#1 Feat. Banner in Electronica

Noumen returns to Central Processing Unit after a six-year absence with Altum. This bumper record, the Ukrainian artists fourth release for the Sheffield label and first since 2019 double-LPObscurium, serves to remind us all why Noumens music has been lauded by the likes of Mixmag and Resident Advisor in the past.Altumis a consummate piece of contemporary electronic production, a technoid exploration of outer-edges electronica that nods to genre greats like Autechre while still maintaining its own unconventional charm. Across well over an hour of music here we find Noumen repeatedly playing punchy mid-tempo beat work off of some more cerebral tuned synths.Altumkicks off with the epic Oion - beginning in that Autechre/AFX mid-tempo zone, full of deep-sea bangs and whirrs, the track slowly builds to a final stretch of delay-drenched keys which set us free amidst the outer cosmos, almost Sun Ra-style. Its a perfect liminal-space roller and an apt scene-setter forAltum. Oion provides a blueprint for several of the albums other highlights - plenty of the joints here adopt that same approach of hitting hard with the drums and soft with the synths. Second track Splitter takes on the baton from Oion while souping up the kick to warehouse levels; the beats in Far Wind splutter like a needle skipping on a mid-90s Tresor drop; Fate Carette, all eerie looped synth leads, is a highlight as the album enters the home straight. The rhythm production (which, it should be noted, is exemplary throughoutAltum) is ratched up in intensity on a handful of numbers. Telemask displays a delightful breakbeat - if youd told me this was sampled from golden age A Tribe Called Quest, Id have believed you. Mid-section anchors Awe and Axis are glitchers in the Mike Paradinas mould, with the latter showing off some pleasing steel pan-esque synth leads for good measure. And whileAltumgenerally maintains a processional pace throughout, there are points where Noumen toughens up the drums for club deployment - Unveilness shows off a real chunkiness in the low end, closer Spurling Sign plays a satisfying rolling groove off of ever-layering synths, and the title-track is an alien machine-funker in keeping with fellow CPU electronauts like Silicon Scally and Cygnus. Noumens third album for Central Processing Unit is a pleasingly hefty double-LP which builds on the zany invention of acts like Modeselektor and Autechre to delightful effect. FFO: Autechre, Aphex Twin, Modeselektor, Bochum Welt, LFO

Noumen

#2 Feat. Banner in Electronica

Effortlessly charming, inquisitive and generous in spirit: Total internal reflection is the beautifully crafted debut album from DJ ojo, returning to Blank Mind, following his acclaimed 2023 EP Coiled up. The vivid sound design, irreverent flourishes and elastic rhythms of his past work remain, yet here he leans further into his enduring love of house and techno music. An impressionistic take on the forms, with a light, considered touch that allows his idiosyncrasies to shine through. Theres a synaesthetic quality here, that implies a gestural play between sound, colour and form. It is functionality that is the key embrace: eight tracks, two discs, two tracks per side. A cohesive body of work purposefully presented to be played out. These guiding principles complement the uniquely skewed style of ojo: theres always a groove, but it might trip over itself; theres always a sense of cohesiveness, but its never clear; theres always a dancefloor, but its slippery when wet. The record features art by photographer Thomas Steineder, who interprets the record visually, by bouncing light through analogue film wrapped around a prism, capturing a reflection turned inward. With Total internal reflection, ojo has somehow become even more himself, refining his vision into something playful, profound and enduring.

DJ Ojo

#3 Feat. Banner in Electronica

2025-10-31 Monkeytown Records

Siriusmo

#5 Feat. Banner in Electronica

Vakula invites us on a sonic journey with his latest album titled Cloud Bloom. Composed of four tracks, this album explores the depths of deep and dub techno, creating atmospheres that envelop the listener in a unique experience. Most of the instruments are organic, complemented by analog synthesizers, giving it a warm and authentic touch. Each track is an exploration of sonic textures that evoke dreamlike landscapes and moments of introspection. Its an ideal offering for those who appreciate immersive sounds and a hypnotic vibe.

Vakula

#6 Feat. Banner in Electronica

2025-10-31 Mood Hut

Musicentrydelete

#7 Feat. Banner in Electronica

2025-10-20 CHROMA

Eliza, Bicep