The aurora. label continues to connect people through music with a new compilation focussed on the underground sounds of Serbia, as compiled by Nino Sebelic. This eight track EP features music from Brutalists, Overtone Funk, Subotika, Nino Sebelic, Ontal, Alavux, Filip Xavi and Wb41.

 

Through its releases, aurora. explores country- and city-specific techno variations and makes bridges between these different creative enclaves, forming bonds between artists and listeners and giving a voice to the more unknown and unusual scenes out there. So far the label has turned heads with a Europe-wide compilation, then a collection of meditative music entitled Morning Rituals Vol. 1 before a recent France focussed selection. Now it is to Serbia, a country with a rich history of techno.

 

This latest collection opens up with Brutalists\’ \’BG Metro\’, an intense passage of horror themed ambient alive with alien sounds, distorted snatches of human voices and radio interference that sets a stark mood. The Lyre Records founder Overtone Funk – a long time veteran of the Serbian scene- layers up IDM melody and chunky drums, twisted synths and raw textures into broken techno perfection on \’Equipoised\’. Subotika is the duo of Mario Crnkovic and Nino Sebelic who are core family members of Detroit label Motech. Their excellent \’Phonic Days\’ brings plenty of Motor City Soul with its serene and futuristic synth work, smooth drums and classy sense of atmosphere before Nino Sebelic then goes solo on the \’Stunner,\’ a big, powerful wall of techno with huge hi hats and a hypnotic lead that takes you deep down the rabbit hole.

 

Next come Ontal, the pair whose music comes on labels such as HANDS, Mord Records and π electronics, and is always focussed on progression. Their \’The Long Run\’ is a frosty, austere banger with scraping hits and unrelenting kicks. Alavux comes from the Electro/Techno scene of Zemun and he impresses with the intensity and texture of \’Phase 02\’ which is an all out rave. Belgrade\’s Filip Xavi\’s \’Tool For Thought\’ shows why he is such a mainstay of the scene with its punchy drum programming and dystopian synth work working you into a frenzy while Wb41 delivers a breakbeat track that signs a perfect closing.

 

This is a widescreen view of the Serbian scene that brings together talents old and new for a fine showcase of the country\’s rich techno sound.