VA - Spektrum 5 (2024)

And just like that we hit TAU No. 50! To celebrate this milestone what else could we do but gather up an elite squad of our closest comrades, new and old, to deliver a huge new instalment of our Spektrum series. Spektrum 5 continues TAU's quest to present the highest quality retrofuturism we can find, with an assorted cast of supremely talented artists all bringing their A-game for our beloved followers. So, here's a breakdown of what to expect from this mouthwatering new compilation... This 15-track odyssey begins with 'Sandstorm' by Aikon. The Ukrainian producer blends emotive musicality and unusual melodies with an aggressive undertone. The beats pump, and the main motif entrances the listener. The breakdown envelops us in its mystique, and we enter the second half of the track full of vigour. Label mainstay Ditian steps up next with 'Mila', a sultry cut with a heartrending riff and melancholy bass. This one will tug on your heartstrings, as Ditian rolls out with captivating progression and skilful arrangement. Wait until those strings drift in towards the latter part of the track... A beauty. Enzo Elia gets us into a deep groove with 'Daddi', an enchanting cut with a dense, hypnotic low end. The soft, wistful vocals add a distinct human element which penetrate your mainframe and keep you hooked throughout. Mystical elements give this cut its unique appeal. This is followed by 'Nadie', from Last Men On Earth & Agustin Giri, a minimal cut with vibrant female vocals. The production is unorthodox, giving this one plenty of character. A standout, and indicative of TAU's ethos, to keep pushing the boundaries of dance floor oriented music. Keith Holland steps in next with 'Atemporal', a pulsating cut defined by its driving bassline and ultra crisp hi hats. Transcendent pad work elevates the listener into a distinct realm and the strings that are introduced in the second part of the track will whisk you away to an alternate reality. Absolutely mesmerising. 'Voila' sees Hard To Tell and Yet More team up for a moody outing. Organic sounding percussion lies at the heart of this cut, propelling the track forward and creating a very distinct sound. Vocal clips are employed to great effect, adding dynamism to the arrangement. A surefire dance floor smash. Mar+Mer are next up with 'Fame', which utilises stuttered beats and square wave bass to encapsulate a future bound aesthetic. Spoken word vocals appear intermittently, and bright strings complement the hard-hitting drums. This is robotic electro-funk for the new generation... Just over halfway in, Volar follows up Mar+Mer's excellent cut with 'Nucleus', a techy workout that demonstrates Volar's ability to produce hypnotic cuts with nuance and depth. A simple riff works at the core of this cut to keep the listener transfixed and moving their body, as the beats push things forward. Squire & Pole Position takes us 'Against The System' with their enlivening cut, which uses a repeated vocal cue to engage the listener from the start. Pulsating bass combines with gnarly layers of synth to create an immersive experience, while the vocal captures your imagination throughout. Get ready for an energy-enhancing breakdown. Label heads Adana Twins come through blasting with 'XFile', a track which really epitomises the duo's ability to channel a distinct sound into their productions, while also pushing the boundaries of their unique flavour. Like most of the music on this comp, 'XFile' is unclassifiable; electronic yes, but a combination of styles that cannot be pigeonholed besides its place on Planet TAU. Hardt Antoine is next to join the fray, with 'I Want You'. This cut combines strange percussive elements and morose bass with an immediately recognisable vocal clip to great effect. Hardt Antoine builds the tension steadily, until we reach a jaunty breakdown. Here the energy reaches a crescendo, nudging us into the second half of the track, where the bassline continues its deadly onslaught. Then we have 'Ipanema Maneira' from INVŌKER, which kicks off in dramatic style with a pensive build up. INVŌKER's musicality is evident throughout, with the steady rise in tension timed to perfection, each additional layer of sound cultivating a spinetingling atmosphere. A sublime cut. A.C.N. brings the heat with 'Hekima', a wonderfully melodic track that brings us back to the emotive aspect of ourselves. Warm bass and inspiring pads take us inward, for some brief introspection, but soon the energy of the beats and the riff increase, eliciting an uplifting vibe. Moullinex & GPU Panic get tribal with '16K', those drums taking us to the essence of ourselves. Futuristic bass counteracts the primitive sounding drum programming and we're soon wrapped up in a fantastical composition that includes a frenetic breakdown of epic proportions. Lastly, Skatman invites us to the 'Discorama' for a bit of old school funk. A bassline straight out of the seventies is accompanied by the wah-wah of guitar strings and a diva-esque vocal clip, plus those all-important string stabs. This is the very definition of 'one more tune' - the lights come on, it's almost time to go home but the DJ plays that one last track that sends you home on a positive vibe. Disco funk for the dance floor faithful... There it is, 15 tracks that emphasise the diversity of TAU's output, while also reinforcing its signature ethos; to keep pushing new music and to merge the future and the past seamlessly. Make sure you pick up Spektrum 5, it's a special one.