After the success of the first A-sides compilation in 2012, Adam Beyer has decided its time to release another. With Adam’s stature steadily growing as one of the leading talents in the Techno scene and the rise of Drumcode, the standard of demo’s that have been sent to Adam have been top notch. Adam has now decided to release two compilations with 10 tracks each, consisting of tracks that Adam has tried and tested. There are also new artists that have been invited to release on Drumcode for this compilation and others who are a staple in Drumcode’s core family. Combining both old and new talents Drumcode have come up with something unique and distinctive to make this two-part compilation something extra special.

dubspeeka - Bedlam - Drumcode - DC128

The Beauty of the Beast

Inner energy, spark, determination.
My hope

1NN3R SP4RK

Twelve months on from his outstanding debut album on Drumcode ‘Transmission’, Julian Jeweil returns with a stellar five-track EP.

Since his label debut in 2017 with EPs ‘Rolling’ and ‘Space’, Julian Jeweil has confirmed his place as one of Drumcode’s most vital artists. He’s been a mainstay of label events, playing the main stage of Drumcode Festival in both 2018 and 2019, Drumcode Halloween in ‘19 and multiple showcases at Watergate in Berlin. ‘Transmission’, his maiden LP, dropped in January 2019 and was an early year highlight, reinforcing his production nous.

Inspired by his experiences touring off the back of the album, ‘Schema’ EP offers up a quintuplet of cuts showcasing the rawer and ravier side of the Frenchman’s sound. The title track is an immersive roller, primed for a Sunday session at Berghain. ‘Outline’ ups the intensity with cascading synth effects and galloping beats. ‘Music’ is the delicious brain-scrambler thanks to its intoxicating brew of shuffling beats, vox and swirling acid. ‘Axis’ is a slam dunk of industrial bass and 303s that builds to a grin-inducing climax. ‘Landscape’ plunges the atmosphere into deeper territory, still propelled by a pummeling bass and acidic inflections.

Schema

Buy all

Julian Jeweil — Landscape — Drumcode — DC218

If you want a snapshot of where techno stands in any given year, and a preview of where it’s headed, look no further than Drumcode’s A-Sides compilation. Since 2012 it has marked the label debuts of countless vital Drumcode artists and affiliates, from Layton Giordani, Wehbba and Boxia, to Amelie Lens and ANNA, no less. Every year, new names are unearthed, tried and true techno contributors serve up their best, and icons of the industry land their debut on Adam Beyer’s storied label.

The 2020 edition hits with 13 tracks, eight coming from label debutants. There’s Eats Everything searing rave bomb ‘Organico’ and Dubfire’s ice-cool electro offering ‘Deadbug’, both artists landing their maiden contributions to DC after long affiliations with Beyer. With three EPs in less than two years on Truesoul, Oscar L steps up to DC, showing the breadth of his sound palette with a soaring, synth-laden gem ‘Dark Fate’. Belgians Joyhauser featured at last year’s Drumcode Festival paving the way for ‘Fierceness’, a beautiful melody-drenched cut befitting their DC cap. Anfisa Letyago is another first timer and shows why she’s one of the scene’s most highly touted new artists with the brooding beast ‘Are You In’. A growing label favourite, Juliet Fox follows up ‘Was Beautiful’, her superb track on last year’s A-Sides, with ‘Our Fantasy’, reinforcing her skill for crafting anthemic techno compositions. Thomas Schumacher & Victor Ruiz link and the result is ‘Intuit’, a sleek futuristic roller that hits you square between the eyes. Other highlights come from longtime Drumcode cohorts Reset Robot and Harvey McKay, who both dish up premium works, reinforcing their classy productions nous.

Balthazar & JackRock — Red Village Disco Hustle — Drumcode — DC223

One of Drumcode’s finest, Bart Skils returns for his first solo EP since 2018.

Bart Skils remains one of the label’s most consistent achievers going back to his debut in 2012. Eight original EPs, a stellar remix of Moby ‘Go’ and his now-classic collaboration with Adam Beyer ‘Your Mind’ have entrenched him as a DC treasure. All the while the Dutchman plays a nurturing role with the label’s nu-skool brigade, regularly playing B2B with Layton Giordani and teaming up with Weska for last summer’s ‘Polarize’ two-tracker.

His ninth Drumcode EP ‘Settle In The Sun’ delivers the first productions from his new studio after six months of preparation. The title track was inspired by an extended stay in LA over New Years, channelling the energy of Venice Beach’s vibrant skate culture to create an uplifting, big riff weapon. ‘Tropical Heat’ took influence from Bart’s experiences touring South America, as an evocative vocal sample and rave-kissed melody line run alongside a wicked rolling groove. ‘Shiva Says’ is a peak-time, brain-mangler in the best of ways, driven by a monster synth line that grows and contorts as the track progresses.

Bart Skils — Tropical Heat — Drumcode — DC226

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