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Palpebræ Staff Picks [April]


Our editorial team has selected the best releases of April! This time we faced a rather pleasant challenge: the initial longlist included over 60 titles. A clear sign that electronic music is more alive and thriving than ever. After careful curation, we narrowed it down to 10 standout releases. As in our previous roundup, we’ve once again included a timeless masterpiece that finally sees a physical reissue after more than two decades: Gravity by Monolake.



☉ Barker – Stochastic Drift [Smalltown Supersound]

Barker - Stochastic Drift [Smalltown Supersound]


Barker returns to Smalltown Supersound with his new LP, Stochastic Drift. A stunning work (as is the case with all his releases…), this album marks yet another evolution of his sound, transcending the boundaries of techno to explore more introspective and experimental territories. With this record, the artist completely steps away from his club-oriented roots to immerse himself in a more contemplative sonic landscape, where rhythmic structures and soundscapes intertwine fluidly and non-linearly.
The album unfolds through ten tracks that play with repetition and variation, creating a sonic flow that evokes the sensation of slow, natural movement. The rhythms gradually dissolve into dense, hypnotic atmospheres, enriched by organic textures and a masterful use of analog synthesizers. Characterized by minimalism and abstraction, the album finds a new dimension of emotional intensity, where tension no longer arises from rhythmic peaks but from the unstable balance between sound and silence.
Stochastic Drift is a work that demands a certain musical sensitivity, but it richly rewards those willing to be carried away by its reflective energy. It delves into deep musical territory, full of evocative suggestions. An experience that showcases the continued evolution of Barker, one of the best artists of the last 20 years (yep, we’re fans here!).
[» listen and support here]



☉ Vanity Productions & Lundin Oil – Forever United [Northern Electronics]

Vanity Productions & Lundin Oil - Forever United [Northern Electronics]


Forever United is a split EP by Vanity Productions and Lundin Oil (aka Anthony Linell), released on cassette by the renowned Swedish label Northern Electronics, now on its 107th release. In this work, the two artists merge their distinct sonic aesthetics to craft an experience that is both meditative and unsettling. The tracks unfold slowly, driven by persistent drones and layered textures that evoke a sense of stillness and latent tension. The use of industrial and environmental elements helps shape a soundscape that invites introspection while maintaining an undercurrent of unease.
The cassette format adds an extra layer of intimacy and nostalgia, emphasizing the analog and tactile nature of the sound.
[» listen and support here]



☉ Unknown Artist – Cool Like That EP [Fokuz Recordings]

☉ Unknown Artist - Cool Like That EP [Fokuz Recordings]


Unknown Artist delivers Cool Like That EP, a refined and cohesive release rooted in the most soulful and liquid side of drum & bass—perfectly aligned with the musical ethos of Dutch label Fokuz Recordings. The EP features four tracks that balance agile grooves with smooth, velvety atmospheres, offering a listening experience that is both elegant and immersive. Each track stands out thanks to the clever use of vocal samples, warm basslines, and crisp breakbeats—elements that echo the classic foundations of the genre while adding a fresh, contemporary touch. What sets this EP apart is its unmistakable funk influence, clearly inspired by A Tribe Called Quest’s seminal compilation The Anthology (you caught that, right?). Though the producer’s identity remains deliberately hidden, the intention is unmistakable: let the music speak for itself. And it speaks volumes. Cool Like That EP is a gem for liquid DnB lovers and a heartfelt tribute to one of the defining hip-hop releases of the ’90s.
[» listen and support here]



☉ Floid & W92 – Dookuzot [Omen Wapta]

Floid & W92 - Dookuzot [Omen Wapta]


For the first time, Floid and W92 (aka Woody92) come together on Dookuzot, a six-track EP (plus two digital bonus tracks) released via their own imprint, Omen Wapta. Rooted in abstract and hypnotic terrains, Dookuzot sees techno dissolve into dub-laden fog and psychedelic undercurrents, all while sustaining a steady, subterranean tension. Fractured rhythms and persistent pulses pierce through deep, introspective textures, propelling the listener into an intense and immersive sonic journey. It’s a debut collaboration that feels both meditative and urgent—an exploration of sound as ritual.
[» listen and support here]



☉ Brainwave Research Center – Psychic Antenna [R.i.O. Label]

Brainwave Research Center - Psychic Antenna [R.i.O. Label]


With Psychic Antenna, New York-based duo Brainwave Research Center — composed of Chase Smith and Christa Majoras — delves into a sonic realm where analog experimentation meets electro sensibility. Released in a limited edition of 200 12″ vinyl copies on R.i.O. Label, the EP features four original tracks alongside three remixes, with DALO’s reinterpretation standing out as our personal favorite. What sets this release apart is its ability to seamlessly blend acid, electro, krautrock, ambient, and techno into a coherent and deeply personal sound language—one that is also undeniably psychedelic. The use of analog synthesizers and a DIY production approach give the record a raw, authentic, and exploratory character. Psychic Antenna strikes us as a truly singular work—easily one of the highlights of our collection. The beautifully designed cover by Omnigroup further elevates the release, making it a must-have for lovers of forward-thinking electronic music.
[» listen and support here]



☉ 30 Years : Sonic Groove

30 Years : Sonic Groove


“No skips, no pauses—since 1995.” That’s how the description of 30 Years: Sonic Groove begins—a celebratory compilation marking the 30th anniversary of the legendary New York label founded by Adam X, Frankie Bones, and Heather Heart. The release features twelve tracks from artists who have helped shape not only the label’s distinctive sound over the decades, but arguably the sound of techno itself in all its forms. Conceived as a bold statement of intent, the album showcases Sonic Groove’s unwavering commitment to its artistic vision while continuing to embrace innovation. Each track stands as a testament to the label’s dedication to promoting techno that is powerful, emotional, and intellectually engaging.
No compromises. No trend-chasing.
[» listen and support here]



☉ Ash Fure – Animal [Smalltown Supersound]

Ash Fure - Animal [Smalltown Supersound]


Composer and sound artist Ash Fure presents Animal, a bold and boundary-pushing album that redefines the possibilities of electronic music. Released on Smalltown Supersound, the work explores the physicality of sound and sensory perception through an immersive and deeply visceral approach.
Recorded live at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, Animal creates a direct connection between the listener, the body, and the acoustic environment. Drawing inspiration from Fure’s experiences in the techno clubs of Berlin and Detroit—where sound is shaped by the spaces it inhabits—the album translates spatial adaptability into a form that is abstract, tactile, and emotionally intense. What sets Animal apart is its ability to trigger physical responses through dense sub-bass frequencies, fractured rhythms, and unorthodox structures. This is not background music: it demands engagement, attention, and introspection. The sound is felt as much as heard, with sonic textures that seem to occupy the body as much as the air around it. The album’s visual presentation, featuring a cover designed by Xavi Aguirre with a photo taken at the Venice Architecture Biennale, adds another conceptual layer—emphasizing the project’s multidimensional nature. Animal is an uncompromising and deeply affecting listening experience—one that challenges expectations and redefines the intersection of sound, space, and the senses.
[» listen and support here]



☉ Khotin – Peace Portal [Khotin Industries]

Khotin - Peace Portal [Khotin Industries]


Canadian producer Dylan Khotin-Foote, aka Khotin, welcomes us into his ethereal atmosphere with a six-track EP released on his own label, Khotin Industries. Rather than confining this work to a specific genre, we’d prefer to describe it as a “journey through the clouds,” as suggested by the EP’s final track, On Heaven. Nostalgic and atmospheric textures envelop Khotin’s analog synths, which are further enriched by carefully placed field recordings. The result is a deeply emotional work that is, at the same time, technically flawless.
[» listen and support here]



☉ ASC – Undercurrents [Auxiliary]

ASC - Undercurrents [Auxiliary]


With Undercurrents, ASC returns to the depths of sound design with the elegance and precision that have long defined his productions. Released on his own label, Auxiliary, the EP features four tracks that seamlessly blend ambient, deconstructed techno, and atmospheric drum & bass into a dense and immersive sonic form. Undercurrents flows with a hypnotic and fluid energy: rhythmic structures are stretched out, while soundscapes evolve slowly, evoking a sense of suspended introspection. The sonic elements seem to emerge from distant, abstract spaces—metallic resonances and ethereal pads combine to form a richly layered, immersive environment. A particularly striking feature is the use of scattered vocal fragments, subtly woven into the mix, adding a dreamy emotional touch.
The production is flawless—minimal yet expansive, abstract yet deeply emotive. This EP fits perfectly within ASC’s artistic trajectory, furthering his exploration of rhythm, spatiality, and futuristic imagination. Undercurrents is a refined, contemplative release—essential listening for those who seek depth and nuance in modern electronic music.
[» listen and support here]



☉ [Remastered] Monolake – Gravity [Field Records]

[Remastered] Monolake - Gravity [Field Records]

Twenty-one years after its original release, Gravity — the iconic album by Monolake (aka Robert Henke) — returns in a newly remastered edition that breathes fresh life into its already timeless sound. Most notably, thanks to Field Records, the album is now available for the first time ever on vinyl, offered in both a classic black pressing and a stunning transparent orange edition.
Originally released in 2001, Gravity stands as one of the most important landmarks in early 2000s experimental techno and Berlin sound art. With its stripped-back elegance and conceptual clarity, the album has left a lasting, if often understated, mark on contemporary electronic music. It’s no exaggeration to call it a truly timeless work. The remaster highlights the album’s sonic depth with enhanced clarity, especially in the low-end frequencies and the delicate atmospheric textures that define Henke’s sound design. The vinyl format not only adds a layer of analog warmth that deepens the listening experience, but also elevates the physical release to a highly collectible piece — a testament to Gravity’s lasting impact on the evolution of electronic sound.
With this album, Monolake didn’t just reflect the sounds of his time — he anticipated those of the future. This reissue is far more than a nostalgic gesture; it’s an invitation to (re)discover a milestone of electronic music that remains as vital, visionary, and immersive today as it was at the turn of the millennium.
[» listen and support here]

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