Amelie Lens’ label EXHALE has released a VA handpicked by the label owner that showcases existing imprint members, flourishing producers and blossoming new artists.
Very much a showcase of the artists that Amelie Lens has tipped for her stars of the futurem, the 12 track release features a dazzling array of techno talent. All of which match her own style of driving techno with industrial influence, and high-paced rhythms.
Opening the record are hardware aficionados 999999999 with their track “Alarm 303”, which is a powerful track that’s armed to the teeth with weapons to destroy the dance floor including a reverberating kick drum and rushing, rave stabs. Promising newcomer Jastice presents an energetic cut called “Hey You” that weaves between faded synths and seductive vocal textures.
Mancunian producer Kontain dishes out “Neck Crank”, a hybrid of gritty rumbling bass chords, strident synths and an unwavering kick. Istanbul’s Gräfin continues by deftly combining electronic stabs, flurried hi-hats, and gravitating synths layered above the melody in “Chatty Echoes”.
Following is Bóg Jest w Techno event boss Sept, who presents us with a stripped-back cut layered with piercing synth keys and gentle electro elements in “Beyond The Veil”. Acid stabs and a female voice echoes the track title in Raven’s trippy cut “Metal On Metal”, with light airy synths to close out simulating euphoria. We’re taken on a dark and weightier expedition with Scotland’s Frazi.er in “Systematic Ignorance”, where a brooding bassline combines with acid melodies.
Maintaining the relentless energy is “Kendall” by Trym, and it’s a cinematic composition that utilises an epic breakdown to contrast with the industrial textures of the pounding percussion.
Entering the home straight for a strong finish, London based techno talent Charlie Sparks brings his anime-inspired “Tataki”, combining Japanese vocals with acid 303’s and synth sirens. Next up is Under Black Helmet’s “Rogue”, an industrial-style track that uses his familiar dark themes characterised by distorted keys and commanding kicks. Brooklyn’s Xiorro follows with “Hearing Colors” featuring Adrestia, and it’s got a distorted vocal sample, protruding percussion and jagged synth keys.
The finale is a trance endeavour delivered by EXHALE mainstay Ahl Iver, and their track “There Is Always Light” brings a twisted euphoria that has the perfect end of the night vibes to close out the release.
Everything on the release sounds like it’s been taken directly from Amelie Lens’ own DJ sets and plays in sequence as an album, but can also be divided out into a selection of DJ tools perfect for peak time moments on the dance floor.
You buy a copy HERE
