Staff Picks [September]

Hello everyone! We’re back — a bit late this time — with our “Staff Picks” agenda. This month we’ve selected 20 releases that have truly excited us over the past few weeks.

There were simply too many exceptional works to narrow it down to just ten, so we decided to expand the list. Among them you’ll also find two timeless reissues that deserve renewed attention: “Lost Recordings #4 – In Order To Remember One Needs To Know” by Steve Bicknell, and the “Whatever” reissue of “Isabel” by Fabrizio Lapiana — a touching tribute to the late Max_M (R.I.P).  Enjoy!

☉ Sub Basic – Wavelengths [Animalia]

Animalia welcomes London-based artist Sub Basic with “Wavelengths” — a four-track EP that showcases remarkable versatility, where prismatic percussion loops and psychedelic grooves shape a vivid, ever-shifting sonic ecosystem. Rooted in subtle tech-house foundations, the record’s UK-inflected minimal approach unfolds through reverberant layers and open spaces, creating a hypnotic sense of motion perfectly suited for both introspective and floor-driven moments. A refined and fluid release that constantly evolves without losing focus — sleek, immersive, and unmistakably forward-thinking.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Architectural – La Linea Del Rubicón [Tikita]

Spanish master Juan Rico returns under his alias Architectural, landing on Tikita with “La Linea Del Rubicón”: a two-track EP where tribalism and mysticism merge into a refined and hypnotic form. Each piece feels like an invocation — subtle, precise, and powerful — a perfect balance between body and spirit. Another masterpiece to add to the endless series of works by a producer who now rightfully stands as one of the defining figures of electronic music over the past two decades.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Lord Of The Isles – Signals Aligned [Dusk Delay]

Lord Of The Isles delivers “Signals Aligned”, perhaps one of his most evocative and ambitious works to date — a sonic journey between the visible and the occult, between science and mysticism. Released on Dusk Delay, the album unfolds through open yet precisely calibrated spaces, where the digital and the organic coexist in a fragile, mesmerizing balance.
It’s a record that doesn’t seek answers but rather amplifies the questions — dense, elegant, and profoundly immersive. A must-listen.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Nboj Tespo – Blessed Planet [South of North]

“Blessed Planet” marks the return of Japanese drummer and producer Takafumi Okada, this time under his newly unveiled alias Nboj Tespo. Released on South of North, the album unfolds across nine tracks (plus a digital bonus) of eccentric electronics layered over intricate, polyrhythmic percussion — constructing a surreal, almost paranormal sonic landscape charged with tension and mystery.
An album for open-minded listeners, Blessed Planet transcends genre boundaries and invites you to drift beyond conventional listening habits.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Al Wootton – CRUX [Sähkö Recordings]

Holy Tongue’s Al Wootton, one of the UK’s most inventive minds, makes his debut on the legendary Finnish label Sähkö Recordings with “CRUX”. Conceived for intentional listening, the record unfolds through layered, hypnotic compositions that drift between dubstep inflections and minimalist techno sensibilities. Fragmented percussion, metallic echoes, and ghostly moans appear and vanish like hallucinations, drawing the listener into dark, distorted landscapes that, at times, turn unexpectedly glamorous.
Terrifyingly magnificent.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Various Artists – Transcendental Movements Vol. 2 [IDO Records]

IDO Records unveils the second chapter of its “Transcendental Movements” series — a project devoted to deep listening and personal meditation. Curated by Valentino Mora, the release gathers an outstanding lineup including Forest Management, Ligovskoï, Orca, Lou Drago, Rrose, Anthony Linell, Plants Army Revolver, and Valentino Mora himself.
Together, they craft an ethereal and introspective sonic journey that flows through ambient, drone, and abstract sound design — a sensory exploration aimed at dissolving the boundaries between body and perception. A collective statement that reaffirms IDO’s unique philosophy: music as a path toward inner transformation.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Tom Dicicco & Roger 23 – Parental Guidance [Night Defined Recordings]

Tom Dicicco and Roger 23 land on Night Defined Recordings with “Parental Guidance”, a ten-track LP — reportedly produced in just two months. The result is a refined yet spontaneous body of work that flows seamlessly through ambient, dub, leftfield, and breakbeat territories, showcasing both artists’ deep musical sensibility and their effortless chemistry.
Elegant, understated, and deeply atmospheric, this album stands as a testament to their shared vision and to the impeccable curatorial taste of the Austrian label.
It’s highly likely this one will end up among our favorite albums of 2025 — and rightly so.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Artefakt & Maayan Nidam – Collaborations II [De Stijl]

Artefakt and Maayan Nidam came together in the studio for an improvised dialogue blending ambient and abstract techno, through analog tension. “Collaborations II”, released on De Stijl (Dutch duo’s own imprint) is a vivid and raw work where each track breathes in real time, moving through elusive structures and slowly emerging details. Rather than composing, the three producers seem to listen to one another, allowing the sound itself to lead the way — a flow of mutual exploration suspended between intuition and control. An album that celebrates the creative process more than the final outcome — and precisely for that, it feels genuine and magnetic.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Rrose & Luigi Tozzi – Split Series 01 [Technokunst]

Hungarian collective Technokunst, a cornerstone of Budapest’s underground scene, launches its own imprint with the debut of the Split Series — a project featuring artists who embody the collective’s vision. The first chapter brings together two masters of contemporary techno: Rrose and Luigi Tozzi.
Each artist contributes one original track and a remix of the other’s work, resulting in an EP that is dark, immersive, and hypnotic — a seamless dialogue between two refined sonic languages, destined to become a cult favorite among techno devotees. The outcome? First press sold out instantly. Luckily a repress is already on the way — but don’t wait too long…
[» listen and support here]

☉ Roberto Bosco – Timeless Shades [Kontakt Records]

After a hiatus Roberto Bosco makes a powerful return with “Timeless Shades”, released on Kontakt Records. The EP features three dubby, Detroit-infused cuts — a sound that has long defined Roberto Bosco’s artistic identity. Among them, “Celestial Lament” stands out: a kickless, electro-leaning piece that reveals his refined sense of depth and texture.
Available both in standard black vinyl and a stunning orange marbled edition, the record marks an inspired and confident comeback.
[» listen and support here]

☉ MICROCORPS – Clear Vortex Chamber [Downwards Records]

The legendary Downwards Records welcomes London-based musician and producer Alexander Tucker, who revives his alias MICROCORPS with “Clear Vortex Chamber” — a record that marks a moment of transformation and artistic refinement. Guided by Downwards’ founder Mr. Karl O’Connor, who reportedly mentored Tucker through production techniques and conceptual approach, the album merges modular systems with cello and bass samples, woven into a dense electronic fabric. The result is a body of work that feels raw, tactile, and untamed — a collision of organic sound and machine texture.
Collaborations with Regis, Justin K Broadrick, Phew, and Elvin Brandhi only intensify its primal energy.
Clear Vortex Chamber is not for the faint-hearted: it’s a fierce, physical listen, embodying the restless spirit of Downwards’ legacy.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Magugu & Le Motel – Bitter Better [Maloca Records]

Le Motel once again welcomes Magugu to his label Maloca Records. This ongoing collaboration active since 2021 marks the duo’s first vinyl release, following their previous project Kindness Weakness.
“Bitter Better” is an off-kilter club record — a fierce fusion of grime, bass music, and UK garage, where rhythmic heat meets vocal intensity. Le Motel’s organic percussion lays the groundwork for Magugu’s commanding, razor-sharp voice, creating something truly magnetic and ritualistic. The five tracks of Bitter Better occupy side A, while side B features the four tracks from Kindness Weakness.
A must-have for anyone who thrives on the crossover between rhythm, texture, and identity.
[» listen and support here]

☉ OTON – New Forms of Silence 2 [Alliance Records]

OTON, head of Alliance Records, returns with “New Forms of Silence 2” — the second chapter of a project launched earlier this year (which our contributor Vivian Bell insightfully featured in his recent editorial). Once again released on CD, this sequel delves deeper into the roots and nuances that define OTON’s evolving sound design: techno that oscillates between the mental, the dubby, and the hypnotic, occasionally breaking its flow with fast-paced tracks built to shake the body and reawaken the mind.
A truly engaging work that reaffirms both OTON’s artistic maturity and the forward-thinking spirit of his label.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Paul St. Hilaire – w/ The Producers [Kynant Records]

A collective journey through contemporary dub techno, “w/ The Producers” finds the legendary Paul St. Hilaire (aka Tikiman) as its guiding voice — leading listeners through vast and immersive sonic landscapes. The album gathers an exceptional roster of collaborators: Batu, Gavsborg, Azu Tiwaline, Priori, Cousin, Russell E.L. Butler, Aurora Halal, and DJ G. Each track stands as a self-contained world, yet together they form a cohesive whole — mystical, meditative, and deeply rooted in dub tradition while pushing its boundaries forward. Released via Kynant Records, the album also marks the label’s tenth anniversary, celebrating a decade of dedication to the evolution of the dub sound.
Already sold out, it’s a true statement of vision, collaboration, and timeless resonance.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Ø (MIKA VAINIO) – Sysivalo [Sähkö Recordings]

“Sysivalo“, the final album by Ø (Mika Vainio), released on Sähkö Recordings, stands as an intimate and abyssal farewell — twenty fragments suspended between light and darkness, memory and void.
Completed posthumously, it drifts through drones, silence, and fleeting melodies, channeling the emotional gravity and austere beauty that defined Vainio’s minimalist language.
A timeless, deeply moving sonic epitaph — to be experienced in one breath, and in reverent silence.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Mike Schommer – Heirloom Signal [Echocord]

Mike Schommer lands on Echocord with “Heirloom Signal” — a refined, atmospheric EP that perfectly aligns with both the artist’s signature sound and the legendary label’s deep dub lineage. Marking Echocord’s 96th release, the record blends submerged pulses, broken grooves, and liquid echoes into a hypnotic, slow-unfolding flow. The remixes expand and enrich the spectrum: Another Channel dives into his roots reggae DNA, Mathimidori reshapes the original into a more dancefloor-oriented direction, while TM Shuffle delivers an intricate reinterpretation of Moon Serpent defined by its layered, textured basslines. A testament to Echocord’s enduring influence and Schommer’s timeless craftsmanship in the dub techno continuum.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Kyntral – Ancient Apparition [Danza Nativa]

After five years Kyntral returns to his own label Danza Nativa with a new solo EP: “Ancient Apparition”.
It’s a deep dive into the emotional depths of liquid deep techno, occasionally taking shape through elegantly fractured percussion. Minimal and spatial textures open space for ethereal pads and crystalline tones, gently rising and fading into the void with meditative grace. The closing touch comes from Patrick Russell who delivers a darker, warped reinterpretation of “Ancient Apparition” — a masterful balance between shadow and light.
[» listen and support here]

☉ Ilayruni – OS03: Reef Stage [Obtuse Swamp]

Third release from Barcelona-based label Obtuse Swamp deliverd by young producer Ilayruni — a rising talent and a fascinating new discovery. With “Reef Stage”, Ilayruni pushes beyond the limits of static sound design, venturing into an organically experimental terrain. Each track unfolds like a living ecosystem: dense, fluid textures intertwine with submerged sonic fragments, as if transmitted from deep-sea vessels navigating the ocean’s darkest layers. Remixes by o.utlier, Arsène Martinet, and Caldera expand the record’s sonic spectrum, adding new perspectives while preserving its meditative and immersive core.
[» listen and support here]

[REPRESS]

☉ Fabrizio Lapiana – Isabel – 2025 “Whatever” Reissue (Attic Music]

Attic Music releases a special “Whatever” reissue of “Isabel”, the timeless EP produced by label boss Fabrizio Lapiana ten years ago. The record includes two original tracks and two remixes by Reeko and the late Italian legend Max_M, who sadly passed away just a month after the EP’s original release. This repress is far more than a simple reissue — it stands as a heartfelt tribute to Max_M, an artist who left us too soon but whose influence continues to resonate within the Italian techno scene.
Rest in power, Max — wherever you are.
[» listen and support here]

[REPRESS]

☉ Steve Bicknell – Lost recordings #4_In Order To Remember One Needs To Know [Remastered]

One of the true pioneers of the UK techno scene, Steve Bicknell, continues to revisit his late ’90s recordings for the Lost dance-floor, the legendary event series in London. We picked “Lost Recordings #4 – In Order To Remember One Needs To Know” simply because it’s the latest release but the previous three volumes deserve just as much attention. Remastered by another legend, Peter Van Hoesen, the EP restores all the raw power and purity of techno’s golden years. What else can we say? This is classic techno in its finest form. We still prefer this one to most of what’s out there today. Sorry!
[» listen and support here]