French-born, Berlin-based DJ and producer Benabou returns with 'Rise & Merge', her second solo EP and first standalone project since 2018's 'Hottan'. She now presents a body of work that reaches beyond the familiar contours of techno while retaining the rhythmic precision of her core sound. The six-track EP emerged from a period of creative recalibration. Benabou found herself drawn towards exploratory forms, embracing movement via dub structures, broken rhythms and ambient atmospheres alongside more direct dancefloor energy.

Benabou's position as a mastering/cutting engineer at Berlin's Manmade Mastering studio is a central element of the record. Conceived as a vinyl release and brought to life with the assistance of Mike Grinser, the run time is deliberately contained to 15 minutes per side to preserve the EP's warmth and fidelity.

The inky opening track 'Projet G' slinks through cosmic textures and prowling sub-bass, built around layered Korg Mono/Poly and rich analogue components. Kliche's remix follows with a spacious, kinetic dub techno interpretation that teases out the original's deeper currents. 'Interlude' then offers a fleeting bridge between worlds. Conceived during a flight back to Berlin, its unfinished quality is entirely intentional, allowing the listener to imagine where it might lead.

The B-side flows towards club territory with 'Rise' and 'Shift'. Both tracks favour broken beats and fluid arrangements that lend them an organic, elemental quality. 'Merge' provides the EP's emotional resolution. Its experimental/ambient resonance unfolds through wispy melodies and porous textures; the state of separate elements finding their way back to a common origin.

"I’m really happy to present something this eclectic and to go where people might not expect me", Benabou explains. "To step slightly outside the techno world I know, and reach for something more open and luminous."

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Canadian Jay Tripwire has always operated at the edges of dub, tech and house. His sound is deliciously deep and perfect for when time melts away and you just want to be zoned out in an endless groove. This new one from Soundrive is a perfect embodiment of that. There's a smoothness to the flow of the drums on 'Irene' and a gentle nature to the delicate pads that are layered up like watercolours while wordless vocals drift in and out like words you can't quite decipher from a dream. Thomas Melchior is a perfect choice of remixer, too, given his penchant for similar sounds, and he brings his signature finesse to a just as deep but slightly more driven rework.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

‘varo’ is the new solo project of Álvaro Arellano, born from instinct, introspection and an enduring connection to the dancefloor.

His debut EP, 'rienda suelta', unfolds across four tracks that reflect a personal and creative process shaped over the last months. More than a collection of club tracks, the record captures a moment of transition: an exploration of identity, movement and the desire to channel years of influences and experiences into something deeply personal. Trancy elements, restrained energy and detailed sound design guide the listener through a sound that feels intimate while remaining firmly rooted in the club.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Four new tracks by Nous'klaer Audio mainstay Oceanic. Two faster, rhythmic club cuts on the outsides. Two vibey slow-burners on the insides.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

West coast veteran deep house and techno producer Kenneth Graham lays down 4 fine cuts for WGD.

Placid aka Paul Wise is the operator in chief at ‘We’re Going Deep’ – an online community and record label born out of a lifelong love affair with the many shades of electronic rhythm, and an obsession for collecting records since 1988.

Up next in the We’re Going Deep label series, Paul invites seasoned US producer Kenneth Graham to the imprint. The renowned Los Angeles based House and Techno artist has been making his mark since the early 90s, delighting fans with his sunkissed production prowess.

Having made music under an impressive array of monikers such as Ashtar Afterhours, Bit Shift, Emerald City, Estelle Montenegro, Exit Strategy, First Light as well as under his own name, Graham has made his mark on hallowed imprints such as Peacefrog, Plastic City, Immigrant, Ovum and many more over the years. A welcome addition to the We’re Going Deep roster, he offers up 4 distinct flavours from across his repertoire - demonstrating why his subtle touch has chimed so well with music lovers over the decades.

Kicking off the EP with some purist Acid action, Graham opts for a raw machine made jam, melding 2-step 808 beats to the cutting wave of a TB-303 on ‘JoshRIP’ to get the party started. Accompanied by ‘Greedworx’, here he sets out his stall with angular FM bass tones set to a steady, low-slung rhythmic groove as dubby atmosphere and whispered vocals draw you in.

On the flipside, ‘Hiding from Machines’ takes the tempo up a small notch as organic percussion, twinkling keys and an emotive lead riff drift through the air. All met with a sizable bassline that can’t help but make you want to move that comes together for a purist masterclass in restraint and elegance. Last but not least, we end out on the rolling moves and IDM influenced melody of ‘Mecca’, a wavily hazy ode and fusion of Electronic house that almost meets Bleep. As the elements collide and the intensity soars, there’s nothing that feels out of place in this finely honed excursion which repeat listening brings out more and more detail.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More