Selector’s Sounds series follows a procedure that puts music quality before status or industry relationships. Learn how it works.

The venerated SK_eleven has signed the latest release by Holden Federico to its SK_X sub label. The Deliverance EP consists of dark, hypnotic and even melodic techno. It released in digital and vinyl format on October 22nd.

“This Is Who You Are” pairs a stripped-down melody with ambient textures before “Either One Of Us” takes the EP in a more suspenseful direction. “As Infinite” employs more chord progression than any other track on the effort, and the title track closes it out with another dark, brooding motif.

Who is Holden Federico?

Based in New York City and boasting a classical music background, Holden Federico is just beginning to establish himself as a recording artist. Prior to the Deliverance EP, he cultivated an audience on Instagram as a crate digger of ’90s techno classics.

An SK_eleven release certainly reinforces his credentials. The label has largely served as an artist imprint for releases by its founder, Setaoc Mass. The SK_X series has signed releases by the likes of Cravo, Yant and Rene Wise, however.

The Deliverance EP is sold out in 12-inch vinyl record format. Purchase it in digital format via SK_eleven Bandcamp.

Selector’s Sounds series follows a procedure that puts music quality before status or industry relationships. Learn how it works.

Lisbon, Portugal producer CRAVO has returned with a dark techno release: Eternal Paradox via SK_eleven.

The effort sees CRAVO (real name Pedro Cravo) deliver an eerie, cinematic atmosphere that calls to mind sci-fi thriller soundtracks but is undoubtedly destined to ignite the dance floors with raw, peak-time energy. That appeal is evident throughout the EP, but it is perhaps most apparent on the vivacious “Conscious,” with its distorted reverberating kick drums and uncanny synth melodies. EP opener “Innervision” operates in a similar vein, but the kick drum is dialed back enough to let a cleverly timed variation of its melody shine through every fifth measure.

“Domain” feels more groove driven, with a stuttery, shuffling rhythm and chilling, foghorn-like brass synth that rears its head throughout the track. Things get much techier on EP closer “Torment” as a stabby, flanged synth waxes and wanes.

The Eternal Paradox EP builds upon Klockworks 32, Cravo’s collaborative effort with VIL that expanded the former artist’s already impressive repertoire and penchant for serving up some of the most exciting dark techno in recent memory. His latest is out now as part of SK_eleven’s SK11X series and is available via the record label’s Bandcamp page. 

Selector’s Sounds series follows a procedure that puts music quality before status or industry relationships. Learn how it works.

Gracing the SK_X sub label of Setaoc Mass‘ SK_eleven imprint is the latest from Rene Wise. The U.K. producer’s Pleasure Note EP consists of four cerebral minimal techno cuts. It released in vinyl and digital format April 2nd.

The title track leads in the effort with metallic and hollow synths, an eerie vocal refrain punctuating every few measures of the arrangement. “Swamp Dancer” and “Hollow” introduce subtle groove into the equation while maintaining the tension of the track preceding them. “Changa” closes the effort out with simple yet effective concept, a straightforward DJ tool to round out the Pleasure Note EP.

Rene Wise Revisited

Rene Wise debuted on ARTS in 2017 with the Stone Conscience EP, a more melodic manifestation of his style. He quickly shifted gears to his stripped-down signature sound, landing on labels like BeardMan, Mote-Evolver, Reclaim Your City and WSNWG in the years that followed.

Wise’s sound is a just fit for SK_X, which Setaoc Mass launched as an offshoot of his main label as a platform for other artists. Thus far in 2021, it has given a home to releases by Arkan and Yant.

The Pleasure Note EP is sold out in 12-inch vinyl record format. It is still available for purchase in digital format via SK_eleven Bandcamp.

Selector’s Sounds series follows a procedure that puts music quality before status or industry relationships. Learn how it works.

Yant has released his second EP on the SK_eleven imprint, the stunning Contravention EP.

The release features four stunning minimal techno tracks in Yant’s distinctive and enticing style. Opening with the EP’s title track, “Contravention” delivers a dissonant and eerie atmosphere, setting the release off with a bang highlighted by a driving groove.

“Electronic Space Storm” takes things a bit more hypnotic, with a glitchy, granular synth that rears its head on and off throughout, as syncopated claps, ambient pads, and a punchy kick drum move the rhythm along in stellar fashion. That sets up “Solidarity Is on the Line” nicely, as the third track’s beat takes a nearly trance-inspired approach. A cleverly automated synth stab takes center stage, beckoning the dancers to move along to the fast-paced tempo and its enticing percussive elements.

Taking the tempo down for the EP closer, Yant brings acid elements into the fold on “Kaleidoscopic Vision,” providing a psychedelic and entrancing track that lives up to its name and wraps the EP up with a wonderful showcase of the producer’s breadth of style. An instant standout release on SK_eleven, Yant’s Contravention EP is an innovative and alluring work that proves Yant’s prowess as one of techno’s envelope-pushers.

Yant’s Contravention EP is sold out in vinyl record format but can be purchased in digital format via SK_eleven Bandcamp.