#95 Top Releases in Techno (Raw / Deep / Hypnotic)

A sonic transmission from the depths of analog circuitry and digital precision, Contact EP by CNTRL Machine channels the raw energy and hypnotic pulse of early 90s techno. Drawing inspiration from the minimalist acid textures of Plastikman, the cerebral grooves of Harthouse, and the expansive atmospheres of Rising High, this release is a tribute to the golden era of underground electronic music—reimagined through a modern Canadian lens. Formed in 2015, CNTRL Machine is the techno brainchild of veteran producers Mike Graham and Phil Minotti (aka Rabbit Hole Express, ELEKTROSTRAT, TESTFEUER). With roots stretching back to 1994, their hybrid approach fuses gritty modular analog synthesis with cutting-edge digital production, crafting immersive soundscapes that pulse with deep rolling basslines, hypnotic rhythms, and mind-bending FX-laden drops. Contact EP is a journey through groove-laden minimalism and industrial edge, echoing the legacy of Jeff Mills, Hardfloor, Front 242, and Luke Slater, while carving out a distinct identity in the contemporary techno landscape. Released on Switch Records, Canadas first electronic music label, this EP marks a powerful statement from a duo whose sound is both timeless and forward-thinking.

Cntrl Machine