AGAINSTME — After The Self [printed Sleeve]

AgainstMe – After the Self [Printed sleeve] arrives on HAYES as catalogue HYSEP71, a 12-inch vinyl that slots firmly into the label’s current techno output. Issued on 11 December 2026, the record continues HAYES’ focus on forward-thinking club music, pairing the duo’s kinetic production with the label’s reputation for crisp, dancefloor-ready pressings. Within HAYES’ recent catalogue, HYSEP71 follows a string of 2026 releases that have reinforced the imprint’s techno identity. Earlier in the year Decka’s “Havoc [Printed Sleeve]” (HYSEP69) and Franz Jäger’s “Man with seven heads LP” (HYSEP68) explored darker, industrial textures, while the double-12 “HYS007” compilation (HYS007) gathered diverse underground voices. Temudo’s “Shapeless LP 2x12” (HYSEP50) and Nørbak’s “Passo Lento” (HYSEP49) added melodic depth, and Quelza’s “La Danse De l'Albatros” (HYSEP55) contributed a more rhythmic, percussive angle. Toobris’ “Everzero LP” (HYSEP64) and TWR72’s “ID34S” (HYSEP59) rounded out the year with driving basslines and precise sequencing. AgainstMe’s new EP thus lands amid a fertile period for the label, extending the techno thread that runs through these earlier releases. Side A opens with “Alito”, a track whose title suggests a sleek, perhaps mechanistic vibe, and it sets a propulsive tone that dovetails with the label’s recent emphasis on kinetic momentum. The follow-up “Crush” maintains the forward thrust, offering a complementary groove that bridges the opening energy to the deeper textures on the flip side. On Side B, “Stabiliser” provides a subtle shift, its name hinting at a grounding element that balances the preceding intensity, while “Sectem” closes the record with a darker, more introspective mood that echoes the brooding atmosphere found on Decka’s “Havoc”. The sequencing creates a logical arc: two assertive A-side cuts lead into two B-side pieces that explore tension and release, a structure that mirrors the label’s recent releases which often juxtapose driving rhythms with more contemplative moments. AgainstMe’s recent output includes the 12-inch “K4PSA” on Key Vinyl (catalogue KEY057, 2026) and “Further Analysis” on MALöR Records (catalogue MLRVNL004, 2025). Both earlier records demonstrated a penchant for tight, percussive arrangements and a willingness to push techno’s boundaries, traits that reappear here. While “K4PSA” leaned into crisp, staccato patterns, “Further Analysis” explored more layered, evolving structures. “After the Self” consolidates these approaches, delivering a concise four-track statement that feels both familiar and forward-looking within the duo’s evolving catalogue. In the broader context of contemporary underground techno, the EP reflects a moment where precision meets atmosphere. The tracks’ construction—tight, rhythmic, and deliberately arranged—offers DJs a versatile toolkit: “Alito” and “Crush” work well as opening or peak-time selections, their driving pulse suited to building momentum on the floor. “Stabiliser” provides a midway breather, ideal for transitions or for sustaining energy without overwhelming the set. “Sectem”, with its darker tonal centre, functions as a closing statement or a deep-cut for late-night moments, allowing a set to resolve with a sense of weight. Collectors will appreciate the continuity of AgainstMe’s aesthetic across different labels, while also noting how this release aligns with HAYES’ curated techno narrative. The record is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of the label’s recent output and offering the tactile experience valued by vinyl enthusiasts. Its printed sleeve adds a visual dimension that complements the music’s precise character. AgainstMe – After the Self [Printed sleeve], HAYES, catalogue HYSEP71, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. AgainstMe – Alito A2. AgainstMe – Crush B1. AgainstMe – Stabiliser B2. AgainstMe – Sectem