Legendary Swedish outfit Frak for the 20th installment of Libertine Records Traditions series. Extraordinary, classy, and timeless music from recovered 80s tapes. From freaky Acid to New Wave, Electro and Industrial, high-quality standards for a future underground classic release! More

As we continue on our journey here at Futurepast, we are pleased to welcome a trio that, for many years, we felt shared our vision, Frak! From Sweden, Frak have been founding an original hardware-based sound since the 80's, first via their own label Borft before collaborating with other labels over three whole decades.

On their "Formless Obstruction" EP, Frak have provided a window into the sinister twists and turns of their work. On the A-side, you see creeping Detroit stylings of "Scientific Bella" set against "Wrong Owl" with it's EBM underpinnings and industrial inflections.

On the flip, "Concentrated Feed" bubbles next to the razor sharp "Capacity Faun", both are filled with characteristic machine quirks and experimentalism. More

Höga Nord rekords proudly presents Frak! Frak was formed in the southern coastal town of Karlskrona by Jan ”Zwarre” Svensson, Björn Isgren and Johan Sturesson in 1987. Zwarre is also founder of the legendary experimental electro label “Börft” which through the years has gained both national and international recognintion. From the beginning, Frak stood for an alternative to the hair metal hegemony of their hometown Karlskrona where they, in the early days got chased from venues by the locals. “The rednecks hated us” Isgren told Resident Advisor in an interview made some years ago. However, unlike Poison, Fraks sound is still appealing and “Ternary Fission EP”, as well as all their earlier releases has all the elements necessary for a sophisticated electronic act: dark and suggestive electro and techno! If you need musical compositions for the stranded atomic submarine U-137, test flights of the Swedish fighter jet JAS 39-Gripen, the Soviet space programme, the first manned mission to Mars or the transition to the bunker society, Frak is a strong and valid option! TRACK LISTING: A1. Corridor, A2. Stetoskop, B1. Micro Fisson, B2. Arcitect More

FRAK are back on track with this dreamy album with deep dark hypnotic slow rhythmic tracks. This is experimental analog and haunting dancemusic at slow BPMs which gives you a glimpse of swedish smalltown dystopia in all its glory. The A1 track might give the impression that this is a romantic record and the A side in general will make big city people feel the urge to move to small towns again, but on the B-side it just gets darker and weirder (the smalltown kinda reveals its ugly underbelly) and it all ends with a track that would make the taped nipples fake fetishists in techno city shiver. I could say you need a mask to play this out, but lets not take it that far. For old fans of FRAK this record both delivers (A-side) and challenges (B-side). Me, I want doubles. -Joakim Cosmo More

A long time ago, at a festival far, far away, the members of the legendary Borft trio Frak were just going to bed in their tent when something caught their attention. Now, this was well before Frak's rise to international fame - in fact, this moment was Swedish music history in the making, because what they heard was someone playing a Frak tune. That someone turned out to be Kontra-Musik's own Ulf Eriksson and once their paths had crossed, there was no turning back. Frak has since released five highly sought after records on Kontra-Musik and Kontra-Musik White Label. When it was time for a 10-year anniversary gathering in Ulf Eriksson's private garden, Frak of course turned up together with other Kontra artists like TM404 and Rivet. For those present - we few, we happy few - this turned out to be one of the most magical summer nights in living memory. The Swedish word for porch is altan, and so, to honour this wonderful experience of the whole Kontra-Musik family coming together, Frak decided to name their brand new album Altan Gathering. Another great friend of Kontra, Henrik Jonsson aka Porn Sword Tobacco, made the album cover and we wouldn't have it any other way. His aesthetic choice of tin foil is on point: Listening to Frak is a lot like biting into a fresh falafel wrap without first removing the aluminium foil holding the delicious mess together; it's mouth-wateringly warm and moist but at the same time intensely harsh and tough to chew. This might seem like a far fetched analogy but if you've ever went partying in Kontra-Musik's home town Malmo you'll know the feeling. And if you've never been to Malmo, well do stop by someday. It seems, when the stars align, the gatherings here can be the stuff both legends and albums are made of. More

Frak are Björn Isgren, Johan Sturesson and Jan Svensson, a trio of synthesizer lovers from Sweden. The band was formed when Svensson and Isgren’s older sisters were best friends and they introduced their little brothers to each other. Inspired by Severed Heads, DAF, Human League, Devo, Skinny Puppy, the boys began collecting analog equipment and started Studio Styrka. While the band were still in their early teens they released the first FRAK cassette album in 1987 on their own record label Börft. Almost 30 years later, FRAK continue to release their bizarre brand of Scandinavian techno with their debut release on Dark Entries. “Sudden Haircut” was recorded in 2015, a ten-minute brooding, heavy hitting acid attack full of 808 drum claps aimed at the dance floor. The three remaining songs come from a studio tape the band found in their archives named 'FRAK "After The Silence" 2001-2010' “Synthgök” and “Synthfrilla” were recorded in 2010 and originally released on the ‘Börft’ EP by Sex Tag Mania in 2012. Utilizing a 808, 303, 101 and MS-10, both are supreme cuts of electro leaning acid techno that perfectly fit the sweatiest moments of any club land experience. The deliciously rugged final track “First Glimt I Ögat” is a vintage unreleased Frak song from 2001 recorded one month before the track “Second Coming” (later released as B1 on ‘Börft’ EP). All songs have been mastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Designer Eloise Leigh has created a playful DIY jacket based on a mysterious black and white photo of the band in their classic tin foil masks. Each copy comes with a black and white postcard featuring a distorted back stage photo of FRAK in their teens. More

The Queen is dead! Long live the Queen! After nine releases on their KVK series of the Karlovak label, KVK1000 will be the tenth and final release on the KVK imprint (god save her soul). In it's place arises the new KRLVK series. While the concept series KVK exclusively featured releases from the label-lords themselves, the new KRLVK series will sport work from other artists with releases from Radio Slave, Ben Sims, and the Chicago house legend DJ Jes already lined up. First up on KRLVK is Ben Sims who delivers a burning EP of disco infused house and techno bombs. More

Following on from DJ Stingray's 2013 Weaponized EP (TSAR001), Swedish vererans Frak Step up for TSAR002, delivering a record of analogue black acid magic. More

By now, Frak needs no formal introduction. Let's just say they are the Swedish House Mafia for people who actually know what house music is. Lately, there has been somewhat of a surge in house and techno influenced by synth, ebm and obscure sub-genres that end with "-wave". So the timing couldn't be better for Frak to return to Kontra-Musik with this remarkable synth and acid flavoured release. This is of course a bit ironic as no-one could possibly care less about trends and hypes than Frak and Kontra-Musik. Time is an illusion. Our music, however, is not. But it may flabbergast you all the same. Machines drifting away is an intriguing piece of music; straightforward and multi-layered; futuristic and old school. The first half of the track molds itself around an ebm-like bassline which seems to be moving through a desolate landscape with hard hitting kicks, claps and drums marching on beside it, while the sky above is filled with the wails of brooding synt hs. The second part introduces a mean 303-bassline as the intensity of the journey heightens. To find a way home has a more elaborate rhythmical body, which only can be described as Frakish. The sound of an echoing metronome sets the tempo at the beginning, soon to be joined by heavy kicks and toms. Several analogue synths then joins in; bending, distorting and moving through the soundscape, almost battling for space. Everything is kept on the right path, though, thanks to an ingenious use of hi-hats - a trademark trick and treat from Frak. Everything is composed and recorded in legendary Studio Styrka, Karlskrona. More

This 12" contains some true oddities. Frak is not known for doing remixes but here is one of the few that exists. A nice acid remix of Dave ID - Soul reprise. Also they did a special track to finish off the 2013 tours and here's the splendid studio version of ... phase.


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Second release on Midlight, by the notorious FRAK, is in sight. One mighty tune on each side, both nearly 10 minutes. This mysterious group from Sweden has a history rooted in the late 80's releasing cassettes, later many tripped out releases and lauded livesets. This fresh 12'' gives proof, once more, of their intriguingly stripped sound. First limited pressing comes with a limited inlay. Get ready for a fix! More

Raw pulsating and sinister nordic monotone electronix recorded in 1993 by Frak released on Borft as cassette, and now 20 years later finally on vinyl thanks to iDEAL records from Sweden. Analogue to Analogue.

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DMX Krew returns to Hypercolour with a new long player. ‘Spiral Dance’ comes stuffed with wonky and futuristic synth jams.

Having honed a style that has endured over an illustrious career, DMX Krew continues to immerse his productions in luscious analogue electronica, touching on the many bases of electro, Detroit techno, synthpop and dreamwave.

With previous albums for Rephlex, Permanent Vacation and Balkan Vinyl, amongst others, ‘Spiral Dance’ becomes the fifth album for Hypercolour, following on from 2021’s ‘Loose Gears’. More

Jamie Russell and Alex Jones set up theHypercolour imprint back in 2006 and the label continues to dish up genre bending bangers two decades down the line. For the label’s milestone 100th release, KiNKcues up a killer four track release with ‘For The People’.

One of house music’s most in demand producers and remixers, KiNK has delivered time and time again for labels such as Running Back, Royal Oak,Macro and his own Sofia Records label, and so it’s with great honour that the Bulgarian artist commemorates the label’s centenary with a kaleidoscopic bundle of hyperactive bangers! More

At the very coalface of the UK rave/breakbeat/techno/call it what you like scene since the 1990s, Jerome Hill is something of a hidden treasure amongst the plethora of DJs and producers to have dropped both bangers and bloopers over the ensuing three decades. With minimum of fuss and fanfare, Hill has steered record labels like Super Rhythm Trax, Don’t, Fat Hop and Hornsey Hardcore to revered acclaim, as well as firing out a consistent stream of releases for imprints such as Matthew Herbert’s Accidental Jr, Exalt Records, and I Love Acid, to name but a few. Surprisingly, ‘Flow Mechanics’ is Hill’s debut album after a production career that kicked off in 1998 as one half of Groove Asylum. And its collection of unabashed acid and rave bangers is a perfect fit for the Hypercolour label, whose personnel over the last few years has included Luke Vibert, DMX Krew, Shelley Parker and Gary Gritness. Tracks produced directly for club play; the album features 8 cuts destined to fit in cross-genre sets. With pumping electro cuts such as ‘Deafening Lull’ and ‘Knob Jitter’, four to the floor acid stompers like ‘Walk The Plank’, the mutant garage of ‘Brought Up Badly’ and the house groover ‘Stax Had The Funk’, ‘Flow Mechanics’ is a joyous romp through rave’s sound palette, replete with playful samples and skits (featured on the vinyl LP version), and a mischievous demeanour that affords the listener an lively album that doesn’t take itself too seriously. ‘Flow Mechanics’ by Jerome Hill is available from 3rd March 2023 on Hypercolour. More

Jack Hamill’s Space Dimension Controller project has delivered some of the most enduring electronic music in recent times. Via single and album releases for the likes of Ninja Tune, Royal Oak, Dekmantel and Aus Music, SDC has thrilled with a certain timeless sound that has embodied science fiction swirling tones, glitchy and granular beats and a nostalgia for electronic music that always sounds futuristic.

On the ‘Cro2ma’ EP, SDC serves up a trio of intoxicating productions for the Hypercolour label. Highly accessible, yet detailed and intricate in design, Space Dimension Controller soaks all three tracks with sanguine melodies and bass blippy frolics that make for an exemplary release from the seasoned producer. More

Danger! Danger! High Voltage! King of bad-ass electro-funk Gary Gritness returns to Hypercolour with an electrifying release of super slick, powered up, body poppin’ jams!

Plugging into the mainline, Gritness lets rip with four bustling joints on the ‘Power Charge’ EP. Frenetic drum machine patterns, feverish bass lines and quick fingered keyboard riffs are laced across every track here, all designed to blow the circuits of your mind! More

Deeply ingrained into the fabric of the British electronic music landscape, Luke Vibert shows no sign of slowing down, after an illustrious career spanning three decades (to date!). Vibert returns to Hypercolour after 2020’s hugely successful trilogy series (Amen Andrews/Modern Rave/Rave Hop) with his 18th album (not counting albums released under his other monikers Kerrier District, Plug, Wagon Christ et al). ‘GRIT.’ finds Vibert in playful mode (and, let’s face it, whenever isn’t he!), as twelve tracks of acidic and squelching drum machine tracks come rolling out to play. Bouncy and hypnotising 303 jams of the highest order are served up here, with rhythms pulled from the electro, garage and house pools, all delivered in Vibert’s inimitable style. More

Noted for his vast and psychedelic bass heavy productions, Brighton based producer Etch pulls out four killers for the ‘Sloppy Rhythm Trax’ EP on Hypercolour.

With a pedigree that has bestowed labels like IllianTape, Sneaker Social Club, LMD SunkWorks and TempOzone with exceptional singles and albums, the man like Etch fires on all cylinders for his Hypercolour debut.

Impenetrable and heady vibes are served up on ‘Lazyville’, whilst‘ Gaia’s Mainframe’ give us some of that aforementioned psychedelic bass in spades!‘

Pluto’s Groove’ tears into jungle and d‘n’b territories, rinsing out the acid breaks vibes, whilst ‘Belladonna & The Poppies’ throws down more sub bass frequencies in a dusty and decidedly chugging EP finale.

LAURENT GARNIER
"Hummm this is twisted and so damn good" More

Following acclaimed releases on Planet Mu, Sneaker Social Club and his own imprint Raw Basics, Anthoney Hart returns with three contemporary rhythm centred rollers under his Basic Rhythm alias.

Wonked out percussion and vocal accents undulate over distorted kicks, subtly building tension in the EP title track “Pepper”.

On the flip, “3am On The Corner” takes things down tempo with broken drums and moody pads accompanied with a haunting sax melody. This eclectic release concludes with “Moonlight Flit” bringing heavy hitting percussive UK Funky energy over a deep pitching sub. More

Very much at the forefront of the UK electronic scene, since 2001, Shelley Parker has innovated and thrilled with live performances, DJ sets, sound installations, and scores for contemporary dance. Parker's recorded output is just a small part of her musical orbit. That said, a debut album 'Spurn Point' in 2014 and various singles, remixes and EPs for Hessle Audio, One Little Indie, Honest Jon's, Houndstooth, Structure Recordings and OOH-sounds have whet the appetite for more. 'Wisteria' lands on Hypercolour, and succinctly encapsulates Parker's layered and dense production aesthetic, as a myriad of concrete rhythms, breakbeat science, inner city ambience and industrial strength bass unfurl over eight uncompromising compositions. More

Hypercolour backroom boy, Ste Roberts, surfaces to the top for a long-awaited new release on the label, serving up a trio of wonky and twisted grooves on ‘The Crescent’ EP. More

Having already made a big splash on labels like Rush Hour, Ghostly, Spectral Sound and Werkdiscs, the London based producer Moire´tees up his third full length player for Hypercolour. ‘Good Times’ goes someway to pulling back a positive energy to recent global events and finds Moire´collaborating with fellow artist Demigosh on a good chunk of the album cuts. Hazy agit house and drowsy beats anchor an album filled with smooth ambience and soulful sampling. Low frequencies and foggy tones make tracks like ‘Magdan’ and ‘Vertigo’ strike a chord between lo-fi electronica and abstract ambient noise, whilst the collaborations with Demigosh add an ethereal soulful touch that’s both stirring and emotive in equal measures. Exotic beat science is deployed on cuts like ‘R1’ and ‘Telefunk’, whilst the jazzy licks and lumpy rhythms of ‘Lost In Pacific’ seal off an extraordinary album that exemplifies the advancing maturity of Moire´’s sound and vision. More

Four brand new mind melters from the creative and imaginative Alphonse. Back on Hypercolour, following 2018’s ‘Better Weather’ single, the British beat scientist pulls together more future sounds on ‘The Dark Horse’ EP.
Always spacey and dubwise in his creations, Alphonse continues a run of releases that have taken in entries for Klasse Wrecks, Black Orpheus and Emotional Especial. Breakbeats and rave tropes fly past in a blizzard of hedonistic sounds and distinctly UK flavours. More

Self-styled ‘house husband, record producer’, DMX Krew, continues his effortless stretch of releases that date back to the early 90s, with a new album for Hypercolour. His deft melodies and mechanical, electro-tinged beats have made for some classic albums in his repertoire, from his incredible run of albums for Rephlex Records, up to 2020’s ’Ghost Bubbles’ long player for Terrestrial Funk. And so ‘Loose Gears’ marks DMX Krew’s fourth album for British stalwarts, Hypercolour, and fans will not be disappointed. Armed with an arsenal of hardware, and a head full of futuristic visions, ‘Loose Gears’ collects eleven tracks of the customary quality we have come to expect from DMX Krew. From the funk laden ‘Solar Transit’ to bleepy chugger ‘Dejected Ambient Twerp’, the vibrant synths and spongy rhythms of ‘Torpedo Tube’ to the beatless wiggle of ‘Xpansion 2’, there’s much in store to be savoured on ‘Loose Gears’, as DMX Krew serves up another fine selection of electronic goodies. More

Zodiac, a new collaboration between Brendon Moeller and Monty Luke, present a heady brew of sci-fi dub and deep rhythms on a full-length album, ‘Serengeti By Night’. With meditative roots music at the very heart of ‘Serengeti’, experimental ideas are excavated over ten tracks. Vivid atmospheres are conjured up, as tribal trance, voodoo dub and otherworldly electronics are deployed over rock steady rhythms. With influences that lie in the musical endeavours of African Headcharge to Rhythm & Sound, Public Image Limited to Cybotron, Zodiac keep the flame burning for exploratory dub-leanings, and deliver an album from the space station above that administers sophisticated braindance sounds that will command repeat listens... More

Who is Boelja? Who is Sebastian Mullaert? Who are they really? Are they the finite body and a collection of thoughts? And who are you? Are you your memories or perhaps your projections of the future? Or are you this present moment? What is silence? Is it solely the absence of sound? Or are all sounds springing out of silence and falls back into the same? And what is sound without context? Is it just nonsense? Or is there something more universal to it? Where did the second vinyl go? Is it sitting in an attic or warehouse somewhere waiting to be discovered? Is it being played as you are reading this? Is all of this just a game? Are YOU being played? Did someone make this music or did the music just happen? Where does the process of creation start? Where does it end? And who is the listener? How does the listener affect the music? Is there really any separation between the creator, listener and the music? Are they all one and the same? What is next? Where is all this going?Is there an end? Or are your actions just another event happening in this never-ending stream of consciousness? And to whom is it happening? More

Whether it’s 303 basslines or those pesky little tabs of lysergic, everyone loves a Taste Of Acid. FaltyDL, being one of the many believers, delivers four cuts of A C I D for Hypercolour. Tune In, Turn On Drop Out...... More

Returning to Hypercolour with the ‘Persona Non Grata’ EP, Mor Elian continues to flourish with four killer cuts of electro and techno infused goodness. Following 2016’s “Drum Vortex” EP, Elian has clocked up superb releases for Delta Funktionen’s Radio Matrix label, Delft and her very own Fever AM imprint. On the ‘Persona Non Grata’, Elian serves up dusty electro beats, icy synths, headsy techno flavours and bottom end funk! More