In typically thrilling form, Tiger Stripes returns for his annual outing on Drumcode. 

His ‘Rocket’ EP was conceived during the pandemic as the Swede busied himself with paternity leave and taking care of his little tiger. During these fulfilling stretches of time, the pair immersed themselves in everything from Aphex Twin to Kelly Lee Owens and Yazoo, while at other times the Spotify playlists Electronic Rising and Altar would frequently soundtrack their playtime. The producer took this spirit with him into the studio, aiming to harness the positive energy of his reference points and combine it with his signature brand of multi-faceted techno. 

The EP opens with the title track, marked with a distinct UK flavour and packed full of late ‘90s dance energy. Its uplifting chord progression and tidy breakbeat interlude imbue it with plenty of warmth and colour. ‘Fire’ is a sharp attitude-fuelled cut driven by a heavy bottom-end and zippy percussion, while a bad arse hoover dominates proceedings. The muscular ‘Your Love’ is comprised of multi-layered bass stabs and catchy vocal licks, which combine for an arresting finish. ‘Song for Debbie’ rounds out the package, a marriage of dream pop and woozy late-night techno. This is Tiger Stripes at his transcendent best.

Rocket

Stream/Buy

Tiger Stripes - Song For Debbie - Drumcode - DC249

Mark Reeve - Run Back (Remake) - Drumcode - DC271

Premonition

The Message

RT 021 - Track 06

A surprise remix I did for the talented @Shmittymusic and @Joshsturges Enjoy!

Shmitty & Josh Sturges - Love For You (Brennen Grey Remix)

The Belgium sweethearts Joyhauser are back on Terminal M! Check out the new 4 track ep with their unique Joyhauser sound! (Monika Kruse)

beatport/spotify/vinyl

Joyhauser - Landa

Omnia

Buy on Beatport

Andrea_Signore & Mha_Iri_Omnia_Orange_Recordings

Mark Reeve - Geometric (Cosmic Boys Remix)

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.

Bart Skils — Solid State — Drumcode — DC235

Veerus — I Know — Drumcode — DC235

Independent record label owned by Adam Beyer.