Token Records | NovaFuture Blog

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:

Full Track Streaming:
“Cure”

Special:
“Awakenings Podcast S205”

Recommendations:
Ignez’ “Nadi EP” on Token Records
all releases on Token Records we featured

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

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

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

Booking:
Kromanti Agency

Websites:
Ignez
Token Records

out for a while: Altinbas – Illumination EP [Token Records]

Artist:
Altinbas

Title:
Illumination EP

Label:
Token Records

Cat#:
TOKEN113

Release Date:
27th January 2023

Format:
vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
A1.
Illumination

A2.
Integrate The Shadow

B1.
Tenacity

B2.
Follow The Eyes

Press Info:
After a year of acclaimed releases on SK_Eleven, Voltage, and his own Observer Station, the ever exciting up-and-comer Altinbas strikes with his debut on Token. Known for crafting club textures with the utmost attention to detail, Altinbas offers his four contributions to the Belgian label under the name ‘Illumination’.

Grabbing the A1 slot with the title name, ‘Illumination’ unveils Altinbas’s story with a bubbly and strobe-like introduction. With a long arrangement and sustained tension, suspense is never far from an otherwise aquatic record. ‘Integrate the Shadow’ claims A2 as an introverted and mischievous follow up. Nervous keys loop along with dissonant bells accentuating the mystery to an already obscure soundscape. More playful with the percussion here, Altinbas structures his second track with electric stabs and wide rides to provide appropriate pace. We are then gripped by a confident third, ‘Tenacity’, for a pinch of attitude needed in any good club record. The metallic lead swings off a muffled mid synth line to create movement here, and the clap booms behind us to create that dimension. Racing to the end of ‘Tenacity’, Altinbas then guides us to our final chapter – ‘Follow the Eyes’. This dreamy conclusion opens up the EP, giving us far-off strings and a reliably ethereal lead bell that melts into a thick ambience. The drums push us through a cloudy landscape to land us safely for the end of our story.

Snippets:

Full Track Streaming:
“Integrate The Shadow”

Special:
“Vault Sessions #132”

Recommendations:
compilation “…‘Stand With Ukraine…’” w/ Altinbas track on Futurepast
compilation “Transistor” w/ Altinbas track on Voltage
compilation “Wiring Harness” w/ Altinbas track on Voltage
compilation “Alternating Current” w/ Altinbas track on Voltage
all stuff on Token Records we featured

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

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

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

Websites:
Altinbas
Token Records

out for a while: Kr!z – Atlantis EP [Token Records]

Artist:
Kr!z

Title:
Atlantis EP

Label:
Token Records

Cat#:
TOKEN112

Release Date:
25th November 2022

Format:
vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
01.
Atlantis

02.
Atlantis
(Oscar Mulero’s Deconstruction)

03.
Nautilus

04.
Nautilus
(Marcal Remix)

Press Info:
Back from the studio with his second release on the label is Token’s very own boss Kr!z. Positioned at the forefront of the international scene for quite some time as a DJ and label head, Kr!z first unveiled his work to the public as a producer on a few compilations starting in 2017, leading to a debut full-length EP ‘Mantra’ in 2019 via Token. After solid follow-ups on Setaoc Mass’s SK_Eleven and James Ruskin’s Blueprint, Kr!z now offers ‘Atlantis’, pushing new depth into two original tracks with remixes by the infamous Oscar Mulero and exciting up-and-coming Marcal.

The title track ‘Atlantis’ claims the A1 wasting no time in clarifying the EP’s intention. A brewing whirlpool of pitch bending pads suck in the listener while rowing down linear percussion and resonant stabs. The cut boasts dimension as it tosses and turns throughout its duration, taking us right into Oscar Mulero’s ‘deconstruction’ as a follow-up. Respecting the cyclical spirit of the original track, Mulero slowly guides sustained bells through a thickened percussion-line to rethink Atlantis’s accents. Mulero focuses the pace of the record and we land on a slightly more sequenced B side. ‘Nautilus’ brings a loopy groove with momentary dissonant synth-work to polish things up. Stricter transitions provide structure to the EP as a whole, and the energy passes from a maelstrom to waves. To conclude, Brazil’s Marcal provides his take on ‘Nautilus’ by tightening the seams and adding his famed groove to Kr!z’s work. Particularly playful on the drums and fleeting stabs, Marcal adds sway to the mix with an infectious pulsating bassline that effortlessly pushes all other elements; never once losing his balance.

Snippets:

Full Track Streaming:
“Nautilus”

“Atlantis (Oscar Mulero’s Deconstruction)”

Video:
“Atlantis”

Video made by the29nov films

Special:
“EPM Podcast #159”

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

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

Buy Download:
Kr!z @ Bandcamp
JunoDownload
Beatport
iTunes
Hardwax
TraxSource
Boomkat
Bleep
more soon

Commercial Streaming Services:
Tidal
Spotify
Deezer
Apple Music
Youtube Music

Booking:
Kr!z

Websites:
Kr!z
Token Records

out for a while: Mike Parker – The Burning Roundtable EP [Token Records]

Artist:
Mike Parker

Title:
The Burning Roundtable EP

Label:
Token Records

Cat#:
TOKEN111

Release Date:
14th October 2022

Format:
vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
01.
Tripartite

02.
Ascension Chain

03.
Bass Model

04.
The Burning Roundtable

Press Info:
With a first appearance on Token through a remix for PTTRN’s ‘To Disapear Completely’, Mike Parker fully debuts on the imprint with ‘The Burning Round Table’ for 4 corrosive tracks of unforgiving power. Highly skilled in crafting cavernous ambiances and sharp tension, the American virtuoso offers a record emphasizing just that: imposing cuts to be selected with intention.

Parker immediately introduces the EP with gravitas through boiling, acidic A1 ‘Tripartite’. This first track stomps its way through an aquatic ecosystem with the occasional stab to reaffirm the vast dimension of the track. Parker uses texturally abstract atmospheres that dive the alert listener into its mysterious environment. The kick pummels onto Parker’s next piece ‘Ascension Chain’, which carries its name well. A heavy low-end clears space for a mesmerizing stepped lead in this track that evokes a similar size as its predecessor’s. Quick hi hat sections hurry the track along into the other side of the record that meets the listener with a clear transition. Part 2 of the EP begins with ‘Bass Model’, where Parker flattens the dimension of his project with a strong, operatic bassline and rhythmic syncopation. Movement is now prioritized in a B side that sets a convincing balance between techno and Detroit electro through a highly effective use of minimal elements. Closed hi hats are uplifted through sections of rolling rides to keep the pace persistent and the track tunneling. Parker then guides us to the final pillar of ‘The Burning Round Table’ with his title track as B2, a logical continuation to the song before. A sustained and highly saturated bassline pushes through head bobbing percussion with a vintage sounding vocal sample to wrap up the artist’s sonic trip.

Snippets:

Special:
“Dekmantel Podcast 223”

Recommendations:
Mike Parker’s “Spitting Electricity” on Mote-Evolver
all stuff on Token Records we featured

Buy Vinyl:
Mike Parker @ Bandcamp
Deejay
Decks
OYE Records
Juno
Hardwax
HHV
more soon

Buy Download:
Mike Parker @ Bandcamp
JunoDownload
Beatport
iTunes
Hardwax
TraxSource
Boomkat
Bleep
Clone Digital
more soon

Commercial Streaming Services:
Tidal
Apple Music
Spotify
Deezer
Youtube Music

Booking:
Octopus Agents

Websites:
Mike Parker
Token Records

out for a while: Deniro – Saola EP [Token Records]

Artist:
Deniro

Title:
Saola EP

Label:
Token Records

Cat#:
TOKEN110

Release Date:
09th September 2022

Format:
vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
01.
Saola

02.
Vaquita

03.
Gharial

04.
Baiji

Press Info:
After a more than convincing debut on Token with his contribution to 2020’s Fuga II compilation, Deniro returns with a 4-part sonic manifesto entitled ‘Saola’. With each track name referring to either a highly endangered or extinct wild animal, Deniro offers analog efficiency denoting various ecospheres through minimalist composition. Linear in form yet immersive in effect, Saola guides the listener from lucity into spacious abyss.

Initiating the EP with the title track, ‘Saola’ confronts with what can almost be perceived as a hastily played piano. The A1 provides nail-biting dissonance to kick things off with hypnotic delay, gripping the listener until the very end with consistent progression through a simplistic albeit powerful percussion line. Deniro then picks up the pace and shines things up with a brightly stabbed synth and 16th hats to roll us through the highly efficacious followup, ‘Vaquita’.
Even more explosive than its predecessor, Deniro uses ‘Vaquita’ to show tense restraint in his arrangement that’s complemented by his pressing lead sequence.

The record is then flipped to reveal a B side that takes off as soon as the needle hits the wax. ‘Gharial’ begins explosively full-on, throwing the listener into a vicious pursuit soundtracked by a fleetingly polyrhythmic arpeggio. The energy is underlined by rolling snares and toms to expand the width of the EP before arriving into the final excursion through the record’s most introspective piece. High pitched plucks like stars brush along a song that inspires discovery. Whirlpooling white-noise in the far stereo field gives deep ambience to ‘Baiji’, offering an ethereal conclusion to an suspenseful adventure.

Snippets: