JUAN ATKINS — Fast Forward

Juan Atkins – Fast Forward opens Metroplex’s latest 12-inch offering, catalogue M057, a reissue that brings the final chapter of the New Religion trilogy back to the format where Detroit techno first cut its teeth. The record, originally issued on New Religion, completes the sequence that began with Back To Basics Part 1 (M055) and continued with Part 2 (M056), both released earlier in 2026 on the same label. Within Metroplex’s 2026 output, Fast Forward follows Augustus Williams’ Increaser EP (M049) and precedes Model 500’s Classics LP 2x12″ (MLP093R), slated for a later release. The proximity to Model 500’s I.D.L.E. Remixes (M054) and the label’s ongoing focus on its founding artists underscores Metroplex’s commitment to documenting the core of Detroit’s electronic heritage. Side A unfolds with four succinct pieces. “1: The Mission” sets a purposeful tone, its title suggesting a forward-driving momentum that bridges the earlier parts of the trilogy. “2: Tango” offers a contrasting swing, its name evoking a rhythmic dialogue that shifts the record’s centre of gravity. “3: I Love You” follows, its affectionate title hinting at a more melodic, perhaps introspective moment before the side closes. “4: Spin” caps the sequence with a title that implies a return to motion, preparing the listener for the flip side’s continuation. The B-side is not present in the supplied information, as the release consists of the four tracks listed on side A, each occupying its own groove on the 12-inch disc. Fast Forward arrives at a moment when Atkins’ recent Metroplex output includes the twin Back To Basics EPs, while earlier in the year the artist also delivered Transport on Tresor (TRESOR285) and the Borderland “Angles” on the same label (TRESOR296). This reissue therefore serves both as a closing statement for the New Religion narrative and as a reminder of Atkins’ broader engagement with the techno canon across multiple platforms. For DJs, the record’s four movements provide distinct entry points: the mission-driven opener works well for setting a purposeful mood in the early set, while “Tango” can be layered into a more groove-centric portion. “I Love You” offers a softer texture suitable for transitional moments, and “Spin” supplies a kinetic finish that can be looped or mixed into a peak-time climax. Collectors will appreciate the continuity with the earlier Metroplex releases and the chance to own the trilogy in a cohesive vinyl format. The release is pressed as a standard 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of its companion EPs and fitting seamlessly into any crate of classic Detroit techno. Juan Atkins – Fast Forward, Metroplex, catalogue M057, 12-inch vinyl, 4 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Juan Atkins – 1: The Mission A2. Juan Atkins – 2: Tango A3. Juan Atkins – 3: I Love You A4. Juan Atkins – 4: Spin