Drumcode track releases

Sam Paganini - Rave



A great philosopher (Samuel Johnson, not Ebeneezer Goode) once wrote… “our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks”. While it would be a stretch to suggest the Drumcode artist roster are closet philosophy fans, once one begins to unravel the tale that led to Jel Ford remixing the 2012 Alan Fitzpatrick hit ‘For An Endless Night’ and it is impossible to escape the unexpected enterprise and spirit of surprise that are at the heart of this exciting collaboration.

As fans of Adam Beyer’s label will testify, the two Drumcode names have more in common than just a label stable, they also share common ground with the peak-time melodic sound that has delivered many of the labels most memorable output. Ford being a much more recent addition than Fitzpatrick, whose history with the seminal Swedish imprint stretches back to 2009, however Ford’s history within techno goes back even further having released multiple EP’s through the early noughties on vintage UK techno labels including Dave Angel’s Rotation Records, Billy Nasty’s Tortured Records, Primate Recordings and Ford’s own Jericho imprint.

It is within this shared passion for uplifting synths and big room melodies that the ‘unexpected spark’ of creativity that led to Ford remixing Fitzpatrick can be found. An long-time admirer of Fitzpatrick’s work, Ford had developed an idea for his alternative version and secretly worked on the remix long before any discussion of the project had taken place. Once given the draft version, Fitzpatrick immediately endorsed the remix, excited to have an updated version to breath new life into what had become a familiar staple of his sets for the past two years. Parts were swapped and the end result being the barnstorming end-of-night monster presented here. A track that will be familiar with many having been the subject of much social-media furor since it first surfaced back in Autumn 2014.


For An Endless Night (Jel Ford Remix)

DC140 For An Endless Night (Jel Ford Remix)[Drumcode]

This typically bombastic three-tracker of explosive, crowd-moving techno opens with ‘U Said U’. A massively hyped tracks that has been the subject of huge fan-demand since it first featured on Beyer’s Drumcode Radio in January. However, ’Love Siren’ will battle it out for the most attention from punters, packed with all the power and punch required to knock over festival crowds as it systematically builds and drops this is one for the big open air stages. ‘Rumours’ wraps things up in slightly more understated but non-the-less effective fashion with its drawn out, tension building intro mushrooming into a crescendo of sleazy chords and sparking melodies.

Love Siren

Love Siren [Drumcode]

Drumcode favourite Harvey McKay returns to the label with a darker new sound.

The Glaswegian has been a regular contributor over the years, highlighted by the memorable ‘The Illusion of Control’ EP in 2014 and his newer work with brother Ryan under the Alias moniker. Earlier this year Drumcode released the duo’s ‘Pentatonic’ EP and featured a mix on Adam Beyer’s radio, which included ‘Black Dolphin’, kickstarting the hype on the track.

Named after the infamous Russian prison, the title track is dark, tough, deeply textured brooding affair, with a menacing touch than runs through its core. McKay then brings in a huge synth line and changes up the dynamic of the track, giving it a powerful and driving feel. ‘Retox’ is a dark and twisted heavy-hitting cut, driven by aggressive drums and bassline, while a hypnotic synth line sustains a sense of tension throughout the six-minute track. Concluding the package is ‘Cover Up’, a fantastic stripped back exploration into dark atmospheric techno territory that’s tailor made for the winter warehouse raving season.

Harvey McKay - Cover Up - Drumcode - DC182

Drumcode favourite Bart Skils kickstarts the new year with his sixth EP for the label Bark Skils opens new year's season with his 6th hard hitting EP released on Drumcode

Since his debut on Drumcode in 2012, Bart Skils has been one of the label’s most regular contributors, with the Dutchman’s brand of functional, hook-driven techno a go-to weapon for Adam Beyer; from his stellar ‘Shadowprint’ EP in 2014, to last year’s classy remix of Moby’s ‘Go’. One of The Netherland’s hardest working ambassadors for techno, he is the organiser of the beloved Voltt Love Summer Festival that’s has been a favourite of Beyer’s for many years. 

His latest work for Drumcode, ‘Bells of the Revolution’ continues his impeccable reputation for quality with everything he does, with four cuts all with their own distinct storyline. The title track is characterised by dark driving grooves and bubbling acid line that slowly evolves into a lush melodic riff. ‘Ocean Drive’ nose-dives into deeper techno territory, while maintaining a sense of exquisite tension throughout. ‘Vocalized’ follows, a stomping acid techno cut that slides into the deep courtesy of skilfully programmed vox and elegant licks of melody. The EP concludes with ‘Retrodade’, a track that’s been one of the biggest in Beyer’s sets in 2017 and features the famous vocal from Rozalla’s ‘Everybody’s Free’. The sample was used with kind permission from the iconic ‘90s singer.

Bart Skils - Ocean Drive - Drumcode - DC184

Victor Ruiz lands his Debut EP on Drumcode.

Victor first released on Drumcode last year on their most recent edition of the famous A-Sides Vol.7 compilation with his colossal track ‘Pulso’. Victor has been relentless when it comes to producing absolutely huge sounding tracks, which are heavily suited to the big club room vibe. This May he steps up for his debut EP on Drumcode with ‘Nimbus’.

The title track ‘Nimbus’ marked an important milestone in his life, his arrival to Berlin, his new home. Due to the lack of studio space and set up, he made Nimbus entirely with headphones and laptop. A piercing track with a punctuated kick drum that cuts through the mix, alongside some industrial tones which build an eerie tension. A track that really sits on the darker side of the progressive techno world.

Victor explains that this release is “very much a mix of old and new” representing two stages of his life. ‘Unveil’ was a track he produced back in Sao Paulo, when day dreaming of his move to Europe. A chunky low end combined with big percussion that makes it more of a heady introspective track on the release. It most definitely shows a more experimental side Victor but is welcomed and makes for a thunderous dancefloor track.

Victor Ruiz — Nimbus — Drumcode — DC205

Boxia drops his debut album 'A Night In The Life Of' on Drumcode. A musical portrait inspired by friends. Each track represents a personal memory. Since breaking through in 2015, Boxia's music has quickly progressed him into the upper echelons of underground dance music stardom. Quiet and unassuming by nature, his sound is drenched in transcendental atmosphere and evocative soundscapes; making it a perfect meeting place for the warehouse energy of Techno and the intelligent thoughtfulness of Progressive House. For all of us, clubbing and nightlife are a myriad of sights, sounds and experiences. With the concept of this album, Boxia has sketched some of the characters he's met along the way. "I wanted this album to be as much about the people that I've met, as it is about me. People I talk to every day; people I only encountered once, and my life long companions." He Says.

Buy all

Boxia — Unofficial Everything — Drumcode — DC206

If you want a snapshot of where techno stands in any given year, and a preview of where it’s headed, look no further than Drumcode’s A-Sides compilation. Since 2012 it has marked the label debuts of countless vital Drumcode artists and affiliates, from Layton Giordani, Wehbba and Boxia, to Amelie Lens and ANNA, no less. Every year, new names are unearthed, tried and true techno contributors serve up their best, and icons of the industry land their debut on Adam Beyer’s storied label.

The 2020 edition hits with 13 tracks, eight coming from label debutants. There’s Eats Everything searing rave bomb ‘Organico’ and Dubfire’s ice-cool electro offering ‘Deadbug’, both artists landing their maiden contributions to DC after long affiliations with Beyer. With three EPs in less than two years on Truesoul, Oscar L steps up to DC, showing the breadth of his sound palette with a soaring, synth-laden gem ‘Dark Fate’. Belgians Joyhauser featured at last year’s Drumcode Festival paving the way for ‘Fierceness’, a beautiful melody-drenched cut befitting their DC cap. Anfisa Letyago is another first timer and shows why she’s one of the scene’s most highly touted new artists with the brooding beast ‘Are You In’. A growing label favourite, Juliet Fox follows up ‘Was Beautiful’, her superb track on last year’s A-Sides, with ‘Our Fantasy’, reinforcing her skill for crafting anthemic techno compositions. Thomas Schumacher & Victor Ruiz link and the result is ‘Intuit’, a sleek futuristic roller that hits you square between the eyes. Other highlights come from longtime Drumcode cohorts Reset Robot and Harvey McKay, who both dish up premium works, reinforcing their classy productions nous.

Thomas Schumacher & Victor Ruiz — Intuit — Drumcode — DC223

Joyhauser — Fierceness — Drumcode — DC223

Layton Giordani crafts his most accomplished work to date with ‘New Generation’, his second album on Drumcode. 
 
Since 2017’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘Where It Begins’, the New Yorker has entrenched himself as one of the label’s most vital artists and leader of techno’s new school brigade. At just 27, he’s collaborated with Adam Beyer and Green Velvet on multiple occasions, linked with the legendary Danny Tenaglia for the now-classic ‘Live Again’ and played everywhere from Awakenings, Melt! Festival and Warehouse Project. He’s also lived the Transatlantic life more than most, splitting his time between the Big Apple and Amsterdam, absorbing influences from across the electronic spectrum.  
 
It’s these experiences that inform ‘New Generation’, a masterclass of techno futurism and glistening example of Giordani’s ever-developing talents as a producer. Opening with the shimmering soundscapes of ‘Shinjuku’, a beatless two-and-a-half-minute mood setter, the album swings between timeless multi-faceted dancefloor weapons, and more lilting, ambient techno cuts rips for the golden hour. 
 
Already a favourite of the Drumcode faithful, the album’s title track hits with a swarm of synapsesearing synths that saw it go down a treat at Awakenings Festival, Tomorrowland and Gashouder in the second half of 2019. ‘System Majority’ balances atmosphere and propulsive rhythms on a knife’s edge and featured in Beyer’s DCR 515 radio show. Giordani reunites with the legendary Green Velvet for ‘Life Lesson’, a pulsating roller, which notably features the young New Yorker’s hypnotic vocals on loop. Teaming with friend and fellow East Coaster Avision, ‘Power’ is punchy techno at its finest, driven by energetic stabs and a stirring vocal from Chicago journeyman Cevin Fisher. After playing b2b a string of times, Layton links with good friend Bart Skils for a maiden collaborative track. Driven by a strong melodic lead, ‘Midnight Magic’ typified the moment when the duo played it at Drumcode’s Awakenings event during ADE last year. ‘Feel A Vibe’ is an album highlight centered around plump bass, reverb-heavy sonics, distorted bleeps and a spoken word vocal, which begs for a peak-time rinse. 
 
Elsewhere Giordani demonstrates his breadth with cuts such as ‘Nirvana X’, a lush breakbeat-laden cut; the laser-kissed ‘Translation Lost’, where his musicality is in full view and the progressive-tinged 
‘Memory Fragment’, which reinforces the expansive Drumcode sound palette. The beautiful ‘Human Error’ closes out the work, as muffled horns, delicate keys and sparse bed of percussion unify for a momentous finale. 
 
“This album is a summary of my life experiences up until this moment. Traveling around the world, living abroad, looking into the future and bringing atmosphere and textures from different places into my music. The evolution of music is a systematic cycle that never ends. It’s a composition of all matters experienced and visualized up until this very moment. From futuristic realms and ambiences, to city soundscapes within our reach; ‘New Generation’ is the future distilled into album form.” - Layton Giordani

Drumcode track releases

Khaled Chahal