BABAKA — Woodsman Blues EP

Babaka – Woodsman Blues EP arrives on Modern Hypnosis as catalogue MH016, a 12-inch vinyl that pushes the label’s dub-techno aesthetic into a more visceral, sound-system territory. The German producer Jörg Müller, now working under the Babaka alias, brings analog rig-work and self-built instruments to a four-track EP that balances experimental depth with dancefloor intent. Modern Hypnosis has built its reputation on forward-thinking bass music, and MH016 follows a series of releases that include Pugilist’s “Vintage EP” (MH011, 2023) and the collaborative “Flip Trix” (MHVA03, 2023) as well as Scent’s “Trax / Just A Dream” (MH005, 2023) and Rings Around Saturn’s “THX Assassin / Goose Step” (MH009, 2023). Within this context, Babaka’s entry deepens the label’s commitment to dub-laden techno while expanding its palette with a sound-system focus. Side A opens with “Exterminating Angel”. The track builds a pulsating dub framework that escalates toward a dramatic climax before withdrawing, leaving space for the listener to reset. Its structure makes it a strong opener for a set, offering a tension-filled entry point that can be mixed into deeper, more atmospheric moments. The second cut on the side, “A Bug In The Dark”, shifts the mood to a murkier half-time groove. Its swaggering feel and heavy sub-riffs have already become a favourite at Modern Hypnosis HQ, suggesting a track that thrives in the low-end-rich environment of a sound system. DJs can use it to anchor a set’s mid-section, letting the bass drive the floor while the rhythmic swing keeps momentum. Side B begins with “Woodsman Blues”. The piece opens with an intro that recalls the glitch-y textures of Boxcutter before diving into a deep dub floor, eventually revealing a stoned dubstep-ish character. The evolution from intro to full-bodied groove provides a versatile tool for DJs, capable of bridging techno and bass-heavy dubstep sections within a set. The EP closes with “Hysteria”, a dark, chugging techno steppa that has found favour among early-access selectors worldwide. Its relentless drive and minimalistic aggression make it an ideal closing or peak-time moment, delivering a focused energy that can propel a set toward its climax. Within Jörg Müller’s broader output, Babaka marks a shift from the ambient and dub-techno sensibilities of his 2019 “Drawn From Memory” and the 2022 “Groundworks” LP on The Moth Club toward a more physical, sound-system oriented approach. The EP’s four tracks showcase distinct moods while remaining anchored in a unified dub-techno framework, illustrating Müller’s evolution from studio-centric compositions to live-focused, visceral sound. For DJs, the record offers a clear narrative arc: a hypnotic opening, a bass-heavy mid-section, a genre-blurring centerpiece, and a relentless finale. Its analog warmth and emphasis on sub-frequency make it especially suited to larger venues and outdoor setups where the physicality of the sound can be fully appreciated. Collectors will note the EP’s placement within Modern Hypnosis’s 2023-2026 catalogue, bridging earlier Pugilist releases and the label’s ongoing exploration of dub-infused techno. The release is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, aligning with the label’s preference for formats that deliver the tactile, analog experience essential to its sound-system aesthetic. The record’s four tracks provide ample material for both crate digging and set construction, reinforcing its relevance for those who value depth of groove and production nuance. Babaka – Woodsman Blues EP, Modern Hypnosis, catalogue MH016, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. Babaka – Exterminating Angel A2. Babaka – A Bug In The Dark B1. Babaka – Woodsman Blues B2. Babaka – Hysteria