Unconscious Honey - Fault Lines (Random Records)

Unconscious Honey is the synth-pop project spearheaded by Björn Trenker, who hails from Berlin. His debut album, Being a Stranger, took inspiration from his background in psychiatry and was highly appreciated by the queer Berlin city magazines Siegessäule and BLU, as well as KALTBLUT Magazine, who deemed it one of the best dance music albums in 2020.

During the pandemic, Björn collaborated with his regular co-producer and husband, Paul "Snax" Bonomo, and decided to remix and reinterpret the songs from the album, with help from other LGBTQ artists and friends such as Electrosexual, Mavin, and Snecker. He also began composing the four tracks on his new EP soon after the release of his second album. Although his debut live performance was canceled due to Covid-19's second wave, Björn continued to work on new material during the lockdown.

Unconscious Honey's latest EP, Fault Lines, consists of four new and exciting songs from this period. The first song, "Fault Lines," is a synth-pop number about finding moments of joy in difficult times. "Percolate" is an upbeat song about the insecurities of being in a romantic entanglement. "Crush Of Time" is inspired by Twin Peaks, describing the feeling of getting lost in the night and experiencing a religious-like trance. Finally, "Sense Of Rapture" is about the ups and downs of queer cruising, including loneliness and disappointment, but also the feeling of absolution in a secret community.

Unconscious Honey's Fault Lines will be available on Random Records starting December 15th, 2023.

Luis Machuca (Friskybeat Records) – “Production is on point. Enjoying the Kraftwerk sound.”
Psycho-Jones (Kater Blau) – “Goosebumps. Thanks.”
Electrosexual (Electrosexual) – “Great electropop, great production.”
DJ Firefly (WRCT Pittsburgh) – “Delightful!”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Lovely selection. Capturing some evocative feelings.”
DJ Clairvo (Tilos Radio Budapest) – “I always dig downbeat / lounge music with a certain disco touch and vocal treatment. Nice work - supporting!”

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

Luis Machuca & Casomado - Call My Name (Friskybeat Records)

Friskybeat Records is excited to release "Call My Name," the debut collaboration between Luis Machuca and Casomado, two long-time friends in the world of dance music. The track is embellished with a sharp, warm bass line that bounces between crisp chord stabs and an infectious hook. The beats interplay with deliberate movement, creating a rhythmic call and response that will get feet moving. "Call My Name" also features a playful vocal sample that pays homage to the artists' deep-rooted love for early disco. The sample adds a layer of nostalgia and lightheartedness, making this track a true gem for both fans of classic dance music and those looking for a fresh, modern twist on the genre. Luis Machuca and Casomado's musical camaraderie is evident in "Call My Name," and it's sure to leave the dancefloor wanting more.

Julius Papp (NeoDisco Music) – “Nice deep vibe. And I dig the bassline.”
Carlos Sanchez (Lowwaxx) – “Sooo good! Full support.”
Bruce Tantum (DJ Mag) – “Nice one, really hits the spot.”
Lee Jones / Country Gents (Buslife) – “This is really really good, I'll definitely use this on the radio.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Yep, that's a groove. Love it. #playlisted”. Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “A really special record right here - positive house music encapsulated.. Wonderful.”

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

Jason Merle & Dan Laino - I Want You feat. Becka (Viva Recordings)

Points on the map converge as Minneapolis' Dan Laino (Phunk Junk, Bubble n Twist), Fresno's Jason Merle (4E&A Records, Viva), and acclaimed Leeds, UK-based vocalist Becka Ward (S&S Chicago, Let There Be House) converge for the fantastic new Viva Recordings single, "I Want You." The original flows like a deep house dream as floaty pads, an old-school bass line ride, and subdued house beats support Becka's emotive vocals and lyrics. Drawing upon the tradition of soulful house and R&B and blending it with lush production flourishes yields one serious late-night gift. The dancefloor is the ecstatic recipient. The trio also provides an Instrumental as well as a Dub version using the sparsest of vocals from the original. There's also the Choppin Broccoli Remix, which increases the tempo and heat just a tad, throwing in fresh new layers of instrumentation that bring Becka's vocal into another brilliant light. It's time to get down.

Mr. V (Sole Channel Music) – “A super dope release.”
Soulfuledge (Quantize) – “Love it. Deep, dreamy goodness.”
Vinny Villbass (Badabing Diskos) – “Great production. Perfect for those hotel pool sunsets.”
Dean Serafini (Frisky Rhythms) – “All mixes work nicely. The synth strings are captivating.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House web zine) – “A glorious slice of late night bliss.”
Aaron J Liguori (Beach Radio UK) – “Hard to choose a favorite, all top productions. Brillian release!”

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

Ursula 1000 - Movin' To The Sound (Insect Queen Music)

Ursula 1000 is the alter ego of Alex Gimeno, a producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn, New York. He has released eight albums and mix sessions that take listeners on a retro-futuristic journey of exotic grooves and electronic disco funk. He has performed in over 30 countries, collaborated with notable artists such as Fred Schneider of The B52s, Lady Bunny, and Puddles Pity Party, and has had his music featured in various TV shows, ads, and even the Olympics.

Now Ursula 1000 pulls out his dusty smiley face shirt from the closet and goes full-on 303 acid house squelch and jacking 808 grooves for this new single. "Movin' 2 The Sound" showcases Ursula 1000's signature exotic dreaminess, with elements of acid house, throbbing sequencers, and pumping hip-house action. The Berlin-based duo Acid Jerks provided the first remix, taking the acid house business to peak-time bliss. Meanwhile, Fort Knox Five, a leading force in the international funk and breaks scene, focused on electro vibes and b-boy action. Finally, Red Laser Records duo Il Bosco & Metrodome, also known as DJ Absolutely Shit, cranked up the bass, bleeps, and breaks to 11, bringing rave-ready, time-stretching, day-glo dancefloor destruction. This whole single's a trip!

Tyler Stadius (Deepen) – “Yeah, love this! Never get tired of good acid.”
Frank Peisker (Bureau45 Agency) – “Killer! The dancefloor will be on fire with this retro electro smasher with a modern twist.”
Psycho-Jones (Kater Blau) – “This is Ursula 2023. Love it very much.”
Shan Frenzie (2SER FM) – “Love the funk edge on the acid grooves.”
BMD (XLNT) – “As expected, Fort Knox 5 have nailed it. Great remix.”
Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Subspace Radio Show) – “As a big fan of Acid Jerks, I was stoked to receive this. Muscular acid house vibes that transport me back to 86.”

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