clean techno

Dj binksy monkey set

Cyan

Throughout 2024, Indira Paganotto’s game-changing label, ARTCORE Records dominated the electronic dance landscape. Aside from a trio of ground-breaking 2-part VAs plus numerous singles and EPs to further establish ARTCORE as a leading force in contemporary techno, the Psy-mama also took the label around the globe selling out shows across Europe, South America and Asia.

The monumental output of music ARTCORE has delivered since launching in 2022 is nothing short of astounding - and 2025 looks to be no different. For the first release of the new year, they venture into new territory, with a double EP format, from two different artists. Calling back Mexico’s Interactive Noise, after he released a collaboration EP ‘Dissociaxion’ in 2023, and his single ‘Ninja World’ on their OFF Sonar VA in 2024, merged with a single from ARTCORE newbies, the Brazilian duo Avan7 & Becker.

Interactive Noise opens the EP with ‘Tokyo Core’ it comes with a wave of trance-imfused bass stabs, orchestral fills, and ominous pads, to cultivate a moody yet euphoric atmosphere full of tension that grows with intensity as the beat develops.

Avan7 & Becker’s ARTCORE debut with ‘Meru’ kicks off with a rasping, guttural vocal sample reminiscent of an Aboriginal call. When the beat begins to rumble by way of fierce grooves and metallic synths, there’s a glorious clash of aesthetics when the tribal-like ambience felt at the offset is met head-on by ethereal melodics and cosmic, fast-paced percussion.

To round off the EP, Interactive Noise returns with ‘Warrior Inside Me’ which leads with an anime vocal sample in which the rhythm snugly intwines around. Climactic and stirring from the off, the melody melds galloping percussive elements and laser-strobe shots with marching string arrangements to close the release in a truly epic manner.

02 Avan7 & Becker - Meru (Extended Mix) [ARTCORE Records]

01 Interactive Noise - Tokyo Core (Extended Mix) [ARTCORE Records]

Christian Smith & John Selway are back with a rocking three-track EP. Jumbo was made during a live stream when Christian & John produced the track from beginning to end while giving feedback. Tribal, hypnotic, and with some dub elements while still providing the Smith&Selway power. The Race focuses on an arpeggio bassline with lots of raw energy! Pattern Recognition is an update that Christian & John recently made during another live-stream. Enjoy!

clean techno

Timothy.davey