Monarchy II - ZMA

We’re about a month late on this one, but the music’s top and therefore, as you may have missed it as well, it’s getting a mention now. Because we love you, that’s why. DJ Hercules has compiled a rich and awesome collection of previously unreleased tunes, and in between the varying styles throughout the album, there’s barely a duff tune in sight. This man knows quality when he hears it. Vibrasphere’s Catapult kicks things off, a smooth, slightly downtempo tune with bubbling 303’s getting those brain chemicals released overtime. Ibiza Connection’s Dreamland is most misleading name of the week, it’s a spooky and menacing tune with a heavy kick and paranoid high-end melodies. Treibstoff’s Humanoids is a gem, and has all the makings of a classic: a chuggy 16th aplhawave-friendly bassline, sparse hits, spooky samples, and perfect energy – the melody eases in effortlessly, making for a very moving, energetic tune that simply has everything in the right place, what more could you ask for. PPS Project’s Toxic takes no prisoners and has a big, growly, wide-open sound, while closing tunes All Shine from Filur and Voladores’ Back From Hell are cute morning-friendly numbers, that build nicely with melodies all over the place, interweaving with each other and forming a transparent tapestry of very visual psychedelic music. In short, this is an excellent compilation with an impressive flavour, one of the better compilations begging for your cash at the moment. 4