- Last year Maarten Mittendorff and Jasper Wolff launched ÆX, a compilation subsidiary to their main label, Indigo Aera. ÆX has so far mostly released music by friends from Amsterdam, the city where Mittendorff and Wolff are based. Several artists have made repeat outings on the label, and this is Kaap and 543FF's third ÆX appearance. Both label owners with a bit more production mileage behind them, Rotterdam's Ben Buitendijk and the Mistress affiliate Daniel Jacques are the new signees.
With one exception—"Novum"—dreamy, dubbed-out techno is the prevailing sound on ÆX005. Buitendijk's slide here into tougher terrain is a welcomed one, and the spangled note that corkscrews through the middle adds a trippy undertone to this driving floor-filler. "Behind The Dark, There Shall Be Light" from Jacques uses drowsy, detuned synths to create a thick haze, which breaks down in a maelstrom of frantic arpeggios and thunder—a neat reset. 543FF ends on a cooler dub techno tip with scintillating hats and frosty details that leave you tingling.
TracklistA1 Ben Buitendijk - Novum
A2 Kaap's - Ancient
B1 Daniel Jacques - Behind The Dark, There Shall Be Light
B2 543FF - 344432