Amelie Lens’ EXHALE imprint announces the sixth instalment of their celebrated compilation series, VA006, featuring some of techno’s best talent. The album drops on all platforms on 28th March via EXHALE.
Powered by the future sounds of underground techno and propelled by a shared love of uncompromising rave culture, EXHALE is a dynamic community-driven label, platform and high-energy event series that bridges the gap between DIY warehouse culture and mainstage sonics.
From early seeds on Labyrinth Club’s legendary dance floor in Hasselt, EXHALE was the brainchild of then resident Amelie Lens where she curated lineups featuring artists such as Marcel Dettmann, Ben Klock, Ellen Allien, Rødhåd and Kobosil.
Fast forward to 2020, and Amelie has brought EXHALE to some of the world’s most respected dance floors. From jaw-dropping showcases at London’s Drumsheds, fabric and Shelter Amsterdam to unforgettable dates in New York, Paris, Beirut and Istanbul, EXHALE has become synonymous with cutting-edge sound and high-energy club culture.
The brand has also taken over colossal festival stages, including Awakenings ADE, Creamfields UK and Tomorrowland – where EXHALE will make its triumphant return this July. Joining Amelie is a stacked roster of techno heavyweights, including Airod, Aaron Hibell, Até & Salin, Ampe, Funk Tribu and an explosive b2b set from SPFDJ and VTSS.
Serving as a launchpad for exceptional emerging talent, EXHALE brings together rising artists with heavyweight international names, each bringing their uniqueness whilst collectively sharing a vision of boundary-pushing, future-facing electronic music. Now on its sixth iteration EXHALE‘s landmark compilation series is a beautifully executed case in point for everything the imprint stands for.
Featuring fifteen tracks, VA006 is a blistering tour de force of razor-sharp talent and cutting-edge techno. Argentine producer SAILØ‘s ‘Nobody‘ kicks us off in fine style with icy vox over typically pummeling rhythms, followed by French artist and Reborn Events co-founder Uphoria who takes us to rave euphoria with the aptly titled ‘Rave Dance Drink‘.
Fresh talent is delivered in spades from 19 year old Dutch hard techno producer STORM, who serves up thunderous bass, haunting synths and electrifying drops on ‘Hypnotise‘, followed by Polish-born DJ and producer Noemi Black, whose track ‘Lost In Sound‘ combines transcendent rave energy with obliterating bass.
One of the most popular newcomers in recent years, and for good reason, German producer AKKI gives us behemoth peak-time techno shot through with chill-inducing choirs and a stirring string section on ‘Lost In Time‘.
Rotterdam’s IOSIO steps up for track six with his uniquely bouncy sound: full of groove and pump, ‘Echoes Of Heaven‘ is a bouncy sonic delight. 2HOT2PLAY team up with Poland-based artist Linds for a meaty spot of trance-infused techno on the infectious ‘Type Of Beat‘, followed by emerging Italian producer Flour, whose signature brand of trancey hard techno goes full throttle on ‘Galattica‘.
It’s merciless beats, ravey acid and clear instruction to ‘dance all night’ on Brazilian artist Molothav‘s lethal ‘Acid All Night Long‘, followed by Até & Salin‘s irresistibly energetic call to arms ‘Mess‘, where cheeky vox and metallic synth stabs pounce over driving rhythms. Heading up the final third is Neapolitan producer Lowerzone with ‘I’ll Take You Higher‘, with driving rave stabs from the off, transporting listeners to the heart of the rave.
Two UK artists are next up – coming in strong with his own signature brand of hi-octane beats against a deliciously stark soundscape is returning Liverpool artist Alex Farell with ‘Move Your Body‘, while Scotland’s GALLØ brings balance to proceedings with the atmospheric cut ‘Mantra‘.
Oiz Records label boss Onelas makes his debut with the pulsating ‘Summer Walker‘, and closing out VA006 is multi-hyphenate duo Amstra & Sosya with the transcendent peak time chugger ‘Take Me Down‘.
Here’s what Amelie Lens had to say about this compilation:
“I am so so happy to finally release these amazing tracks! I’ve collected this incredible music from artists that I really believe in over the past few months and have been playing it in my sets on stages all around the world, so it was really about time to share it ahead of the summer”.
Listen to the tracks below.
