Alex Aguayo is Mahkina (SXDNS038), a moniker through which the Mexican rising star explores his 90s influences by delivering a sonority more devoted to Trance and early Rave combined with shards of Cosmic Disco. What a concoction, isn’t it? With previous appearances on vital labels such as Haunted Space, DistroKid, Maleante, and U’re Guay, he is now back on the Montevideo-based multi-genre imprint with a trippy and frenzied release: The EP consists of three highly mighty originals and three well-constructed remixes made with love by Gala, Manuel Sahagun, and Imanol, the label boss himself.

The track we chose to review/premiere is maybe the one that best expresses what Alex really intends to deliver under his new alias. “Autonomy” is above all hypnotic and feverish – exactly what is expected from the combination of his Trance & Rave influences. From his Cosmic Disco references, psychedelic and churning melodies supplied by the beautiful arpeggiated synth layers. The result: A peak-time cut devoted to putting big smiles on people’s faces!

You can find (and buy) this and other music pearls on the Beatport page of the label: https://www.beatport.com/label/ure-guay-records/73038

Follow @alexaguayomusic and @ureguay, peeps!

PREMIERE355 // Mahkina - Autonomy

Galactic greetings. 

Since 2018, Bizzaro Universe from Hamburg have been delivering a genre-fluid mix of Neo Italo Disco, Powerhouse, Indie Dance, and Italo Trance across German and international venues.

Their club-focused productions have been released by labels like Bordello a Parigi, Discotexas, Nein Records, Mélopée Records. DJs like Pablo Bozzi, fka.m4a, Phase Fatale, Maruwa, Tjade, Sarah Wild, Shubostar, Mystery Affair, and Perel have already integrated their tracks into their sets.

Bizzarro Universe's debut EP on Exploited Club delivers a fresh and euphoric blend of 90s Rave nostalgia and modern dancefloor energy, offering a perfect soundtrack for euphoria, dancing, and joy. Each track in the collection is crafted to ignite both daytime bliss and nighttime club vibes.

4ever – A captivating journey with bouncy basslines, nostalgic synths, and euphoric Trance textures. "4ever" blends dreamy atmospheres with infectious dance energy, creating a timeless anthem for the dancefloor.

Planetary Groove – A high-energy track combining the raw intensity of 90s Powerhouse sounds with modern club vibes. Euphoric piano and sensual vocals elevate the mood, making it perfect for both sunny outdoor sets and high-energy club moments.  

Tropic Disorder – A dancefloor anthem that channels Indie Dance with early 90s Stabs, electrifying Acid lines, and uplifting Tribal drums. This track is designed to keep the energy high, ensuring the party lasts through the summer. 

Love Dream – A fusion of raw, driving drums and playful piano elements, this track balances intensity and ease, merging Acid and Piano House influences into a nostalgic yet contemporary soundscape perfect for happy times. 

Artist: Bizzarro Universe
Release: Planetary Groove
Label: Exploited Club
LC: 96788
Cat: EXP163
Publishing: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing/Sony ATV
Beatport Pre-order: 05.09.25
https://www.beatport.com/de/release/planetary-groove/5146645
Release Date Streaming/Beatport: 12.09.25
Release Date Global Download: 26.09.25

Planetary Groove

4ever

Buy / Stream

Bizzarro Universe - 4ever


Berlin-based label Midnight Operators proudly presents "Yepiyano", the latest release from Maltitz. Fusing his signature Balearic sound with a deep love for Piano House, Maltitz layers in an infectious Afro vocal and a hypnotic acid line, creating a radiant, genre-blurring track. "Yepiyano" is the perfect soundtrack for open airs and the summer of 2025.


Maltitz - Yepiyano

INCOMING : Lavion - 24/7 #ULLA
Release date : 06/06/2025
BUY : https://ullarecords.bandcamp.com/album/va-plural-dances-vol-2-ulla017

We’re celebrating 4 years of Ulla Records, and now you know the drill, it’s time for our new birthday VA : “Plural Dances Vol.2” !

From familiar faces to new encounters, well established producers to promising newcomers, Charleeps, SLTBQ, Vasconcellos, Radio Cargo, Lavion, Ali Watts, Zeb, Xols, Oldvine, Odjo and Naranja join forces in this 10 tracks VA, showcasing the wide variety of sounds we adore. 

Wandering through italo, acid, prog house or trance fields, this compilation will merge you in our endlessly broadening soundscape. This is our anthem to the dancefloor, our ode to the plural dances !

Mastering : Justin Drake - The Bakehouse Studio
Artwork : Liorzh
Distribution : KMA60  

☎️ Connect ☎️
https://soundcloud.com/lavion_music
https://soundcloud.com/ullarecords

INCOMING : Lavion - 24/7 #ULLA

Love Dream

Bizzarro Universe - Love Dream

INCOMING : CLOSE PROXIMITY - Acid Is My DNA #MINITEL

Release date : 04/07/2025
Buy : https://go.protonradio.com/r/rlugoXQfqgdbk

After an unforgettable 2024 with the launch of our label, we're excited to kick off this new year for two great reasons :

First, MINITEL Media is celebrating its 5th anniversary, and we treated ourselves to a state-of-the-art Polaroid to capture memories from our upcoming label nights.Second, we're thrilled to welcome UK duo CLOSE PROXIMITY and the talented Frankfurt-based producer MARUWA to the label for our fourth EP release.

CLOSE PROXIMITY was formed in late 2024 by Frank Brady and Demack. Their mission ? Crafting distinctive progressive music blending Proto House, techno, and trance influences.
The two tracks we present here perfectly capture their unique sound.

"Pure Ascendance" is a tribute to the airy, contemplative, Balearic progressive vibes of the '90s. With a groovy bassline, delicate yet precise synths, mesmerizing vocals, and uplifting piano chords, it's the perfect ticket for takeoff.

"Acid is My DNA" keeps the journey going with a slightly trancier feel. Expect stunning harmonies elevated by a soaring synth arpeggio in the final section .Guaranteed to transport you to a beachfront festival at sunrise.

On remix duties, rising star MARUWA, known for her stellar EPs and remixes blending nostalgic elements from the '90s and early 2000s with a modern twist, delivers a hypnotic reinterpretation of Pure Ascendance.
Her version features a devastating groove, relentless percussion, and dub techno-inspired arrangements. It's an epic journey into old-school tribal progressive trance that will set any dancefloor ablaze. Drums Don't Stop !

COME CLOSER !

СПАСИБО Maria
Thanx Frank & Demack

Artwork by Francois Boulo
Masters by Preference Mastering

☎️ Connect ☎️
https://soundcloud.com/closeproximitysc


INCOMING : CLOSE PROXIMITY - Acid Is My DNA #MINITEL

INCOMING : CLOSE PROXIMITY - Be Free #CONTR4ST
Release date : 05/09/2025
BUY : https://www.beatport.com/fr/release/be-free/5244524

CLOSE PROXIMITY is a London-based electronic duo formed by producers Frank Brady and Demack, uniting under one alias to create a focused and immersive club sound. The project emerged from their long-standing collaboration within London's underground scene, particularly through Volition - the record label and event series founded by Brady and developed in close creative partnership with Demack. CLOSE PROXIMITY represents a distilled evolution of their individual solo work: emotive, progressive, and built with the dancefloor in mind. 

Blending elements of progressive house, proto-house, trance, and techno, the pair draw inspiration from iconic acts like Underworld, while infusing their productions with a modern, high-fidelity edge. Their music is driven by thick basslines, soaring pads, and a dynamic sensibility that captures both tension and release. From late-night warehouse sets to headphone journeys, CLOSE PROXIMITY's sound thrives on motion and emotional resonance. 

Their next single, 'Be Free,' drops September 5 via CONTR4ST, offering a bold, melodic slice of peak-time energy that captures the duo's wide-ranging influences and refined production aesthetic. 

☎️ Connect ☎️
https://soundcloud.com/closeproximitysc
https://soundcloud.com/contr4st

INCOMING : CLOSE PROXIMITY - Be Free #CONTR4ST

Pre-save to your Playlist: https://ffm.to/planetarygrooveremixes

Hamburg based Bizzarro Universe are a duo who have conjured the cosmos into releases on Bordello a Parigi and Exploited Club. 'Planetary Groove' was their debut EP for Exploited Club; a nod to the 90s that is now taken in 2 fresh directions by Herr Krank and auspicious producer AUTOFLOWER.

First up is Helios label head Herr Krank who braids Trance, Acid and Italo into a dizzying revision that does a fine job of channeling 90s euphoria whilst delivering something very fresh indeed. Shuttering synths and a vibrant acid line tag in and out while a serrated bass line gives the low end a stylish bite. Drums are quick and boisterous and the energy effervescent as the track powers on like a current of energy: fast paced and coursing forth with irresistible kinetic momentum.

Nijmegen based AUTOFLOWER then steps in, keeping hold of the euphoric torch across a powerful take that marches with a purposeful intensity. Drums are potent and crunchy, churning away under an electrifying synth lead that gradually opens up before a double drop that will send the floor into giddy rapture, capping off 2 different but equally effective remixes.

Artist: Bizzarro Universe
Release: Planetary Groove Remixes
Label: Exploited Club
LC: 96788
Cat: EXP165
Publishing: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing/Sony ATV
Beatport Pre-order: 17.10.25
https://www.beatport.com/de/release/planetary-groove-remixes/5150051
Release Date Streaming/Beatport: 24.10.25
Release Date Global Download: 07.11.25


Stream / Download

Bizzarro Universe - Love Dream (AUTOFLOWER Remix) (Exploited Club)

Free download: https://filter-phaser.bandcamp.com/album/80s-inspired-vol-3

Artist: @bubsmusicc @ekonopolis
Label: @filter-phaser
Mastering: Golden Claws
Artwork: Mariya Panchak

Free download

Denise Motto - Miss Demeanor (Bubs x Ekonopolis Edit) [Free download]

NEO REGIONAL TECHNO - INSTRUMENTAL DJ - FREEDL CCBY

Burnt Field

BEATPORT

Cellar (Be) - Freak (Original Mix)

Send demos here: https://www.tstack.link/exploited-GBaXdMGvJLHubDbFJtn9O
Exploited Rec promises to strip the wallpaper from the walls of your home stereo.
Shir Khan started Exploited in 2007. Exploited Rec now plays host to some wide-ranging and innovative electronic talent - including Adana Twins, Claptone, Budakid, Joyce Muniz, James Curd, Shir Khan (to name a few) - and its artists have been receiving numerous supportive spins from the likes of Solomun, Pete Tong, Soul Clap, Wolf&Lamb, Azari&III, Jesse Rose, Axel Boman and A-Trak.
This is serious dance music at it's most cutting edge with all the juice to really get you going. It's totally contemporary, innovative and has a chunky dirty feel. "Exploited" take you on an invigorating roller coaster ride back to your youth when you first listened to dance music with all the thrills and spills you so enjoyed about clubbing. It's heavy, exciting and special.
'"Exploited Records" is a seamless melting pot of varied styles that simply can't fail to please even the most discerning ears. Highlights here are plentyful. Not to be missed at any cost.' (Clash)
'Musical hybrids are truly the flavour of today, but few have managed to capture the atmosphere of an unpredictable microcosm of a night out on a recordlabel - until now. Shir Khan's label "Exploited" bottles the zeitgeist's giddy thrills with plenty of style and substance. This is dance music hybridism in all its most glorious forms, and Shir Khan is an expert at making square pegs fit round holes.' (DJ-Mag)
'"Exploited Records" boss Shir Khan has been gaining a lot of acclaim recently, and deservedly so - as he has shown us the high quality, diversity and forward-thinking nature of his label. Engaging, riveting and diverse.' (Data Transmission)