Release date (vinyl & digital): 14th of May

A1: Bang Wap
A2: Bolt
B1: Say It Loud
B2: Shine

Token celebrates its 100th release with Luke Slater, a legend of the genre, releasing under one of his most iconic aliases: Planetary Assault Systems. For over 25 years, Slater has delivered unparalleled quality in his music - a formative figure in Techno and instrumental in defining the sound globally, few can touch the Brit for depth, urgency and hit rate.

Exhibiting near enough perfect renditions of classic dance-floor moods, the four track EP is a wrought iron rollercoaster through some of the artist’s most exacting work. Booming opener Bang Wap chugs unrelentingly while a lithe FX line does the bulk of the movement in the high mid range - building tension before a satisfying release in the last quarter. A2 Bolt is classic Planetary Assault Systems - hypnotic and driving with a single sequence dipping in and out of view. On the flip, Say It Loud could be an idiosyncratic hit waiting to happen - dry and tight in the drum department for maximum effect, and featuring a recurring vocal sample chopped and skewed for tension. Closer Shine takes a deeper, more psychedelic route with shades of the classic, jacking Detroit sound in the pitch bent lead line, but maintains the energy throughout with stylish delay sends upping the ante where required, all in all delivering a neat finish to the EP.

TOKEN100 - Planetary Assault Systems - Say It Loud

Release date (vinyl & digital): 25th of March 2022

A1/1 Ignez - Celestial  
A2/2 Emily Jeanne - Red River Delta
B1/3 Altinbas & Cirkle - Uhlanga  
B2/4 Alarico - Spit 
C1/5 Dustmite - Filaments & Jaws
C2/6 Yant - Take The Reins 
D1/7 Marcal - Dancing Pursuit  
D2/8 Decka - Fractured

	
For the third installment of Token’s Fuga compilations, the label invites another list of 9 cutting edge artists to put their skills to the test. Ignez, Emily Jeanne, Altinbas & Cirkle, Alarico, Dustmite, Yant, Marcal, and Decka all offer their unique vision of contemporary club music for a collection of tunneling and intelligent cuts. 

Introducing the compilation, Ignez warms us up with the appropriately-named ‘Celestial’ - a 6 minute argument between melody and dissonance over a thick percussive line. Emily Jeanne then continues with ‘Red River Delta’ to lift some of the weight with a dissociative mind-bender. The crisp sound design and wide stereo image allow for an exhale before Altinbas and Cirkle introduce their collaboration ‘Uhlanga’. With our focus back on the body, the duo turn up the pace and prioritize groove. With rhythm at the forefront, depth is given to the track in the ambience, creating a rainforest-like atmosphere with resonant stabs streaking over the tighter low-end. Alarico then picks things up by taking advantage of this crescendo to present the energetic climax of the compilation with ‘Spit’. Hypnotism becomes almost paranoia with vocal cuts camouflaging themselves in the pulse of the track that only releases us with the occasional fleeting arpeggio. Walls rise and we’re in concrete for Dustmite’s ‘Filaments and Jaws’, which wastes no time in introducing itself with clear intentions and an imposing, low hi hat. He then lifts the record with a hovering main synth that drifts the experience back into a nervosity that complements the preceding track. It’s Yant’s turn to guide us with ‘Take the Reins’ - an almost nostalgic record with infectious chord stabs over a pounding 909, before leaving us with Marcal. ‘Dancing Pursuit’ is offered to the listener as another dance floor weapon with a density in its percussion and ambience that’s balanced by the sequence of the lead synth and creates a lot of energy. Decka then takes control with ‘Fracture’ with a brutally saturated kick over whipping two-bar synth loops to close out the compilation with a head-spinner.

TOKEN106 - Various Artists - Fuga III

Release date (vinyl & digital): 6th of May

TRACKLISTING:
A1. Aura
A2. Warrior One
B1. Nadi
B2. Centaurus

INFO:
Following the release of his track 'Celestial' on Fuga III, Ignez is back on Token for his own 4 track EP 'Nadi' to confirm that his work cannot be overlooked. Dissonant and seductive synth work offer the only release from a uniquely unforgiving use of percussion throughout the project - a masterclass in effect.

Kicking off the record with a track built on atmospheric shifts certainly sets the tone and it's called 'Aura'. Carefully sequenced and erratic synth lines are thinly sliced by high energy top percussion to make an anxious opening. Moving on to the A2, Ignez strips things down to the essentials and takes out the ear candy. Being the most rhythmically-centered piece of the project, 'Warrior One' fills space through the body of its few elements to accept tension from a simple yet hypnotic vocal synth. The linear quality of this piece then dives into the persistently moody title track 'Nadi'. A more cinematic addition to the EP, 'Nadi' brews tension through most of its elements over the duration of the track to be released into a deep club groove with expert attention to detail. The attitude of this track makes for a twisted way to drop into the final piece of the EP, 'Centaurus'. Built on a strong base of a more classically crafted rhythm, the unpredictability of this B2 lies in the melodic interactions between the bass synth and suspenseful strings that stalk the listener for a cliffhanger of a closer.

TOKEN107 - Ignez - Nadi EP

Release date (vinyl & digital): 10th of June

TRACKLISTING:
A1. Devotion
A2. Devotion (Truncate Remix)
B1. Eden Tide
B2. Eden Tide (Barker Remix)

INFO:
Hot on the heels of his full-length LP 'Sky Scraping', Luke Slater is back as Planetary Assault Systems with a victory lap titled 'Devotion'. A trailblazer in techno with anticipation ahead of every release, Slater appoints complementary scene heavy weights Truncate and Barker for the remixes.

With the title track being reissued after its primary release on 'Sky Scraping', 'Devotion' opens the EP with what can only be described as raw drum machine psychosis. Slater whips up a classic tom-based 909 sequence with impact, keeping things straight to the point before introducing the defining vocal sample. Wasting no time with 1 bar melodies, Slater boosts up the resonance and LFO rates to create hypnotic textures with a large stereo spread to affirm the sheer size of the track. It comes as no surprise that 'Devotion' was picked up by Los Angeles's Truncate for the remix. Truncate employs the head-turning efficiency that's made his name a stylistic reference for the past 10 years for this remix, making the vocal cut seem like his idea to begin with. Stripping down the track to its bare essentials and emphasizing the rumble of the kick that clears the way for his original groove, Truncate surprises the listener with a progression into a more maximalist record than his fans might be used to. This marks a fair compromise with Slater's original track and makes for a reliable weapon for clubs everywhere. Slater then offers 'Eden Tide' as his B1 for this record, introducing a track independent of the LP. Here, Planetary Assault Systems fans find comfort in the cosmic synth lines and ambience that justify his name. This glides over a reliable groove with shaker-like hi-hats he's been known to use in the past coupled with an identifying progressive structure to make things even more hypnotic, making the track a recipe for acclaim. 'Eden Tide' could only be strengthened with a remix from Berghain resident Barker, who takes things even further into the mind with his signature kickless techno. Always picking up on the details, Barker takes advantage of the space given by Slater to offer his rendition of 'Eden Tide'. Barker lifts the mood with melody and dives into the subconscious through dub with delays and psychedelic movement, introducing the end of the EP with a meditative eye closer to smooth the edges of a rougher record.

TOKEN108 - Planetary Assault Systems - Devotion

Release date (vinyl & digital): 14th of October 2022

TRACKLISTING:
A1. Tripartite
A2. Ascension Chain
B1. Bass Model
B2. The Burning Roundtable

INFO:
With a first appearance on Token through a remix for PTTRN’s ‘To Disapear Completely’, Mike Parker fully debuts on the imprint with ‘The Burning Round Table’ for 4 corrosive tracks of unforgiving power. Highly skilled in crafting cavernous ambiances and sharp tension, the American virtuoso offers a record emphasizing just that: imposing cuts to be selected with intention. 

Parker immediately introduces the EP with gravitas through boiling, acidic A1 ‘Tripartite’. This first track stomps its way through an aquatic ecosystem with the occasional stab to reaffirm the vast dimension of the track. Parker uses texturally abstract atmospheres that dive the alert listener into its mysterious environment. The kick pummels onto Parker’s next piece ‘Ascension Chain’, which carries its name well. A heavy low-end clears space for a mesmerizing stepped lead in this track that evokes a similar size as its predecessor’s. Quick hi hat sections hurry the track along into the other side of the record that meets the listener with a clear transition. Part 2 of the EP begins with ‘Bass Model’, where Parker flattens the dimension of his project with a strong, operatic bassline and rhythmic syncopation. Movement is now prioritized in a B side that sets a convincing balance between techno and Detroit electro through a highly effective use of minimal elements. Closed hi hats are uplifted through sections of rolling rides to keep the pace persistent and the track tunneling. Parker then guides us to the final pillar of ‘The Burning Round Table’ with his title track as B2, a logical continuation to the song before. A sustained and highly saturated bassline pushes through head bobbing percussion with a vintage sounding vocal sample to wrap up the artist’s sonic trip.

TOKEN111 - Mike Parker - The Burning Roundtable

Release date (vinyl & digital): 10th of March 

After a string of acclaimed releases on Token and a selection of remixes, Ø [Phase] released his debut album 'Frames Of Reference' on Token last fall. It earned him outstanding reviews at Resident Advisor ("a display of real power and finesse" 4/5), in DJmag ("a calculated masterpiece" 9,5/10), at XLR8R ("sticks out as an alternate route to the heart of machine music's appeal" 8/10), Groove Magazine ("pulsating techno in which every sonic details fits") and more.

Following the first single “On The Edge / Perplexed” & the second single “Dirtro II” (including the stellar ‘New Device Remix’ by Robert Hood), we now present you the last segment of the series with 2 remixes. On the A-side Rødhåd delivers an epic 10 minute interpretation of the first single ‘Perplexed’, while Robert Hood delivers a second, more minimalistic take on “Dirtro II” for the flip.

TRACKLISTING
A. Perplexed (Rødhåd's Extended Mix)
B. Dirtro II (Robert Hood's Redeemed Mix)

www.tokenrecords.com
www.facebook.com/ashleyphase
www.facebook.com/tokenrecords


Remixed

Ø [Phase]- Perplexed (Rødhåd's Extended Mix)

Release date (vinyl & digital): 25th of November

TRACKLISTING:
A1: Atlantis
A2: Atlantis (Oscar Mulero Deconstruction)
B1: Nautilus
B2: Nautilus (Marcal Remix)

INFO:
Positioned at the forefront of the international scene for quite some time as a DJ and label head, Kr!z first unveiled his work to the public as a producer on a few compilations starting in 2017, leading to a debut full-length EP ‘Mantra’ in 2019 via Token. After solid follow-ups on Setaoc Mass’s SK_Eleven and James Ruskin’s Blueprint, Kr!z now offers ‘Atlantis’, pushing new depth into two original tracks with remixes by the infamous Oscar Mulero and exciting up-and-coming Marcal. 

The title track ‘Atlantis’ claims the A1 wasting no time in clarifying the EP’s intention. A brewing whirlpool of pitch bending pads suck in the listener while rowing down linear percussion and resonant stabs. The cut boasts dimension as it tosses and turns throughout its duration, taking us right into Oscar Mulero’s ‘deconstruction’ as a follow-up. Respecting the cyclical spirit of the original track, Mulero slowly guides sustained bells through a thickened percussion-line to rethink Atlantis’s accents. Mulero focuses the pace of the record and we land on a slightly more sequenced B side. ‘Nautilus’ brings a loopy groove with momentary dissonant synth-work to polish things up. Stricter transitions provide structure to the EP as a whole, and the energy passes from a maelstrom to waves. To conclude, Brazil’s Marcal provides his take on ‘Nautilus’ by tightening the seams and adding his famed groove to Kr!z’s work. Particularly playful on the drums and fleeting stabs, Marcal adds sway to the mix with an infectious pulsating bassline that effortlessly pushes all other elements; never once losing his balance.

TOKEN112 - Kr!z - Atlantis

Release date (vinyl & digital): 27th of January

TRACKLISTING:
A1: Illumination
A2: Integrate The Shadow
B1: Tenacity
B2: Follow The Eyes

INFO:
	
After a year of acclaimed releases on SK_Eleven, Voltage, and his own Observer Station, the ever exciting up-and-comer Altinbas strikes with his debut on Token. Known for crafting club textures with the utmost attention to detail, Altinbas offers his four contributions to the Belgian label under the name ‘Illumination’. 

Grabbing the A1 slot with the title name, ‘Illumination’ unveils Altinbas’s story with a bubbly and strobe-like introduction. With a long arrangement and sustained tension, suspense is never far from an otherwise aquatic record. ‘Integrate the Shadow’ claims A2 as an introverted and mischievous follow up. Nervous keys loop along with dissonant bells accentuating the mystery to an already obscure soundscape. More playful with the percussion here, Altinbas structures his second track with electric stabs and wide rides to provide appropriate pace. We are then gripped by a confident third, ‘Tenacity’, for a pinch of attitude needed in any good club record. The metallic lead swings off a muffled mid synth line to create movement here, and the clap booms behind us to create that dimension. Racing to the end of ‘Tenacity’, Altinbas then guides us to our final chapter - ‘Follow the Eyes’. This dreamy conclusion opens up the EP, giving us far-off strings and a reliably ethereal lead bell that melts into a thick ambience. The drums push us through a cloudy landscape to land us safely for the end of our story.

TOKEN113 - Altinbas - Illumination

Release date (vinyl & digital): 3rd of March 2023

Tracklist:
A1. Coefficient - Neutron Star Remnant
A2. Bailey Ibbs - Caelid
B1. Phara - Evoke
B2. Hemka - Bazaar
C1. Nørbak - Dano
C2. Vinicius Honorio & Ricardo Garduno - Murked
D1. Kike Pravda - Lost In Darkness
D2. Amorphic - A57

Info:
As the second release of 2023 and already on its fourth edition, Fuga is back on Token. This compilation serves as a reflection of techno today while maintaining the cosmic, driving sound that has become Token's signature over the years.

Our introduction to this excursion is appropriately named 'Neutron Star Remnant' by UK's Coefficient. A pulsating bassline over a syncopated kick swings along lush pads to create a first look into the compilation, promising character and quality. Turning the page over to Bailey Ibbs, our dreamlike curtain is dropped and we're left with 'Caelid'. The tone is set, the nostalgia is lost, and we are left with Ibb's sleek uptempo techno track, bursting with groove; the sequence of percussive elements brew the perfect storm of infectious techno. Phara then takes control with 'Evoke', boasting a thick and persistent bassline. Returning to a rounder, analog sounding record, the dissonance of the lead bells make it a true nail-biter of a track. The intensity of the project is quickly lifted by Hemka's 'Bazaar' for nearly six and a half minutes of barely contained, high-pressure club music. The cyclical rise of the background atmosphere and soundscapes make this a properly anxious piece. Nørbak then uses 'Dano' to take down the intensity with a tom-driven percussion line and a thick, intricate ambience evolving like waves through a reliable rhythm. For our 6th chapter, Vinicius Honorio & Ricardo Garduno guide us back to the body. A drum machine skips along to a muffled synth line, reducing the dimensions of the record that had been opened, and resorting to being slightly more claustrophobic to create that needed tension. We then jump into Kike Pravda's 'Lost in Darkness' for a full-on space and granular submersion. Our second to last track inches along almost like an insect, one texture exchanging for another, constantly pushing through its duration. Finally we turn to our last chapter by Amorphic called 'A57'. This ending picks up the pace but offers space for a meditative and relaxing conclusion to wind down after another intense installment of Fuga.

TOKEN114 - Various Artists - Fuga IV

Release date (vinyl & digital): 7th of April 2023

Tracklist:
A1: Aventurine
A2: Seraphic
B1: Verdant
B2: Cure

Info:
	
Returning to Token with his second solo contribution for the label, Ignez invites us back into his sonic world with his new chapter ‘Aventurine’. Providing yet again a record with novel texture and spatial work, Ignez guides us through a 4 track project orchestrated with intent and skill. 

‘Aventurine’ introduces the EP assertively with his unmistakably cinematographic approach. The title-track proves to be of considerable dimension, a precise and impactful percussion-line cuts through distant atmospheres, rendered all the more dramatic with the presence of a cello. Ignez then takes down the narrative tone a notch to make space for the A2 ‘Seraphic’, narrowing his focus and stripping down the record. Giving the track time to sink in an expertly crafted tension, it isn’t until halfway through that the main attraction is revealed. Reverse, spiraling stabs dot along a persistently imposing rhythm to make ‘Seraphic’ very representative of a style that Ignez has claimed over the past few years. Whipping outward with white noise to accentuate the listener’s notion of space, we arrive finally to the second half of ‘Aventurine’. A perfect follow-up to the last cut awaits under the name ‘Verdant’. Dry percussion and string-like stabs, this time sharper and more metallic, make for a record where timing is the driving force. More mute than the previous tracks, ‘Verdant’ makes a perfect dip into the final element of the EP - ‘Cure’. Back into a more harmonic style, Ignez uses vocals and background synth work to create tonality before throwing in the ear-candy. Spacing out elements to conclude the EP in a meditative fashion, Ignez once again strikes a balance between technical knowhow and acute storytelling.

TOKEN115 - Ignez - Aventurine EP

Release date (vinyl & digital): 16th of June 2023

Tracklist:
A1. Light Trail
A2.Transmute
B1. Radiant
B2. Prism

Info:
Reclaiming his place on Token with another 12" record, Belgium's Border One presents 'Light Trail' - an ode to dissonance and drive. With his recognizable use of dynamic percussion and metallic synth work, he stops at nothing to provide a sound-system ready record for a busy dancefloor.

Opening the record with a throbbing bassline and a sustained pad, Border One wastes no time in getting to the point. He begins with leaning on rock solid groove to space out his ambient elements and stabs, creating a rich atmosphere while remaining focused on the movement. Transitioning from an intriguingly subaquatic A1, the needle slides to a more brutal second followup 'Transmute'. Providing a constant and saturated low-end, Border One remains expressive with his use of his drum machine while keeping a familiar bubbly main synth. The reduced depth in 'Transmute' is likely due to the tension coming from his percussive work as opposed to a synth, making it very efficient for virtually any occasion. As the A2 draws to a close, Border One dives back into the mind with the other side of the record - starting with 'Radiant'. Shrill tension makes its return over a playful, hypnotic synth sequence to create a satisfying contrast between crystal and viscous elements. 'Prism' then closes the record down on a driving jazzy tone, showing the artist's versatility and understanding of his genre. Dissonant chord stabs peak out of sometimes busier percussion lines, making it the perfect way to conclude a dance floor-oriented record.

TOKEN117 - Border One - Light Trail EP

Release date (vinyl & digital): 25th of August 2023

Tracklist:
A1: Light Spinner
A2: Six Requests
B1: Ten Foot Radius
B2: Restore Balance

Info:
Two years have passed since his last release on Token Records, and now Jeroen Search is back with his unmistakable style for a lesson in techno production called ‘Shadow Dimension’. Stripped down and minimal, we’re reminded that the original character of this music can be found in the hissing of circuits and the impact of analog distortion.

Wasting no time, Search kicks the record off at full pace with a spacey arpeggio and resonating percussion. Hiding ‘Light Spinner’ in initial obscurity, the Dutchman reveals steady intrigue by controlling tension and opening up his elements throughout its duration. The fluttering synthline is quickly exchanged for shuffled hi hats and a brutally monophonic lead. What begins as a rather two-dimensional track is given depth by levitating pads wide in the stereo image and competing 909 rides. Still a rhythm-heavy record, Search gives ‘Six Requests’ thrilling atmospheres to a throbbing core. Moving on to the B-side, the seasoned producer starts fresh with a warbly lead over a layered kick drum in ‘Ten Foot Radius’. Keeping things simple most of the time, Search fiddles lightheartedly with his parameters to turn his synth into almost noise over a steady percussion. The quirkiness of the record has a more aggressive underbelly, luring the listener into a club ready cut. Moving on to the closer ‘Restore Balance’, Search does just that. Finding a groove in a quicker percussion-line, bouncy keys hop about a fun but concentrated record. An ever evolving structure cutting along, he plays with the dry of his percussion and the wet of his synths, mastering the unique production style he’s known for.

TOKEN118 - Jeroen Search - Shadow Dimensions

Release date (vinyl & digital): 29th of September 2023

Tracklist:
A1 Flare Gun
A2 Surge
B1 Marbles Lost
B2 Delirium

Info:
Up next on Token Records is Kr!z for his first release on the label since his acclaimed ‘Atlantis’ EP late last year. Keeping his sound pure, Kr!z presents a cohesive collection of decisive tracks for ‘Marbles’, his third release of 2023. 

Kr!z’s A1 ‘Flare Gun’ introduces a loopy synth sequence, foreshadowing a minimal but rhythmically effective release from the Belgium based artist. Shuffling hi hats, sprinkled rides, and a round-bodied kick complement the nail biting lead, mapping out the mood for the tracks to come. The sharp quality of ‘Flare Gun’ quickly smoothes out for its follow-up ‘Surge’, in which a flexible chord creates a more bubbly atmosphere, competing with anxious white-noise transitions and high paced percussion line. The deeper aspect of Kr!z’s work on this last track is quickly subdued by the other side of the record, starting with ‘Marbles Lost’ - a chaotic club record that holds well to its name. A high pitch arpeggio lines Kr!z’s arrangement, sweeping through the spectrum and bursting at the seams with its genre-defining tension. The low end drives the record along, pulsating with the lead to accentuate groove under the drum machine. The outro to ‘Marbles’ is characterized by an intriguing use of chord triggering over a contained structure. Refined yet effective, Kr!z keeps his promise to honor the true spirit of techno in ‘Delirium’ with this classically efficient closer for his third EP on the label.

TOKEN119 - Kr!z - Marbles EP

Release date (vinyl & digital): 3rd of November 2023

Tracklist:
A1: Part 1
A2: Part 2
B1: Part 3
B2: Part 4

Info: 
For Token’s 120th release, the imprint reintroduces scene favorite ORBE for another EP. Revered for his deep and viscous textures over stark rhythms, the Spaniard furthers his point in four calculated and layered examples.

Opening with deeply filtered synth work, ORBE takes his time to subtly introduce shrill tension in the first track, displaying control in a progressive arrangement. He’s quickly able to accentuate his intention with a single stab, providing a shimmer and a sharp edge to a rounder-bodied record. Turning over to Andromeda 2, we switch to a dryer lead with a convoluted ambiance, giving a driving track more structure through contrasted transitions. ORBE intensifies the rest of the cut with an electrifying noise circling around the mainland of his identifiably layered work. Alleviating some harshness from the main components, the artist dives into a more liquid and cavernous environment. Pressing through with sustained keys, ORBE continues to evoke a sense of suspense even in his more adventurous tracks. Anticipation rises and falls with the sustain of his resonant lead, taking us to the final chapter of Andromeda. To round off the cosmic voyage our artist departs with what, in the beginning, seems like another intimidating presentation of thick synthlines whipping across a steady rhythm -  but then comes a surprisingly ethereal pad, oscillating throughout Andromeda 4, to indicate a safe arrival from a nail-biting story.

TOKEN120 - ORBE - Andromeda

Release date (vinyl & digital): 1st of December 2023

TRACKLIST:
A1. Presence
A2. Spoken Word
B1. Spirit Moves
B2. Blue Lace

INFO:
Following a string of unavoidable releases in only the past two years with unprecedented international support, Brussels' own Altinbas returns to Token with a second release entitled 'Spirit Moves'. Recognisably full-bodied tracks, riddled with classic techniques yet designed for the modern dancefloor, Altinbas offers intention in the age of impulsivity.

'Presence' opens the EP, easing the listener into what has become Altinbas's marque de fabrique. A steady, round low-end eggs us on to zip through vast celestial bodies, with euphoric inclines and cloudy descents. Traveling through 'Presence' is fluid if anything, establishing an introduction of boundless dimension to a record made with precision. Following this opening, Altinbas re-focuses his attention to centric rhythm. Bold, toned percussion makes for an infectious groove, instrumental in the most efficient way possible. Swapping drum machine sequences as an arrangement, the Belgian producer presses on to the second side of his project with the title track 'Spirit Moves'. Taking yet another turn, the third part of the EP focuses on playful synth work with raspy hi hats; a seemingly randomized arpeggio runs along a head-bobbing rhythm, scattering melody for tension. Having departed from depth in the middle of the project, Altinbas comes full circle for the last chapter, 'Blue Lace'. A return to stabby dub-like synths spread out in the stereo image make for a club record reminiscent of German classics. Mixing it with an eager tempo and present drums over a glossy ambience, Altinbas closes his second solo contribution to Token records by reaffirming the value of his sonic identity.

TOKEN121 - Altinbas - Spirit Moves

Release date (vinyl & digital): 9th of February 2024

TRACKLIST:
A1. Enchant
A2. Bliss
A3. Veiled Dreams
B1. Euphoria
B2. Oceanid
C1. Drama
C2. Scene
D1. Delusional Bond
D2. Awakening
D3. Immersive Mind

INFO:
Ignez makes his Token comeback for a new format yet again, presenting his first ever LP with the Belgian label. One of the scene's most intriguing artists to emerge in the past few years, the young Dutchman has paved his road to acclaim by experimenting with sonic narratives and interpreting them with dance floor efficiency. Constantly working the conceptual intentions of his records, Ignez offers a refreshing take on club music by giving it his unmistakable touch of cinematic storytelling.

'Tides' is an ode to his personal connection with nature, and each track represents a shift in energy and emotional ambiance, rising and falling with each transition. With this approach, it only makes sense to release a project of this length; Ignez is able to tell his story through waves, washing over assertive rhythmic work with far off keys and soothing pads. Songs like the album's introduction 'Enchant' and 'Delusional Bond' inspire curiosity of what lies beyond murky waters and the impactful aftermath of these tracks explains the untameable quality of ocean tides through erratic percussion and razor-sharp sound design like in 'Bliss'. Ignez's synth work throughout 'Tides' is elusive if anything, swimming through his arrangements in an unpredictable manner. He tells the story of an environment that imposes the sometimes harsh rules of its territory with restless elements ready to jump out at any given moment. This feeling of almost powerlessness can be felt in 'Awakening' for example, a record that's bent on intrigue and suspense over a stomping four to thefloor kick. Curiosity, anticipation, discovery: these are all things that can describe the chosen theme and, of course, Ignez's work as a composer. The album serves as a look into the respect the artist has for unstoppable energy and his translation of it thereof through the expressive sound design and thick atmospheres that propelled him to the forefront of his scene.

TOKEN122LP - Ignez - Tides


Release date (3LP, cd & digital format): 3rd of November

TRACKLIST
1. Ø [Phase] - Insectoid
2. Lucy - Sana Sana Sana Cura Cura Cura
3. Ctrls - x.y
4. Rødhåd - Haumea
5. Planetary Assault Systems - The 808 Track (Parts 1 and 2)
6. James Ruskin - No Trace
7. Surgeon - Fixed Action Pattern
8. Inigo Kennedy - Arcing
9. Karenn - Pace Yourself

INFO
It was early 2007 when Inigo Kennedy inaugurated Token. Since that Identify Yourself 12” the Belgian label has gone from strength to strength, integrating both Kennedy and Ashley Burchett, aka Ø [Phase], into becoming integral cogs in the Token machine. In between releases by Grovskopa, Oscar Mulero and Go Hiyama, both Ø [Phase] and Inigo Kennedy dominated Token’s output, but it wasn’t until Burchett’s watershed Binary Opposition that Token received the shower of praise it deserved. Following this, label founder Kr!z issued three remix 12”s of that release which, including Token regulars, took in a profound cast of producers to reprocess “Binary Opposition” by the way of Sigha, Peter Van Hoesen, Planetary Assault Systems and Ben Klock. It was here Token stamped their authority on contemporary techno.

Since then Token has grown exponentially, bringing into their fold artists like Xhin, Mark Broom and Rødhåd, while Ctrls, formally one half of Northern Structures, has seen his solo career flourish on Token with the release of five records to date, and he joins Inigo Kennedy and Ø [Phase] as a label stalwart. Additionally this year, Orphx and Ancient Methods debuted their relentless Eschaton collaboration on Token, and Christian Wünsch’s Spherical Coordinates dalliance with Oscar Mulero has gained even more momentum with a second release called Kinematics Equations. Now, seven years after that debut Kennedy record, Token present Aphelion, a nine-track CD and triple vinyl grandstand of new and exclusive material from label regulars and like-minded artists whom Token founder Kr!z specifically commissioned for this milestone release.

The penultimate record before Aphelion was a second Token 12” by Rødhåd, another artist adding to the cultivation of the label’s sound and roster, and for this compilation the Berliner supplies his cosmically inspired “Haumea”. Joining the Dystopian founder on Aphelion are three of the UK’s most influential techno artists: Surgeon, James Ruskin and Luke Slater under his Planetary Assault Systems alias who provide Token with solo material for the first time after previously appearing on the imprint in remix form. Entirely new names to grace the label via Aphelion include Stroboscopic Artefacts founder Lucy, and Blawan and Pariah's Karenn project, while label faithfuls Inigo Kennedy,  Ø [Phase] and Ctrls naturally commit three Token defining productions.

Casting one’s eye over Token’s back catalogue and it’s clear to see the label is a staunch advocate of absolute techno, remaining steadfast in issuing quality material that remains true to classic strands of the genre regardless of its popularity flux. In that respect, Aphelion - a word used to describe the point in orbit when a planet or comet is farthest from the sun - provides a simple analogy that the magnetic force of Token, unfazed by the shadows cast by popular opinion, will proudly shine light on their artists and given styles. 

“We started in an era where our genre was very unpopular,” Kr!z explains. “And in the end that seemed a big advantage for us, because when everyone was giving up, we started our mission.” Regularly hosting label nights in prominent clubs around the world, Token has become a label supported by a wide-ranging body of artists like Âme and Ben Klock to Efdemin, Truss and Ancient Methods. With the label now branching out into album and compilation territory, Token’s duty to techno may not yet be accomplished, but it’s been a job well done.

www.tokenrecords.com
www.facebook.com/tokenrecords

Aphelion

Ø [Phase] - Insectoid

Karenn - Pace Yourself

James Ruskin - No Trace

Inigo Kennedy - Arcing

Release date (vinyl & digital): 15th of March 2024

TRACKLIST:
A1.  Strange Attractor
A2. Astral Plane
B1. Time Dilation
B2. Fractal

INFO:
Border One’s fourth contribution to Token Records is an ode to the cosmic, an ever-present theme in the Belgian’s acclaimed career. ‘Strange Attractor’ takes techno and applies Border One’s bubbly modular sound glossing over thick drums, weaving through sound design destined for sophisticated sets on worthy sound systems. Calm and collected, he offers yet again his attention to detail and devotion to effect. 

As an introduction, ‘Strange Attractor’ presents a gripping story. Displaying sustained tension, he takes his time to reveal his channels. Forcing the listener to settle in and anticipate, the elements diverge and converge over the space of six minutes, shifting groove throughout. A return to calm, slightly uneasy control helps us arrive at an influx in energy for the rest of the project. Moving along to ‘Astral Plane’, we are introduced to more extroverted sequences. Boomy through fluctuating synth lines and stomping claps, the seasoned producer uses the size of his design in the low end to justify a more erratic arrangement. Spread noise in the background interweaves with confronting synth work, making ‘Astral Plane’ impressive in weight without losing the intricate quality that its producer is known for. Opening the dimension of the project through far spread elements, ‘Time Dilation’ creates linear focus with a cloudy entourage. An always club efficient throbbing main synth persists through an exciting structure, highly resonant transitions whip through drum machine patterns, making the third track on the record nothing if not a nail biter. The shuffle of the hi hats does nothing to slow down the energetic peak of the EP; we find Border One confidently in control of layered machinery. Drawing the project to a close, ‘Fractal’ blinks through persistent tension. Linear rides and drones open and close with each transition, making for a bent atmosphere of intrigue. With a sturdy rhythm dotting along from start to finish, the tonality of Fractal makes it the perfect final bow to grasp Border One’s intentions and the universe he puts his work in.

TOKEN123 - Border One - Strange Attractor

Release date (vinyl & digital): 19th of April

TRACKLIST:
A1: Teste
A2: Sopro
B1: Clima
B2: Veneta

INFO:
With his first full-length EP on Token after a contribution to last year’s Fuga IV compilation, Nørbak proposes his unique take on movement and grain through the four tracks on ‘Sopro’. Constantly searching for new textural story telling, the Portuguese producer balances grit with technical depth.

‘Teste’ begins the record as the most minimal of the collection, setting a somber tone with percussive accents whipping through a cavernous atmosphere. Reminiscent of German style club music with booming kicks and resonating hits, Nørbak plays to his strengths by alternating through confronting sound design and imposing rhythmics. The title track ‘Sopro’ maintains the weight of its predecessor, however the focus shifts to the lead synth line. The Hayes member juggles through a hypnotic sequence, bending dissonant keys to ensure a funky swing while keeping things cool and collected. This stylistic hybrid segues perfectly into ‘Clima’, where Nørbak masterfully retreats into the mind for paced percussion over delirious ambiances in half-time. A slow rolling bassline pushes through the arrangement like a tidal wave with chanting snares egging it on, making ‘Clima’ almost ritualistic. The hypnotic touch completes ‘Sopro EP’ in a subtle way and leads into an epic of a closer with ‘Veneta’. Nørbak thickens the rhythmic section once again, with an accent on the high end, to shout far off notes describing a stretching landscape. These stuttering keys make for an intense ride supported by shaking hi hats all along the way, persistent through every transition. The record comes to a satisfying close with a meditative conclusion, an appropriate way to wrap up a sensorial adventure.

TOKEN124 - Nørbak - Sopro EP

Kr!z live at HÖR, Berlin, Nov 18 / 2022.
Video streaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dff2ECJpIs

Tracklist:
Oscar Mulero - CV Is Dead - Warm Up
Isabel Soto - Elle Rêve - Diffuse Reality Records
Augusto Taito - Grimmy Turbulance - Secession
Linkan Ray – Four Layers - MindTrip
Ignez - Seraphic - Token
Kr!z - Nautilus - Token
Setaoc Mass - Diversion - SK_Eleven 
Jeff Mills - Untitled - Axis
Bailey Ibbs. - Caelid - Token
Border One - Prism - Token
Stephen Disario - Sixth Sense (KETCH Remix) - Conundrum 
Hurdslenk - Dragon - Out of Place
PageOne - Untitled - Unreleased
Altinbas – Spirit Moves - Token
Dustin Zahn & Marcal - Untitled - Unreleased
Phara - Evoke - Token
JSPRV35 - Bricks - Canticle Records
Border One - Radiant - Token
Yant- Encode The Stick - Blackaxon
Altinbas – Integrate The Shadow - Token
Kr!z – Evil Eye - Blueprint
Pacou - Untitled - Konsequent
Jerome & Bart Skils - It Takes One - Pure Plastic
Inigo Kennedy - Untitled - Unreleased

Kr!z at HÖR - Nov 18  2022

Kr!z live at HÖR, Berlin, Jul 27 / 2023
Video streaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfnN8EDR48Y

Tracklist:
Kashpitzky & Roll Dann – Unreleased
Jacom - Take a Walk
Josh Reeves - Erosion (Burden Remix) 
Border One – Optical Void
MDB - Unreleased
Jeff Mills - B2F 7
Frequency - Darkheart Energy (Marcal Remix)
Kr!z – Surge
MSDMNR - Ordinary Galaxy 
Augusto Taito – Lesson Learned
Altinbas – Presence
Tom.Healey – Focus
Kr!z – Marbles Lost
Hemka - Wrong Keys
Oliver ho & James Ruskin - Mutate And Survive
Mark Williams – Untitled
Jeroen Search - Six Requests 
Kr!z – Flare Gun
ZISKO - The Art of Restraint
Oscar Mulero – Unreleased
Orlando Voorn - Tone Exploitation (Luke Slater Remix)
Planetary Assault Systems – Raise Up
Pfirter – Unreleased
Casual Treatment & Kashpitzky – Unreleased
Endrew – Piston09
Jokasti Nek – Paresthisis
Vil – Unreleased
Surgeon – Sleep

Kr!z at HÖR - Jul 27  2023

Release date (vinyl & digital): 17th of May

TRACKLIST:
A1. The Sweat And The Salt
A2. The Reddish Glow
B1. Why Are You Holding a Gun?
B2. The Sunlight Blinded His Eyes

INFO:
Known for his intense DJ sets and heavily textured productions, Oscar Mulero embodies all that has made him a central figure in the international techno scene in 'The Stranger'. His first release on Token since 2021's 'Titan', the Spaniard announces his return the only way he knows how, through layered concoctions of noisy synth work and impactful percussion wrapped up in a four track EP of impressive weight.

The record's first track 'The Sweat and the Salt' is a representative introduction to the rest of the project. Mulero holds nothing back with his moody, obscure style and funnels measured grit into every detail he can. Hypnotic to its core but noisy and saturated enough to give it an industrial edge, the intricacies of this first track are upheld and continued in 'The Reddish Glow'. Here, we have more of a melodic back and forth being played between synth sequences. With no small dose of reverb to open up the dimension of the track, the incessant tapping of high to low frequency plucks make it a destabilizing mind trip of a club record. Complete with racing hi hats and his signature kick, Mulero plays with his elements to ensure depth in disorientation. 'Why Are You Holding a Gun' flattens up the space a little bit, creating more of a two-dimensional ambiance and taking synth distortion to a new level. A mess of an analog sequence hissing in the high end is paced out by metallic rides and short hi hats, making an effective dancefloor instrument. As powerful as ever, the PoleGroup boss controls his chaos with rhythmically questionable elements that add to the general delirium of 'The Stranger'. As the final chapter, 'The Sunlight Blinded His Eyes' is the perfect arrival to a stomping EP. A meditative pad hovers in the back while a rhythmically centered track forms, shuffling through drum patterns and an infectious bassline. Still packing a punch in the kick, this final song takes us out into the cosmos after a high pressure club music display by one of Spain's most respected contributors to techno.

TOKEN125 - Oscar Mulero - The Stranger

Release date: 3rd of November 2017 (vinyl & digital format)

Sigha - Metabolism Remixes (TOKEN77)

TRACKLIST
a1 - Black Massing (Wata Igarashi 'Dusk Falls' Remix)
a2 - Morning Star (Marco Shuttle Remix)
b1 - Down (Function Remix)
b2 - Black Massing (Wata Igarashi 'Daylight Breaks' Remix)

Sigha’s lauded Metabolism album is further commended with a remix EP for Token 77. With three highly qualified label newcomers enlisted to the task of reimagining aspects of the album, the music is reworked into a new context to powerful effect. 
 
Wata Igarashi’s flourishing recognition as a producer with striking competence and flair has marked him as a valuable affiliate on the record. He demonstrates different areas of focus with two new versions of Black Massing. The Daylight Breaks Remix opens up the high-end, expressing the delicate harmonics of the original with rushing upward arpeggios. The Dusk Falls Remix instead hones in on the deep and anticipatory nature of its foundation. 
 
Marco Shuttle’s foreboding Morning Star remix feels skilfully subtractive, magnifying elements by adding space and drawing focus to its melodic asides. Function plays with the contemplative nature of Down in his version, adding dynamic percussion and energy while retaining its expression and depth.

Sigha - Down (Function Remix)

Banke - Totem EP - TOKEN81

Release date: 13th of April 2018 (vinyl & digital format)

TRACKLIST
A1 Simenon 
A2 Cheerlead 
B1 Totem 
B2 Strattera

INFO 
Mysterious newcomer Banke delivers a profound debut for TOKEN81. The Totem EP's tempered sophistication and clear sense of purpose belies Banke's neophyte status, establishing him instead in the ranks of Token's most experienced artists in terms of skill and ingenuity.

Simenon's tense introduction is met with understated, yet unmistakable fragments of Detroit in the form of a hypnotic, high-end glissando, rolling drum work and built-up tasteful stabs. Cheerlead's delicate trill is mimicked and answered in a hypnotic call-and-response over a carefully measured low-end.

Totem, the title track, has a traditionalist opening that's purposeful and composed, with Banke patiently building tension through his crafty and artful arrangement. An oddball breakdown of mind-bending synth work places the record firmly in the avant-garde, while its detailed percussion retains dancefloor functionality. Strattera's hyper-focused mid and off-beat brushing hi-hat opens out to become disorienting, multi-layered trip.

Banke - Totem (TOKEN81)

PHASE - BINARY OPPOSITION REPROCESSED 

release date: 25th of June 2012 (vinyl &amp; digital)

TRACKLIST

part 1:
a: Sigha Process
aa: Peter Van Hoesen Process

part 2:
a: Planetary Assault Systems Process
aa: Ctrls Process

part 3: 
a: Ben Klock Process
aa: Inigo Kennedy Process

INFO
 
Beginning of 2012 Phase caused quite a storm in techno’s landscape with the release of ‘Binary Opposition’. Both versions, “Process 1 &amp; 2”, fierce pieces of relentless yet deep techno, got on heavy rotation by Blawan, Ben Klock, Surgeon, Marcel Dettmann, Dave Clarke, to name a few.
 
A few months later, we present ‘Binary Opposition Reprocessed’. Assembling a remix package for this project wasn’t a difficult task, as all remixers were noted fans of the original tracks and supporters of Phase as an artist.

Phase - Binary Opposition (Ben Klock Process)

Release date (vinyl & digital): 14th of February 2020.

A1. Inner Call
A2. Time-Variant System
B1. Staring Into The Abyss
B2. Magic Table

The celebrated Dutch techno producer debuts on Token with Inner Call, a four track EP showcasing the veteran's dynamic, puristic approach to the genre.

The music sits neatly in and amongst the outlet's distinguished catalogue - honing in with considerable precision on the very essence of the Token sound.

A powerful, streamlined vision of contemporary techno, Inner Call highlights the producer's time honoured ability to walk the line between pulsing, hypnotic workouts & outright peak time tools - stripping back the work to include nothing but the most vital components to deadly effect.

TOKEN92 - Jeroen Search - Inner Call

Release date (vinyl & digital): 28th of Janaury 2013

Six years ago, Token was born with the release of Inigo Kennedy's 'Identify Yourself'. Since then, each of his EP's has been a milestone in the label's growth and this new 3-tracker promises to be no different.

Title track ‘Cathedral’ has you floating under its arches at a sheer height above the heads of its 
worshipers, while ‘Chamber’ takes you back down straight to the centre of the dance floor. Closing the EP is the graceful ‘Accordion’, which could be the soundtrack to a lucid dream.

Token starts 2013 in pure Inigo Kennedy style: dark, refined and oh so magnetic.

TRACKLIST
A. Inigo Kennedy - Cathedral
B1. Inigo Kennedy - Chamber
B2. Inigo Kennedy - Accordion

www.inigokennedy.com
www.tokenrecords.com
www.facebook.com/inigo.kennedy.music
www.facebook.com/tokenrecords

Inigo Kennedy - Cathedral

Release date (vinyl & digital): 24th of June

Ø [Phase] returns.

Reasons for the small break since last year’s seminal ‘Behind The Sun / The Chasedown’? A lot of remix work – which will see the light of day in the following months - and more importantly: finishing his long awaited debut album. The LP is called ‘Frames Of Reference’ and will be released this autumn. The 2 tracks on this single – a double a-side - are both featured on the album and should give you a taste of what flavours to expect.

‘On The Edge’ & ‘Perplexed’ complement each other perfectly. The first is a raw peak time cut, while the latter is a more atmospheric & hypnotic piece for the afterhours.
Both pieces bring display strong & intense techno with an incredible sense for depth & detail. Few seem to master these qualities like Ø [Phase] does.

TRACKLIST
A. Ø Phase - On The Edge
AA. Ø Phase - Perplexed

www.tokenrecords.com
www.facebook.com/tokenrecords 

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