10/10 – Top Release

New Jackson – The Night Mail (Simon Vuarambon Remix) [Diivine]

Simon Vuarambon delivers a considered, progressive rework of The Night Mail, revisiting David Kitt’s New Jackson alias with a modern touch. Released on Diivine, the remix respects the original’s cult status while shifting it firmly into contemporary club territory.

There’s a patience to how it unfolds. The groove is steady and understated, allowing the melodic elements to emerge gradually rather than forcing a moment too early. Vuarambon leans into texture and space, layering subtle progressions that build tension over time without ever tipping into the obvious. It feels designed for DJs who value flow over impact.

This sits comfortably in that late warm-up or early transition space, where a set begins to take shape. It doesn’t try to outshine the original, but instead reframes it with intent. A thoughtful update that understands the source material and gives it just enough weight for today’s dancefloor.

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9/10 – Recommended Release –

Vince Watson – Eminesence (2026 Rework) [Everysoul]

Vince Watson revisits Eminesence with a 2026 rework on Everysoul, breathing new life into a track that first appeared on Yoruba Records back in 2015. A long-standing figure in house music and live performance, Watson leans into what he does best here; musicality, warmth and restraint.

The track unfolds with a natural ease. Afro-influenced rhythms sit beneath rich, evolving chords, giving it both movement and soul without ever feeling forced. There’s a depth to the arrangement that rewards patience, with layers introduced gradually rather than pushed to the front. It feels organic, almost live in its progression.

This is a timeless record rather than a trend-driven one. It won’t dominate a set, but it will elevate it. Best suited to those early or reflective moments where atmosphere matters more than impact. A reminder that simplicity, when done right, still carries weight.

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8/10 – Katcha – Touched By God (Long Island Sound Remix) [Hooj Choons]

Katcha’s Touched By God returns with a fresh set of remixes on Hooj Choons, revisiting a trance classic that first surfaced in 1999. Among the updates, it’s fellow Irish act Long Island Sound who stand out, reworking the original into something far more subtle and atmospheric.

The remix trades peak-time trance energy for an ethereal, breakbeat-driven groove. There’s a lightness to it; soft pads and drifting melodies sit over loose, rolling breaks, giving the track a sense of space that feels both nostalgic and modern. It never tries to recreate the original’s intensity, instead leaning into mood and texture.

This is one for the heads-down moments rather than the big hands-in-the-air payoff. It works best when given room to breathe, offering a gentle shift in energy without losing emotional weight. A thoughtful reimagining that respects the source while carving out its own identity.

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7/10 – TEED, William Kiss – The Echo (William Kiss Remix) [Nice Age Music]

TEED links up with Australian producer William Kiss for The Echo, a track that leans into tribal house without losing control. Released on Nice Age Music, it sits comfortably between crossover appeal and club functionality.

There’s an immediate sense of movement. The percussion is the backbone here; tight, rolling and purposeful without becoming overbearing. It gives the track a natural drive that makes it easy to work into a set. Subtle melodic touches drift in and out, adding just enough identity without pulling focus from the groove.

This is less about depth and more about energy. It’s a record that will land quickly, particularly in a mid-to-late set where energy needs a lift. Not the most complex track in the pile, but it knows exactly what it is and delivers on it.

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8/10 – Ian O’Donovan – Millennia [Tronic]

Ian O’Donovan continues to refine his take on melodic progressive with Millennia, landing on Christian Smith’s Tronic imprint. It’s a natural fit; driving enough for the label’s DNA, but with a level of musicality that sets it apart from more functional releases.

There’s a steady, confident pulse running through the track. The low end is clean and purposeful, giving it that “pumper” feel without becoming heavy-handed. Where it really stands out is in the layering. Melodic elements are introduced gradually, building tension without rushing toward an obvious payoff. It rewards patience, which is becoming increasingly rare.

This sits firmly in that late warm-up to early peak window, a track that can shift a room without overwhelming it. It’s not trying to steal the set, but in the right hands it could easily become one of those moments people remember without quite knowing why.

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7/10 – Eynka – Give It Up (Extended Mix) [Stress Records]

London duo Eynka lean into familiar territory with Give It Up, a warm, breakbeat-driven track that wears its influences quite openly. Released on Stress Records, it taps into that hazy, emotional space that artists like Bicep have made their own; particularly echoing the feel of Just.

There’s an immediacy to the groove. The breakbeat gives it a looser, more human feel compared to the straighter progressive cuts around it, while the pads bring a soft, nostalgic warmth. It’s easy to get into and even easier to let it roll. Nothing feels forced and that restraint works in its favour.

That said, it doesn’t completely escape its references. The similarities are clear, and at times it leans a little too comfortably into that established sound. Still, as a functional record, it delivers. This is one for early to mid-set moments where you want to shift the energy without losing the room.

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7/10 – Svarog – Psalm  [A_Files]

Svarog leans into a darker, more hypnotic corner of techno with Psalm, a dubbed-out, dystopian cut that prioritises atmosphere over immediacy. Released on A_Files, it feels stripped back in the right places, allowing the track’s tension to build gradually rather than forcing the issue.

There’s a weight to it, but not in the traditional sense. The groove is steady and understated, with subtle shifts in texture doing most of the work. Delayed stabs and washed-out elements drift through the mix, creating a sense of space that feels both immersive and slightly uneasy. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t demand attention but slowly pulls you in.

This isn’t built for big moments. It sits better in deeper sections of a set, where mood matters more than impact. For DJs willing to let it breathe, it offers a different kind of control; one rooted in patience rather than power.

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8/10 – Gregor Tresher – Stating The Obvious [Last Night On Earth]

Gregor Tresher releases on Sasha’s Last Night On Earth with his Concrete Efforts EP and Stating The Obvious is the clear standout of the three. A long-standing figure in minimal and melodic techno, Tresher keeps things restrained here, leaning into groove and subtle movement rather than overstatement.

The low end does most of the heavy lifting. It’s deep, warm and consistently driving, giving the track a steady sense of momentum without ever feeling rushed. Warped, slightly off-kilter elements drift in and out, adding texture without cluttering the mix. It’s a hypnotic listen, built more on feel than obvious progression.

This is a DJ’s track. It doesn’t scream for attention, but it quietly controls the room when placed correctly. Best suited to those mid-set moments where you want to lock people in and keep them there. Not flashy, but confident and effective in its execution.

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8/10 – Extrawelt – Clipping Me Softly [Cocoon Recordings]

Extrawelt return on Sven Väth’s Cocoon Recordings with Clipping Me Softly, a track that leans into their signature off-centre take on techno. It’s a natural fit for the label; slightly unpredictable, but grounded enough to work on a proper system.

There’s a dark, playful groove running throughout. The rhythm feels deliberately skewed, with subtle shifts and quirks that keep it from ever settling into something too straight. It’s this sense of imbalance that gives the track its character. Elements come and go in unusual ways, but it never loses control. Instead, it keeps you slightly on edge.

This is one for DJs who like to inject personality into a set. It won’t suit every moment, but when placed right, it cuts through more polished records effortlessly. Not built for big melodic payoffs, but far more memorable because of it.

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7/10 – John Noseda, Luca Lorenzo – My Desire [Running Back]

Belgian DJ and producer John Noseda teams up with Luca Lorenzo for My Desire, a romantic, Italo-leaning cut landing on Gerd Janson’s Running Back imprint. It’s a natural home for this kind of record; warm, melodic and unashamedly emotional without tipping into excess.

There’s an immediacy to it. The groove is light on its feet, with a soft, rolling bassline carrying shimmering synth lines that feel both nostalgic and fresh. It doesn’t try to do too much. Instead, it leans into simplicity, letting the melody and mood do the work. There’s a softness to the whole thing that’s hard to fake.

This is a closer, no question. The kind of track that resets the room rather than pushes it further. I’d happily end a night with this; sending people off with a hug rather than a bang. Not complicated, but exactly right when it counts.

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