He awoke in the dead of night, panting, sweat pouring profusely from his brow. He was shaken and unaware of his surroundings; he couldn't get a handle on what was reality. Shadows seemed to dance across the walls in strange shapes and the winds outside spoke to him in a whispered tones — were his nightmares making their way into physical existence?

Zurich-based producer Walid is one of the minds behind Les Points who, along with its sub-labels Infoline and Gentrified Undeground, have released a healthy catalogue of electro, wave and industrial-laced trips, coming from artists like Savage Grounds, Cygnus and Neu Verboten. In keeping with these musical flavours, Walid has been cooking up his own 80s-indebted sonics under the guise of Child Of The Waves, which are finding a home on Belgian imprint Basic Moves. Consisting of seven tracks, the release uses cinematic samples, rumbling bass lines, icy synths and haunting FX to craft a journey that could soundtrack an 80s thriller.

Child Of The Waves - Basic Moves 15 2x12''

PREMIERE: Child Of The Waves - Phantasmagoria [Basic Moves]

Dawn Razor (@awnazor) and Archetech, two friends and two-thirds of the once-active trio Sonnen Blumen Kerne, have collaborated to deliver an album of tracks previously released exclusively on vinyl through Dawn Razor’s NARA Records. When Lobster Theremin ceased operations, the stock of these releases was lost, leaving only brief preview snippets online.

Adam approached HOMAGE with the story and shared the tunes with us. Moved by the situation, we decided to release all of the tracks as a retrospective album. Thus, 'Half Life' was born—a collection of 10 tracks that blur the boundaries between slammin' electro, breakbeat, and mutated bass, all with a minimalist edge.

'Half Life' will be available to stream and download from May 17th, 2024.

Half Life

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HOMAGE029 // Dawn Razor & Archetech - Half Life

Supercontinent EP, named for the ancient geological era when Africa and South America were joined as Pangea.

A reformulation of rhythmic ideas inspired by South African Amapiano and South American Baile Funk governs the two hemispheres of the record. The pair examine and deconstruct dancefloor material, eschewing 4/4 for interlocking shaker patterns, searing acid lines, cracking breakbeats, and vocal samples in Zulu and Brazil Portuguese.

An ascending percussive riff marks the arrival of “Pulgueiro Baile”, followed closely by break beats and the nostalgia of distinctly British acid electro. While pulguero translates as ‘flea market’ there is nothing random to be found; it is an intentionally future-forward retelling of a vintage sound, replete with a mind-melt breakdown of rave pads.

Artist: @kassiansound
Buy: https://kassiansound.bandcamp.com/album/supercontinent

PREMIERE: Kassian - Pulgueiro Baile [!K7]

https://soundcloud.com/not-even-noticed
https://soundcloud.com/fauxpoly
🛒 https://notevennoticed.bandcamp.com/album/source-transformation
🔊 https://youtu.be/8Vr_A12BReE

not even noticed are an incredibly talented German duo who have been laser focussed on their signature sound since their foundation in 2020. Hailing from Frankfurt & Leipzig, Carsten & Lucas have amassed a gorgeous catalogue of music that incorporates the ethereality of Trance combined with the gritty, heads-down feeling of classic Acid House and Breakbeat. Their latest EP Source Transformation lands on Faux Poly this Spring.

This release showcases the artists inherent flair for treading the line between delicately uplifting melodies and rattling heavy bass. Each track conjures up a beautifully atmospheric future-acid world that is a dream to get lost in.

Words from the artist:
We started producing this EP in the late summer of 2023 in which some of our project’s biggest releases had dropped. Seeking for a way to stick to our signature sound without repeating ourselves we aimed for new grooves and patterns to combine with our sound sphere. The first three tracks of the EP were produced within one month, while Astral Surge was a few months older and happened to be rearranged to fit into the overall vibe of the EP. When Joe and Warren reached out to us to work with them on a Faux Poly project we had a feeling that these would be the tracks that could make an EP. We’re even more glad the feeling was mutual.

Tracklist:

1. Light Beams 
2. Emargico 
3. Low Grid 
4. Astral Surge

PREMIERE: not even noticed - Low Grind [Faux Poly]

READ > inverted-audio.com/premiere-dreamrdreamr-antique-blue

After notable releases from Tom VR, Small Steps affiliate Boaksi and label head honcho Seb Wildblood, London-based record label All My Thoughts gear up to drop ‘Through The Elements‘ EP from producer and visual artist Dreamrdreamr...Clocking in at 160 BPM, opening track 'Antique Blue' is our pick thanks to slumbering chord progressions evoking a sense of melancholia then following up with a high dose of deconstructed jungle breaks and metaphysical R&B vocals, Dreamrdreamr immerses listeners in a state of endless reverie.

@allmythoughts
@dreamrdreamr

Through The Elements EP

Antique Blue

Dreamrdreamr - Antique Blue [all my thoughts]

It had seemed as if it might never come, the clouds had been absent from this part of town for ever so long and what had once been lush, dense and green had shrunk and dried beyond any sort of recognition. The summer had been brutal, long and brutal.

They had dreamed that one day the heavens might descend once again to save them all from the bitter heat which had become their tormentor.

Now, as darkness fell across the land, they watched and waited with eager anticipation for the sweet moment of release.

It was raining once again…

Rezonant Body showcase a new wave of Bass and Techno on a split EP from Vilhelm and Daddy Hyphen. Think deep, ominous basslines and abstract sound design, with one foot in the club and another in a distant galaxy.

Auto / It's Raining (Sativa)

PREMIERE: Daddy Hyphen - It's Raining (Sativa) [Rezonant Body]

Henry Greenleaf delves into a new catalogue series for the label, focusing on vinyl releases. ‘Keepsake’ is a reflective piece on creative exploration and personal growth, written while navigating post-university unemployment. The release samples records and cassettes to weave a unique tapestry of sound, each track stretching anticipations with an eclectic blend of strange sound effects, filter sweeps, and other alterations, showcasing a diverse palette of sound and meticulous attention to detail. Embodying the spirit of fearless innovation, listeners are invited on an immersive pursuit of creativity and connection.

Label: @different-intel
Buy: https://linktr.ee/differentintel
Bandcamp: https://differentintel.bandcamp.com/album/div001-henry-greenleaf-keepsake-ep

PREMIERE: Henry Greenleaf - Get The Hell Out (2 Step Take) [Different Intel]

As they travelled down the long winding river, they left everything that they knew behind. This was to be the journey of a lifetime, a voyage like no other, into the unknown, into the abyss.

Their small boat weaved and floated atop chaotic waves and tides, between jagged rocks and pointed shores.

Yet, they were nimble and agile, like a lizard in the stream.

They would simply go on and on, until they found peace in the great beyond.

Reasons To Dance are set to release a new EP from co founder Dåser who holds no punches on a fast paced, glitched out EP which channels elements of Bass and Techno and features a killer remix from Sputnik One. Listen to ‘Lizard In The Stream’ below:

PREMIERE: Dåser - Lizard In The Stream [Reasons To Dance]

BUY LINK: https://soundsoflavalava.bandcamp.com/
Sounds of Lava Lava 11
V/A - WAVES Volume 1
Label: Lava Lava (https://soundcloud.com/lava-lava)
https://www.instagram.com/lavalavauk
>  Lobos (https://soundcloud.com/lobosuk)
https://www.instagram.com/lobos_uk

After an amazing response to an open call for demos last year, Sounds of Lava Lava is proud to present the first edition of its various artists compilation; WAVES.  All five tracks span the vast Electronic genre, from deep and mesmerising grooves to rough and raw dance floor weapons.

Mirko Hecktor kicks off the compilation with Aquaborn; a slow burner laid out over almost 7 minutes where delicate arpeggiated synths bounce alongside soft drums, warm bass lines, wandering keys and chopped vocal samples to create a hypnotising and almost meditative track. Following up is a debut from Scottish producer Lobos.  Hailing from Fife and now a part of Glasgow's thriving music scene, his track 5am Sunrise has an energy and excitement which is reminiscent of early 90’s UK dance records.  Looped synth lines and melodies playfully develop and distort throughout while driving kicks and clean percussion lead through moments of euphoria.

Chris & Reece keep it low and slow with Red Right Hand.  Squelching acid-tinged bass lines weave between thumping drum patterns and gritty piano stabs while Reece’s echoing vocals create an almost tangible atmosphere.

Making a return to Sounds of Lava Lava is Glaswegian duo Pentland Park.  With Never Go Back they take the energy up a level with punchy drums and chest-shaking sub bass tones.  Delicate vocal samples contrast with the sharp percussion, adding a layer of beauty to this raw groove.  Finally Max Raskin closes out the compilation with California Honey.  A true hardware enthusiast, Max combines crunching synth lines, shuffling drum patterns, spiralling keys and reverberating vocal hooks to make a true dance floor heater.

Mirko Hecktor - Aquaborn
Lobos - 5am Sunrise
Chris & Reece - Red Right Hand (Acid)
Pentland Park - Never Go Back
Max Raskin - California Honey

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PREMIERE : Lobos - 5AM Sunrise

It were as if he couldn't find his grip as the world spun recklessly all around him. All he wished was that he might find something to cling on to which might cement him to the ground and bring him back to reality. Instead everything was blurry and his grip, non existent. Old butter hands was out for the night and there was no stopping the ride...

He wandered between the people and the places, the faces and the strangers, the dancers and the wanderers lost within the midst of the night. For they too had lost their grip. We all had really, the world was a big buttery pool within which we all swam beneath the cloak of darkness.

Tammo Hesselink delivers a technical masterclass on a new EP for Scottish label Redstone Press. Deep, pensive electronic textures with tones for the heads.

PREMIERE: Tammo Hesselink  - Butter Hands [Redstone Press]

REES is a producer and DJ based in the north of of England, Middlesborough to be precise. His tastes are rooted in the darker side of electronic music, drawn towards Acid, Electro and EBM making for a mean and eclectic selector in the booth. As the co founder of Magic Ritmo, he has been responsible for the release and re-release of eclectic leftfield cuts from the likes of Adel Dhibi and G.F.X having sought to breathe life back into highly sought after material.

This in and of itself demonstrates a keen sensibility to dig for records and establish a sense of sound.

His recent release came on our good friend and crew member Rosie’s label Human Endeavour and it’s firmly rooted in the sound of chug.

We invited REES to show us what he’s all about as he steps up with a killer mix of heavy hitting sounds which will work wonderfully in dark, sweaty rooms.

REES: The 'Shine A Light On' Mix

Ransom Note is an online music, arts and culture magazine. We provide a home for readers and writers with boundless enthusiasm, esoteric knowledge, fierce opinions and impeccable taste.

With our core team immersed in all aspects of dance music, we publish news, articles, and interviews covering the greatest in innovative, underground culture from across the globe. We offer regular, exclusive music and mixtapes from our favourite artists, and publish features shining a light on everything from the freshest new artists to the untold tales from rave history.

Alongside this we offer musings on film, books, life, and art, generating some context and controversy as an antidote to the reheated PR that clogs up the internet. Our office is fuelled by Tunnock’s Bars, cat memes, hangovers and a ridiculous, never ending love for our culture.

We're always interested in getting new writers on board – feel free to get in touch if you’ve got a story to tell.

With love until the grave.

PREMIERE: Child Of The Waves - Phantasmagoria [Basic Moves]

Ransom Note

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