Unconscious Honey - Being A Stranger (Random Records)

Even as a kid, Unconscious Honey, aka Berlin-based songwriter Björn Trenker, was obsessed with the idea that all sentiments can be bottled up in a three-minute pop song. This appreciation for pop craft stayed with him ever since. Fittingly, the creative starting point for his debut album Being a Stranger was those records that shaped his mindset of youth. Deee-Lite's World Clique, Army Of Lovers' Massive Luxury Overdose, and Soho's Goddess, to name but a few. Think Hal 9000 meets Betty Boo.

In 2017, Björn co-wrote two songs on his husband Snax’s seminal album, Shady Lights, an experience that sparked the idea of writing songs on his own, and for the last two years has been working on this debut album. Ultimately, Snax was invited on board as co-producer.

Thematically, Björn’s career work in the field of psychiatry, his sexual desires, and his hardships — specifically losing his sister after her battle with cancer in 2018 — are all distilled in the sound of Unconscious Honey. Further influences were derived from disparate sources; the aesthetics of films such as John Cassavetes‘ A Woman Under The Influence, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Todd Haynes’ Safe, plus the work of Gloria Steinem and Samuel Steward. The idea is to translate real life muddiness into pop precision, and the result of this creative work are ten signature, melancholic synth-pop songs. The aesthetic is DIY, while the liberal use of vocoder amps up the emotional impact. Get ready for sonic adventure!

Andrew Emil (Glenview Records) – “So good! Thanks.”
Luis Machuca (Friskybeat Records) – “Really digging this release.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Capturing the vibe of the era perfectly, very enjoyable.”
Hard Ton (Toy Tonics) – “Luv it. Make Pop Great Again!”
DJ Electric (Deepology) – “This is a very nice electronic album.”
Electrosexual (Electrosexual) – “Great synth pop! Very Daftpunkesque, at it’s best.”
Ket Shah (Mucho Soul) – “Reminds me of my youth growing up with New Romantics.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “I like these songs, and I really like the breaks. I’ll definitely play them.”
Zach Van Lue (91X) – “This is pretty rad. Refreshing!”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel, Sydney) – “Great production and a unique sound. Will support here.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Juno Download, Spotify, And Apple Music.

P-REZ - Envision EP (Not So Fast Records)

The latest from Not So Fast Records is here and ready to take over dance floors at supersonic speeds. The Envision EP comes from the Fresno, California, mover and shaker Steve Perez, aka P-REZ. With releases on the likes of Denied Music, Whiskey Pickle, and Bounce House, P-REZ returns to his own Not So Fast imprint to lay down more of his potent grooves. Transmitting a funky sound driven by quirky 303-acid action, it’s the type of prime time sound celebrated at P-REZ’s Frisky event, now in its 15th consecutive year of house music hijinks.

“Feel It” opens up the proceedings with a killer rhythm track, a deep, bouncing bass line, strategically placed acid flourishes, and soulful vocal drops. It’s got energy to go. “So Crazy” follows with definite after-hours appeal, intro’ing with a sparse but funky drum track and repeating spoken vocals dipped in reverb. Midway through the acid takes the track in new directions. Lauro Martins (CZ, Audiophile Deep) also contributes a remix for “So Crazy,” bringing the vibe even deeper into underground territories. “That 303” does what it says on the tin, propelled by its acid bass and lead lines alongside trippy percussion effects. P-Rez takes the mic on this one, delivering a cool, rhythmic spoken bit that praises the acid in the house. Four crucial tracks … don’t sleep on the Envision EP!

Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm) – “Dope beats! Nice deep vibe.”
Louis Huges (6th Sense Music) – “That 303 is a bit of peak time madness, isn’t it? So Crazy is also a cool track.”
Lee Guthrie (Click Therapy) – “Feel It is the track for me here.”
Vanilla Ace (Toolroom) – “That 303 stands out.”
Andrew Emil (Broadway & Wilson) – “This is a dope release!”
Richie Hartness (Untitled Music) – “Quality quirkiness.”
Jay Hill (Superfreq) – “Feeling the Lauro Martins Remix.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Sometimes all you need is a 303, and that is exactly what we have here. Ace!”
Salvatore Logicfusion (Deepinradio) – “The Lauro Martins Remix is so cool!”
Wilbour Craddock (Groovewest) – “Fantastic late night bubbler with a hint of acid and a spacey vocal hook. This is ready for prime time.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Mr. Moustache feat. Lauren Joy - DiscoVenture (Super Hi-Fi Recordings)

Czech-born and Los Angeles-based producer Dominik Novak goes by Mr. Moustache, creating tunes that draw from French electro, disco pop, and filtered deep house sounds. He busts forth in the year 2020 with “DiscoVenture,“ a classy single featuring the lovely vocals of Lauren Joy. The song evokes imaginings of a packed dance floor at Studio 54 and Nile Rogers dropping sound-blessings from the heavens — joyous and funky. Top notch remixes come from All Good Funk Alliance who punch up the disco vibe into pure beach party territory; and Trotter, adding a slinkier, bass-heavy groove with killer results. These cuts are ready for some prime time moves!

Kid Loco (Tromolo Records) – “Yes! This is classy disco.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “Amazing release. Definitely gets my support.”
Vanilla Ace (Toolroom, Club Sweat) – “Nice disco flavor.”
Qdup (Fort Knox Recordings) – “Nice tunes. All of the mixes are really good.”
Jeromy Nail (Uniting Souls Music) – “Great release. I’m loving all the mixes.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House Web Zine) – “Scintillating and Discotastic.”
Graeme Park (Graeme Park Radio Show) – “Truly delicious.”
Phoole (The Chewb Radio) – “This whole release is super cool.”
Edground (Brazilian Soul Crew) - “Great disco vibes here.”
Quincy Jointz (Ibiza Global Radio) – “Yeah! Big AGFA remix. The Trotter remix rocks too.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Juno Download, Apple Music, And Spotify.

saib. - Jet Set (Cold Busted)

Cold Busted has unveiled the latest offering in the vintage-style Jet Set 7” series. This time it’s from saib., the Moroccan beat-smith behind the exquisite albums Sailing and Around The World. Mixing tempered hip hop beats with jazzy vibes and a lounge sensibility, saib. touches on a style that’s both chill and opulent — fitting for the nostalgic vacation vibe of Jet Set.

The bossa nova flavors of “Brazilero” open the single as we calm our nerves with a tropical drink. The title cut then transports the listener through an airport lounge and straight into a groovy seat in first class. Dreams are another form of travel and “Lady Jane” captures that perfectly with its soft vocal, soothing guitar, and rolling beats. And “Jazzy” closes out Jet Set, signaling a cool touchdown and arrival as sax riffs serenade and crisp rhythms vibrate. Another smooth journey from saib. airlines!

Apostolos Argyris (The Zuzu Club) – “Sunny and refreshing. Just what we need for the summer.”
Al Patterson (Vinyl Athletes) – “I love the feel of this record. Very smooth and heavy at the same time.”
Ohmega Watts (Ubiquity Records) – “Been a fan of saib.’s jazz tinged, mellow tracks for a while now. This Cold Busted series is a welcomed early bday gift!”
Qdup (Fort Knox Recordings) – “Love the laid back beats that make my head nod. Good tunes!”
Michael Moebus (Meem) – “Nice tropical lounge flavors.”
DJ Junior (Eavesdrop Radio WKDU) – “Needed this vibe soooo bad!”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “The nu fused with original beats. We love it!”
Mr. Goju (Migrations Radio Show) – “With Mr. saib. there is no failure!”
David Bassin (Freefall show on KUSF in Exile) – “Where’s my cocktail?”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “A producer who never disappoints. Jet Set is another seriously strong release from saib.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.