Odd Mob 2023 EDC Opener Tool Remix by Woo.

FEEL THIS SHIT - Odd Mob (Woo. Remix)

This is my 2nd Album and 1st under my Alias Basic Shape

Fortress Of Solitude

06 Basic Shape - Retaliation

“Touching The Stars” - Joyful and high-octane out of the gate, this track delivers the goods on trance-inspired effects melded into the dynamic cadence of the beat. Not one to be predictable, the song takes listeners on a shocker of a twist halfway through as well, offering a welcome surprise while keeping any club or party on its toes.

Touching The Stars

UNRILIS039 - Beico & MT93 - Touching The Stars - PROMO

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.

Juliet Fox - Wanted Me - Drumcode - DC195

‘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.

Buy all

Veerus — Year — Drumcode — DC224

A work 12 months in the making, Alex Lentini & STOMP BOXX deliver a standout EP debut.

The Italian pair – living at the extreme opposites of their country’s ‘boot’ will be new names to the Drumcode faithful. They first appeared on the label in December 2020, with a strong contribution to A-Sides Vol.10 titled ‘Expanders’. 

So impressed was Adam Beyer with their productions, a fulsome debut EP was secured soon after. ‘Fine Line’ was conceived in the final stages of 2019. With the extra studio time lockdown provided, the duo enjoyed a creative freefall,  
allowing them to refine a five-track work that sits at the intersection of home-listening techno and dancefloor functionalism. 

‘Natural Desire’ has a definable spunk to it, as pulsating chords undulate towards a breathy pad-laden finish. ‘Shifting Soul’ is exquisite, as crunchy drums and a rousing vocal ensure it’s a memorable addition to the Drumcode canon. The title track is colourful and thrilling in equal doses, as muscular synth lines coalesce alongside pin-sharp rhythms.  
‘Altered Cycle’ is skilfully composed and marked by a stirring melodic lead and funky percussive underbelly. ‘Curved Blade’ is abrasive and gritty, before a dreamy spoken word interlude arouses an introspective mood. A fitting soundtrack for our times.

“2020 was both strange and terrible, especially for music lovers. But it gave us enough time to carve out this collaboration. At this point a wonderful compromise arouse between our two different sound visions. It happened without too many thoughts and in a very natural way.” – Alex Lentini & STOMP BOXX

Alex Lentini & STOMP BOXX — Shifting Soul — Drumcode — DC236

Independent record label owned by Adam Beyer.