Whether you’re a casual listener, a hardcore music nerd, or somewhere in between, the sheer volume of new music released on a daily basis means some gems will invariably pass you by. Crate Digging is a monthly roundup of top-tier tunes you might have missed from across the electronic music spectrum.
From obscurities uncovered during trips down Bandcamp rabbit holes to the latest releases from legendary artists, Crate Digging is here to keep your collection up to date.
1. Eusebeia – Natural Progression [Repertoire]
Primarily known for his meditative, experimental jungle and drum and bass trips, here Eusebeia slows down the BPMs for a rave-ready, euphoric breakbeat cut. His trademark dusty aesthetic, razor-sharp edits of classic drum breaks, and lush atmospherics form the core of the track, with occasional vocal flourishes adding a distinctly ’90s flavor.
2. Arma – Essential Percussive Jam [Fantastic Voyage]
This one does exactly what it says on the label while simultaneously showcasing a fresh, more house-oriented direction for the prolific U.K. producer. Booming kicks and sub bass provide a strong foundation for the ever-evolving, rhythmic layers of percussion that are just loose enough to give them a live feel.
3. Long Island Sound – Komorebi [Remmah]
First Contact EP by Long Island Sound
The Dublin duo comprising Rob Roche and Tim Nolan deliver an uplifting mix of snappy beats, squelchy acid, and warm pads that is perfectly at home on Hammer’s label. Mandatory sunrise listening.
4. Ijon Muça – Slingshot Marksman [Concepto Hipnotico]
Tone Before Reset [CHR259] by Ijon Muça
One of the most important components of techno is funk, and “Slingshot Marksman” has it in spades. A rolling bass line snakes around tight, percussive rhythms while a warbled, incessant synth stab completes the groove.
5. Giorgio Robles – Disso [DWRTW RECORDS]
Absolutely delightful, sun-drenched deep house that gives a nod to the roots of the genre with silky chords and a bouncy analogue bass line, underpinned by punchy, uptempo drums.
6. Mercy System – Gateway FWD [Voitax]
An up-and-coming talent from the outskirts of Manchester, Mercy System demonstrates a reverence for the boundary-pushing, genre-bending, early days of dubstep. Thoughtful arrangement and expert sample manipulation meet shuffling drums, heavy bass drones, and warped effects, honoring the track’s namesake, the influential London club night FWD>>.
7. IN2STELLAR – Voyage [Pure Space]
The hypnotic, psychedelic sound of late ’90s progressive house is seeing a resurgence lately, but with a distinctly more techy edge compared to the trance-adjacent fare of that era. “Voyage” is a tough, driving trip through precise drums, growling bass, and searing lead synths that pays homage to the past without getting lost in nostalgia.
8. Christian Coiffure – Dreamers At Work (Live Version) [Worst LTD]
Freefloat Remixes by Christian Coiffure
A reinterpretation of one of the tracks from the concept album Freefloat, which explored humanity as the antithesis of natural harmony, this live version of “Dreamers At Work” seamlessly blends cold, mechanical soundscapes with playful percussive rhythms composed of field recordings. An introspective banger.
9. ULTRA RANDOM ANALOG ORCHESTRA – Hindsight [Third Ear Recordings]
Ultra Random Analog Orchestra digital album with bonus tracks by Ultra Random Analog Orchestra
Renowned dub techno producer Brendon Moeller dons a new alias for this release on Guy McCreery’s long-running label. An exercise in experimentation, spontaneity, and randomness, this a real-time audio collage was sequenced, modulated, and filtered on the fly via a Eurorack modular setup. Despite this intentionally chaotic approach, “Hindsight” is a subtle, deep and atmospheric techno cut in which one can easily get lost.
10. Brainwaltzera – Fwd: Re: late (Ref.: karoshi) [FILM]
The first single taken from Brainwaltzera‘s forthcoming album ITSAME is challenging and quirky yet oddly beautiful. Building the track out of recordings captured by microphones set up in various living rooms, they create a densely layered, slowly unfolding soundscape that turns typically atonal sounds into lush melodies.
