Bleep

Dallas based producer Cygnus continues his obsession with video game sounds and sci-fi on this latest release for Sheffield label CPU. ‘Strange Hyper’ uses arcade game sound effects together with warping synths to create a discombobulating virtual soundscape. ‘Technologic’, with its fluorescent looping synths and robotic freestyle, belongs in a technophile’s dream. The title track, ‘Tesseractor’ is the EP’s highlight, its sampled squelches and bleeps taking on a disconcerting tone when saturated by the ominous washes of noise in the background.

Perfectly crafted electro funk from Emile Facey aka Plant43. ‘Radiant Flux’ touches down in the UK with the help of the ever excellent Central Processing Unit, they present four tracks of dilating beat mechanics and impressive synth work. Paces shift, from engaging high energy tempos to more subdued and melancholic electronic bliss. It’s hard to go more than a couple of tracks without mentioning a passing nod to Drexciya, but nevertheless, this is a fine work all of its own.

Central Processing Unit turn to Hannah Davidson AKA Mrs Jynx for a laid back release of smooth electronic sounds entitled ‘Diving Loop’. Flowing like a river is “Dinner Dance” which is tranquil but still keeps a solid rhythm, “Diving Loop” is pure ambience with the softest trickles of percussion. “Supermarket Sandwitches” is a stripped piece of electro synth play, “Fish Cyborg” closes up with Chicago inspired percussion and retro melodies.

Central Processing Unit prepares another strong addition to its impressive binary series, this time introducing Sunderland-based producer Carbo Flex and his Trifolium album. The release flaunts bitty, I.D.M fragments set into lush, ambient synth string melodies that conjure up memories of '90s Autechre. ‘Amme Dot’ begins with fiddly mechanical noise but then opens up into an rich, emotionally inflicted piece due to its melodic backing whereas ‘Flirty Fox’ exhibits bolder beats that shatter off into the distance. The title track ‘Trifolium’ carries plenty of hissing interference and deep, widescreen melodies and grisly stomps that create a distinct Selected Ambient Works feel.

Acroplane Recordings and Lunar Disko man Automatic Tasty returns to Sheffield imprint Central Processing Unit with another EP of jolly electro funk. Following 2014’s ‘The Rites of Wrong’ on Wrong Island Communications, The Life Parochial sees the Irish producer play humorously with the connotations of different congeneric genres: ‘Aromatic Toasty Hits The Town’ draws on acid house ideas, and the ultra funky ‘The Parish Hotline’ goes down a lively disco route.

Fresh from dropping his Time EP for the folks at WeMe Records, MNLTH aka Dave Monolith has brought this string of crisp techno productions forward for listeners. The title track is a space age masterpiece with multiple hooks rattling off one another in effortless fashion. Another high point for the release is Traffic- the aptly titled cut is a fast-paced flickering gem with an unashamedly infectious synth section at the centre. On closer Gemswon, Monolith demonstrates his ability to produce something slightly more subdued but equally as impressive.

Scape One aka Kurt Baggaley makes his first appearance on Sheffield's ever evolving binary label CPU. Five Hudred Eyes is a triumphant opener. A winding 8-minute techno masterwork suited to both underground nightspots and private headphone sessions. The levels are raised on More Switches where a groove-driven beat powers behind an infectious synth hook for maximum levels of enjoyment. The release is rounded off with a vinyl edit of Recombination where Baggaley’s heavyweight synth lead is given a proper workout against a nostalgic vocoder sample.

Mikron are two English brothers (Michael Corcoran and Ciaran Corcoran) who live in Australia, but here they release on Sheffield label Central Processing Unit. Following an EP for Gesaffelstein and The Hacker’s ZONE Records, Mikron present their latest opus, Sleep Paralysis, containing four crunchy electro tracks for the twisted mind. Like the best electro, this is dark: raw, saturated, and hard-hitting, yet itching with a serious machine funk.

Sheffield label Central Processing Unit issue a new EP from Maltese producer Rhys Celeste aka Microlith. Influenced by ‘90s techno and analogue circuitry, the Hello 307 EP fits perfectly into the Central Processing Unit catalogue, updating vintage electro and techno sounds for modern audiences. The EP features Detroit-esque synth pads, warm melodies, acid basslines, and intricate rhythms, and should satisfy fans of Plaid, AFX and the like.