#17 Feat. New Releases in Techno (Raw / Deep / Hypnotic)

Asymmetric main man Inigo Kennedy returns to his label with a superb five track EP Butterfly Effects closing out a busy 2024 for the label. Opening track Bit Glitter sets a jittering lead against a gritty driving rhythm; simple yet deadly. Up next, the title track Butterfly Effects pulsates in the best of ways; meditative Detroit inspired techno. A Heavy Agenda is just that; heavy kicks and intentionally attention-grabbing washes of sound. On The Ropes follows, a solid kick and playful echoes shifting in frequencies and timbre as the track progresses and so hard to resist. Finishing the release is Contingency, a pure slice of the Asymmetric signature sound and pulling hard on the original techniques which made the label stand out when it started in 1999.

Inigo Kennedy

#68 Feat. New Releases in Techno (Raw / Deep / Hypnotic)

Asymmetric head Inigo Kennedy returns to his label with a tantalising five track EP Number Crunching. Title track Number Crunching slaps you around the face with its machine-gun percussion and heavy kick whilst a gritty sonic landscape swirls around. Into The Red Valley is quite the provocative number, constantly evolving, constantly shifting layers of sound over a steady four-to-the-floor. Third track, Komorebi, floats into place with a dream-like melody intertwined with pads and held together by an instantly recognisable Asymmetric style percussive drum section; sunlight leaking through trees. Next up is the retro-feeling of Countersink before the release closes with Mysterious Clouds, a sublime almost 10 minute sonic journey grounded by heartbeat-like kicks; an absolute beauty of a track.

Inigo Kennedy

#71 Feat. Staff Picks in Electronica

Asymmetric boss Inigo Kennedy returns to his label with an intriguing five track EP Calm In The Storm. The title track Calm In The Storm sets the mood with a mournful yet calming pad that rises and falls against a solid four-to-the-floor driving rhythm. Peculiar Turns follows in quirky fashion; off kilter beats and mysterious sonic fragments coming and going. Rumble Strip centres the release; a booming rhythm, undulating percussion and waves of arpeggio. Next up is Scotch Mist, an altogether darker affair setting tinges of drum and bass against a playful melody. To finish is Pulse Dialing, an organic toe-tapper of pure techno minimalism; sonic solace if ever there was a better way of putting it.

Inigo Kennedy