The Shapeshifters’ are mostly synonymous with their hugely popular balearicy anthem of 2002 ‘Lola’s Theme’, which despite being heavily overplayed, was an undeniable floor filler, and when aired today, generates happy clubbing memories. These days the boys (Max and Simon) are signed to Defected and have been spending muchos time toiling in the studio. They are on fine form and still clearly have what it takes to shake shit up.

A journey over 3 CDs, this is possibly Defected’s pioneering release of 2008. CD1 holds a classic, warm house flavour throughout, while also airing the boy’s passion for that…

“Barcoded,” the latest artist album from Skank Sinatra, bears witness to what good electronica should evoke; a wholly honest digital vibration.

Sixteen tracks grace the disc, which itself is a murky, misty and a bit eerie journey through the lower regions of electronica consciousness. The tracks, like mist, vaporize from one ambient crescendo to the next with male vocals. “Souls,” “Slick” and “Cruse” are perfect examples of the creation of this atmosphere. Other tracks, though fewer in number, carry a bit of uptempo energy such as the title track, “Barcoded.” At this pace, electronica can seem soothing, almost inspiring…

The FabricLive catalogue encompasses a strange and unique array of artists. It is hardly surprising, then, that Simian Mobile Disco man the helm of FabricLive’s 41st volume. James Ford and Jas Shaw have never erred on the side of conventionality (evidenced by last year’s Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release), and yet FabricLive 41 retains its structure despite traversing bumpy aural terrain. SMD spend the course of 22 tracks mixing up a tantalizing variety of wild electro-house, Balearic italadisco and electronica whose sound can resemble that of an intergalactic Star Wars laser battle played over The Phantom of the Opera. Needless to…