide appropriate pace. We are then gripped by a confident third, ‘Tenacity’, for a pinch of attitude needed in any good club record. The metallic lead swings off a muffled mid synth line to create movement here, and the clap booms behind us to create that dimension. Racing to the end of ‘Tenacity’, Altinbas then guides us to our final chapter - ‘Follow the Eyes’. This dreamy conclusion opens up the EP, giving us far-off strings and a reliably ethereal lead bell that melts into a thick ambience. The drums push us through a cloudy landscape to land us safely for the end of our story.

TOKEN113 - Altinbas - Illumination

Release date (vinyl & digital): 7th of April 2023

Tracklist:
A1: Aventurine
A2: Seraphic
B1: Verdant
B2: Cure

Info:
	
Returning to Token with his second solo contribution for the label, Ignez invites us back into his sonic world with his new chapter ‘Aventurine’. Providing yet again a record with novel texture and spatial work, Ignez guides us through a 4 track project orchestrated with intent and skill. 

‘Aventurine’ introduces the EP assertively with his unmistakably cinematographic approach. The title-track proves to be of considerable dimension, a precise and impactful percussion-line cuts through distant atmospheres, rendered all the more dramatic with the presence of a cello. Ignez then takes down the narrative tone a notch to make space for the A2 ‘Seraphic’, narrowing his focus and stripping down the record. Giving the track time to sink in an expertly crafted tension, it isn’t until halfway through that the main attraction is revealed. Reverse, spiraling stabs dot along a persistently imposing rhythm to make ‘Seraphic’ very representative of a style that Ignez has claimed over the past few years. Whipping outward with white noise to accentuate the listener’s notion of space, we arrive finally to the second half of ‘Aventurine’. A perfect follow-up to the last cut awaits under the name ‘Verdant’. Dry percussion and string-like stabs, this time sharper and more metallic, make for a record where timing is the driving force. More mute than the previous tracks, ‘Verdant’ makes a perfect dip into the final element of the EP - ‘Cure’. Back into a more harmonic style, Ignez uses vocals and background synth work to create tonality before throwing in the ear-candy. Spacing out elements to conclude the EP in a meditative fashion, Ignez once again strikes a balance between technical knowhow and acute storytelling.

TOKEN115 - Ignez - Aventurine EP

Release date (all formats): 2nd of June 2014

CD / Digital:
1. Narrative
2. Birth
3. Requiem
4. Plaintive
5. Lullaby
6. Vallecula
7. Winter
8. Petrichor
9. Aleph
10.NGC5128 

2LP:  
A1 Narrative
A2 Birth
B1 Requiem
B2 Plaintive
C1 Vallecula
C2 Winter
D1 Aleph
D2 NGC5128


From his first EP release in 1996, British producer Inigo Kennedy has built a sound which embraces both the traditional and the ambitious - as well as the emotional, the organic and the energy of live performance. Continuously studying the effects and capability of digital equipment, Kennedy has released in excess of 100 records, either as himself or through alternative monikers (Reducer, Tomito Satori). He has released these records on labels such as Missile, Semantica and his own Asymmetric. Since 2007 Inigo Kennedy and Belgian label Token Records have had a particularly close and fruitful relationship. Kennedy released three times on the Ghent-based label last year, including the thumping 'Emitter' and spiralling epic 'Cathedral'.

In April 2014 Inigo returns to Token - and with a project that feels like the culmination of all those years and all those records: a CD, 12'' single and 2x12'' LP under the banner of Vaudeville. In true, theatrical manner, Vaudeville is a collection of differing themes - from the abstract and freakishly odd to the direct and resonant. And just as the Vaudevillian shares a common purpose with his co-stars as the 'voice of the city'('voix de ville'), there runs through the centre of this record a clear narrative for urban experience.

'Narrative' presages the mood with a cold wind, before 'Birth' emerges with rain on the ground and a helicopter searching in the swirling darkness. 'Requiem', next, is more direct, as a warm kick and frenzied timbres interlock; the rumble recalls echoing and unhappy machinery. As one cornerstone of the record, 'Plaintive' is Requiem's anxious but happier brother: an organ winds its way down a slope, as soft toms herald the start of reflection on a heroic journey. 'Lullaby' has a deep and echo-laden undercurrent, building from afar but also warm and so incredibly close. 'Vallecula' is lower slung still, the atmosphere rough and moments before the morning light: the uncertain hour, the uncomfortable and unpredictable, a paranoid heartbeat. 'Winter' is the rolling patter of rain through clashing snare taps and dragging hi hats, solid thumps in haunted isolation. 'Petrichor' strides like a boss through his realm, again enwrapped in dank surroundings. 'Aleph' is the coolest act, a tremor of synth and an icy kick of determination. It's a race through the streets in sturdy boots, swirling in its certain melody. And at last there is the final cornerstone - 'NGC5128' (a galaxy in the constellation of Centaurus). A reflective end, this galactic rumble is late-of-bar heavy, and has a fitting space synth jagging in and out.

As a whole Vaudeville is a presentation of space, industry and enveloping urban darkness in a single, turbulent journey. It is the culmination of an organic and emotional approach to production. It is Inigo Kennedy at his finest. 

www.tokenrecords.com
www.facebook.com/inigo.kennedy.music
www.facebook.com/tokenrecords

Vaudeville

Inigo Kennedy - Plaintive

Release date (vinyl & digital): 3rd of November 2023

Tracklist:
A1: Part 1
A2: Part 2
B1: Part 3
B2: Part 4

Info: 
For Token’s 120th release, the imprint reintroduces scene favorite ORBE for another EP. Revered for his deep and viscous textures over stark rhythms, the Spaniard furthers his point in four calculated and layered examples.

Opening with deeply filtered synth work, ORBE takes his time to subtly introduce shrill tension in the first track, displaying control in a progressive arrangement. He’s quickly able to accentuate his intention with a single stab, providing a shimmer and a sharp edge to a rounder-bodied record. Turning over to Andromeda 2, we switch to a dryer lead with a convoluted ambiance, giving a driving track more structure through contrasted transitions. ORBE intensifies the rest of the cut with an electrifying noise circling around the mainland of his identifiably layered work. Alleviating some harshness from the main components, the artist dives into a more liquid and cavernous environment. Pressing through with sustained keys, ORBE continues to evoke a sense of suspense even in his more adventurous tracks. Anticipation rises and falls with the sustain of his resonant lead, taking us to the final chapter of Andromeda. To round off the cosmic voyage our artist departs with what, in the beginning, seems like another intimidating presentation of thick synthlines whipping across a steady rhythm -  but then comes a surprisingly ethereal pad, oscillating throughout Andromeda 4, to indicate a safe arrival from a nail-biting story.

TOKEN120 - ORBE - Andromeda

Release date (vinyl & digital): 1st of December 2023

TRACKLIST:
A1. Presence
A2. Spoken Word
B1. Spirit Moves
B2. Blue Lace

INFO:
Following a string of unavoidable releases in only the past two years with unprecedented international support, Brussels' own Altinbas returns to Token with a second release entitled 'Spirit Moves'. Recognisably full-bodied tracks, riddled with classic techniques yet designed for the modern dancefloor, Altinbas offers intention in the age of impulsivity.

'Presence' opens the EP, easing the listener into what has become Altinbas's marque de fabrique. A steady, round low-end eggs us on to zip through vast celestial bodies, with euphoric inclines and cloudy descents. Traveling through 'Presence' is fluid if anything, establishing an introduction of boundless dimension to a record made with precision. Following this opening, Altinbas re-focuses his attention to centric rhythm. Bold, toned percussion makes for an infectious groove, instrumental in the most efficient way possible. Swapping drum machine sequences as an arrangement, the Belgian producer presses on to the second side of his project with the title track 'Spirit Moves'. Taking yet another turn, the third part of the EP focuses on playful synth work with raspy hi hats; a seemingly randomized arpeggio runs along a head-bobbing rhythm, scattering melody for tension. Having departed from depth in the middle of the project, Altinbas comes full circle for the last chapter, 'Blue Lace'. A return to stabby dub-like synths spread out in the stereo image make for a club record reminiscent of German classics. Mixing it with an eager tempo and present drums over a glossy ambience, Altinbas closes his second solo contribution to Token records by reaffirming the value of his sonic identity.

TOKEN121 - Altinbas - Spirit Moves

Release date (vinyl & digital): 9th of February 2024

TRACKLIST:
A1. Enchant
A2. Bliss
A3. Veiled Dreams
B1. Euphoria
B2. Oceanid
C1. Drama
C2. Scene
D1. Delusional Bond
D2. Awakening
D3. Immersive Mind

INFO:
Ignez makes his Token comeback for a new format yet again, presenting his first ever LP with the Belgian label. One of the scene's most intriguing artists to emerge in the past few years, the young Dutchman has paved his road to acclaim by experimenting with sonic narratives and interpreting them with dance floor efficiency. Constantly working the conceptual intentions of his records, Ignez offers a refreshing take on club music by giving it his unmistakable touch of cinematic storytelling.

'Tides' is an ode to his personal connection with nature, and each track represents a shift in energy and emotional ambiance, rising and falling with each transition. With this approach, it only makes sense to release a project of this length; Ignez is able to tell his story through waves, washing over assertive rhythmic work with far off keys and soothing pads. Songs like the album's introduction 'Enchant' and 'Delusional Bond' inspire curiosity of what lies beyond murky waters and the impactful aftermath of these tracks explains the untameable quality of ocean tides through erratic percussion and razor-sharp sound design like in 'Bliss'. Ignez's synth work throughout 'Tides' is elusive if anything, swimming through his arrangements in an unpredictable manner. He tells the story of an environment that imposes the sometimes harsh rules of its territory with restless elements ready to jump out at any given moment. This feeling of almost powerlessness can be felt in 'Awakening' for example, a record that's bent on intrigue and suspense over a stomping four to thefloor kick. Curiosity, anticipation, discovery: these are all things that can describe the chosen theme and, of course, Ignez's work as a composer. The album serves as a look into the respect the artist has for unstoppable energy and his translation of it thereof through the expressive sound design and thick atmospheres that propelled him to the forefront of his scene.

TOKEN122LP - Ignez - Tides


Release date (3LP, cd & digital format): 3rd of November

TRACKLIST
1. Ø [Phase] - Insectoid
2. Lucy - Sana Sana Sana Cura Cura Cura
3. Ctrls - x.y
4. Rødhåd - Haumea
5. Planetary Assault Systems - The 808 Track (Parts 1 and 2)
6. James Ruskin - No Trace
7. Surgeon - Fixed Action Pattern
8. Inigo Kennedy - Arcing
9. Karenn - Pace Yourself

INFO
It was early 2007 when Inigo Kennedy inaugurated Token. Since that Identify Yourself 12” the Belgian label has gone from strength to strength, integrating both Kennedy and Ashley Burchett, aka Ø [Phase], into becoming integral cogs in the Token machine. In between releases by Grovskopa, Oscar Mulero and Go Hiyama, both Ø [Phase] and Inigo Kennedy dominated Token’s output, but it wasn’t until Burchett’s watershed Binary Opposition that Token received the shower of praise it deserved. Following this, label founder Kr!z issued three remix 12”s of that release which, including Token regulars, took in a profound cast of producers to reprocess “Binary Opposition” by the way of Sigha, Peter Van Hoesen, Planetary Assault Systems and Ben Klock. It was here Token stamped their authority on contemporary techno.

Since then Token has grown exponentially, bringing into their fold artists like Xhin, Mark Broom and Rødhåd, while Ctrls, formally one half of Northern Structures, has seen his solo career flourish on Token with the release of five records to date, and he joins Inigo Kennedy and Ø [Phase] as a label stalwart. Additionally this year, Orphx and Ancient Methods debuted their relentless Eschaton collaboration on Token, and Christian Wünsch’s Spherical Coordinates dalliance with Oscar Mulero has gained even more momentum with a second release called Kinematics Equations. Now, seven years after that debut Kennedy record, Token present Aphelion, a nine-track CD and triple vinyl grandstand of new and exclusive material from label regulars and like-minded artists whom Token founder Kr!z specifically commissioned for this milestone release.

The penultimate record before Aphelion was a second Token 12” by Rødhåd, another artist adding to the cultivation of the label’s sound and roster, and for this compilation the Berliner supplies his cosmically inspired “Haumea”. Joining the Dystopian founder on Aphelion are three of the UK’s most influential techno artists: Surgeon, James Ruskin and Luke Slater under his Planetary Assault Systems alias who provide Token with solo material for the first time after previously appearing on the imprint in remix form. Entirely new names to grace the label via Aphelion include Stroboscopic Artefacts founder Lucy, and Blawan and Pariah's Karenn project, while label faithfuls Inigo Kennedy,  Ø [Phase] and Ctrls naturally commit three Token defining productions.

Casting one’s eye over Token’s back catalogue and it’s clear to see the label is a staunch advocate of absolute techno, remaining steadfast in issuing quality material that remains true to classic strands of the genre regardless of its popularity flux. In that respect, Aphelion - a word used to describe the point in orbit when a planet or comet is farthest from the sun - provides a simple analogy that the magnetic force of Token, unfazed by the shadows cast by popular opinion, will proudly shine light on their artists and given styles. 

“We started in an era where our genre was very unpopular,” Kr!z explains. “And in the end that seemed a big advantage for us, because when everyone was giving up, we started our mission.” Regularly hosting label nights in prominent clubs around the world, Token has become a label supported by a wide-ranging body of artists like Âme and Ben Klock to Efdemin, Truss and Ancient Methods. With the label now branching out into album and compilation territory, Token’s duty to techno may not yet be accomplished, but it’s been a job well done.

www.tokenrecords.com
www.facebook.com/tokenrecords

Aphelion

Lucy - Sana Sana Sana Cura Cura Cura

Karenn - Pace Yourself

Inigo Kennedy - Arcing

Release date (vinyl & digital): 15th of March 2024

TRACKLIST:
A1.  Strange Attractor
A2. Astral Plane
B1. Time Dilation
B2. Fractal

INFO:
Border One’s fourth contribution to Token Records is an ode to the cosmic, an ever-present theme in the Belgian’s acclaimed career. ‘Strange Attractor’ takes techno and applies Border One’s bubbly modular sound glossing over thick drums, weaving through sound design destined for sophisticated sets on worthy sound systems. Calm and collected, he offers yet again his attention to detail and devotion to effect. 

As an introduction, ‘Strange Attractor’ presents a gripping story. Displaying sustained tension, he takes his time to reveal his channels. Forcing the listener to settle in and anticipate, the elements diverge and converge over the space of six minutes, shifting groove throughout. A return to calm, slightly uneasy control helps us arrive at an influx in energy for the rest of the project. Moving along to ‘Astral Plane’, we are introduced to more extroverted sequences. Boomy through fluctuating synth lines and stomping claps, the seasoned producer uses the size of his design in the low end to justify a more erratic arrangement. Spread noise in the background interweaves with confronting synth work, making ‘Astral Plane’ impressive in weight without losing the intricate quality that its producer is known for. Opening the dimension of the project through far spread elements, ‘Time Dilation’ creates linear focus with a cloudy entourage. An always club efficient throbbing main synth persists through an exciting structure, highly resonant transitions whip through drum machine patterns, making the third track on the record nothing if not a nail biter. The shuffle of the hi hats does nothing to slow down the energetic peak of the EP; we find Border One confidently in control of layered machinery. Drawing the project to a close, ‘Fractal’ blinks through persistent tension. Linear rides and drones open and close with each transition, making for a bent atmosphere of intrigue. With a sturdy rhythm dotting along from start to finish, the tonality of Fractal makes it the perfect final bow to grasp Border One’s intentions and the universe he puts his work in.

TOKEN123 - Border One - Strange Attractor

Kr!z live at HÖR, Berlin, Jul 27 / 2023
Video streaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfnN8EDR48Y

Tracklist:
Kashpitzky & Roll Dann – Unreleased
Jacom - Take a Walk
Josh Reeves - Erosion (Burden Remix) 
Border One – Optical Void
MDB - Unreleased
Jeff Mills - B2F 7
Frequency - Darkheart Energy (Marcal Remix)
Kr!z – Surge
MSDMNR - Ordinary Galaxy 
Augusto Taito – Lesson Learned
Altinbas – Presence
Tom.Healey – Focus
Kr!z – Marbles Lost
Hemka - Wrong Keys
Oliver ho & James Ruskin - Mutate And Survive
Mark Williams – Untitled
Jeroen Search - Six Requests 
Kr!z – Flare Gun
ZISKO - The Art of Restraint
Oscar Mulero – Unreleased
Orlando Voorn - Tone Exploitation (Luke Slater Remix)
Planetary Assault Systems – Raise Up
Pfirter – Unreleased
Casual Treatment & Kashpitzky – Unreleased
Endrew – Piston09
Jokasti Nek – Paresthisis
Vil – Unreleased
Surgeon – Sleep

Kr!z at HÖR - Jul 27  2023

Release date (vinyl & digital): 17th of May

TRACKLIST:
A1. The Sweat And The Salt
A2. The Reddish Glow
B1. Why Are You Holding a Gun?
B2. The Sunlight Blinded His Eyes

INFO:
Known for his intense DJ sets and heavily textured productions, Oscar Mulero embodies all that has made him a central figure in the international techno scene in 'The Stranger'. His first release on Token since 2021's 'Titan', the Spaniard announces his return the only way he knows how, through layered concoctions of noisy synth work and impactful percussion wrapped up in a four track EP of impressive weight.

The record's first track 'The Sweat and the Salt' is a representative introduction to the rest of the project. Mulero holds nothing back with his moody, obscure style and funnels measured grit into every detail he can. Hypnotic to its core but noisy and saturated enough to give it an industrial edge, the intricacies of this first track are upheld and continued in 'The Reddish Glow'. Here, we have more of a melodic back and forth being played between synth sequences. With no small dose of reverb to open up the dimension of the track, the incessant tapping of high to low frequency plucks make it a destabilizing mind trip of a club record. Complete with racing hi hats and his signature kick, Mulero plays with his elements to ensure depth in disorientation. 'Why Are You Holding a Gun' flattens up the space a little bit, creating more of a two-dimensional ambiance and taking synth distortion to a new level. A mess of an analog sequence hissing in the high end is paced out by metallic rides and short hi hats, making an effective dancefloor instrument. As powerful as ever, the PoleGroup boss controls his chaos with rhythmically questionable elements that add to the general delirium of 'The Stranger'. As the final chapter, 'The Sunlight Blinded His Eyes' is the perfect arrival to a stomping EP. A meditative pad hovers in the back while a rhythmically centered track forms, shuffling through drum patterns and an infectious bassline. Still packing a punch in the kick, this final song takes us out into the cosmos after a high pressure club music display by one of Spain's most respected contributors to techno.

TOKEN125 - Oscar Mulero - The Stranger

Release date (vinyl & digital): 13th of September

Tracklist:
A1 - Singular Anomalies - Partenope  
A2 - Ketch - Whispers  
B1 - Justyn Nell - Amaranth 
B2 - DHÆÜR - Sculpting The Mind 
C1 - Maasym - Intermediate Direction
C2 - Ray Kajioka - Black Hole  
D1 - Kameliia - Point Of View   
D2 - Kashpitzky & Casual Treatment - Diffusion 

Info:
With eight fresh tracks for the modern dance floor, Token writes another chapter of the Fuga series. Challenging new faces to complete the label’s sound, Fuga V is another focused compilation that balances spatial detail and rhythmic bite. 

Bubbly yet cosmic synth work opens the VA convincingly, a record for true Token fans. Dissonance, delay, slithering pads, and the occasional thundering 909 clap make ‘Partenope’ by Singular Anomalies an obvious choice as an opening, retaining the label’s original sound with a nice twist. With Singular Anomalies staying light on rhythm, Ketch quickly turns up the intensity with his contribution ‘Whispers’. Plowing through the ambiance with a heavy kick, the producer lines up a track of percussive melodic harmony with a moody groove. The followup by Justyn Nell, ‘Amaranth’ employs a classic, distorted bassline that runs persistently throughout the track with playful 909 work for the drums. A full force club controller now passed, the followup by DHÆÜR delves back into vast open spaces for a close-eyed, mental experience. ‘Sculpting the Mind’, appropriately named, breathes through with opening and closing background textures along a loopy lead. The introspective quality of this track is continued by Maasym, who takes things in an almost tribal direction with hypnotic wooden textures. ‘Intermediate Direction’ is a progressive addition to this edition of Fuga that serves as a dancefloor brain-soother. Taking things back to the roots with some old school machine work, we have ‘Black Hole’ by Ray Kaijoka. A nice psychotic arp leads the listener along into a surprisingly melodic arrangement supported by infectious drums, all of which is expertly crafted for club movement. Taking a dive, Kameliia gives us ‘Point of View’ which boasts a powerfully round low-end and an intense progression with far off strings that add a warm cinematic feel. Serious and effective, ‘Point of View’ is a track communicating tone and mediation. To close Fuga V, the dup Kashpitzky & Casual Treatment take matters into their own hands with a very high intensity record ‘Diffusion’. Huge cut transitions, saturated drums pushing the limit with a loud clap, and laser-like lead make for an impressive last chapter of Fuga V.

TOKEN127 - Various Artists - Fuga V

Release date (vinyl & digital): 11th of October

TRACKLIST:
A1 / 1. Angels Landing
A2 / 2. Medusa
B1 / 3. Oblivion
B2 / 4. Ninth Circle

INFO:
	
In the wake of a string of record releases, Token’s curator returns to his label with ‘Angels Landing’ to highlight his mission statement. Four cuts of delirious and dissonant techno from the Belgian artist have proven to be a stylistic favorite in both his productions and his DJ sets. With a wink to older production techniques, Kr!z keeps this contribution to Token fresh and efficient while reaffirming the historic label’s sonic identity. 

 

While using a steady bassline for his tracks, Kr!z ups the ante with a Detroit-style pad that floats around the rest of the record for the ‘Angels Landing’ title track. By opening and closing hihats, rolling the claps all along, and pitching his rides, he creates tension by fully utilizing his drum machine. The synth stabs and overall pace make for a modern twist, however; it’s applicable music for layered sets that the Token boss has been known for performing over the years. This dance-ready, nostalgic-nudging kind of techno is spread throughout the entirety of the EP, but is most transparent on the B1 ‘Oblivion’. Key stab sequences have been iconic in the scene for some time, but it’s Kr!z’s persistence and minimalism that renders this track so exciting. Opening and shutting filters, sliding portamento, and pushing the release, the seasoned artist manifests tension through minimal elements and relies on his transitions to keep up the pace. Usually juggling between rounder and sharper sound design, ‘Medusa’ boasts both; Kr!z’s electric lead bites a low- swaying synth line. Destined for peak use, complete with white noise transitions and open rides, Kr!z combines the sound of a club at its climax with his almost psychotic low-mid arpeggio to create one of his most hypnotic tracks to date. ‘Ninth Circle’, on the other hand, dials it back as the last track. More keys, yet obscure in intention and effect, the closer creates a question mark at the end of the EP with big transitions and a groovy use of toms. Cementing himself as a game player in production as much as in DJing, Kr!z’s ‘Angels Landing’ continues his search in eerie sounds and expressive drums to add to his label’s catalog of savant club music.

TOKEN128 - Kr!z - Angels Landing

Release date (vinyl & digital): 8th of November

TRACKLIST:
A1. Flauta
A2. Despida
B1. Golpe
B2. Camarada

INFO:
A natural fit for the Token label and now a regular contributor, Nørbak presents his new release ‘Flauta’ on the Belgian imprint. Keeping things driving and dense, his productions boast a raw intensity, continuing to describe spacious rooms with roaring atmospheres. 

The title track serves as a firm introduction to the project; ‘Flauta’ is a typical Nørbak A1. Claps on the kick, thick sound design on all levels, and tribal percussion make for an imposing first track. Finding groove in the chaos is never difficult for the Portuguese artist, his seamless blend of functional and mental techno make for quite a recognizable sound with reliable effect. On the other hand, his followup ‘Despida’ sharpens the tone and focuses its elements. Proving he can do just as much damage with a more minimal approach, Nørbak drops the claps for shakers and whips up a distorted stab as the main driver of the track. Despite the versatility of his records, there is something very homogenous about the tonality of his drums and synths - they seem electric, and ‘Despida’ truly nails that aesthetic. Moving on to the B side, we have yet another facade of the project. While ‘Golpe’ has a classic foundation, Nørbak’s flamboyant sound design guides the track’s arrangement, making anything but a loop. The record’s structure makes for clear accents that insist on a pulsating atmosphere. This moves perfectly into the EP’s conclusion. ‘Camarada’ resembles more ‘Despida’ in the minimal construction, retaining a lot of the squelching lead textures. Mastering the question/answer style of techno, Nørbak is able to capitalize on the tonality of his sonic experiments to create swing on the dance floor. Obscure, quick, and elusive, Nørbak wraps up ‘Flauta’ with restraint and efficiency.

TOKEN129 - Nørbak - Flauta

Release date (vinyl & digital): 29th of November

TRACKLIST:
A1 Echoes From The Abyss
A2 Solar Flare
B1 Celestial Observer
B2 Escaping The Void

INFO:
	
In this next installment of Token, Brussels’ own Border One steps in to showcase ‘Echoes from the Abyss’, another swinging, modular-driven project destined for controlled sound systems. In these four tracks, the seasoned producer does what he knows best: engaging the dancefloor through his signature sound design and use of space. 

‘Echoes from the Abyss’ the track, like the EP, is a collection of sound associations that are synonymous with Border One’s sound. Resonant and cerebral yet bouncy and full of groove, the A1 presents a shimmering veil of synthwork that gives off a truly hypnotic effect. The follow up is much more sequence-based, focusing on the elements’ interactions. The producer plays along freely with his drum machine, responding to a classically loopy and dissonant main synth that insists its way from beginning to end. Tension is everything, especially when met with a sustained chord in the second half, turning the record into a weapon of suspense. ‘Celestial Observer’ comes back straight and center with a focused tone and a progressive arrangement. With a thick low end and shrill highs, Border One flicks through percussion patterns and filter sweeps to make an intense, at times close eyed dancefloor experience. Ducking back into obscurity for the last track, ‘Escaping the Void’ takes on a more minimally produced style that breathes a bit after its previous, denser productions. Concluding with a question mark is always very appropriate, and here we’re faced with a record caught between ethereal soundscapes and tense implications. With ‘Escaping the Void’, Border One closes with his latest contribution to Token with class as always, appealing to genre veterans and newcomers alike.

TOKEN130 - Border One - Echoes From The Abyss

Release date (vinyl & digital): 24th of January

TRACKLIST:
A1. Voyage
A2. Stygious Night
B1. Venus Ballroom
B2. Psychosphere

INFO:
Securing his place in the scene as a mainstay after consecutively acclaimed releases on his own record label and beyond as well as lengthy touring around the globe’s best venues, Altinbas returns to Token the only way he knows how. The Fuse resident’s ethereal mark on driven techno comes this time with an aquatic touch, diving further into his bubbly architecture and melodic intrigue.

 

‘Voyage’ can mean many things; the past few years have been an incessant trip across the world's greatest sound systems and most dedicated audiences for the Belgian producer, or then perhaps it’s a reference to the climactic and emotional nature of his productions. In any case, it’s also the title track for his third EP on Token Records. Balancing warmth and anticipation, Altinbas is able pack in all the elements of a timeless record while still providing the space to breathe. Smooth and introspective, ‘Voyage’ kicks off the EP on a cloud of a club roller. ‘Stygious Night’ shares the first side with a more minimal but nonetheless effective approach. The tonal synth work on this record begs for a powerfully round system worthy of only the best dancefloors, and the space that washes around in the background gives it true dimension. Maintaining minimalism with structure through drum arrangement, ‘Stygious Night’ is reminiscent of a not so distant past in Berlin crafted with a clearly modern approach. As the record flips, ‘Venus Ballroom’ takes us by surprise with an uncommonly resonant sound at the forefront. This stylistic switch blends perfectly with historic tracks on the label that have come to define its sound since 2007. Hypnotic, psychotic, quirky, and mental - ‘Venus Ballroom’ proves a deep understanding of the music and appreciation of versatility. ‘Psychosphere’ closes down the EP with a classic sound of dissonant stabs to resonate through a foggy room. Altinbas highlights his sound with frantic clap sequences and short rides to keep his percussion rolling but dry while his synths create the acoustic he’s been known to craft for the past few years. To have everyone agree on level of taste and technical capability is tough, which is why this certainly won’t be the last time Altinbas will team up with Token to roll out his cutting-edge work.

TOKEN131 - Altinbas - Voyage EP

Release date (vinyl & digital): 21st of March

TRACKLIST:
A1: Defeat The Purpose
A2: Chrome Dust
B1: Ipso Facto
B2 Equilibrium

INFO:
For his next Token EP, Kr!z delivers squelchy synth sequences over robust kicks, reinforcing his no-nonsense approach to club music. Classic in its conception yet psychotic in effect, Ipso Facto is a record built for powerful sound systems during the night’s most delirious moments.
 

First impressions are important; the Belgian producer has never been one to waste time, and this record is no exception. What you hear is what you get—an anxiously slithering synth line makes his intentions clear in Defeat the Purpose, driving people to the dancefloor. Dry drum machine work thunders throughout, locking in the Token style with precision. Moving into the next track, ‘Chrome Dust’ focuses more on the tonal side of things and its irresistible groove makes it an instant ear catcher. Playful rides and snares shape the progression, with Kr!z swapping percussion elements to keep the movement lively.
The title track is a true hip swinger on the B1 as he reaches in the low end of the synth sequence to establish a very compelling rhythm. Everything in its right place, and not a hair more, the percussion transitions are reminiscent of his 4 channel DJ sets, the energy always being on the move. Equilibrium closes the EP with high energy, opening up filters over a reliably bouncy rhythm. Years of experience behind the decks can be very instructive for a perceptive producer, and Kr!z proves us just that in this track and in the whole EP.

TOKEN132 - Kr!z - Ipso Facto

Release date (vinyl & digital format): 18th of May 2015

TRACKLIST
A1 Anna Livia
A2 Enter
B1 Prime Mover
B2 Voltage
C1 Artefakt
C2 Astragral
D  Blue Note

INFO
Token certainly have their staples - Ctrls, Ø [Phase] or Inigo Kennedy making regular appearances. The last release on Token for example, Ø [Phase]'s 'Tunnel Vision/Internal Conflict' 12” showed the producer enjoys a level of familiarity with the label, allowing him to indulge his more leftfield tendencies, resulting in some truly captivating dancefloor moments.

Just as often Token will ingratiate new talent to the roster however, continuously reshaping their boundaries. The most recent record comes from one such new addition. In the wider sense though, it'd hardly be fair to call Parisian producer Antonin Jeanson aka Antigone fresh-faced. Since debuting in 2011 on Zadig's then relatively new Construct Re-Form label, Jeanson has enjoyed an impressively consistent run of releases, despite his penchant for sounds which are a little out of the ordinary.

His inaugural release with Kr!z's Token Records, the 'Cantor Dust' EP, is similarly reflective of his inclination to mix the abstract with the functional. Jeanson's movements across the release are difficult to second guess – 'Anna Livia' opens with Klaus Schulze reminiscent, spacial electronica, yet the serenity doesn't last for long. 'Enter' asserts Jeanson’s dancefloor sensibilities, chugging forward unfalteringly. The track builds at a steady pace, before the anthemic 'Prime Mover' provides a sudden release of tension. Jeanson’s reverberant stabs lunge forward, driving low-end thudding militantly beneath.

From here the EP dives back into more sinister territories - the serpentine 'Voltage' or gurgling, abstract melodies of 'Astragal' have a similarly rugged texture to them. 'Artefakt' is equally muscular, and undoubtedly one of the record's most climactic moments. The interplay between rasping mechanical percussion, booming low-end and grinding drones is rushingly intense.

'Cantor Dust's structure proves well-designed to the last however. The celestial 'Blue Note' provides a moment of reflection, distant synthesisers easing out gently - an emotive chord progression floating melancholically above Jeanson’s booming rhythms. It is the calm after the storm, a moment to savour, and reflect on the trip.

Words by Theo Darton-Moore. 

www.tokenrecords.com
www.facebook.com/tokenrecords

Cantor Dust - EP

TOKEN53 - Antigone - Cantor Dust

Release date: 3rd of November 2017 (vinyl & digital format)

Sigha - Metabolism Remixes (TOKEN77)

TRACKLIST
a1 - Black Massing (Wata Igarashi 'Dusk Falls' Remix)
a2 - Morning Star (Marco Shuttle Remix)
b1 - Down (Function Remix)
b2 - Black Massing (Wata Igarashi 'Daylight Breaks' Remix)

Sigha’s lauded Metabolism album is further commended with a remix EP for Token 77. With three highly qualified label newcomers enlisted to the task of reimagining aspects of the album, the music is reworked into a new context to powerful effect. 
 
Wata Igarashi’s flourishing recognition as a producer with striking competence and flair has marked him as a valuable affiliate on the record. He demonstrates different areas of focus with two new versions of Black Massing. The Daylight Breaks Remix opens up the high-end, expressing the delicate harmonics of the original with rushing upward arpeggios. The Dusk Falls Remix instead hones in on the deep and anticipatory nature of its foundation. 
 
Marco Shuttle’s foreboding Morning Star remix feels skilfully subtractive, magnifying elements by adding space and drawing focus to its melodic asides. Function plays with the contemplative nature of Down in his version, adding dynamic percussion and energy while retaining its expression and depth.

Sigha - Down (Function Remix)

Banke - Totem EP - TOKEN81

Release date: 13th of April 2018 (vinyl & digital format)

TRACKLIST
A1 Simenon 
A2 Cheerlead 
B1 Totem 
B2 Strattera

INFO 
Mysterious newcomer Banke delivers a profound debut for TOKEN81. The Totem EP's tempered sophistication and clear sense of purpose belies Banke's neophyte status, establishing him instead in the ranks of Token's most experienced artists in terms of skill and ingenuity.

Simenon's tense introduction is met with understated, yet unmistakable fragments of Detroit in the form of a hypnotic, high-end glissando, rolling drum work and built-up tasteful stabs. Cheerlead's delicate trill is mimicked and answered in a hypnotic call-and-response over a carefully measured low-end.

Totem, the title track, has a traditionalist opening that's purposeful and composed, with Banke patiently building tension through his crafty and artful arrangement. An oddball breakdown of mind-bending synth work places the record firmly in the avant-garde, while its detailed percussion retains dancefloor functionality. Strattera's hyper-focused mid and off-beat brushing hi-hat opens out to become disorienting, multi-layered trip.

Banke - Totem (TOKEN81)

PHASE - BINARY OPPOSITION REPROCESSED 

release date: 25th of June 2012 (vinyl &amp; digital)

TRACKLIST

part 1:
a: Sigha Process
aa: Peter Van Hoesen Process

part 2:
a: Planetary Assault Systems Process
aa: Ctrls Process

part 3: 
a: Ben Klock Process
aa: Inigo Kennedy Process

INFO
 
Beginning of 2012 Phase caused quite a storm in techno’s landscape with the release of ‘Binary Opposition’. Both versions, “Process 1 &amp; 2”, fierce pieces of relentless yet deep techno, got on heavy rotation by Blawan, Ben Klock, Surgeon, Marcel Dettmann, Dave Clarke, to name a few.
 
A few months later, we present ‘Binary Opposition Reprocessed’. Assembling a remix package for this project wasn’t a difficult task, as all remixers were noted fans of the original tracks and supporters of Phase as an artist.

Phase - Binary Opposition (Ben Klock Process)

Release date (vinyl & digital): 14th of February 2020.

A1. Inner Call
A2. Time-Variant System
B1. Staring Into The Abyss
B2. Magic Table

The celebrated Dutch techno producer debuts on Token with Inner Call, a four track EP showcasing the veteran's dynamic, puristic approach to the genre.

The music sits neatly in and amongst the outlet's distinguished catalogue - honing in with considerable precision on the very essence of the Token sound.

A powerful, streamlined vision of contemporary techno, Inner Call highlights the producer's time honoured ability to walk the line between pulsing, hypnotic workouts & outright peak time tools - stripping back the work to include nothing but the most vital components to deadly effect.

TOKEN92 - Jeroen Search - Inner Call

Release date (vinyl & digital): 28th of Janaury 2013

Six years ago, Token was born with the release of Inigo Kennedy's 'Identify Yourself'. Since then, each of his EP's has been a milestone in the label's growth and this new 3-tracker promises to be no different.

Title track ‘Cathedral’ has you floating under its arches at a sheer height above the heads of its 
worshipers, while ‘Chamber’ takes you back down straight to the centre of the dance floor. Closing the EP is the graceful ‘Accordion’, which could be the soundtrack to a lucid dream.

Token starts 2013 in pure Inigo Kennedy style: dark, refined and oh so magnetic.

TRACKLIST
A. Inigo Kennedy - Cathedral
B1. Inigo Kennedy - Chamber
B2. Inigo Kennedy - Accordion

www.inigokennedy.com
www.tokenrecords.com
www.facebook.com/inigo.kennedy.music
www.facebook.com/tokenrecords

Inigo Kennedy - Cathedral

Release date (vinyl & digital): 24th of June

Ø [Phase] returns.

Reasons for the small break since last year’s seminal ‘Behind The Sun / The Chasedown’? A lot of remix work – which will see the light of day in the following months - and more importantly: finishing his long awaited debut album. The LP is called ‘Frames Of Reference’ and will be released this autumn. The 2 tracks on this single – a double a-side - are both featured on the album and should give you a taste of what flavours to expect.

‘On The Edge’ & ‘Perplexed’ complement each other perfectly. The first is a raw peak time cut, while the latter is a more atmospheric & hypnotic piece for the afterhours.
Both pieces bring display strong & intense techno with an incredible sense for depth & detail. Few seem to master these qualities like Ø [Phase] does.

TRACKLIST
A. Ø Phase - On The Edge
AA. Ø Phase - Perplexed

www.tokenrecords.com
www.facebook.com/tokenrecords 

Token Records

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