On his latest four-track EP, Marco Cassanelli presents a masterclass in deep, atmospheric dub techno. Rich in warmth, texture and groove, the release finds the Italian producer at his most refined, effortlessly balancing hypnotic rhythms with expansive chord work and immersive sound design that resonates equally on the dancefloor and in more introspective home listening settings.

For more than two decades, Marco Cassanelli has been quietly refining a sound rooted in the deepest traditions of dub techno. Emerging from Rome’s underground electronic scene, he has built a body of work defined by patience, restraint, and a profound understanding of space and atmosphere.

Each track unfolds with patience and purpose, drawing listeners into a world of drifting echoes, subtle movement and finely crafted detail. Rooted firmly in the traditions of dub techno while retaining a distinctive character of its own, the EP is both deeply engaging and beautifully understated—equally suited to late-night club systems and home listening.

The final track introduces an unexpected vocal performance, adding a fresh dimension to the release and bringing the journey to a memorable close. Elegant, timeless and richly textured, this EP is a testament to Cassanelli’s enduring craftsmanship and his ability to create dub techno of the highest calibre.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Sublime, modern dub-techno on the dread black Alt Dub label. Essential listening for fans of Basic Channel, Echospace [Detroit], Echochord etc.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Visons
A2. Free to Fly
B1. Escape
B2. Absolute

Alt Dub label head Federsen links with Belgrade’s Estray for a deep, percussive exploration of dub house - where analogue weight meets globally-rooted rhythm and hypnotic late-night energy.

A key figure within Eastern Europe’s electronic landscape, Estray has spent over a decade shaping a sound that travels far beyond his home base. With releases on Rebellion, Neptune Discs, Sol Selectas, Akumandra and Buddha Bar, alongside an extensive international DJ presence, his output reflects a balance of cultural depth and dancefloor functionality.

His productions draw on a wide palette of influences, fusing African and Latin rhythmic structures with rolling, dub-informed low-end. Intricate drum programming and fluid groove design sit at the core, while his basslines - heavy, warm and propulsive - remain a defining signature. Federsen, known for releases on Echospace Detroit, Grayscale, Synchrophone, Lempuyang and Avant Roots, continues to refine a sound rooted in analogue process, spatial detail and textural precision. His work leans into restraint, allowing depth and subtle modulation to drive momentum.

Recorded at Devon Analogue Studios, the pair’s collaboration unfolds across four tracks built on dense sub frequencies, shifting percussion and evolving atmospheres. Each piece is carefully structured yet organic, moving between stripped-back dub frameworks and more rhythmically charged passages.

The result is a cohesive body of work that sits comfortably within the dub house tradition while introducing a broader, multicultural rhythmic language—equally suited to immersive listening and deep dancefloor moments.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Alt Dub creeps confidently to its 10th release milestone, riding the wave of the dub-techno resurgence in fine style.

TRACK LISTING

1. Dubalearic
2. Isla Dub
3. Mareas Tranquilas
4. Sombras de Ibiza

Alt Dub boss Federsen once again joins forces with cv313 and Echospace Detroit to deliver a second instalment in their ‘Altering Dimension’ series, once again merging hazy textural sonics with delicate dub leaning aesthetics.

Detroit’s dub techno lineage continues to evolve as cv313, Stephen Hitchell of Echospace, teams up with Federsen for Altering Dimensions Part Two, another collaborative EP set to land on Federsen’s Alt Dub imprint.

A defining figure in the genre, cv313 has long shaped its language through seminal works like Seconds to Forever and the Dimensional Space LP, fusing enveloping atmospheres with tactile rhythmic structures. Alongside him here,

Federsen whose music can also be found on Echospace Detroit as well as Grayscale, Synchrophone, Lempuyang and Avant Roots, has carved out a distinct voice rooted in precision and analogue-rich depth. Altering Dimensions Part Two again captures the intersection of these two perspectives, linking Detroit’s enduring sonic heritage with a refined, forward-facing approach to dub techno.

‘First Dimension’ opens the release, laying down heavy doses of sub bass, bubbling percussion and ever evolving, murky dub echoes amidst a crisp, stripped-down rhythm section.

‘Second Dimension’ follows and leans into vacillating atmospherics, a swaying bottom end groove and hypnotic, subtle evolution that’s synonymous with the cv313 sound.

‘Third Dimension’ kicks off the b-side next, further embracing this introspective and immersive style as textural elements shift and mutate atop intricately modulating percussive hits, bubbling synth tones and weighty low-end percussion.

‘Fourth Dimension’ then concludes the release, reducing things down to bare bones of hypntic dub, embracing a beatless construction the composition relies on spatial depth, nuanced delays and an underlying tension that decays 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: cv313 continue to expand on their enduring legacy with this new project via Alt Dub. Not only that, but dub-techno is back in fashion again - all rejoice!

TRACK LISTING

A1. First Dimension
A2. Second Dimension
B1. Third Dimension
B2. Fourth Dimension

Rising star Storm Mollison lands her debut on Heist with an EP blending house & r'n'b and we're completely hooked.

The future is looking bright for Storm Mollison - Heist's newest. Last year alone, she featured on Kiki's hit 'Getting Ready For The Party', featured on a Mixmag London event and a Raw Cuts X Heist ADE party, had her first cover feature on Spotify, multiple radio 1 appearances, released several singles, a full EP on Noir Fever and a Luuk van Dijk remix.

If that's not enough to get you excited, we suggest you just listen to her 'ALT EP' on Heist. In Storm's own words: "it's the most exciting music I've made so far" and we couldn't agree more. Her EP is a perfect blend of her love for house music and soulful r'n'b with its 4 tracks smothered in deep chords, smooth vocals and crunchy textures.

EP opener 'Doing Sumthin'' has been a staple in Dam Swindle's sets ever since receiving Storm's first demo and has never failed to make the crowd bounce from left to right with its quirky and equally cool vocal courtesy of Aaron Pfeiffer. The beat is chunky, and the sax lick is a nice wink to the old school house that has influences Storm's sound so much.

'Act Like That' - the EP's title track - is a modern r'n'b song that could have easily been on Rochelle Jordan's latest album. The lyrics are perfectly delivered by Storm herself and celebrate women who stand up to unreliable men. It could well be the badass soundtrack of womanhood for 2026 delivered in a silky-smooth package that'll live rent-free in your head for the foreseeable future.

On the flipside is "Gotta Go', an undercover dancefloor burner with lush keys and a lean-back groove. The track relies on crisp textures and little frizzles all throughout the track, with a big breakdown for ultimate release.

EP closer 'Workin' takes us back into r'n'b territory, this time in a very danceable form. Storm's soft vocals lie on top of a steady beat with deep chords and a bassline so sexy it'll make you get down no matter where you're hearing this.

It's hard to speak about a breakthrough for an artist that has already seen such a rise in the scene, but if we're talking about her music, this will be the record that people come back to after years and say, "remember when she released 'ALT'!?"

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Storm Molly isn't the latest patch of bad weather to hit the UK; but rather the upfront tech-house sound of Heist's latest signing who certainly gets those shoulders rolling across four splendid tracks.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Doing Sumthin
A2. Act Like That
B1. Gotta Go
B2. Workin'

This top notch 7 inch 45 contains two recordings, recorded at Jim Riley’s Ranscombe Studios. An alt version of ‘Step Out’, with Juju taking lead vocals. C/W ‘Upside Mine’ a favourite at the gigs..

Sea Girls come of age on their new album 'Midnight Butterflies' delivering on the promise of their first two Top 3 records

Since roaring onto the scene, the band has cemented themselves as one of British indie's most consistent and successful groups. The immediacy and carefree attitude are the driving motivations of this superb new release via the band's own independent label, Alt. Records. With creative collaborations including Matt Schwartz (YungBlud), Benjy Gibson (Fred Again), Kid Harpoon (Harry Styles) and The Nocturns (Mimi Webb), this record is for fans of guitar music who are not afraid of big hooks and massive choruses. The result is their first album without compromise, reflecting the joy and energy they brought to the scene with their debut 'Open Up Your Head' and hit songs like 'Call Me Out' and 'All I Want To Hear You Say'.

TRACK LISTING

1. Midnight Butterflies
2. I Want You To Know Me
3. Come Back To Me
4. Horror Movies
5. Does Only God Know That We're Lonely?
6. Scream And Shout 
7. Weekends And Workdays
8. Superman
9. First On My List
10. Young Strangers 
11. Polly
12. After Hours

'An Awesome Wave' is finally back in stock on vinyl as the band celebrate the 10th anniversary of this classic debut record. Described by The Guardian in their Albums Of The Year coverage as “Remarkable and Rewarding:, ‘An Awesome Wave’ won the band the Mercury Music Prize and an Ivor Novello award, the album has since gone platinum in the UK and continues to receive critical acclaim. This album saw the start of a remarkable trajectory for the band who became one of the most successful British bands of the millennium. alt-J have now sold in excess of two million albums and their songs have been streamed over two and a half billion times. Their follow up album This Is All Yours was a UK number 1, GRAMMY and BRIT Award-nominated album. Released in 2017, album number 3 RELAXER flew straight into the top 10 of the UK album chart ahead of a summer of major international shows-including a headline show at London’s O2 Arena; and headline performances at numerous festivals and became their second album to be nominated for the Mercury Prize. 2022 saw the release of their 4th album The Dream which reached top 3 in the Uk and was one of the best reviewed records of 2022

TRACK LISTING

Intro
Interlude I (the Ripe & Ruin)
Tessellate
Breezeblocks
Interlude Ii (guitar)
Something Good
Dissolve Me
Matilda
Ms
Fitzpleasure
Interlude Iii (piano)
Bloodflood
Taro

alt-J are Joe Newman [guitar/vocals], Gus Unger-Hamilton [keyboards] and Thom Green [drums]. They released their debut album An Awesome Wave to critical acclaim in May 2012 (September2012 in North America). The album won the Mercury Music Prize in November 2012 and was nominated for British Album of the Year at the Brit Awards in February 2013, one of three nominations the band received. In May that year An Awesome Wave received the Ivor Novello Album Award.

TRACK LISTING

Intro
Arrival In Nara
Nara
Every Other Freckle
Left Hand Free
Garden Of England
Choice Kingdom
Hunger Of The Pine
Warm Foothills
The Gospel Of John Hurt
Pusher
Bloodflood, Pt.2
Leaving Nara

Nelson have been hailed as 'the best French band to join the music scene in over 10 years'. Their music can be described as a cross between Joy Division, The Rapture, and Animal Collective. They promise explosive performances where aggressive guitars compete with delicate electronic sounds.