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. The Black Dog – Let’s All Make Brutalism [Dust Science]

Sheffield trio The Black Dog channel the energy of the early bleep techno movement on “Let’s All Make Brutalism,” but they divert it into moodier, more introspective territory. Stripped-down beats, drawn-out acid squiggles, and dusty atmospherics conjure images of the city’s history as a steel manufacturing giant.

2. Sagat – The Other Left [Vlek Records]

Prepare for sonically dense, mutated techno-meets-bass-music that balances odd time signatures and gnarly sound design with thunderous, propulsive low end and grainy, corroded drums. “The Other Left” rewards careful listeners while also having enough oomph to move those who just want to dance.

3. apaull – Depths (John Selway Light Of Grey Remix) [Furnace Room Records]

Legendary New York producer John Selway turns in a dark and menacing electro rework of apaull‘s “Depths.” Razor-sharp beats cut through layers of twisted synths, grinding bass, and robotic vocals.

4. Lemna – N19 [KHIDI Digital]

Lemna helps Georgian club KHIDI launch their record label with “N19.” It’s a gritty, experimental trip that perfectly aligns with the label’s mission statement: Blending dance floor-ready techno with avant-garde explorations of sound.

5. Greenleaf – Todash [Pinecone Moonshine]

Lush, atmospheric drumfunk that incorporates Greenleaf‘s New Orleans heritage, giving the drums a jazz inflection thanks to meticulously programmed breaks that mix samples from multiple drum kits. “Todash” adds in heady, futuristic synths to create a sci-fi aesthetic that offsets the natural feel of the drums, creating a unique combination of organic and synthetic.

6. Abstract Division – Perception is Reality (DJ Nobu Remix) [Dynamic Reflection]

Following the success of 2022’s Midnight Ensemble, Abstract Division return with a selection of reinterpretations from their compatriots. DJ Nobu takes on “Perception is Reality,” creating a driving, percussive groove that centers around an ever-evolving metallic sequence and delayed stabs ping-ponging across the stereo space.

7. Jensen Interceptor – The Fontainebleau (DJ Godfather Remix) [Monotone]

Jensen Interceptor‘s “The Fontainebleau” gets a freaky electro-funk remix from DJ Godfather, which honors the original’s Miami Bass influence while injecting it with the kind of snappy drums, bouncy bass, and wonky synths for which he’s known.

8. Stroef – Toxic Waste Dump [Boomstraat 1818]

Dutch producer Stroef digs into the archives for some previously unreleased material, unearthing “Toxic Waste Dump” in all its funky, melodic glory. This classy, Detroit-influenced techno jam balances playful synth loops with rolling bass, squelchy acid sequences, and precise drums.

9. Eusebeia – Seeing The Unseen [Samurai Music]

Eusebeia is one of the most cutting-edge, forward-thinking producers in drum and bass and jungle. On “Seeing The Unseen” he turns his hand to a darker, more subtle sound palette that is perfectly at home on Samurai Music. This steady, slowly unfurling soundscape of moody synths, echoed field recordings, and cavernous low end works both in headphones and on the dance floor.

10. Client_03 – Principal Excitation Conduit [Client_03]

The enigmatic Client_03 returns with another slice of speaker-shuddering electro in the form of “Principal Excitation Conduit.” Quirky vocal samples interject between huge sub bass growls, grimy acid stabs, and precise drums, all saturated with just the right amount of distortion.

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. Sascha Funke – Haus More [Kompakt]

Long-running, eclectic imprint Kompakt welcomes back the equally experienced Sascha Funke for his first release for the label in eight years, and he settles back in with ease. “Haus More” is a trippy, mid-tempo cut that blends stripped-down, chuggy drums with swirling, slightly sinister melodies.

2. Konsudd – Schwebende [Amenthia Recordings]

Previously contributing to Amenthia Recordings as solo artists, Konduku and Aa Sudd team up for heady, spaced-out trip into psychedelic half-time on “Schwebende.” Pulsating bass and synthetic drums create a thunderous groove which is peppered with reverbed percussion, gnarly metallic washes, and grainy synth stabs.

3. Lord Jalapeños – Stimulus [Science Cult]

A dark, gritty mix of bit-crushed sonics, crunchy drums, and rumbling bass, “Stimulus” proves that Lord Jalapeños is a great fit for Austin-based label Science Cult with his IDM-influenced electro sound that is equal parts conceptual and propulsive.

4. Abstract Division – Nightfall [Dynamic Reflection]

After a long line of singles and EPs, Abstract Division have landed on Dynamic Reflection with their first full-length album, and “Nightfall” is a standout cut. It’s a beautiful, warm and driving slice of dub techno that would make Basic Channel proud.

5. Yant – Red Eye Jedi [Hardgroove]

One of the most exciting techno artists to emerge in the last few years, Manchester’s Yant debuts on the legendary label Hardgroove. “Red Eye Jedi” is a dense, percussive techno roller with a growling, urgent groove.

6. Mark E – Heartaches [Delusions Of Grandeur]

U.K. underground house hero Mark E has landed on Delusions Of Grandeur for the first time with “Heartaches,” a stunning and expansive house jam. A funky, electric bass loop and subtle drums propel the groove, while fluttering, jazzy piano chords add a soulful, sparkling touch.

7. Lithe – Mainline [Flood]

“Mainline” sees up-and-coming Australian producer Lithe offer up a rollicking leftfield techno workout. Precise, mechanical drums are offset by rugged bass sequences, off-kilter bleeps and bloops, and tense synth stabs.

8. Hysteria Temple Foundation – Annunaki [Hysteria Temple Foundation]

Relatively new producer duo Hysteria Temple Foundation blend traditional instrumentation with electronic grit on “Annunaki” to excellent effect. High octane, heavily-processed drums and organic instruments, field recordings from a busy bazaar, and experimental sound design combine to create a raucous, percussive rhythm that will turn the dance floor into a primal ritual.

9. Sleep D – Post Pump [Butter Sessions]

Australian leftfield-techno-electro-dub darlings Sleep D are back with another immaculately produced groove. Taking cues from the classic tech house sound of the late ’90s with its driving kick and shuffled hi-hats, dubbed-out synth hits, and time stretched vocals, “Post Pump” is chunky, funky, and spacious.

10. William Arist – Moral Song [Perseverancia Records]

This is a lush, deep journey from one of the most exciting producers to hit the techno scene in the last few years. “Moral Song” sees William Arist focusing on emotive, evolving pads and subtle bells, which float over the top of a warm analogue bassline and dusty drums.

11. Turk Turkelton – Shake Left and Right [Habibi Bass]

Turk Turkelton delivers some pumped-up electro funk with a ghetto bass edge that is right at home on Habibi Bass. Snappy TR-808 drums, wiggly synth lines, and a classic vocal sample make this an instant party starter.

12. Paul Mac – First Mode [Stimulus Recordings]

Legendary producer Paul Mac unearths and remasters a forgotten gem from his days on percussive techno imprint Ingoma. With its densely layered percussion, evolving bass line, and Detroit-flavored chords, this is quintessential U.K. techno.

13. DJ Strawberry – Acelem Var [Outlines]

Sitting in the murky territory between footwork, dub techno, and IDM, “Acelem Var” is Turkish artist DJ Strawberry in his element. Taken from his debut album Cycles, it reflects his unique way of injecting pulsating energy and tension into hazy, ambient soundscapes.

14. Kaiser and Matrixxman – Escape Pod [K S R]

Focused around a tight syncopated kick, rumbling bass, and sci-fi sound effects, “Escape Pod” is a simple but highly effective deep techno tool that distills Kaiser and Matrixxman‘s heady, hypnotic style down to its essence.

15. Tristan Arp x Kellen303 – entangled beings [Unknown Untitled]

This is a peak-time, techno-influenced workout that pays homage to Tristan Arp and Kellen303‘s hometown of New York City with its sonic palette while pushing leftfield, percussive club music into new territories. Playful and driving, “entangled beings” sees the two producers at the top of their game.

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In August 2019, Dutch duo Abstract Division released the Nobody is Anywhere EP as a form of sonic commentary on the indecision they felt techno artists faced at the time. The Anybody is Nowhere EP sees them close the symbolic loop on that sentiment. The four-track EP released in digital and vinyl format via their own Dynamic Reflection imprint on October 22nd.

“Emergence” introduces the EP with a hypnotic techno motif that conjures cosmic imagery before a remix by Anthony Linell adds a layer of tension to the source material. “Discharge” offers grittier textures and suspenseful lead synths, and “Polarise” closes out the effort with more of the serene, aquatic sound design that ushered it in.

Abstract Division Revisited

Boasting a combined 25 years in electronic music, Paul Boex and Dave Miller formed Abstract Division 10 years ago with the advantage of being able to mix and master their own tracks. The same period marked the launch of their record label, Dynamic Reflection, through which they have released the lion’s share of their discography.

The duo have also put out records through Labrynth, Spectral Rebel, and Figure Jams just to name a few. Meanwhile, Dynamic Reflection has given a home to music by the likes of Yan Cook, Stefan Vincent, Jonas Körbl and Linear Search.

Purchase the Anybody is Nowhere EP in digital or 12-inch vinyl record format via Dynamic Reflection Bandcamp.