Valentinø - Spiritual EP [NN019]

As one of the few South African producers and DJ’s to break out of her country on an international level, Lee Ann Roberts dives into her roots, and childhood in Durban to deliver the next release on her NowNow label. The hard techno female, spoke about the uncertain, chaotic childhood she battled through, which lead her to find music, to channel her emotions and experiences, advising others that finding something creative can be an alternative kind of therapy. Her sound is tough, synonymous with her upbringing.

“I can create sounds in techno that almost emulate how I feel at times, it's a release, of all the stuff I have going on inside. I poured all my energy into something else, something that felt bigger than the pain” – Lee Ann.

Lee Ann will also be taking part in the Bridges For Music bike ride on the 24th April during IMS, the most prominent music charity in South Africa, they create opportunities for underprivileged youth to gain access to the creative world. The first step in a longer-term collaboration, Lee Ann will also be donating her proceeds of her ‘Africa’ EP to the charity, with more activities planned into 2025 to help fund raise and create awareness.

‘Africa’ delivers a track of trance and techno melodies following a sinister intro, whilst B-side ‘Sabie Sunset’ hits fast with turbo charged sonics throughout the body of the track, that lead onto its full throttle style percussion. Lee Ann also delivers a different version of ‘Sabie Sunset’ on this release, totally in its own trance era with a fastened pace and euphoric elements, it feels like a totally different track all together.

Acid Asian was one of the first Brazilian artists to release on KNTXT, as his name suggests, he predominantly uses elements of acid in all his productions, but combines with industrial techno, using Taiko, a broad name for a range of Japanese percussion instruments to compose his tracks. His remix of title track ‘Africa’ closes the release with a bang. The low-end of the original is pounded into by an aggressive intent that wasn’t previously present, whilst the vocal is chopped and left to warble against haunted rave chords and skittering, galloping drums.

To close the release, the somewhat elusive Rocketman, a DJ who’s career started out in 2019, during the pandemic, has managed to gain international support from Marlon Hoffstadt, Ki/Ki and Patrick Mason. He debuts on NowNow with his remix of ‘Sabie Sunset’ by adding layers of harder groove cranking each component to its maximum and breakdowns with a ruthless percussive edge, in order to drive the rip-roaring rework into a dizzyingly new dimension.

Lee Ann Roberts - Africa EP [NN020]

Lee Ann Roberts' record label, NowNow presents the first edition of its new FLUX compilation series, which features slamming hard techno tracks by ACIDMIKE, RiVid, Acid Asian, Ornella (PT), White Coat, PALØ and INIGMA.

The release showcases up-and-coming artists from around the world, and all the tracks have been extensively tested in the DJ sets of Lee Ann Roberts. Each track has a thundering sound with brutal percussion and exuberant synth lines delivering relentless energy.

Artists like Acid Asian have been making waves with releases on labels such as Charlotte de Witte's KNTXT. Others, such as RiVid, already play headline DJ sets all over the world, and have links to iconic brands like TELETECH.

PALØ has previously featured original music on NowNow, and individually, the artists on this release have contributed to respected imprints such as DSR Digital, HEKATE Records, TREGAMBE, Techno Germany Records, The Acid Mind Recordings, and many others of equal note.

This unstoppable release is packed with hard-hitting tracks that each have A-side qualities, and they are essential weapon for any techno DJs arsenal...

Various Artists - FLUX Vol.1 [NNVA05A]

Lee Ann Roberts' record label, NowNow presents the second instalment of its new FLUX compilation series, which includes explosive hard techno tracks by Reyno, GODEN, CHRS, Nineted, MXGN, Cyberpunkers, The Devil Dwarf, Stëh, V-tec, Stoltenhoff

The release features artists from around the world, including established names like Cyberpunkers and Stoltenhoff, alongside new talents such as Reyno. Each track was handpicked by Lee Ann Roberts after being tested in her DJ sets.

It’s a brutal release that strikes the balance between trance infused euphoria and the darkness of gritty drums and industrial textures. Some of the artists on this release such as NineTed and Stoltenhoff have featured on previous NowNow releases, but others are joining the imprint after featuring on the likes of Gomboc Records, HEKATE Records, TFT Records, ARTCORE RECORDS, Filth On Acid, and Exhale.

This release is packed with tracks that are designed to detonate with maximum dancefloor impact, and each is a weapon that’s essential for a hard techno arsenal.

Various Artists - FLUX Vol.2 [NNVA05B]

Paul Clark - Voices Of The Void EP [NN021]

Pre-order: https://fanlink.to/NNVA03

NowNow is thrilled to unveil its latest venture into the world of high-energy techno with the upcoming release of NNVA03. This compilation features an electrifying lineup of artists that promise to elevate the pulse and push sonic boundaries. NNVA03 is a sonic expedition into the heart of hard techno, delivering relentless beats, driving basslines, and an immersive atmosphere that defines the genre. The compilation features a carefully curated selection of tracks from some of the most promising and established artists in the scene, making it a must-have for techno enthusiasts and partygoers alike.

tracklist

01.OneFive - Nightmare
02.Stoltenhoff - Let It Drop
03.Sopik - Cosmic Places and Dnipro
04.TARS - Rumble
05.Spencer Dunning - Boxer
06.Matty Ralph - Nebula
07.MELTX - I Used to Live In a Struggle
08.Tom Naylor, KNTRLVRLST - Code 2
09.Discötiek - Closer to Your Circuit
10.Zeltak - In the Dark

Pre-order

Tom Naylor, KNTRLVRLST - Code 2 [Premiere]

Over fifteen impressive releases into its existence, Amsterdam-based, South African-born artist Lee Ann Roberts' NowNow label continues to go from strength to strength with a relentless flow of breakneck Hard Dance offerings from some of the genre's brightest stars. The label's next release welcomes rising Irish star SMU for his NowNow debut with 3 original tracks on 'Keep Moving Forward'. The release is a blistering trio of original cuts bolstered by remixes from fellow Irishman Revoxx, Perpignan-based Klimax 82 and label head Lee Ann Roberts. 

'Active Shooter' kicks in the door to the EP, hitting you head-on with a fusion of rippling Psytrance, thrilling Breaks and potent Hardstyle nuances. Building around high-octane grooves and savage sirens, it's an undeniably head-turning signal of intent for the rest of the release. 'Energy' is next in line, bringing another fast-paced amalgam of Hard Dance subgenre goodness crafted from sinister synths, furious percussive drive, a catchy vocal hook and massive, climatic transitions. The title cut 'Keep Moving Forward' is the last of three originals from SMU, cutting a slightly different musical line to its predecessors. Slower in pace to its counterparts, it carries a potent core of thumping, driven drums and raucous hat grooves, orbited by cinematic pads, rave synths and an iconic vocal that leads into several piano-laced, happy hardcore-esque throwdowns.

Lee Ann Roberts' reimagination of 'Energy' leads the way with the remixes, putting a sinister spin on the original with screeching synth lines and an unrelenting tide of peaks and troughs to keep the dancefloor on its toes from start to finish. Revoxx's remix of 'Active Shooter' is next up, adding even more weight to the original whilst cleverly manipulating several vital elements to carve out an impressive peak-time stomper. Klimax 82's rework of 'Energy' rounds off the release with another captivating niche re-do, delivering an intriguing blend of Happy Hardcore, Psytrance, Hard Techno and everything in between.

06 SMU - Energy (Klimax 82 Extended Remix)

03 SMU - Keep Moving Forward (Extended Mix)

Hailing from the heart of Glasgow, CADZOW is an artist whose been making waves in the hard dance scene as of late. As a DJ, his crisp mixing and high-octane style has secured him performances across Europe whist his razor-sharp productions have received support from Alignment, SNTS, Sara Landry, CLTX, and BLK. With a back-catalogue that features hard techno, schranz and hard dance, the young producer finds himself amongst an exciting new wave of artists that draw on a range of hard-edged styles to produce their own distinct sound.

Opener ‘Sweet Lies’ burst into gear with a supercharged bombardment of rave ready melodies underpinned by a restless percussive drive. The beat goes on to red-line through waves of chattering effects and harmonised vocals to make for jaw dropping opener.

‘The Ritual’ features next and picks up where its predecessor left off, by way of frenzied drum patterns, pulsing bass and racing rhythms. As the beat skips through measures of strobe-lit synth and racing low-end, its enthralling vocals arrangements jitter aside with a fevered energy.

‘Give It You’ brings this whirlwind of a debut to a close in style. Hurtling into existence, the track is fuelled by a head-spinning lead and bass combination which rumble beneath uncontrollable waves of thumping drums, hoover synths and rapid-fire vocals to conclude this exciting debut.

03 CADZOW - Give It To You (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

02 CADZOW - The Ritual (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

01 CADZOW - Sweet Lies (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

Free Download

PALØ x Koffeintablette - Come As One [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Stoltenhoff is a Danish artist who is back on NowNow with his first solo release on the imprint following contributions to two of the record label's compilations. He has an explosive style layering brutal percussion with hands in the air synth lines and hints of classic trance.

He is an internationally respected DJ who has headlined events across Europe and beyond. When it comes to producing music, Stoltenhoff’s tracks can also be found on other respected outlets such as Verknipt, NineTimesNine, AGONY, and Barong Family.

"Rave Buddy" has pitched vocal tones adding angelic vibes to devastating percussion that hits like a freight train. "Good Boy" has rhythmic vocal snippets and industrial drums underscored by rumbling bass frequencies. "Die Melodie" has a '90s dance style melody fused with gritty percussion. "Euro Schranz 2000" has classic trance euphoria over fast-paced raw drum sounds.

04 Stoltenhoff - Euro Schranz 2000 (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

01 Stoltenhoff - Rave Buddy (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

Lee Ann Roberts' record label, NowNow, welcomes a gripping hard techno EP by Valentinø.

Valentinø is a techno artist from Italy who is making his first NowNow appearance following recent releases on Indira Paganotto's ARTCORE, and his own imprint Overtime. He has also released music on labels ranging from Pan-Pot’s Second State to Coyu's Suara.

His brutal hard techno style delivers unrelenting energy through pounding drums and intense synth lines.

"Spiritual" has ceremonial vocal chants layered over a pulsating bassline and explosive percussion, while an array of dramatic sounds burst forth to create captivating tension.

"Raving Push" features soulful vocal phrases, flickering melody synths, and high-velocity percussion that deliver a fast-and-furious groove.

"Storm" is an industrially-tinged track where sensual vocal tones and breakbeat drums mark the breakdown, which is sandwiched between exhilarating percussive sections augmented by a throbbing bassline.

01 Valentinø - Spiritual (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

03 Valentinø - Storm (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

02 Valentinø - Raving Push (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

04 Lee Ann Roberts - Sabie Sunet (The Rocketman Extended Remix) [NowNow]

01 Lee Ann Roberts - Africa (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

03 Lee Ann Roberts - Africa (Acid Asian Extended Remix) [NowNow]

02 Lee Ann Roberts - Sabie Sunset (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

03 Acid Asian - Wake Up (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

05 White Coat - Flashback (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

04 Ornella (PT) - Bad Advice (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

02 RiVid - Powerplay (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

01 ACIDMIKE - DURO (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

06 PALØ - Downslide (Original Mix) [NowNow]

04 Nineted & MXGN - Psycore (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

08 Stoltenhoff - You Got Me Easy (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

01 Reyno - Bass Drop (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

06 The Devil Dwarf - My Acid (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

03 CHRS - Depth Coefficient Hard (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

05 Cyberpunkers - Ittekimasu (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

07 Stëh, V-tec - Into You (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

02 GODEN - Silence (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

03 Paul Clark - Coming Up Hot! (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

01 Paul Clark - Yahweh (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

02 Paul Clark - Read My Lips (Extended Mix) [NowNow]

NowNow Records is inspired by a melting pot of communities and cultures, and a South African term used as an indication of time. Championing off the grid techno and founded by South African DJ and producer Lee Ann Roberts, it is more than just a label but a movement that allows you to travel without actually going anywhere. To be in that moment of time where the music takes you.

NOWNOW

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