Twisting junglisms into irregular shapes since 2017, Manchester’s pride and joy Alex Lowther-Harris brings Thugwidow to Sneaker Social for a ruff yet refreshing ride through the rave. No doubt his skin in the game reaches back further than his first recorded output, but just trying to get a handle on his released catalogue is work enough. In 2019 alone he released no less than six albums and three EPs, laying down immense slabs of material on tapes as much as wax. As well as coursing through the dense undergrowth of the cassette scene, his 12”s have appeared on labels like Western Lore, Warehouse Rave and Astral Black, and he’s collaborated with Dead Man’s Chest and Bruised Skies.

Make no mistake, this is hardcore-rooted music, but it feels closer in spirit to that ill-defined period before scenes became delineated and tribal. All the ingredients are there, but Lowther-Harris teases them, fires them off at funny angles or flips them on their head. ‘Post Modern Assault Ethics’ maintains a sparse, restrained demeanour throughout even as the diva vocal slices ping endlessly through the mix and the bass wobbles away underneath. ‘Invisible Shell Of Energy’ juggles lesser-spotted breaks through a cloud of downcast pads, only to trip over and open the filter up on the loose and funky bassline at the final stretch. ‘The Sacrifice’ turns the break damage up, but keeps the moody vibe front and centre, and ‘The Voices Beneath The Earth’ wraps things up with a heavy-hearted belter that runs the risk of achieving anthemic status. 

For all the snappy programming, crisp edits and artful low end, it’s the pervading sense of emotional depth which makes Thugwidow such a powerful presence in the contemporary jungle scene. Pairing those all-consuming moods with his non-standard structures, you’ve got exactly the kind of renegade we love to carry here at Sneaker.

THUGWIDOW - Post Modern Assault Ethics

Show Your Respect

Introspekt - Help Me

J Fogel aka Stray made his first appearance on Exit Records in 2011 with the musically rich masterpiece 'Pushed' which featured on the Mosaic Vol 1 mixed artists LP and was a great insight into his production ability and an indication that he was a talent about to flourish. His second outing on Exit was the mighty 'LA Zoom' on Mosaic Vol 2 which was one of the most anticipated tracks on the album and set the tone for many of his current productions with the fusion of footwork, jungle and dnb foundations.

The 'Matchsticks' EP is his first full release on Exit and comes in the form of a four track 12" with heavy support from DJs such as  Giles Peterson, Mark Pritchard, Om Unit, Machine Drum Alix Perex, Annie Mac, Lenzman and dBridge amongst many more.  Picking up from where 'LA Zoom' left off we stay in the same vein with 'Prof Popper' 'Dropping Bombs' and his collab with Fracture on 'Bounce That'. All of which are loaded with energy and have been going off in DJ sets across the globe over the last few months. The title track 'Matchsticks' is a Dillaesque hip hop Instrumental which again shows us that Stray's musical ambition is certainly not limited to any fixed style and rounds off the EP nicely.



Stray - Prof Popper (Clip)

Download here https://astrophonica.bandcamp.com/track/all-my-love-bandcamp-exclusive-free-download

We're pleased to announce the launch of our new Bandcamp page which features our entire back catalogue and some exclusive bundles and a free download. There are also some other little nuggets that were previously exclusive elsewhere but we've decided to share the love. You'll also find some back catalogue vinyl releases and we hope to have some more copies of Dawn Day Night EP up there very soon.


DOWNLOAD

Fracture - All My Love - FREE DOWNLOAD

A collection of my demos and outtakes from older works. My last project for awhile. 

Geek Squad

Sunday Flow

iTunes: http://bit.ly/PointiTunes
Beatport: http://bit.ly/PointBeatport
Vinyl: http://bit.ly/PointVinyl
CD: http://bit.ly/PointCD

We are proud to present the first in an all-new series to showcase the rising stars of drum & bass from across the musical horizon. ‘Point Of Origin Vol.1’ features 14 tracks from some of the most exciting new producers plucked from the plethora of brand new music received at HQ every day, providing a springboard for the likes of Posij, Coleco, Karma and Voltage as well as more familiar artists Ed:it, Liz-E, Need For Mirrors and more.

An album spanning from ferocious big room beats to sultry summertime rollers, ‘Point Of Origin Vol. 1’ may well contain some of the stars of tomorrow.
-
Coleco
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/coleco.uk
Twitter → https://twitter.com/AlexColeco
-
Shogun Audio
Like → http://www.facebook.com/shogunaudio
Follow → http://www.twitter.com/ShogunAudio
Stream → http://play.spotify.com/user/shogun_audio

Coleco - Raveworx

Sol Tempo - Green Eyes

Depth Ritual [Free Download]

Vinyl available April 2013. 
Pre-orders at Phonica Records in London : http://www.phonicarecords.com/product/view/113022

Juno Review: 
http://www.junodownload.com/plus/2013/05/16/special-request-vapourmindwash/


SPECIAL REQUEST 4 : VAPOUR / MINDWASH

Exit Records is at forefront of electronic music, constantly pushing the envelope in terms of aesthetic and execution.
Label owner dBridge strikes a careful balance between releasing music that serves a purpose for dancers and thinkers alike. The roster of artists involved in the label is allowed express themselves as they see fit with only one stipulation; pushing the genre forward.
The Exit Records club nights are typically riotous affairs- they stand as a mix of the most cutting-edge music crossed with a firm eye on the dancefloor, from stages at festivals to residencies at clubs across the world, the events are known to sell out.
As the label enters its 15th year of existence a confidence in sound and direction has come to the fore and this is what cements Exit Records as a go-to label for those inside and out of the genre.

Stray - Prof Popper (Clip)

Exit Records UK