Hard playlist 1 (Alignment/Björn)

Stream/DL: f93.co/welcometothefuture
Factory 93 Selects: f93.co/SpotifySelects

Connect with Popof
@popofofficial

Connect with Mauro Somm
@maurosomm

Connect with Factory 93
linktr.ee/thefactory93

Astral

Stream/DL

Popof & Mauro Somm - Astral

‘The Daddiest’ now returns ...
‘I’m Not Done Yet’. Out now across all streaming platforms :
https://bfan.link/i-m-not-done-yet

SHLØMO - I'M NOT DONE YET

Jay Lumen - Bang To The Beat (ARC042)

Alignment - Let the Music Leave Your Soul

Alignment - When The Bass Is Too Loud

SAMDMA - Awakening (Extended Mix)

Buy here: found.ee/exhale-va005

Release: 26th July 2024

It’s almost impossible to believe that a label with so much international notoriety is still within its first ten releases. Still, Belgian Techno protagonist Amelie Lens’ EXHALE imprint is set to make even more noise with its ninth release. Following a spate of well-received singles from Amelie and the latest offering from fellow Antwerp native BYØRN, EXHALE prepares itself for an impressive fifth VA, featuring 14 selected cuts from 16 artists in total. A slew of internationally recognised names and rising new-age talent, welcoming back some familiar faces alongside some debutants, including two collaboration tracks.

Led by Amelie Lens’ ‘Underneath The Strobelights’, featuring her trademark vocals she paves the way for EXHALE VA005. Fellow Antwerp local NOVAH debuts on the label, after her notable b2b sets with BYØRN of late, her track ‘Inner Odyssey’ is followed by VENTUR’s ‘Let It Kick’, a track that lives up to its name. Young Irishman Luciid also makes his first appearance with the epic cut ‘Era Of Us’. BYØRN is back with another massive offering in ‘Our Destiny’, followed by SWART, who also returns with ‘Extazy’ a hard hitting pacy vocal peak timer. Teletech resident Alex Farell makes his debut alongside Farrago, in their first collab together on ‘All Systems Go’, with its spoken vocals and pummelling bass, before French producer ARDL at just 21 debuts with ‘Hyperactive’, with his focus on raw sounding techno.

Another duo of back-to-back debuts sees the elusive FLKN drop ‘Rumble’, influenced by 303 sounds, he makes things dark and distorted. UK-based Aaron Hibell with the vampiric ‘1999’, its bouncy fast bass it makes it the grooviest techno track of the VA. Berliner Afem Syko’s known for his unpredictable, vibrant sets offer his track ‘Slingshot’, backed up by returning American powerhouse and Terra Novae label founder Chemtrailz who become loved for his trance-inducing techno hybrid sound, teams up alongside Hani with their track ‘Goddessblood’. Italy’s Rian Wood comes in hot with penultimate cut ‘Anima’, as he expresses his passion for music through hard techno, neo rave and old school influences. Closing off the colossal VA is French talent, La Kajofol who recently released on ARTCORE. She seals the release with the irresistibly signature ‘Black Rhapsody’. Her music brings a unique style of her own which she calls ‘Mystical Techno’, infusing hypnotism into psytrance and techno with her eerie vocals.

Championing the diversity of the modern-day techno paradigm, EXHALE’s latest VA dips its toe into a myriad of genres, with nods to psytrance, breakbeat, hardstyle, classical and even drum & bass across thirteen freakishly heavy dancefloor-primed stompers. It’s everything you’d want from a release that showcases artistry in its simplest form.

BYØRN - Our Destiny

Buy on beatport

Bart Skils - Shadowprint [Dok & Martin Remix]

Stream & buy: https://volta.ffm.to/thisisnotanalbum

https://www.instagram.com/victorruizdj
https://www.instagram.com/volta_records

Internationally celebrated techno artist Victor Ruiz has enjoyed considerable success over recent years with his undeniably authentic strain of underground electronic music. A staunch contributor to the progression of the genre, Victor’s deft ear is guided by a sheer passion for evolution and artistic expression, making him one of the most dynamic contemporary talents on the circuit. Following a string of globally acclaimed releases in 2024, the Brazilian artist now unveils his most audacious body of work to date, delving into the archives of his un-released catalog – old and new – to form his latest medley of tracks, ‘This Is Not An Album’. Landing on Ruiz’s own imprint VOLTA, which now stands as techno’s fourth best-selling record label just two years after its inception.

In an era where music is often consumed with fleeting value, Ruiz challenges this notion head-on. His 8-track collection stands as a powerful statement against the conventional norms of the industry and serves as a bold, rebellious manifesto. 'This Is Not An Album' is not just a release; it is an artistic and conceptual project, deeply rooted in years of meticulous creation. The tracks – some dating back several years – have been carefully curated to form a sundried, yet cohesive body of work that defies both trends and traditional album formats, evoking a totally new listening experience for its audience.

Unlike conventional album arrangements, ‘This Is Not An Album’ represents Victor’s keen enthusiasm towards a plethora of genres, promising a slice of ear candy for each and every listener. Hosting sensibilities across the techno spectrum – from melodic, emotive and groovy, to the deep, dark and hypnotic depths of the genre – the mosaic of cuts aims to provoke a reaction from its audience that goes far beyond that of a commercialist music release. 
 
The release date for this collection - August 8, 2024 - also holds significance to its narrative; another intriguing facet to this conceptually-driven, artistic opus. Featuring 8 tracks, released on the 8th, and with the sum of 2024 amounting to 8, Victor sought to imbue his music with a sense of intentionality and depth, offering his listeners a meaningful and memorable experience tied to the alignment of numbers.
 
"This release is my way of pushing back against the transient nature of today’s music industry," says Ruiz. "I wanted to create something that would stand the test of time, that people could connect with on a deeper level. 'This Is Not An Album' is my revolt to a scene that often prioritizes quick hits over lasting impact.” He continues, “People may think that this has been a very elaborate project but it’s not. I just felt like releasing 8 tracks out of the blue and funnily enough the date aligned perfectly. I hope you enjoy.”
 
Victor Ruiz, known for his profound and immersive techno soundscapes, has crafted this collection to transcend the boundaries of commercialism and return to the liberative roots of dance music. 'This Is Not An Album' is not aimed at mainstream success; rather, it is a passionate expression of Ruiz’s artistic vision. Each track is a testament to his dedication to creating music that is enduring, evocative and deeply personal.
 
Fans and newcomers alike can expect a sonic journey that is thought-provoking, exhilarating and perhaps, at times, confusing. 'This Is Not An Album' encapsulates the essence of Victor Ruiz’s innovative spirit, producing with pure intent and unbridled creativity to deliver a listening experience that is as profound as it is joyously rebellious.

THIS IS NOT AN ALBUM

ENERGY

Stream & buy

Victor Ruiz - ENERGY

Mark Reeve - I Can´t Stop (Original Mix)

COLD

Metodi Hristov - Cold (Original Mix) [SET ABOUT MUSIC]

Cosmic Boys present "Feeling" in collaboration with Charles D on Legend.

Beatport, Spotify : 20 September.
Worldwide : 04 October.

Legend By Gabriel Meynadier.

PETER PAHN - Let The Beat Control Your Body - Drumcode - DC318

Drumcode

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