Token Records | NovaFuture Blog

out soon: Kr!z – Marbles EP [Token Records]

Artist:
Kr!z

Title:
Marbles EP

Label:
Token Records

Cat#:
TOKEN119

Release Date:
29th September 2023

Format:
vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
01.
Flare Gun

02.
Surge

03.
Marbles Lost

04.
Delirium

Press Info:
Up next on Token Records is Kr!z for his first release on the label since his acclaimed ‘Atlantis’ EP late last year. Keeping his sound pure, Kr!z presents a cohesive collection of decisive tracks for ‘Marbles’, his third release of 2023.

Kr!z’s A1 ‘Flare Gun’ introduces a loopy synth sequence, foreshadowing a minimal but rhythmically effective release from the Belgium based artist. Shuffling hi hats, sprinkled rides, and a round-bodied kick complement the nail biting lead, mapping out the mood for the tracks to come. The sharp quality of ‘Flare Gun’ quickly smoothes out for its follow-up ‘Surge’, in which a flexible chord creates a more bubbly atmosphere, competing with anxious white-noise transitions and high paced percussion line. The deeper aspect of Kr!z’s work on this last track is quickly subdued by the other side of the record, starting with ‘Marbles Lost’ – a chaotic club record that holds well to its name. A high pitch arpeggio lines Kr!z’s arrangement, sweeping through the spectrum and bursting at the seams with its genre-defining tension. The low end drives the record along, pulsating with the lead to accentuate groove under the drum machine. The outro to ‘Marbles’ is characterized by an intriguing use of chord triggering over a contained structure. Refined yet effective, Kr!z keeps his promise to honor the true spirit of techno in ‘Delirium’ with this classically efficient closer for his third EP on the label.

Snippets:

Full Track Streaming:
“Marbles Lost”

“Flare Gun”

“Delirium”

Special:
“DifferentSound invites … Podcast #211”

Recommendations:
Kr!z’ “Neutrino EP” on Blueprint Records
all stuff on Token Records we featured

Buy Vinyl:
Kr!z @ Bandcamp
Deejay
Juno
Decks
HHV
Red Eye Records
more soon

Buy Download:
Kr!z @ Bandcamp
more soon

Commercial Streaming Services:
soon

Booking:
Outlined AM

Websites:
Kr!z
Token Records

out now: Jeroen Search – Shadow Dimensions [Token Records]

Artist:
Jeroen Search

Title:
Shadow Dimensions

Label:
Token Records

Cat#:
TOKEN118

Release Date:
25th August 2023

Format:
vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
A1.
Light Spinner

A2.
Six Requests

B1.
Ten Foot Radius

B2.
Restore Balance

Press Info:
Two years have passed since his last release on Token Records, and now Jeroen Search is back with his unmistakable style for a lesson in techno production called ‘Shadow Dimension’. Stripped down and minimal, we’re reminded that the original character of this music can be found in the hissing of circuits and the impact of analog distortion.

Wasting no time, Search kicks the record off at full pace with a spacey arpeggio and resonating percussion. Hiding ‘Light Spinner’ in initial obscurity, the Dutchman reveals steady intrigue by controlling tension and opening up his elements throughout its duration. The fluttering synthline is quickly exchanged for shuffled hi hats and a brutally monophonic lead. What begins as a rather two-dimensional track is given depth by levitating pads wide in the stereo image and competing 909 rides. Still a rhythm-heavy record, Search gives ‘Six Requests’ thrilling atmospheres to a throbbing core. Moving on to the B-side, the seasoned producer starts fresh with a warbly lead over a layered kick drum in ‘Ten Foot Radius’. Keeping things simple most of the time, Search fiddles lightheartedly with his parameters to turn his synth into almost noise over a steady percussion. The quirkiness of the record has a more aggressive underbelly, luring the listener into a club ready cut. Moving on to the closer ‘Restore Balance’, Search does just that. Finding a groove in a quicker percussion-line, bouncy keys hop about a fun but concentrated record. An ever evolving structure cutting along, he plays with the dry of his percussion and the wet of his synths, mastering the unique production style he’s known for.

Snippets:

Full Track Streaming:
“Ten Foot Radius”

“Restore Balance”

“Six Requests”

more soon

Special:
“Vault Sessions #130”

Recommendations:
Jeroen Search’s “Enigma EP” on Reclaim Your City
split EP “Contemplation” w/ Jeroen Search on Platform 22
all releases on Token we featured

Buy Vinyl:
Jeroen Search @ Bandcamp
Deejay
Decks
Juno
Clone
Hardwax
more soon

Buy Download:
Jeroen Search @ Bandcamp
Qobuu#z
JunoDownload
Beatport
iTunes
TraxSource
Boomkat
Bleep
Clone Digital
Hardwax
more soon

Commercial Streaming Services:
Tidal
Spotify
Deezer
Apple Music
Youtube Music

Booking:
Parabel Agency for Jeroen Search

Websites:
Jeroen Search
Token Records

out now: Border One – Light Trail EP [Token Records]

Artist:
Border One

Title:
Light Trail EP

Label:
Token Records

Cat#:
TOKEN117

Release Date:
16th June 2023

Format:
vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
A1.
Light Trail

A2.
Transmute

B1.
Radiant

B2.
Prism

Press Info:
Reclaiming his place on Token with another 12” record, Belgium’s Border One presents ‘Light Trail’ – an ode to dissonance and drive. With his recognizable use of dynamic percussion and metallic synth work, he stops at nothing to provide a sound-system ready record for a busy dancefloor.

Opening the record with a throbbing bassline and a sustained pad, Border One wastes no time in getting to the point. He begins with leaning on rock solid groove to space out his ambient elements and stabs, creating a rich atmosphere while remaining focused on the movement. Transitioning from an intriguingly subaquatic A1, the needle slides to a more brutal second followup ‘Transmute’. Providing a constant and saturated low-end, Border One remains expressive with his use of his drum machine while keeping a familiar bubbly main synth. The reduced depth in ‘Transmute’ is likely due to the tension coming from his percussive work as opposed to a synth, making it very efficient for virtually any occasion. As the A2 draws to a close, Border One dives back into the mind with the other side of the record – starting with ‘Radiant’. Shrill tension makes its return over a playful, hypnotic synth sequence to create a satisfying contrast between crystal and viscous elements. ‘Prism’ then closes the record down on a driving jazzy tone, showing the artist’s versatility and understanding of his genre. Dissonant chord stabs peak out of sometimes busier percussion lines, making it the perfect way to conclude a dance floor-oriented record.

Snippets:

Full Track Streaming:
“Light Trail”

“Prism”

more soon

Special:
“Voltage Podcast 34”

Recommendations:
Border One’s “Morph EP” on Border One Records
Border One’s “Apex EP” on Voltage
Border One’s “Cyclone EP” on Token Records
Border One’s “Radon EP” on Token Records
Border One’s “Host EP” on Border One Records
Border One’s “Samadhi EP” on Knowledge Imprint
Border One’s “Restless EP” on SK_Eleven
Border One’s “Bygone EP” on Voltage
Border One’s “Abyssal EP” on Border One Records
Border One’s “Insight EP” on Wolfskuil Records
Border One’s “Restive EP” on Escapism
Border One’s “Unspoken Voices EP” on Invite Records
Border One’s “Despair EP” on Form And Function
Border One’s “Throw EP” on Ressort Imprint

Buy Vinyl:
Border One @ Bandcamp
Deejay
Decks
Juno
Red Eye Records
Clone
Hardwax
more soon

Buy Download:
Border One @ Bandcamp
Qobuz
JunoDownload
Beatport
iTunes
TraxSource
Boomkat
Bleep
Clone Digital
Hardwax
more soon

Commercial Streaming Services:
Tidal
Qobuz
Spotify
Deezer
Apple Music
Youtube Music

Websites:
Border One
Token Records

out soon: James Ruskin – From The Ashes EP [Token Records]

Artist:
James Ruskin

Title:
From The Ashes EP

Label:
Token Records

Cat#:
TOKEN116

Release Date:
12th May 2023

Format:
vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
A1.
From The Ashes 1

A2.
From The Ashes 2

B1.
From The Ashes 3

Press Info:
Offering a three track EP on Token, emblematic UK producer James Ruskin proves his capability and linear focus once again through ‘From the Ashes’. Looking past trends to create a lasting record rich in texture and thick with impact, the project affirms what the scene has already known to be true about his work for the past 25 years.

Setting his intentions from the A1, Ruskin wastes no time by creating an intimidating introduction. Saturated percussion and stuttering keys whip through a 4 minute masterclass of sound system focused production. Adventurous in structure, Ruskin remains unquestionably in control of a bursting, almost chaotic track. ‘From the Ashes 2’ picks up what was left off, containing a hard-set groove with hi hats slithering in progressively from the stereo image to slightly destabilize an impressive club-heavy tool. With intricate work being done in the ambience, the EP’s hard hitting second track booms through a cavernous acoustic, giving the record not only body, but dimension. Switching up the rhythm and focusing on more mental synth work for the third act, Ruskin quickly and mercilessly rips through his work with a shrill pad, creating overwhelming tension to be released in the first third of the recording. He brings a dosed dissonance between his elements, reflective of the qualities of vintage techno with today’s capabilities and arrangement. Pushing intensity through waves, Ruskin leaves us in anticipation of a fourth track that is never given.

Snippets:

Full Track Streaming:
“From The Ashes 3”

“From The Ashes 1”

more soon

Special:
“Bleep Mix #84”

Recommendations:
James Ruskin’s “Shortcut EP” on Blueprint Records
James Ruskin’s “Siklikal” on Tresor Records
James Ruskin’s “Point 2” on Tresor Records
James Ruskin’s “Reality Broadcast Off” on Blueprint Records
J.Blofeld’s “Trig Skude EP” w/ Ruskin remix on Arkham Audio Records
all releases on James’label Blueprint Records we featured
all releases on Token Records we featured

Buy Vinyl:
Token Records @ Bandcamp
Deejay
Juno
Decks
Red Eye Records
Hardwax
HHV
more soon

Buy Download:
Token Records @ Bandcamp
more soon

Commercial Streaming Services:
soon

Websites:
James Ruskin
Token Records

out now: Ignez – Aventurine EP [Token Records]

Artist:
Ignez

Title:
Aventurine EP

Label:
Token Records

Cat#:
TOKEN115

Release Date:
07th April 2023

Format:
vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
A1.
Aventurine

A2.
Seraphic

B1.
Verdant

B2.
Cure

Press Info:
Returning to Token with his second solo contribution for the label, Ignez invites us back into his sonic world with his new chapter ‘Aventurine’. Providing yet again a record with novel texture and spatial work, Ignez guides us through a 4 track project orchestrated with intent and skill.

‘Aventurine’ introduces the EP assertively with his unmistakably cinematographic approach. The title-track proves to be of considerable dimension, a precise and impactful percussion-line cuts through distant atmospheres, rendered all the more dramatic with the presence of a cello. Ignez then takes down the narrative tone a notch to make space for the A2 ‘Seraphic’, narrowing his focus and stripping down the record. Giving the track time to sink in an expertly crafted tension, it isn’t until halfway through that the main attraction is revealed. Reverse, spiraling stabs dot along a persistently imposing rhythm to make ‘Seraphic’ very representative of a style that Ignez has claimed over the past few years. Whipping outward with white noise to accentuate the listener’s notion of space, we arrive finally to the second half of ‘Aventurine’. A perfect follow-up to the last cut awaits under the name ‘Verdant’. Dry percussion and string-like stabs, this time sharper and more metallic, make for a record where timing is the driving force. More mute than the previous tracks, ‘Verdant’ makes a perfect dip into the final element of the EP – ‘Cure’. Back into a more harmonic style, Ignez uses vocals and background synth work to create tonality before throwing in the ear-candy. Spacing out elements to conclude the EP in a meditative fashion, Ignez once again strikes a balance between technical knowhow and acute storytelling.

Snippets: