Stefan Z - No Words - My Favorite Robot Records

Frankey & Sandrino: Optical (Original Version)
Taken from Optical EP

Download/Stream: FAS.lnk.to/optical

Release date: 2022-01-14
Uploaded to Soundcloud by Frankey & Sandrino
Represented by Frills GmbH, Berlin
ISRC: GB7NR2226501
Distributed by Above Board Distribution (https://www.aboveboard.com)
© 2022 Crosstown Rebels (https://www.crosstownrebels.com)
 
Composed by Frank Beckers, Sandrino Tittel
Composed and produced by rank Beckers, Sandrino Tittel
Lyrics by rank Beckers, Sandrino Tittel
Produced by rank Beckers, Sandrino Tittel

Frankey & Sandrino - Optical

Follow: https://soundcloud.com/upercent

microCastle’s second offering of 2024 welcomes Upercent back to the label for a new EP. Since first appearing in 2011, Valencia based sound architect Upercent has developed a distinct brand of electronic futurism. An enthusiastic attitude towards experimentation, coupled with extraordinary creative vision has made the Spaniard one of the more unique artists to emerge in the last decade. Upercent’s first microCastle project, 2018’s 'Vuit', not only served as the imprint's second ever vinyl release, but continued the Valencia resident’s mission to create contemporary club tools and destabilizing sound explorations. Seemingly in constant motion moving forward, Upercent would go on to record projects for Diynamic, Kompakt and Watergate, amongst others, firmly establishing his place amongst the underground’s premiere talents. Now more than five years on from this elusive string of projects, it has been Habitat, Innervisions, Sum Over Histories and TAU which have been vehicles for his creative swell over the last two calendar years, reminding us of the niche he carved out during his initial rise, as he continues to maneuver himself through the confines of electronic music. With 2024 being highlighted by ‘Falling’, a two-track collaborative project with Germany’s Adana Twins, Upercent now returns to microCastle with ‘Persevere’.

Beginning with the organic monochromes of ‘Oracle’, Upercent’s craftsmanship reveals itself across the slow-burning piece, one where funked-up beats and rubbery basslines get peppered with skittering rhythms, thought provoking vocal samples and glitched-out electronics. Its subdued yet swing-heavy suspense while perfect for an astute dancefloor, also acts as an ideal segue into the hopeful qualities of ‘As It May See’. Paul Brenning’s vocals feature here, falling like raindrops atop woody kick drums and clustered sonics, eventually giving way to an interlude of soulful phrasing, coaxing beautifully with granular textures and ghostly swirls of wind, before tastefully moving forward as panoramic arps emerge for a mesmerizing finale.

Upercent’s distinct aesthetic continues on the fourth selection ‘Cult’. Perhaps the most direct composition on the EP, its six-minute running time quickly sets you adrift in a techno-inspired wasteland of deconstructed vocals and retro chord stabs. Both intimate and wide-ranging, it's a series of crystal-like drones which engulf your attention whole, creating a sombre, ceremonial backdrop for misty glitches and fog-like swells to create a scenic storyboard. Reverberating hits and twitchy rhythms fill the space of closer ‘Blau Cel’, a production where Upercent crafts a trek through mountainous dancefloor trails. Unbound by gravity, orchestral gestures sweep across mossy plains and frost-filled sighs, offering listeners another immersive journey into the uncharted realms of musical expression.

Artwork: Mauricio Seidel
Mastered at Calyx, Berlin

Upercent - Oracle

Matthew Dekay - Fangtango

Buy on bandcamp

Tambour Trinité By Bongo Percu - Mafaté (Kazamayé Afro Maloya)

Cosmic Monsoon (original) (JohnnyDeepMusic.com)

Artist: Frankey & Sandrino
Title: Virgo EP
Label: Sum Over Histories
Cat#: SOH003
Artwork: Collage by Karen Hofstetter
Beatport: www.beatport.com/release/virgo-ep/2053930
worldwide & 12" to be released next week

beatport

Solaris

Oslo

The long awaited ep by Mulya is finally here! Nothing less than a strong four trackers ready to burn many dance floors. An essential mix of heavy drums and effective melodies.

@mulyamusic

Vapour

Mulya - Vapour

Number twenty on San Francisco’s Manjumasi is the second solo artist EP from label co-founder atish. With the Warbler EP, atish presents a pair of original tracks that showcase strange and unique melodic stylings across two distinct energy levels, both featuring eerie and compelling string sounds with heavy use of creative effects. The title track, Warbler, has a solid late-night dance floor groove with a lush and haunting synth line anchoring the mid-range groove. Abyss takes things deeper, again veering into eerie sonic territories with vocal pads floating throughout the mix. This one sits in a more restrained rhythmic territory, well suited to the mood-setting opening hours.

The package features three top-notch remixes from a collection of very serious producers. Sweden’s Dorisburg turns in an incredibly heady interpretation of Abyss, with sparkling glassy pads juxtaposed against a bouncing synth bassline. Melodic master Rodriguez Jr. takes Warbler in a different direction, weaving the original elements into a tapestry of his signature arpeggios and synth crescendos. Lastly, Fort Romeau turns in an energetic Warbler mix, anchored by a long-building stabby bassline that develops into a real acid-tinged driver.

Follow: @atish @alexanderberg @rodriguezjrmusic @fortromeau
Like: www.facebook.com/manjumasi
Cover art by Nathan Kanner: www.instagram.com/nkanny/

Warbler EP

atish - Warbler (Rodriguez Jr. Remix)

Dimitri Andreas - Coari

microcastle | est. 2009

microcastle is an electronic music imprint from the north, Canada. Releasing on vinyl, cassette and digital, the label is an outlet for borderless creation. The selective nature of the platform allows each artist to operate freely, where stylistic blueprints and conventional dance floor dynamics are lifted. A home for anyone who carves their own path, each microcastle project is unique unto itself, unmindful of trends, refreshingly organic and initiated with the intent of entering the unknown, from leftfield headphone listening to rebellious dance floors around the world. 

Label Artists: 16 Bit Lolitas, Spooky, Cornucopia, Guy J, Eagles & Butterflies, Echonomist, Upercent, Olaf Stuut, Ivory, Adrian Roman, MULYA, Ditian, Yubik, Radeckt, Solique, Presia, Auggie, Colossio, Shiffer, Speaking In Tongues, Kadosh & Nariz, Ruede Hagelstein, Santiago Garcia, Marvin & Guy, Chaim, Darlyn Vlys, Zombies In Miami, Mathias Schober, Love Over Entropy, Luca Bacchetti, Brian Cid, Khen, Chicola, Sahar Z, Cid Inc, Jamie Stevens, Henry Saiz, Monkey Safari, Third Son, Jeremy Olander, GROJ, Fairmont, Charlie May, Max Cooper, YokoO, Petar Dundov, Nhar, Clarian.