Plasma Sources marks its 5th release with Cortical’s debut EP, Wretched Patterns and Terrible Mistakes. Pulling from both the extreme fringes of experimental music and the minimalistic tendencies of the UK bass continuum, the duo’s much-awaited first release acts as the locus point between dance floor sensibility and sonic exploration in its most immersive, visceral sense. 

Cortical are world builders first and foremost. With backgrounds rooted as much in the visual arts as audio, the duo’s live AV show has already garnered critical acclaim after standout performances at Sonár and Lunchmeat. Coupling this with their list of past collaborators - which includes the likes of Holly Herndon, Arca and Skrillex - and it becomes easy to see why there’s so much hype around Cortical right now. Indeed, this EP is the culmination of months of building excitement amongst those in the know, as fragments of raw footage captured from Cortical’s shows begin to amass on social media. 

Wretched Patterns and Terrible Mistakes itself feels like the auditory equivalent of a fragmentary existence forming, fragmenting and reforming again. Noise and distortion act as integral threads throughout the EP, but on Telúrica, they takes centre stage. Brittle percussive calls give way to a thick wall of bass-laden, cinematic viscerality which hits the listener almost as hard as the ensuing rhythmic carnage which erupts halfway through. 
Mortar, immediately fires away into more rhythmic madness, as elements of dubstep, metal and grime coalesce into blasted kick patterns which sound like the contractions of an eldritch machine’s digestive tract. Noise-tainted bass tones take over, tearing in and out of reality as Mortar progresses into deeper territory.

Up next, Shiny Surgery provides a respite, with electro-tinged drippings of lasers and wet gloops lifting the listener into a more sanitised and lighter space than its predecessors. Cortical’s extreme musical influences are still at play here with their signature eroded bass weight and splintered percussion on display, but in a more restrained sense. As the halfway point comes in, so too does the most introspective section of Wretched Patterns and Terrible Mistakes, as cinematic floating pads de-sterilise the space. 

Finishing things up is the namesake of the EP and arguably the most anthemetic listen of the release. Demented vocal chants call out across a disintegrating claustrophobic space, before grime kicks and fragmented breakbeat loops explode into existence, demanding full dance floor attention.

Cortical - Mortar

Mun Sing - Frolic EP
ID009

https://munsing.bandcamp.com/album/frolic-ep

Mun Sing’s forthcoming ‘Frolic’ EP adopts the drama and intricacy of his productions to create a surreal, demented fairytale. In this world, fun and indulgence come at a price; a shadow of consequence is embodied in the form of a sinister blue faced scarecrow. He is a boogeyman of sorts, akin to the beasts scaring children into good-behaviour in bed time stories, but now finding his form in adulthood. The Scarecrow reminds us that everything comes at a price, and punishes those that have too much fun. He is the embodied voice of guilt after you choose one more drink, one more episode. He lays dormant, silently watching until it’s time to strike. Can we ever really escape this lurking figure? In the times we have succeeded, how long does it last?



‘Frolic’ follows a narrative that begins with indulgence and moves through to consequence; starting with euphoric melodies and big room drops ('Frolic', 'Didn’t Need U Anyway') and ending in moments of unravelling reflection ('Scrolling', 'The Hypocrite'). The Scarecrow reveals himself for the first time during the breakdown of the EP’s centrepiece ‘Somersault’; a theatrical club epic in which the scarecrow cackles the lines “You plead a pregnant passage yet frolic and frot without consequence!?” summarising the spirit of the EP succinctly. 



The concept of indulgence has fuelled the composition of ‘Frolic’ as a whole, where Mun Sing would lean into singalong melodies and satisfying drops using a more inclusive musical language in favour of the grief-inspired awkwardness of last years debut album ‘Inflatable Gravestone’ (Planet Mu). ‘Frolic’ is inspired by big stadium pop concerts for its large-scale storytelling and pantomime-esque audience participation. After years of navigating loss and spirituality, Mun Sing found the natural next step to be writing music which explores the dialogue of joy and escapism.

DOWNLOAD

Mun Sing - Somersault

Precious Metals Vol.1 is the inaugural compilation from Precious Metals, a label, radio show, and club night.

Since its debut as a radio show on London’s NTS in 2012, Precious Metals has been committed to showcasing  the outer reaches of experimental club music, both locally and globally. Under the direction of DJ and producer Endgame—emerging from South London’s pioneering club collectives Bala Club and Endless. The platform has been focused on capturing the organic cross-pollination of sounds from the inner-city and the sublime chaos of the present moment.

In 2020, Precious Metals evolved into a full-fledged label, seeking to unearth artists that are visionaries on their own terms, eschewing conventional genre limitations. Representing an international roster of uncompromising, iconoclastic artists both established and emerging. Bringing an emotionally charged vulnerability to club culture.

The compilation encapsulates this ethos, and ambition, the culmination of the past 12 years of endeavour. Featuring some of the legends and emerging stars of electronic music.

United in compassion and solidarity for the Palestinian cause and its ongoing humanitarian crisis, all proceeds from the album will be donated to support efforts toward humanitarian aid in Gaza, and Palestinian emancipation.

International Fundraiser: 
The People Stand with Gaza
Donate here

x/o - Amulet

Youth Remixes

Promises (Sylvere Remix)

W.ANNA.W - Petals of Nehan [OMB017]

Petals of Nehan unfolds as a sonic journey where powerful and unpredictable movements of sound intertwine with cultural influences and personal sensibilities. Each track shifts in form at times intense, at others restrained yet quietly imbued with an inner strength evoking petals drifting with intention. Through these evolving textures, the EP explores the power of music to bridge the inner and outer worlds.

In the collaborative track “Forsaken Voices” with xato, a flowing current of sound emerges from the merging of sensibilities, leading to a deeper musical exploration.

The EP also features remixes by Sweden-based duo Quit Life, France-based artist Ytem, and Austria-based Kenji Araki. Their contributions bring distinct perspectives shaped by their diverse cultural backgrounds, expanding the sonic landscape of the release.

W.ANNA.W is a Japan based artist, vocalist, and producer who weaves ambient, experimental, and organic sounds into intimate yet expansive sonic landscapes. Her music transcends genre boundaries, evolving freely with quiet, expressive depth. Through her work, she invites listeners into a reflective, introspective dialogue a space to pause, listen, and feel.

NÜ PREMIERE : W.ANNA.W - Veil of Lies (Kenji Araki Remix) (OVER MY BODY)

Free download on Bandcamp via the 'Buy' link

Shapeshifting Love

https://quemalotodo.bandcamp.com/album/qu-malo-todo

Revealer

PREMIERE : Real Tears - Tempest [Eco Futurism Corporation]

@real_tears , a producer from the UK, just like his name, represents raw and pure emotion, it feels like he’s creating a reflective space apart from the noise of the world.

Dabozz - Loop (3ASiC Remix)

3ASiC