Beatport: https://www.beatport.com/release/the-end/2690872
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/album/the-end-single/1481942205
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/14SPwjeJXH0UJUdsttrzUk

Dutch prodigy Budakid returns to Exploited for his third mesmerising EP on the label, with two fresh new opuses for your delectation. 

The End is one of his typically cinematic tracks, reminiscent of 90s melodic breakbeat types Hybrid. Hovering, Reese-toned bass looms subtly over intricate, light broken beats and gently enveloping string progressions. Crisp and spacious, the arrangement is honed to perfection. Muted, gated stabs echo the ghost of 90s trance in the breakdown, fusing beautifully with the breaks when the beat drops back in. Soft cymbal rides splash across the surface as the elements fuse back together for a restrained crescendo. Perfect for the afterhours or a spot of deep meditation.

Linguistic sees Budakid in more of a deep house / melodic techno mood. Subtle synth licks waft across the stereo field as live percussion forms a groove and wildlife sounds create a heady atmosphere deep in the distance. A plodding groovy bassline drives its way into the foreground, while minimialist layers of electronics build the mood. The brain-twisting breakdown makes more great use of noise gating as a dizzying lead soars and pulses. Its a great piece of work that centres more on mood and texture than melody, and in doing so recalls classic progressive house sounds.

The End

Budakid - The End | Exploited

Akillès (7 Lives Recording – Us & Them Records) – XLR Events Collective

Akillès offers a rich and diverse musical journey, ranging from micro-house to captivating techno, while integrating a melodic dimension that maintains a deep and powerful groove. Passionate about melodic sounds, whether rock or electronic, he has crafted a unique sonic identity.

A lover of DJing for nearly 20 years, Akillès has shared his universe in iconic clubs in Lyon, such as Le Petit Salon, Le Terminal, and Le Sucre, as well as in Paris, Toulouse, Barcelona, and many other cities. His music asserts itself wherever he performs, capturing the emotions of the dance floor with every beat.

In 2019, he joined the XLR Events collective, and in 2022, he took over the artistic direction of the Parisian scene. The legendary club Le Nouveau Casino became his playground to organize melodic nights, further solidifying his place among the emerging figures of melodic techno.

In terms of production, Akillès made his debut in 2025 with a well-received first EP on Us & Them Records, a label known for its melodic techno productions.
However, it is 2025 that marks a turning point in his production career, with several tracks released on the 7 Lives Recording label.

The best is yet to come in the final months of this year and into 2026, which promises to be full of exciting new releases.

He has shared line-ups with artists such as 8Kays, Bog, Fidèles, Adana Twins, Len Faki, Massano, Mario Canale, Un:Said, Agoria, Monika Kruse, Agent of Time, Lee Curtis, Ryan Crosson, Alex Flatner, Sven Von Tulen, Popof, Hector Couto, and many more.

Listen to his latest sets:
•	Podcast Radio Plusiel
•	Podcast Radio FG
Follow Akillès :
•	Soundcloud
•	Instagram : @akilles_musik



Akillès    (7 lives Recording – Us & Them Records) – Collectif XLR Events

Akillès propose un voyage musical riche et varié, allant de la micro-house à la techno envoûtante, tout en intégrant une dimension mélodique qui conserve un groove deep et puissant. Passionné par les sonorités mélodieuses, qu'elles soient rock ou électro, il forge une identité sonore qui lui est propre.
Amoureux du Djing depuis près de 20 ans, Akillès distille son univers dans les clubs emblématiques de Lyon, tels que Le Petit Salon, Le Terminal ou encore Le Sucre, mais aussi à Paris, Toulouse, Barcelone et bien d'autres villes. Sa musique s'impose partout où il se produit, captivant les émotions du dance floor à chaque note.
En 2019, il rejoint le collectif XLR Évents, et en 2022, il prend en main la direction artistique de la scène parisienne. Le Nouveau Casino, club mythique de la capitale, devient son terrain de jeu pour organiser des soirées mélodiques tout en solidifiant sa place parmi les acteurs émergeant de la techno mélodique.
Côté production, Akillès s’illustre une première fois en 2025 avec un premier EP remarqué sur le label Us & Them Records, reconnu pour ses productions de techno mélodique. 
Mais c’est surtout 2025 qui marque un tournant dans sa carrière de producteur, avec la sortie de plusieurs tracks sur le label 7 lives Recording.
Et le meilleur reste à venir sur cette fin d’année ainsi que 2026 qui promet d’être riche en nouvelles sorties.
Line up partagés avec des artistes tels que 8Kays, Bog, Fidèles, Adana Twins, Len Faki, Massano, Mario Canale, Un:Said, Agoria, Monika Kruse, Agent of Time, Lee Curtis, Ryan Crosson, Alex Flatner, Sven Von Tulen, Popof, Hector Couto, et bien d’autres.
Écoutez ses derniers sets :
•	Podcast Radio Plusiel
•	Podcast Radio FG
Suivez Akillès :
•	Soundcloud
•	Instagram : @akilles_musik

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)

Ashen Dusk is a Portuguese electronic music project based in the Netherlands. Recently launched, Ashen Dusk explores the raw edges of experimental and repetitive techno, blending hypnotic rhythms with atmospheric textures. With a minimalist approach and a focus on sonic exploration, Ashen Dusk aims to create immersive and evolving soundscapes for late-night minds.