1981us - Lore (Harmonious Discord Recordings)

In 2022, Harmonious Discord is on a journey of depth — taking the label's listeners through un-charted sonic territories and creeping into unexplored chasms of the dance floor and beyond. A highly representative example of this journey is this fantastic album from 1981us. Lore is a culmination of beauty collected across found sounds, detailed sound design, and synthesis.

With a tapestry of ambient music, future garage nods, and outer space breaks, 1981us breaks through the confines of traditional house music formulas to produce an album that holds up to congruence and depth. Masterfully melodic selections like "Induction," "Rituals," and "Fracture" weave cinematic construction with masterful garage beats. Experiments in ambient texture like "Meditations," "Covet," and "Disarm" showcase the artist's creative calculation while selections like "Portal" and "Simulacra" pay homage to early rave breaks production. "The In-between" offers a mid-album reprise focusing on new wave and industrial shades and the album’s bonus track. "Part III (Night Park Remix)," packs the dance floor punch with a moody four-on-the-floor selection. Lore evokes many feelings and memories, a comprehensive capture of a dynamic and evolving creative ecosystem.

Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “Exceptional album. Very good indeed.”
Anthony Pappa (Bedrock) – “Really cool tracks. Great release.”
Projekt Gestalten (VRAAA Records) – “Beautiful atmospheric album. Full support.”
DJ Firefly (WCRT 88.3 FM) – “So mesmerizing. Love it!”
Dr. Best (Radio Z, Nuernberg) – “Wow, what a fantastic release. 10/10.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Portal is undoubtedly the most immediate, yet the more atmospheric tracks hold up to some very deep listening – lovely!”

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

Vested Soul - Unite Forever (Super Hi-Fi Recordings)

Frank Cueto of All Good Funk Alliance unleashes the latest from his sly synth-funk side-project, Vested Soul. This double A-side single begins with "Vibin," featuring deep keys, skippy beats, rhythmic vocal drops, and swirly textures that will effortlessly charm the most sophisticated of dance floors. Flip the virtual wax for "Unite Forever" — this cut's deceptively mellow intro leads into some serious go-go inspired downtempo beats. Vested Soul's trademark smooth chords and layered synth melodies add a futuristic spacefaring vibe to the track's percussive foundation. Delightfully modern and nightclub potent, Vested Soul can be counted on to drop the stylistic flavors.

Ursula 1000 (Insect Queen Music) – “I was lucky enough to grab this early on. Sooooo good!”
Morphosis (The Hong Kong Ping Pong Club) – “Yep, this is tasty!”
Mr. Bristow (Subtek) – “Groovy and Synthy. Nice!”
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp Music Radio Show) – “Super tunes. Will play both on my radioshows.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “Gloriously Groovey.”
Adam Straus (The Church of the Open Mind Art Car) – “Both tracks will get played. Solid production as one expects from Frank. Vibin’ will definitely get the dancefloor going.”

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

monotropa. - Kunda (Tremulant)

Feeling is at the center of experience, guiding decisions, coloring the world, and bringing one closer to a deeper knowledge. For monotropa., it is at the heart of creation and expression. Channeling feelings sometimes shrouded from the artist himself, monotropa. layers and morphs sound to evoke emotions that connect everyone.

Inspired by a festival in the Costa Rican jungle and conceived during the flight home, "Kunda" honors a life-changing experience and the awakening of a spiritual force hidden within.

During this festival experience, monotropa. was approached by a woman offering a Kundalini awakening meditation. The meditation involved sporadic shaking, dancing to music, and both sitting and lying meditations, all while blindfolded. At first, there was fear of judgment for being seen doing such a thing, but after connecting with a deeper self, these fears washed away and all were left in a blissful state of unhindered expression.

This sensation housed itself in the hearts of their practitioners, and as they flew home, this experience had to come to life. Thus, "Kunda" was born.

Joe Bellingham’s remix highlights that deep downtempo vibe that he is known for. The whole package invites listeners to experience the Tremulant sound of Seattle.

Shantisan (Salted Soul) – “Kunda is a killer deep groover! I love that hypnotic feeling.”
Deli G (The Touch) – “Summer evening vibes. Dope chill out tune.”
Black Mighty Wax (Irma Records) – “Intriguing remix by Joe Bellinham.”
Eric Shans (3Bridge Records) – “Nice stuff, definitely going on the next Frisky Chill show.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show / Fluke) – 8 minutes and 13 seconds well spent. Very enjoyable.”
Eric (Mountain Chill Radio) – “A fitting journey in sound into Costa Rica and a lovely introduction to monotropa.”

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

Lucky Sun feat. Frank H Carter III - Sunrise (Lucky Sun Recordings)

Tom Lown's acclaimed Lucky Sun project goes from strength to strength, apparent from the mighty vibes on the new single, "Sunrise." Featuring the soulful and stunning vocal performance of Frank H Carter III, the tune transmits enough positivity, warmth, and — yes — sunlight to melt through the coldest winter day. A deep house rhythm, punchy yet restrained chords, and layers of incredible vocals should easily nudge this to the top of any playlist. Argentinian DJ and producer Jero Nougues provides the remix, bringing an expansive deep and dreamy feel to "Sunrise." Sweeping chords, a dramatic low-end pull, and reverb-laden production imagine the impressive moment of the day's first light reaching out across a scenic landscape. Jero's bonus Dub version emphasizes the vast spaciness even further. A special single for those special nightclub moments.

Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit Recordings) – “Nice one here. Jero did a great job on the remixes.”
Frank Vespari (Cosa Nostra!) – “Wow. Very nice. Full support!”
Norbert Borchers (House Sound Of Hamburg) – “I love these vocals.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House web zine) – “Downright entrancing.”
Indy Lopez (Club Beatz radio shows) – “The original mix is awesome. On my shows in coming weeks.”
DJ Di Costa (Ready Mix) – “Fantastic release, wonderful start to 2022 for the label. Tom Lown & Frank H Carter III’s collaboration resulted in something quite special to say the least.”

Available Now From: Traxsource, Bandcamp, Beatport, And Spotify.