DE’s 20 PICKS OF 2020

Kelly Lee Owens – “Inner Song” (Smalltown Supersound) [August 28, 2020]

The sound that she cultivates is characterized by softness and fantasy. Full of lullaby melodies, surging rhythms, and unique analogue distortions.

Daniel Avery – “Love + Light” (Phantasy Sound / [PIAS]) [June 26, 2020]

Touch of the divine, addictive peace you may have been searching for your whole life. Human mind, physical reality, and realm of the beyond – exploration of three dimensions of collective reality that feeds the record.

Headless Horseman – “Inhibited Shadows” (Headless Horseman) [6/19/2020]

This album draws you in from the creepy and classically influenced intro and just keeps surprising with the depth of melodies that seem new for his music, different genres and of course the dark, intelligent rhythms and soundscapes he’s known for.

Kessell – “Refuse To Conform” (Warm Up) [05/08/2020]

Half of the infamous Exium duo, Kessell delivered an incredible solo EP on one of Spain’s finest imprints, Warm Up Recordings for their sixty-second release. 

DJ Metatron ‎– “Loops Of Infinity (A Rave Loveletter)” (All Possible Worlds) [10/20/2020]

Every once in a while, you come across a piece of art that deeply moves you. That touches deep within the psyche and connects you to its creator.

Faithless – “All Blessed” (BMG) [Oct 23rd, 2020]

This somewhat unexpected release from Faithless reminds us with uplifting beats and poetic vocals to sometimes just take your time to love and remember others.

FBK – More Stories From The Future (Len Faki Remixes) (Rekids) [3/13/20]

Once again Len Faki proves to be the reigning king for huge, clean and pounding techno remixes, a great choice by Rekids to call upon him for the job.

Nicolas Bougaïeff – “The Upward Spiral” (NovaMute) [July 24, 2020]

The mad scientist behind the light and deep record exploring the inescapable reality of inner suffering,
reflection of unresolved pain in the untouched territory. 

Romy – “Lifetime Remixes” (Young Turks) [12/02/20]

Her sets are full of positive vibes and her dance anthem “Lifetime” elegantly synthesizes that optimistic spirit.

Richie Hawtin – “Time Warps” (From Our Minds) [11/27/20]

“Time Warps”, a tale of two epics that recite the stories reminiscent of the pure Detroit minimal techno pioneered in the 1990s by himself and other artists like Jeff Mills and Robert Hood.

Moodymann – “Taken Away” (Kidi Records) [May 21, 2020]

Moodymann is a fixture of Detroit’s towering genealogy of electronic music pioneers. A complicated figure, Moodymann rarely ever agrees to being photographed or interviewed.

The Soft Pink Truth – “Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase?” (Thrill Jockey) [May 1, 2020]

The subconscious signaling of pain that Daniel Drew invites us to is on his own terms. It is a response to fascism and call to peace that we find on the other side of the darkest alley. 

nthng – “HYPNOTHEARPY” (Lobster Theramin) [5/1/2020]

Arriving earlier this year Amsterdams NTHNG brings you Hypnotherapy, his second full length album released on London’s Lobster Theremin.

Soft Crash – “Spritzkreig” (BITE Records) [11/27/2020]

Out on Bite Records, a serious mover and shaker of the scene, Mr. Bozzi uses his midas touch incorporating Disco and Mr. Fatale’s engineering superbly reinventing industrial.

Caterina Barbieri – “Noctuary” – (Early Synthesis Works) [10/01/20]

The elegance of her compositions is undeniable. Very few are able to complete such sophisticated melodies with that small combination of notes; it takes unique talent to accomplish such a task.

DVS1 – “Beta Sensory Motor Rhythm” (Axis Records) [12/01/20]

Midwest techno pioneer DVS1 delivers 8 new extraordinary tracks on Jeff Mills’ legendary Axis Records. The LP is a great fit for Mill’s acclaimed label.

Symonenko – “NECH005 EP” (NECHTO) [December 11, 2020]

“NECH005 EP” is the fifth release on DJ Nastia’s label NECHTO, a project dedicated to uncompromising industrial sounds from talented underground Ukrainian producers like Symonenko.

SHXCXCHCXSH- SHULULULU (Avian Records) [08/20/20]

SHXCXCHCXSH thrive with uniqueness in innovation filled with a high degree of sincerity.

Ruskin & Broom – “Basement Jams” (Blueprint) [11/27/20]

“Basement Jams” effortlessly takes you on a journey to the dark trippy techno environments we all love. The heavy use of 909 minimal drum grooves and disconcerting acid synths create immaculately dingy auras for both warehouses and afterparty basements alike.

Vladimir Dubyshkin – “pornographic novel” (Trip Records) [August 21, 2020]

An iconic producer of fast techno, Vladimir Dubyshkin released his third EP on Nina Kraviz’s label Trip Records. Dubyshkin’s EP does not have a single lackluster track– with its modest title “pornographic novel,” his 2020 EP constructs a sound that is manic, untidy and rollicking.

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