IAN MARTIN — Night Sharks

Ian Martin – Night Sharks opens the Dalmata Daniel DDLP04 12-inch vinyl with a darkly kinetic vision of modern electro. The eight-track EP arrives on 20 November 2026 and stakes a claim in the label’s evolving catalogue, offering a blend of relentless rhythm and atmospheric depth that feels both club-ready and suited to late-night listening. Within Dalmata Daniel’s recent output, Night Sharks follows the 2025 DDS10 by Anatolian Weapons & The Spy and the 2024 Midnight Dancer LP from Rapha, both earlier entries in the label’s chronology. Those releases explored textured synth work and percussive intricacy, and Ian Martin’s contribution continues the label’s focus on forward-thinking electro while sharpening its edge. The EP also sits alongside the 2023 DDS08 by Filmmaker & Petros Spatharos, rounding out a period of releases that balance experimental sound design with dancefloor drive. The opening side begins with “Night Sharks”, a title that conjures a prowling, nocturnal energy. Its groove establishes a tense, pulsing foundation that sets the mood for the subsequent cuts. “Dark Matter” follows, deepening the atmosphere with a more introspective tone that feels like a descent into the void, while “Iron Mask” introduces a metallic sheen, tightening the rhythm and adding a sense of guarded intensity. The side closes with “Freeway”, a track that opens up the tempo, providing a release of kinetic energy that prepares the listener for the B-side’s darker explorations. Side B opens with “Boss Killer”, a track that reasserts the EP’s driving momentum, its propulsive beat suited for peak-time moments. “Magnetic Zombie” drifts into a more hypnotic space, its looping structures offering a trance-like quality that can be layered in a set for gradual build-up. “Dream Float” provides a contrasting lift, its airy ambience creating a brief respite before the record’s final statement. The closing piece, “Emotional Vortex”, swirls back into the darker tonalities introduced earlier, delivering a swirling, immersive finish that invites the listener to linger on the record’s thematic arc. Ian Martin’s recent discography shows a clear trajectory through the electro terrain. Earlier in 2026 the producer delivered Stargate on MurderCapital (M015), a record noted for its crisp, futuristic textures. In 2024 the artist issued Future Dawn on ShipWrec (SHIP072), a release that explored luminous synth lines and rhythmic complexity. Going back to 2020, the HEARTBEATS EP on Onrijn Records (OR-005) highlighted a more melodic side of Martin’s output. Night Sharks builds on these foundations, merging the melodic sensibility of HEARTBEATS with the kinetic thrust of Stargate, while extending the atmospheric reach first hinted at on Future Dawn. In the context of contemporary underground electronic music, Night Sharks reinforces the relevance of electro as a vehicle for both dancefloor propulsion and immersive soundscapes. The EP’s sequencing—tight, tension-filled tracks on side A followed by a more varied, exploratory side B—offers DJs a flexible toolkit: the first four cuts can anchor a high-energy set, while the B-side provides textures for transitions, breakdowns, or late-night moods. Collectors will appreciate the coherent aesthetic and the way the record dialogues with Dalmata Daniel’s recent releases, marking a moment where the label’s sonic identity sharpens around dark, groove-centric electro. From a DJ’s perspective, the record’s structure lends itself to both immediate impact and subtle manipulation. “Night Sharks” and “Boss Killer” deliver the punch needed for peak moments, whereas “Magnetic Zombie” and “Dream Float” can be looped or layered to build tension. The EP’s closing “Emotional Vortex” offers a dramatic outro that can serve as a set-ending statement or a bridge into deeper, more experimental terrain. The release is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, featuring a printed matt sleeve with DL codes, aligning with Dalmata Daniel’s attention to tactile presentation. The format supports the EP’s eight tracks, delivering the analog warmth and dynamic range that electro enthusiasts value. Ian Martin – Night Sharks, Dalmata Daniel DDLP04, 12-inch vinyl, eight tracks. Tracklist: A1. Ian Martin – Night Sharks A2. Ian Martin – Dark Matter A3. Ian Martin – Iron Mask A4. Ian Martin – Freeway B1. Ian Martin – Boss Killer B2. Ian Martin – Magnetic Zombie B3. Ian Martin – Dream Float B4. Ian Martin – Emotional Vortex