Tag Archives: Techstep

Invisible 007 [Invisible Recordings]

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Noisia’s Invisible Recordings imprint returns with another various artists EP showcasing the deeper side of the 170BPM spectrum. Nickbee returns to the imprint with a rolling slice of tech with plenty of atmosphere, but to be honest the other tracks on the release prove far more interesting.

Bop and Diagram’s Abstract Elements collaboration make their first appearance on the label with the angular microfunk of PMS!!!, complete with one of the oddest samples I’ve heard in a tune for some time. Fre4knc serves up a dark, industrial slice of half-step business with some interesting rhythms on Cardiome, and finally Berlin duo Survey deliver a distinctly tribal sounding rhythm in the form of Swim.

Check out the clips below and watch out for this dropping on vinyl from Monday with digital following on the 26th.

Atic – The Message / Crystal [Free Love Digi]

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Denver based producer Atic takes time out from his Critical Waves collaborative project to bring a pair of solo tracks to Quentin Hiatus’ Free Love Digi imprint. The Message evokes the spirit of 90s techstep, with crisp breaks, dark bass and sci-fi samples. There’s more than a hint of classic Ed Rush & Optical to this one, but it’s definitely more homage than plagiarism.

Crystal continues the vibe, with creepy pads on the intro dropping into a hollowed out bassline and a stepper’s break with some distinctive snares; ominous and insistent. Check out the clips below and grab this from your favourite digital outlet now.

Anodyne Industries – Seed Planet [Free Download]

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Hopskotch celebrate the recent release of Anodyne Industries’ Decoder EP with a freebie from the same sessions in the form of Seed Planet. Stomping drums in a half time rhythm punctuated by the odd bar of full tempo breaks and dirty bass modulations make for a great workout, bringing enough womp without descending into uninspiring tearout territory. Check it out below and grab yourself a free download via Soundcloud or Bandcamp.

Mako, DLR & Fields – Old Soul [Utopia Music]

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With all his recent collaborations with head honcho Mako (and word of an album from the duo forthcoming) it seemed only a matter of time til DLR touched down on Utopia and their latest single sees exactly that. Old Soul proves another fruitful Utopia family jam session with Fields and Mako joining DLR in the studio for a big atmospheric techstepper that effortlessly blends soulful musicality and meaty basslines to great effect.

Over on the flip DLR goes in alone on Bridge The Gap, building tension with lush soundscapes on the intro before dropping into a crisp rolling break punctuated with tasty filtered bass stabs. The tune has all the hallmarks of a DLR composition but make no mistake, his style is in no danger of sounding formulaic. Check out the B side below and grab this one on vinyl or digital now!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjvTEQ2dzYk]

Wreckless – Hard Light (Deficit Remix) [AutomAte]

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AutomAte keep up the pressure on their many sub-labels with the first release on their green label, this time with label head honcho Deficit at the controls! Wreckless’ Hard Light gets the remix treatment, with the original’s angularity replaced by a hefty rolling break in much of the tune. Abrupt switch ups give the tune much of it’s character alongside a spooky lead echoing around the upper echelons of the track.

Over on the flip the too team up to deliver a hefty stepper with bass stabs and sweeps knocking down the doors left, right and centre while the beat drives the tune steadily forward. Despite the varied bassline the tune treads a fine path, never descending into the hyperactive ADD territory that some tracks occupy. Watch out for these two dropping May 5th at all good digital outlets!

Hyroglifics – Why Don’t You / The Forest [Vandal Records]

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Vandal Records have lined up quite a release schedule for 2014 with their latest selection of dark tech following hot on the heels of some big releases from Nickbee and Primal Therapy. This time it’s Hyroglifics at the controls who comes in with a pair of tasty collaborative tracks.

Ed:it collab Why Don’t You hits down with a heavy break and modulated bass, plus a nicely chosen vocal hook which brings to mind Break’s classic Slow Down. Over on the flip Philth gets in on the act, building atmosphere on the intro with eery synth work before a crisp drop and a big hulking bassline shuffle the tune along. Grimey! Check out the beats below and watch out for the release dropping from April 20th.

SEVA – Translation EP

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SEVA’s free EP for NeurofunkGrid caught our attention a while back so news of new material dropping piqued our interest. Sadly it’s under rather unfortunate circumstances as Alex is selling this collection of tracks to help him get back on his feet, having recently found himself homeless.

Charity aside, the EP showcases a fine selection of deep, dark beats with a neuro tinge, showing a versatility compared to the impressive but rather pedal to the floor work on his previous NFG EP. Check it out below and grab the whole EP for the bargain price of £2!

[bandcamp width=400 height=274 album=2134068238 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 artwork=none]

Fractals – Forward In Time EP [Killscreen Recordings]

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Killscreen Recordings step up with their 6th release, this time coming from Manchester based producer Fractals. Dark techstep vibes are the order of the day this time around!

Of the four tracks on the EP, the pick of the bunch to my ears comes on the rolling breaks and hefty bass of Ego. Elsewhere Dark Matter explores some interesting LFO modulations on the lead sounds over a rather off kilter beat and Electro Dub drops down to a halftime riddim with a distinctly dubby edge. Check out the beats below and watch out for the release dropping at all good digital outlets from April 7th.

None Decay – Choke / Stockbroke [None Decay Music]

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Cambridge based duo None Decay are slowly building a rep for all things deep, dark and 170 and their latest self released beats continue that trend nicely. Choke kicks down with a heavy halftime riddim and some serious bassweight from the subs, driving things along to a tribal shuffle.

Stockbroke meanwhile proves a more energetic workout, replete with the same atmosphere but imbued with an insistence from a selection of beats, stabs and bass growls. You can pick up the tracks now from the None Decay Music bandcamp page so check out the clips and get to grabbing them!

Chroma – Territories / Brain Strain [Renegade Hardware]

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Following their appearance on the Limber EP last year it seemed likely only to be a matter of time until more Chroma tunes surfaced on Hardware and the new 12″ about to drop sees the boys on fine form with two tough techstep offerings for the legendary label.

Territories keeps the beats skittering and meshes traces of dub nicely with dark bass and rugged beats, while Brain Strain heads for more rolling territory, bringing tasty bass modulations and finely crafted percussion lines sure to move a dancefloor. Check out the beats below and watch out for the release on vinyl and digital from April 7th.