Collected: Vol 5

This edition is a little harder given I’ve recently just completed my Reflection on 2024 mix with over 40 tracks and artists I’ve enjoyed this year. So with that in mind, I’m digging into some non-2024 stuff I’ve picked up on Bandcamp recently.

Akra - Pure (Rising Sun Melancholia - Shield Cut)

After our label event at Public Records in early December, we headed upstairs to continue the night at a second space (one of 3 rooms at the venue), where the DJ was sat in front of another lovely Devon Ojas system, comfy on a couch, spinning a bunch of classic house and 10’s. Most of it was built for the Friday night crowd- funky and danceable - but at one point, this absolute beast of a sub-bass cut through, and then a soaring atmospheric string line. My old ass started to move. I walked away not knowing what it was, but got a short 5-second video to go from. After sending it to the DJ on Instagram asking for a track ID - and after a bit of back and forth - it was finally revealed.

Funny, as my friend Hadi mentioned on my Instagram video when trying to ID the track “sounds like early Rising Sun”…. I responded… yeah it does, but I doubt it… it was a 10” and in the middle of a lot of older Chicago house-sounding stuff..

I was very glad to be in the wrong. Big love to Isaiah Collier, who was spinning this tune and did what any great DJ should do, and helped track down that track ID!

Christian Kleine - Relic Memories

As I prep another host of music from Christian Kleine’s prime era to be released on the label soon, he quietly dropped this bunch of nostalgia over on Bandcamp. As confirmed with a few other die-hard CK lovers, this is straight from the era that made many fall in love with his unique sound (and I'm kind of annoyed he didn’t send it my way first tbh ha). I have some more gems of his to come very soon, though, so don’t worry.

Jako Jako - Metamorphose

It’s the track Amygdala that blew me away from this album. Enough arps, enough analogue, enough euphoria for a perfectly sweet slice of electronics. It’s like Hania Rani’s classical sensibilities transported into a full analog system.

Citizen Maze - Northern Angelique

I have been well aware of Analog Attic Recordings for a long time now, of course through my relationship with ASIP artist Alex Albrecht. But, it often takes a while to make it through all of the releases. But after recently adding the Analog Attic catalog into rotation on 9128.live, I found myself deep in Citizen Maze’s releases - lost in some warm, dubby, trancey euphoric world. That’s a very rudimentary way to describe this music - but I’m only here to point you in the right direction, and not ruin it any more for you…

This might be the last we hear from the Citizen Maze alias, though, which is disappointing… a recent Soundcloud set text mentioned, “This mix might be the last of my mixes under Citizen Maze as I'm slowly working towards establishing my new alias and it's sound”…

Aspetuck - Early Color

As you may have already figured out, we are gearing up for a 2025 release with Aspetuck. Based in New York, Griff recently played at our Public Records label showcase, and is also a regular artist on South Korean techno label, Oslated, with several releases to date and a new album coming in the new year.

In addition to this, Griff also runs his own label alongside the Delayed crew, called Never Late. Early Color, the label’s first release, sets a very clear intention of sound and style that’s subsequently been followed by two more great releases by Mjulev and Tensen Park (also recommended).

A truly relaxing jaunt through various styles, soundtracking the brim of a beautiful horizon.

Find these albums and many more over on my Bandcamp Collection.

ASIP - Reflection on 2024

As with all my previous ‘Reflection’ year-end mixes, I begin with a collection of albums, EPs, and compilations that resonated with me over the past year. From there, I curate tracks to build the mix—a process that’s as much about omission as inclusion. Inevitably, many of my favorite tracks and albums don’t make the final cut, simply because they don’t fit the flow of the mix or get lost along the way. There are plenty of albums I played on repeat that aren’t included here, but I enjoy this process much more than creating lists.

As I remind myself each year, this isn’t meant to be a definitive “best-of” list. Instead, it’s a snapshot of some of my favorite music from the year, distilled into one cohesive and listenable format. Compiling these mixes under self-imposed restrictions is my way of revisiting and celebrating the music I’ve loved critically, while sharing it with you in a way that’s both meaningful and accessible. For me, listening back to these mixes is like flipping through an audio photograph, capturing the essence of my year in music and invoking memories from special moments.

I encourage you to use this mix as a jumping-off point—dive into each artist, explore their albums in full, and check out the labels behind the music. You can find a Buy Music Club list linked below to help you dig deeper. If you’re curious about the broader scope of music I’ve supported this year, my Bandcamp collection is always up to date. And for the ASIP year-end label compilation, you can find the feature and mix here.

~

Starting this year’s mix was no easy task. It’s been a whirlwind of a year, with my family relocating from Los Angeles back to Oregon. For a significant stretch, my ideal listening setup was in flux, and I wasn’t commuting to work as much—two key times I’d normally dive deep into the music I’d collected.

That said, I still managed to accumulate a fair share of vinyl this year (probably too much), so that became my starting point. I began shortlisting from my unsorted crate—my go-to spot for new acquisitions—despite knowing the mix would eventually be recorded digitally I always intend on ripping some vinyl-only releases. Since most of my purchases are through Bandcamp, I typically have digital files ready to go, but there are still a few frustrating cases where I’ve had to double-dip and buy the digital files separately (labels, let’s get those Bandcamp download codes in vinyl sleeves—it’s almost 2025!).

This year’s shortlist started with over 80 artists/tracks from albums I’ve loved, which I eventually narrowed down to 40 for the final mix. It’s a good representation of what’s been on heavy rotation for me. As always, I stuck to my usual self-imposed rule of no ASIP artist related tracks. I’d easily fill an entire mix with their music if that rule weren’t in place (also that’s what 9128.live is good for). I like to take this time to highlight other incredible, often overlooked releases that haven’t made the rounds in our circles, or through the usual “best of” lists.

I intended to rip some of my vinyl-only releases for this mix as a few really stood out this year, but time wasn’t on my side, and no digital was available. On the bright side, nearly all the music included here is readily available on Bandcamp for you to support.

A few callouts as you skim through the tracklist.

The latest Röyksopp album leans heavily into ambient tropes, but it’s undeniably comforting—a continuous flow reminiscent of the classic Art of Chill mixes, blending atmospheric textures with accessible pop crossovers. It nails that sweet spot, and I’m not one to turn my nose up at that.

Isabel Pine, whose demo first landed in my inbox some time ago, continues to impress—her latest release is an absolute gem. Aja’s ‘Lullaby’ is pure sweetness, so addictive I often found myself hitting repeat. C.K. didn’t drop any new ambient projects this year, but he did finally upload his phenomenal catalog to Bandcamp The track I included serves from his only 2024 release as an ambient counterpart to his more techno-focused album from this year.

Music From Memory’s Virtual Dreams compilation was a highlight for me—every track on it felt like a guaranteed vibe, no matter the mood (#1 on my HHV list). Casino Versus Japan’s comeback might just be his finest work yet, even if it hasn’t made it onto other lists out there. Its stripped-back, raw quality made it a challenge to incorporate into this mix without it becoming the centerpiece.

Minotaur Shock was a standout discovery in 2024, offering a blend of IDM-infused drum-oriented sounds. This track, in particular, is one of his most melodic. Another new find was Civilistjävel!, courtesy of Juan (OKRAA), who introduced me to the record while we were record shopping in New York. Florian T M Zeisig made waves with a ’90s-inspired album, consistently impressing with his inventive approaches (and even debuting a new alias).

nthng remains a regular on my year-end mixes, and deservedly so. My favorite track of his this year was ‘Echo Track,’ though it didn’t quite fit into this mix. Synkro returned as Ovïd with a mesmerizing slice of gaseous dub-techno—I even let it run long to max out its hypnotic qualities in the mix. Brian Grainger and his aliases are extremely productive, so it’s hard to cut through sometimes, but I always gravitate to his Coppice Halifax output.

Vril delivered an audio-sensory onslaught with his new album. While my favorite track didn’t make this mix, the entire release is excellent. I bent one of my own rules by including two tracks from Daniel[i]—a testament to the quality of that record. Rising Sun also deserves a mention. Even though his uploads this year were from his back catalog, the music is as timeless as ever (and I have a special memory of hearing this amazing track at Public Records, cementing a solid 2024 core memory).

Solar Alliance saw me bending another rule, as this is technically from the Ute collective but for anyone into '90s-style trance and downtempo- not to be missed. Xylitol, another new artist on my radar, delivered a release perfectly aligned with its Planet Mu home—think Aphex-inspired IDM with breaks and bass. Metamatics took an unexpected turn, dropping a drum’n’bass album with a '90s vibe featuring vocal samples from the emotional worlds normally assigned to DJ Healer or Rising Sun.

Finally, the closer comes from Mortal—a 1997 gem I only discovered in 2024. Though technically from December 2023, it missed last year's mix and felt like the perfect way to wrap up this year’s edition.

astrangelyisolatedplace · ASIP - Reflection on 2024

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Tracklist:

01. Chihei Hatakeyama - Insects Chirping At Night (Field Recs)
02. CHANTSSSS - Lose My (Theory Therapy)
03. Endless Trains & Taennya - Lifeless Place (Archives)
04. Röyksopp (Feat. Alison Goldfrapp) - We Enter (Self Released)
05. Merely & Malibu - outlanders intro (Year 0001)
06. anthéne - Crimson (Floralia Editions)
07. Isabel Pine - Silhouettes (Where The Flowers Grow)
08. Old Amica - Klorofyll (Self Released)
09. Aja - Absolune (Grand Musique Management)
10. Winter Silhouette - Solidarity (Peak)
11. C.K - We Share The Skies (Private Recording System)
12. Dub Squad - Blown Fruit (Music From Memory)
13. Shokunin - Darlands (Bonse1)
14. Li Yilei - Yip, Yip, Yip (Métron Records)
15. Voyage Futur - Marina Botany (Vill4in)
16. Casino Versus Japan - Licht (Self Released)
17. Minotaur Shock - With Me? (Bytes)
18. Civilistjävel! - XII (Felt)
19. Ear To Ear - Live Recordings D (Astral Industries)
20. Strategy - Numeros (Community Library)
21. Florian T M Zeisig - Wave Guide (Stroom)
22. nthng - Dont Be Scared (Self Released)
23. Brendon Moeller - Pressure (Quiet Details)
24. Lb Honne - Musium (Project Indigo)
25. Priori ft. Sabola - Learn To Fly (Naff Recordings)
26. Ovïd - Dream Sequence (Fauxpas Musik)
27. Coppice Halifax - Ceremonial (Milieu Music)
28. pondlicker - orchid media (Naff Recordings)
29. Daniel[i] - Jobkas Dom (Muzan Editions)
30. Vril - Pneuma (Omnidisc)
31. Low End Activist - Airdrop 02 (Yarnton Rd 2 Cassington) (Peak Oil)
32. Daniel[i] - Dom Amb (Muzan Editions)
33. Wardown - 5 It Is The Mercy (Blu Mar Ten)
34. Rising Sun - The Ascend (Original) (Self Released)
35. Vera Logdanidi - Euphoria (Semantica)
36. Donato Dozzy - Lucrezia (Spazio Disponibile)
37. Solar Alliance - Tri-Mind (Self Released)
38. Xylitol - Monte Mare (Planet Mu)
39. Metamatics - A Second Chance Is Rare (Self Released)
40. Mortal - Minus One (Sunny Crypt)

Buy Music Club List

ASIP - Familiar Spectrums

I've spent this week creating an ambient mix for a fellow mix series/podcast (will be live soon, around mid-June) and whilst I absolutely love crafting considered mixes, I find myself immersed in certain specific styles of music for days on end without coming up for air. As I’m searching for tracks, I’m stumbling across other music that I haven’t listened to for a while - often from the same artists, or labels, but offering a slightly different style to your usual ASIP ambient journeys. Sometimes I need to eject out of a state of mind to truly appreciate what it’s like to be back in it.

Additionally, there’s no doubt that the “rave” side of house and techno is making a hard-earned comeback. Take Skee Mask’s latest album, which will undoubtedly go down as a future classic; Bicep’s self-titled hit, or the Touch Absence remix that’s pretty much every DJ’s secret weapon nowadays- and for a very good reason. I spend a lot of time listening to other styles of electronic music - be it techno, drum’n bass, jungle or other, and I don’t often get to put a mix together that strays from the normal expected ASIP-related stuff. However, I think this has some elements you'll find familiar and stays close in more ways than one...

This was fun to put together, I hope you enjoy it.

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Tracklist:
01. Skee Mask - Flyby VFR
02. Sangam & Thugwidow - Sea Through Glass
03. Brio - Mening
04. Thugwidow - Spoilt British Liberals
05. Skee Mask - Soundboy Ext.
06. Borealis - Skyhall
07. Intex Systems - Resolve: Direct
08. Bandhagens Musikförening - Protokol A
09. Lanark Artefax - Touch Absence (Intimidating Stillness Mix)
10. Aphex Twin - Rhubarb (1159 remix)
11. Rising Sun - Oskar (Le Petite Prince Mix)
12. Bicep - Glue
13. Aphex Twin - On

Image by Daniele Levis Pelusi

ASIP - Affinity In Slow Motion

Thanks to those around me for continuing to share and unearth new moments of inspiration, from influential sounds and styles that never grow old. Deep, emotional and personal; this is some of my favorite house-oriented music of recent times, along-side some newer finds.

This mix grew out of some very immediate inspiration this past week including a link to just one track from a friend, which unearthed an entire house playlist I continued to explore, and Applescal's recent Wantlist which introduced me to Kim Brown. 

Tracklist:

01. Rising Sun - Parade (Version F) [Bandcamp]
02. DJ Sotofett - Current 82 (12 mix) [Discogs]
03. Dorisburg - Sinai Hypnosis [Bandcamp]
04. Jouem - Dazzling Light [Discogs]
05. Kim Brown - Optionism [Bandcamp]
06. Mr Fingers - Qwazars [Discogs]
07. Fit Siegel - Carmine [Bandcamp]
08. Donato Dozzy & Tin Man - Test 7 [Bandcamp]
09. Fatima Yamaha - What’s A Girl To Do [Free download]
10. Rising Sun - Change [Bandcamp]
11. Kim Brown - Millions [Bandcamp]
12. Hidden Spheres - Waiting [Bandcamp]
13. Nina Simone - Here Comes The Sun (Francois K Remix) [Discogs]

Rising Sun - The Lamentations Of Rising Sun

This album's been on repeat for me the past few weeks. Berlin producer Rising Sun, who seemingly has a healthy back catalog, released his second full length in March on the respected Fauxpas Music label (home of Desolate and Brambles) titled, The Lamentations Of Rising Sun. 

It's hard to pin this one down and that's what makes it so good. It's 90's inspired for sure, with rave synth-lines and vocals, reminiscent of early jungle music in You Loose. Early Moby style "Go" tracks like Parade Version F, Amen Break rips in Brighter Day, Kaito style melodic ambient synths in D.E.T.R.O.I.T, Desolate/Sven Weisemann influenced slow jams like Hold The Line, and Frankie Knuckle / Robert Owens straight-up string-house influences in In My Mind. 

"More crossover than one specific style. The music itself is the sketchy attempt to detain moments that haven’t been planned, so it’s a statement that I can foresee in any way, even though the open up of a track is always the same, almost like a ritual. The character is to capture and convert the music of rising sun".

Something in here for any dance music fan that experienced the euphoria of early 90's music, with an additional new Berlin twist.

Available on Bandcamp.