Max HeyraudWe chart five must-listen techno releases fresh off the presses from local artists.
Dive deep into the new wave of Irish producers pushing stripped-back, pressure-heavy, forward-thinking sounds across the spectrum, from debut cuts and self-released 4-tracks to label VAs on homegrown imprints. It’s a snapshot of cutting-edge techno shaped by a distinctly DIY spirit.
Taurean – The Siren
Cork via Berlin artist Taurean unveiled her debut track, The Siren, last week, a gnarly, percussive, sound-design-driven DJ tool. Stripping things back to the core, she delivers a tight, rhythm-focused track where punchy, crisp percussion cuts through layers of redux-drenched glitches and effects. It has all the right ingredients for a go-to DJ weapon and points toward a seriously bright future in production for the emerging artist.
Lunaks – I Can’t Find My Friends
A relatively new name on the Dublin techno circuit, but one of its most prolific as of late, Lunaks unleashes another all-killer, no-filler EP, with I Can’t Find My Friends standing out as our pick of the bunch. Groove-laden minimal techno in the vein of Marcal or Rene Wise, deep, surging basslines lay the foundation while swung claps and subtle effects tie everything together. Simple, effective, and undeniably infectious.
AOIFE – Ex Wife Material [Encrypted]
Belfast native AOIFE delivers a haunting slice of noisy techno for Cork-based outfit Encrypted with Ex Wife Material. Growling from its thundering low-end through to coiling, almost metallic drones and strident percussive hits, the track is raw and intricately layered. It unfolds with a slow-burning tension, subtle modulations continuously reshaping its form, pulling itself apart and reassembling as it goes, each cycle returning heavier, nastier, and more unrelenting than before.
CIAN – Teleporter
A mainstay of the Belfast techno community, CIAN delivers a bouncing, warped-out cut with his latest release, Teleporter. A springy bass groove plays off a punchy kick, while eerie strings and alien-esque synth sequences create an absorbing duality. It feels as though the track has one foot in the open air and the other in the bunker, threading the line between full-throttle party energy and heady, mind-bending territory. It’s a sweet dichotomy, and one that’s not easily nailed.
Sean Ruane – Strike
No-frills, 90s-inspired techno from a name to watch, Sean Ruane’s latest release, the RADAR EP, showcases his range across techno, house, and electro, all underscored by a distinct Detroit. When it comes to 90s techno, replicating that feel can be tricky, especially in stripped-back form, because the real magic lies in the swing, the space between the notes, and the confidence to trust and hone the groove, and on Strike, Ruane does exactly that, carving out an understated funk that steadily pulls you in.