iO (Mulen) - Ecstasy EP [Mulen Records]

Fresh from releasing the third and final installment of the Oldivibes EP trilogy, Mulen Records co-founder Io (real name Aleksandr Voznichenko) offers up some aural "Ecstasy" to enliven tech-house dancefloors. The EP's title track, which opens the release, is a retro-futurist delight, with the Ukrainian producer spicing up a tactile, late-90s warehouse-style groove with raw hip-house chords, whispered vocal snippets, and spacey synthesizer sounds. The old-school flavor continues on Deep In My Soul, where a Bombscare-inspired melodic line is brilliantly combined with an organ bassline, smooth rhythms, and enveloping electronics. Voznichenko then turns to TB-303-style psychedelic motifs, rolling drums, funk chords, and nostalgic riffs on Edge of Infinity. Finally, Air Gap is an appealing blend of bold and striking bass, hypnotic organ riffs, mind-bending electronic motifs, and loose, energetic drums, perfect for the peak of the night.