Painting / Photo: Katharina Sophia Ludewig https://www.borderlinecuts.com/

Berlin Hypnotic House XXXIII - Backwards Down Mix

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Mark Reeve - Redemption (Original Mix) DRUMCODE

A testament to the growth of Adam Beyer’s scene-leading label, Drumcode annual A-Sides Vol.8 is the brand’s biggest yet.

The 25-track strong compilation features standout cuts Beyer has received over the last 12 months, but been unable to find room for in Drumcode’s regular release schedule, such is the volume and high standard of music that’s submitted.

The highlight-rich compilation includes Jamie Jones & Darius Syrossian’s buzzy Drumcode debut ‘Eyes of the Night’, Nicole Moudaber’s first DC release in 5 years with the mesmerizing ‘This Is Us’, Will Clarke’s bass-drenched re-work of Adam Beyer & Bart Skils ‘Your Mind’ and Joey Beltram’s first Drumcode release in 11 years with the retro-tinged ‘Can You Feel It’. 

The beloved Alan Fitzpatrick returns to the fold with the searing ‘Heiße Rakete’, alongside label mainstays Layton Giordani, who drops the stirring chord-driven ‘Chrome’ and Wehbba with ‘Mantra’, combining techno classicism with future-focused groove.

There’s a troupe of debutants donning the Drumcode jersey for the first time, including BEC, Shelley Johannson, Anthony Castaldo, Avision, Zimmz, Woo York, SAMA (in a terrific collaboration with Secret Cinema) and Ilija Djokovic, who delivers a shimmering highlight with ‘Aura’, a particular favourite of Beyer’s over the last year. Raxon also debuts on the label after a couple of quality additions to the Truesoul back catalogue.

Exciting young guns Weska and Juliet Fox bring heat to the compilation, while Veerus and Timmo follow up strong DC releases with a repeat dose. Elsewhere faithful contributors Ramon Tapia, Jay Lumen, Luca Agnelli, Marco Bailey and Mark Reeve craft powerful dancefloor weapons.

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Mark Reeve — Get It — A-Sides Vol. 8 — Drumcode — DC211

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

Julian Jeweil — Landscape — Drumcode — DC218

Mark Reeve - Fix Me DRUMCODE

Mark Reeve - Serum DRUMCODE

‘Hypnosis’ was one of Drumcode’s most vital under-the-radar releases of 2019. Its creator, Veerus, returns to the mothership for another top-shelf offering.

The Italian’s career is a brilliant slow burner, releasing EPs sparingly over the course of his 14-year career. There’s a narrative quality too each track too, the artist reveling in a drama-laden call-and-response dynamic. All three cuts from his latest ‘System’ EP are made for big moments. The title track was created with Amsterdam’s holy rave cauldron the Gashouder in mind, and was completed by Veerus just a few days before ADE last year. Balancing on a knife’s edge between tension and euphoria, the track’s twisted synth lines sent an energy surge through the iconic venue. ‘Year’ is a deadly one-two combo of synapse-searing synths and sharp drums as jagged waves of sound throb with panoramic effect. It was a captivating highlight of Beyer’s set at Amnesia in Milan in February, the final session before the lockdown. ‘Pyramid’ was debuted at Beyer’s Cercle performance last September, sound tracking a blissful post-sunset moment at the Théâtre antique de Lugdunum in Lyon.

Veerus — Pyramid — Drumcode — DC224

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

Independent record label owned by Adam Beyer.