The sheer volume of new music released on a daily basis means that for even the most dedicated enthusiasts, some gems will invariably go unnoticed. Crate Digging is a monthly roundup of top-tier tracks 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. Deepchild – Music For Ecstasy [Seppuku Records]
“Music For Ecstasy” sees Australian producer Deepchild pay homage to one of his home country’s most celebrated venues, Club 77. It’s a deep, lush techno roller that slowly unfurls across its nearly ten-minute runtime, layering reverbed vocal shots with warm pads and tight drums.
2. Baby T – Free Thinking She Punk [Banshee]
Baby T has launched her new label with a huge statement of intent in the form of “Free Thinking She Punk.” Abrasive, gnarly breakbeat centered around distorted TR-909 kicks, chopped-up amen breaks, and classic sound clash effects define this track.
3. Bawrut – Azadi [Ransom Note Records]
Man meets machine in “Azadi,” a delightfully weird electro-tech workout. Bawrut combines Arabic vocal refrains with European neo-trance stabs, wonky effects, and classic drum machine grooves.
4. The Trip – A Bit Spooky [Tessellate]
“A Bit Spooky” could easily be a lost progressive house cut from the mid ’90s for how accurately it captures that era’s aesthetic. The Trip layer cheeky vocal loops over punchy drums, a funky bass line, and uplifting synth stabs before dropping into a breakdown and coming out the other side of it with squelchy acid sequences added to the groove.
5. Das Komplex – Wanna Do It [20/20 Vision]
If Crazy P select your track for inclusion in their Crazy P Curate Series, you are obviously doing something right. “Wanna Do It” is Polish artist Das Komplex doing what he does best: creating a chugging, tripped-out cosmic groove that has touches of soulful, melodic flair.
6. Millsart – The Wise One (Khufu Mix) [Axis]
Nobody can question Jeff Mills‘ credentials when it comes to dance floor-obliterating techno bombs, but many often overlook his ability to create intelligent, densely layered sonic stories that are as conceptual as they are danceable. “The Wise One” (Khufu Mix) is one such piece of music. This winding, percussive trip combines sci-fi weirdness with pulsing, organic rhythms.
7. v0ll – Blender [Self-Released]
v0ll takes us on a deconstructed, meditative journey that touches on elements of techno, dub, and electronica with “Blender.” This one is for people who like their techno on a more challenging tip.
8. Amotik – Tihatar [Amotik]
“Tihatar” is the kind of track that is impossible to classify. Amotik delivers driving, emotive minimalism that manages to be both euphoric and melancholy thanks to a unique combination of stripped-down drums and massive, dreamy pads.
9. Epsilon – Goddamned Soul [Bloody Fist Records]
Legendary Australian label Bloody First Records has been steadily rereleasing their back catalogue via Bandcamp for the last couple of years, and finally “Goddamned Soul” is here. Epsilon‘s gnarly, cut-up, heavily distorted breaks, huge bass growls, and strange sample manipulation are perfectly at home on one of the most absurd record labels to ever exist. Finally, a whole new generation get to enjoy it (or not).
10. T5UMUT5UMU – Troop Of Apes [Self-Released]
“Troop of Apes” is quirky, uptempo tribal bass music from Japan’s T5UMUT5UMU. East meets West in an off-kilter blend of ragga vocals, effects, dub horns, and rapid-fire percussion.
