Eight Emerging Artists On Our Radar: February 2024

Mirror Zone label head Spekki Webu is the master of timeless techno. His latest EP Tenzan on Blue Hour showcases the full depth and breadth of the producer’s artistry, exploring every facet of the genre with the shimmering, mesmeric “Okada,” the ghostly, trance-leaning “Elon,” the break-filled “Solaris” and the uncompromising “Horizon.” The multi-disciplinary artist roots his productions in the principles of philosophy, with Tenzan created from a place of personal reflection, inspired by a trip through the Japanese wilderness. Spekki Webu also works as a composer, pushing the boundaries of sound through his Signal Transmutations AV project and working on scores and sound design for movies and series. “The cycle of life as represented by the heavenly mountain formed the spiritual direction to complete the narrative for this long-running project,” says the artist. “As the leaves fell into place, a new cycle began.”

North Carolina-based artist James Mapley-Brittle AKA GRRL‘s latest release Side By Side on Magic City blends future-facing sounds with intricate musical landscapes. The project promises an exhilarating journey through GRRL’s eclectic musical universe, hot on the heels of the success of his previous EP Operator. From the frenetic “Does It Feel Good” to the sub-aquatic bliss of “Fever” to the tribal percussion of “Mango,” each track acts as a welcome assault on the senses. Over the years, the elusive artist has built a reputation as a connoisseur in sharp techno, whip-smart breakbeat and percussive club belters. His productions are exquisitely detailed, ever-evolving and inspired by an encyclopaedic knowledge of several decades worth of music, fashion, culture, and technology. There’s no doubt about it – there’s no artist quite like GRRL.

Over the last few years SUCHI’s released some of electronic music’s most played, loved and contagious tracks. From her track “Birdy Bell” on Spectral Sound (shout out to Nick León for a killer remix), to her remix of Baalti’s “Better Together,” the producer adds her own unmistakable touch to all she turns her hand to, and will soon treat us to a new EP on !K7 Records. Ghungroo is a product of experimentation, trust and self-belief, after a period of second-guessing and overthinking. The EP showcases the playful side of music-making through a range of different production styles. Born in Oslo, raised in London and influenced by Delhi, the title track pays homage to Suchi’s early years with the sound of small metallic bells usually strung around the ankles of classical Indian dancers, setting a precedent for a project rooted in joy, authenticity and true creative release.

Also known as Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield, musclecars has risen through the house music ranks to become key players in New York’s vibrant scene through their Coloring Lessons label and events as well as regular appearances on The Lot Radio. The duo started 2024 with a banger in the form of their killer single “Running Out of Time” on BBE Music – a hard-hitting, crisp track that sits somewhere between techno and melodic house. Their production style is inspired by the endlessly shifting nature of New York City, drawing on the rich history of house music and taking influence from scenes around the world to create their own unique flavour. With releases on French Horn Rebellion’s Toucan Sounds imprint, Sinderlyn, Roya and their own Coloring Lessons imprint, there’s no doubt this duo have a big year ahead.

Gothenburg’s Mohajer made her production debut in December 2022 and is already making waves worldwide. The Berlin-based artist combines tribal drums, chopped-up vocals, and peak-time techno to create unforgettable dance tracks designed to tear the floor up. In February, she released her Temporal Spell EP on UMAY Records in collaboration with Lawrence Lee, which cemented her name as one of techno’s most exciting new artists. The four-track project delivers relentless energy, combining elements of trance, house and techno with an unmistakable personality, which translates directly to her DJ sets. She’s lit up the dance floors of Berghain, Bassiani and Kyiv’s ∄ (K41) as well as Endurance in Copenhagen, with her uncanny ability to read a room. She fuses old-school grooves with hard-hitting techno alongside seductive percussion, which she attributes to her Persian roots.

Born and raised in Barcelona, no_ip has spent the last decade neck-deep in sound experimentation, honing an instantly recognisable sound rooted in house, electro, atmospheric breaks and everything else in between. His latest EP Block The System, released on DSK Records, blends electro-pop vocals with ‘80s synths and chugging melodic house, to create a 4-track project to get lost in. No_ip’s live shows are as mesmerizing as his productions, captivating crowds across Europe at clubs and events including Brunch-in Barcelona, Sala Apolo, Input Club, Off-Sóna and more. In 2023 he performed at Klein Phönix in Istanbul and ADE, and his releases regularly sit firmly at the top of Beatport’s Indie Dance and Electronica charts. With no plans to slow down, there’s a whole lot more to come from the artist this year.

Ever since she first started producing in her 20s, Gabrielle Watson AKA A Hundred Drums has been cultivating a bass music focused production style that encapsulates and unearths that primal pulse which connects humans on the dance floor. Hailing from California, she mixes dubstep, experimental bass, reggae, and psytrance while traveling the globe to share her thunderous low-end and pulsating rhythms with the masses. Supported by the likes of Zeds Dead and Subtronics, A Hundred Drums is currently touring the world, regularly releasing music on Deadbeats, Gravitas, and Cyclops Recordings, all while running beloved underground bass music event B-Sides Los Angeles. Unstoppable doesn’t quite cut it. A Hundred Drums is in a realm all of her own.

On 27th February The Caracal Project will release his latest EP Self Reflections, featuring long-time collaborator IMANU and a bonus track with Camo & Krooked. If you haven’t yet listened to The Caracal Project, you’re in for a surprise. Hailing from Saint Péres in France, The Caracal Project draws on electronic and orchestral music to bend and reshape the limits of music and sound. His latest EP combines his own rich vocals with the majesty of the orchestra and the rhythms of drum ’n’ bass to create an unexpected and transportive listening experience unlike anything else. Last year, the artist won support from BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders and was handpicked by Pendulum to support their sold out Alexandra Palace show. With recent performances at ADE, Printworks, Les Trans Musicales and many more, The Caracal Project is taking electronic music to a new dimension, and bringing thousands of fans with him.