Progress Island

Buy On Bandcamp

Simon Sim's - Progress Island

MSTE - Alligator

Mario Ochoa - Aldebaran

The seventh volume of Drumcode’s annual A-Sides compilation hits with no less than 10 debuts for the label, with Charlotte de Witte, ANNA, B.Traits and Scuba’s SCB project, among the collection of topline artists to release their maiden productions on the imprint. 

Over two decades into its lifespan, Drumcode keeps evolving and excelling, pushing techno forward while remaining wholly respectful of its roots. This reputation for progression was further fueled this summer with its inaugural festival at the NDSM Docklands in Amsterdam, featuring a long list of heavyweights including Nicole Moudaber, Joseph Capriati, Amelie Lens and Ida Engberg, among others. 

As ever, the A-Sides compilation provides a timely opportunity to showcase the full range of its sonic repertoire, with Adam Beyer scrupulously selecting 22 unreleased tracks that have taken prime position in his sets over recent months. 

Outstanding all-round talent ANNA kicks off the compilation with ‘Portable Paradise’, a pulsating cut that sets the tone for the top-shelf club cuts to follow. Also entering the debut field with their first ever Drumcode dalliances are B.Traits and Charlotte de Witte. The esteemed Canadian selector offers up ‘I Feel The Music’, a euphonic track that’s been sought after since spring, and the Belgian ballista unlocks a thick-edged club bomb in ‘Remember.’

Leaders of Drumcode’s new brigade, exciting Brazilian Wehbba and British techno alchemist Boxia set out to impress. Wehbba’s straight-talking ‘Just’ hits with an immediate sense of urgency before neck-snap claps strike with force, and Boxia’s ‘Final Call’ elicits physical engagement with mellifluous vocals and soaring pads. 

Continuously looking to bolster the profiles of emerging talent, Berlin-based producers Weska and Juliet Fox are brought into the fold with equally engaging razor-sharp tracks that are primed to do lasting damage. 

Other notable highlights include an exhilarating workout from Reset Robot - the most released artist on Beyer’s imprint Truesoul – as he lands on Drumcode for the first time. And tastemaker’s favourite Jel Ford makes a welcome return as he ushers in techno rhythms with bustling breaks in ‘Nightshade.’

Elsewhere, support from label mainstays comes in from Bart Skils, who offers a work of consummate skill in ‘West Of The Moon.’ Alan Fitzpatrick, who’s been heavily featured across the A-Side series, joins forces with Scuba as he operates as his uncompromising alias SCB. The result is a propulsive floor-gripper that testifies to their masterful deftness as co-producers. Formidable duos Dense & Pika and Pig&Dan also contribute with powerful compositions.

Weska - Other Places - Drumcode - DC195

Sunset EP

Sunset

Rising Techno Artists Oscar L, Loco & Jam lock horns to create this killer EP that gives birth to Loco & Jam's EDIT Recordings!
Already has huge support from Adam Beyer.
Buy at Beatport
https://www.beatport.com/release/the-rain/2541594
Itunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-rain-single/1456209422?ls=1
Listen at Spotify
http://open.spotify.com/album/1nfor14y9elx77XwR5mvup

Oscar L, Loco & Jam - The Rain

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Solar Storm

Solar Storm (Original Mix)

Stream / Buy here

Lavaredo

BITT158 - Tom - Hutt - Exodia

Pre-order: https://drumcode.ffm.to/dc223

V/A – Drumcode A-Sides Vol. 9
Cat no. DC223
Label: Drumcode
Release date: 27 April, 2020

In a brief interview around his latest Drumcode release, Oscar L explains how "When I started producing 'Dark Fate' I wanted to try something techno and groovy. I got inspired by the original soundtrack movie from ‘Terminator' and actually this is where the title of the track is coming from. I think 'Dark Fate' is a strong weapon for DJs to get the crowd into the techno mood without hitting too hard".

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. Victor Ruiz & Thomas Schumacher 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.

1. Joyhauser - Fierceness
2. Dubfire - Deadbug
3. Christian Smith - Just Close Your Eyes
4. Thomas Schumacher & Victor Ruiz - Intuit
5. Eats Everything - Organico
6. Balthazar & JackRock - Red Village Disco Hustle
7. Reset Robot - Grains
8. Thomas Hoffknecht - Code 1
9. Oscar L - Dark Fate
10. Anfisa Letyago - Are U In
11. Harvey McKay - Find Yourself
12. Loco & Jam - Addicted
13. Juliet Fox - Our Fantasy

Premiere: Oscar L - Dark Fate

A blistering buddy to the first instalment of Pig&Dan’s ‘Tunnel Vision’ EP will land in April. 

Not one to rest on their laurels, Pig&Dan have come out firing in 2020. One of the techno genre’s most prolific artists, their 17 year has seen a wealth and consistency of output unmatched by most in the industry. This is exemplified by the ‘Tunnel Vision’ series launched on Drumcode this year.

Set for release just one week after its predecessor, part 2 continues in powerful, peak-time mode. ‘Sirenism’ is a tour de force, driven by a pulsating lead that pops with acidic undertones. ‘Rinse Out The Sound’ is an intoxicating blend of warbled effects, warm synth layers and crisp drum work. ‘Perception’ is marked by an exuberant top line riff and steely percussive layers and makes for a colourful addition to any set. ‘Wasted’ is muscular techno at its finest, finished with a glistening layer of melody. No surprise the collection went down a treat at Warehouse Project, Drumcode Halloween and Dockyard Festival, among others. The duo are in irresistible form.

Tunnel Vision II

Pig&Dan — Wasted — Drumcode — DC222

A rare treat for Drumcode faithful: A-Sides Vol.10 is set to drop in December, the second edition of the beloved series to come in 2020.

Fuelled by the extra time and space to be creative during lockdown, Drumcode’s collective of artists have stepped up. Across 17 contributions, the producers have gone deeper into their sonic repertoire, crafting powerful, yet reflective works that capture the range of the label’s sound.

Jay Lumen leads the way with a rousing riff-driven weapon, ‘Galactic Rainbow’, while Ramon Tapia brings us the muscular gem ‘Drum Control’, mixing up ruffneck techno with a barrage of synapse-tickling synths in the second half. Both rousing highlights of the compilation.
Victor Ruiz, Drumcode’s most prolific contributor in 2020, dishes up ‘Love Story’, led by a huge vocal lead. Zimmz also returns with ‘Tension’, which deftly combines deep squelchy grooves with a silky synth interlude. Thomas Hoffknecht follows up his debut on Vol.9 with ‘Escape’, keeping listeners on their toes with dynamic, choppy shifts throughout. Veerus joins with another stirring addition ‘I Know’, reinforcing why Beyer rates him so highly.

Elsewhere a string of debutants feature: buzzy newcomer Lilly Palmer gives us ‘Amnesie’, a brilliantly pummelling and eerie cut; Alex Lentini & Stomp Boxx serve up ‘Expanders’ mixing up drone effects, trippy vocals and an unsettling melody line; and Patrik Berg’s ‘Activated’ is full-bodied techno that drops down into funky rhythms.

Long-time DC family member Bart Skils brings his A-game with the thrilling no-nonsense ‘Solid State’ that hits like a steam train. Likewise, Alan Fitzpatrick who brings a momentous slab of techno energy with ‘Rochus’, while Thomas Schumacher, now feeling like a regular on the imprint, crafts another dark techno opus, this time in collaboration with CAITLIN.

There’s even a special appearance by the chief Adam Beyer, who makes a welcome return with the progressive-tinged ‘Changes’, driven by organic tones and spacey atmospherics. The track stands as his first original contribution to A-Sides since 2017.

Reset Robot — Distant — Drumcode — DC235

Independent record label owned by Adam Beyer.