SETAOC MASS — Function EP

Setaoc Mass – Function EP opens a new chapter on Vault Records, catalogued as VAULTREC016, and arrives as a 12-inch vinyl poised within the label’s steady output of forward-thinking techno. Issued on 16 October 2026, the EP continues Vault’s reputation for kinetic, club-ready releases while offering a concise four-track statement from the producer. Within Vault’s 2026 catalogue the Function EP follows a string of releases that have solidified the label’s aesthetic. Earlier this year Vault delivered Atonism’s “At the end of the corridor” (VAULTREC008), Lars Huismann’s “Zeitgeist” (VAULTREC007), and Hurdslenk’s “The Myst” (VAULTREC006), each reinforcing a dark, driving techno thread. The most recent predecessor, Lobster’s “Zykr EP” (VAULTREC015), showcases the same precision-cut groove that the label favours, making Setaoc Mass’s contribution feel both a continuation and a fresh perspective. Side A opens with “Never Mind”, a track that immediately establishes a relentless pulse, its repetitive motif designed for extended mixing. The second cut, “Causeway”, shifts the momentum subtly, offering a slightly more spacious arrangement that eases the transition into the B-side without losing the record’s overall intensity. On the flip side, “Bumbambow” introduces a tighter, more percussive feel, its structure lending itself to peak-time moments where the rhythm can be layered with additional textures. The closing piece, “Function four”, wraps the EP with a hypnotic progression that sustains tension, providing DJs with a tool for both build-up and resolution in a set. Function EP arrives at a point where Setaoc Mass has already built a respectable discography on specialist techno imprints. Earlier releases such as “Static Rush” on Fuse Imprint (FUSE10, 2025) and “Surface For Air EP” on Soma Quality Recordings (SOMA536, 2025) demonstrated a penchant for crisp, kinetic production, while the “Where The Rainbow Begins EP” (SK_Eleven, SK11013, 2025) and the “Second Chapter EP” (SK_Eleven, SK11002RP, 2022) explored more melodic undercurrents. The “Horror Vacui” double LP (SK_Eleven, SK11010LP, 2022) further cemented the artist’s ability to sustain energy across longer formats. Function EP therefore feels like a distilled continuation of that trajectory, focusing on concise, club-oriented statements rather than extended journeys. For DJs, the EP offers immediate utility: “Never Mind” and “Bumbambow” are built for looping and layering, while “Causeway” and “Function four” provide smoother entry points for mixing. The record’s sequencing encourages a narrative arc that can be exploited in a set, moving from relentless drive to a more spacious groove before returning to intensity. Collectors will appreciate the consistency of Setaoc Mass’s sound across different labels and the way this release slots neatly into Vault’s catalogue of high-quality techno. The record is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of the artist’s recent output and the label’s standard for techno releases. Its physical presence reinforces the tactile experience that many DJs and vinyl enthusiasts seek, delivering the nuanced dynamics of the tracks in a format that rewards careful needle work. Setaoc Mass – Function EP, Vault Records, catalog VAULTREC016, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. Setaoc Mass – Never Mind A2. Setaoc Mass – Causeway B1. Setaoc Mass – Bumbambow B2. Setaoc Mass – Function four