Interstellar Recordings (sublabel of Insomniac) welcomes again Pretty Pink, a music artist from Germany who also runs his own imprint called Deep Woods. Her ‘Balance’ is a powerful and modern mix of progressive, melodic and future house, enriched by the vocals of ODYSSAY, an eclectic musician and singer from Ukraine. As overall, the final result is captivating, it also shares moments of joy and hype, especially after the drops.
Artist:Claptone x Chicane feat. Moya Brennan Title:Saltwater Label: Armada Cat. #: ARMAS3062 Format: Digital Release Date: 31.01.2025 Tracklist: Saltwater
Iconic but mysterious dj and producer Claptone just reworked a trance classic, Chicane’s ‘Saltwater’, previously released in May 1999. This brand new interpretation is close to the original and rediscovers its pulsating core, while adding over it some roundness and warmth through the kick and bassline combination. As overall the result won’t let you down but will bring your soul into another dimension.
CamelPhat duo keeps releasing interesting tunes, showing off a great effort in the evolution of house music also through their label When Stars Align. Their last remix of ‘Arodes – Kidz’ published on Unreleased Records (project curated by Arodes and Andrea Oliva) is stunning: it translates the afro house vibes of the original into a contemporary mixture of melodic house. Aside to the instrumental the vocals have been pitched down, a remarkable sound element which adds a carefree sensation in the playback.
Lyrics: We run wild We run free I can you tell from your eyes That it feels like a dream
Side by side We go deep Can you tell from my eyes It kinda feels like a dream
OFF / GRID shows again his catchy, intriguing and dub techno inspired style with a fresh EP. Hosted by The Third Room, ‘Circular Motions’ is a four tracker which represents a very cool vision of contemporary techno music. ‘Bloody Raindrops’ opens the tracklist, its slow crescendo is fascinating and immediately engages the listeners, follows ‘Constant Expression’ that goes harder: the booming kickdrum and the large synth chord makes the atmosphere blazing. ‘Shivers’ follows the same line, anyway the loopy approach of the instrumental arouses a particular mentalism; finally ‘Play No Games’ closes the EP with a magnetic synth line, on this production the less is more approach to the sounds is alluring and makes the whole release winning.
Seven Berlin’s co-founder Cryme starts off 2025 with a great vinyl release on his own label, that’s the EP number 7 of this label project which started only in November 2024. ‘Reality Rush’ is a great four tracker that spans into contemporary blends of Detroit-inspired house and techno, sharing modernism and timeless sounds. The A side starts with the title track and a Christoph Faust remix: both the themes radiate carefree and late night vibes, as consequence the atmosphere goes totally hot and warm, heating up the cold temperatures of this season. Follows on the flip ‘Aurora’ and ‘Orbit Exp.’, on these songs the approach is mental and introspective, more suitable for easy listening ambiances than party situations. For the digital heads there’s available a bonus remix of ‘Reality Rush’ signed by Mesmer, which elevates as its best the sensations aroused in the original.
Artist: Lazare & ADDAM Title: Muhuuuuu Label: Spinnin Deep Cat. #: spd00702 Format: Digital Release Date: 17.01.2025 Tracklist: Muhuuuuu
One of the last singles published on Spinnin Deep is ‘Muhuuuuu’ made by Lazare and ADDAM, two artists who debuted in the house music scene a few years ago, representing the big panorama of emerging producers. Recently they joined their forces for the creation of this afro house inspired production, showing off a great set of talent and skill. The song features a vocal that adds a magic touch to the whole vibe.
Futuristic approach to techno: Pias Electronique just released a single made by the Italian dj and producer Adiel, with the collaboration of the vocalist and percussionist Falle Nioke. The whole production shares moments of deep connection with ourselves (in the middle pauses) alternated with hype sequences: when the kick starts a raw kind of energy gets unleashed.
‘This is the kind of track I’ve always dreamt of creating. It’s urban and organic, and it really represents me. I’ve been working on the track for about a year, testing it out in my sets and closing with it, receiving some amazing reactions. The track was musically ready, but I felt it was missing a voice. Through PIAS, I found Falle Nioke, and he gave this track his beautiful voice and lyrics’. Adiel
Artist: Charlie Powell Title: Act A Fool Label: Toolroom Cat. #: Tool1314 Format: Digital Release Date: 10.01.2025 Tracklist: Act A Fool
Charlie Powell makes her debut as producer on the notorious Toolroom with the single ‘Act A Fool’. Her main interaction with electronic music is related to deejaying and to work as music selector for Capital Dance radio. ‘Act A Fool’ is a great cut of phat house, it features a somber mood which creates a superb but dark vibe.
Artist: Dana Ruh Title: This Journey So Far Label: YECAD Cat. #: YECAD005 Format: 2 x vinyl, digital Release Date: January 2025 Tracklist: A1 – Case Of V A2 – Bruv B1 – KMA54 B2 – Babel C1 – MF Now C2 – Grey With Some Light D1 – The Look D2 – Song For The Lonely
Album number four for Dana Ruh, a respectable name in the house scene who has been able to continuously innovate her sound and make it appealing with each release, while maintaining a solid identity and a remarkable sound. In the past she touched styles such as minimal and tech house, then moving to deeper interweaving mixing house and Detroit inspired motifs. YECAD label will release soon ‘This Journey So Far’, to be available on two vinyls and digital format: 11 tracks of introspection and exploration. The overall sound is gloomy and rich of elements that contribute to making it dense and enveloping, distancing itself from mainstream contaminations.
Artist: Mihai Popoviciu Title: Puzzle Box Label: Bondage Music Cat. #: BOND12077 Format: Digital, 3 x vinyl Release Date: 11.11.2024 (vinyl), 10.01.2025 (digital) Tracklist (vinyl): A1) They All Say A2) Video B1) Frankfurt B2) Routine Check C1) Batiscaf (Vinyl Only) C2) Storm Rider (Vinyl Only) D1) Far Gone (Vinyl Only) D2) Where You Are (Vinyl Only) E1) Puzzle Box E2) Kinetic F1) By My Side F2) Skye Tracklist (digital): 1) They All Say 2) Video 3) Frankfurt 4) Routine Check 5) Puzzle Box 6) Kinetic 7) By My Side 8) Skye 9) Body Count 2 (Digital Bonus)
Bondage Music hosts the fourth Mihai Popoviciu’s album titled ‘Puzzle Box’, putting under the spotlight the artist’s trademark sound. Mihai started his path into electronic music in far 2001 with the first productions, making significant creations and label appearances step after step on labels such as Poker Flat Recordings, Highgrade Records, Dessous, Time Has Changed, just to name a few. Shifting the focus on the nowadays composition, the whole album sound is round and warm, which imprints into the listener’s mind a club situation: the party is starting and spicy productions are being played on big soundsystems. A less is more approach and a modern touch are put into this classy deep house, elements which help to arouse welcoming and mild sensations.
“With Puzzle Box, each track unlocks something deeper with every listen” – Mihai Popoviciu.