VARIOUS ARTISTS — Workout Sessions Vol. 3 2x12

Various Artists – Workout Sessions Vol. 3 opens the Smile Sessions SMILE013 2x12inch Vinyl as the concluding chapter of the label’s flagship compilation series. Anchored in driving, sensual techno while deliberately stretching beyond the genre, the release captures the moment the imprint broadens its palette without abandoning the kinetic intimacy that has defined its community since the series began. Within the Smile Sessions catalogue, this compilation follows a string of notable outings earlier in the year: Jks’ “Temples” (SMILE012), the “Dancefloor Oriented” EP by BENZA (SMILE009) and the collaborative “High & Dry” by Jks & Lacchesi (SMILE010). It also sits after the second volume of the series, “Workout Sessions Vol. 2” (SMILE007), reinforcing the continuity of the label’s evolving soundscape. Side A opens with KUSS’s “Feel The Vice”, a track that stakes a confident claim with a pulse that feels both urgent and immersive, setting the tone for the rest of the record. DJUS follows with “It Gets Better”, a piece that sustains the momentum while introducing a subtle shift in atmosphere, leading into Gloria Rose’s “Serenade”, a title that suggests a more melodic turn without losing the underlying drive. The three tracks together frame the first half of the compilation as a cohesive surge of kinetic energy. Side B continues the narrative with JKS’s “Spore Signal”, a composition that re-engages the darker textures of the series, before Mac Declos offers “Trying To Understand Why”, a track that adds a reflective edge to the progression. Carmen Electro closes the side with “Arabian Prince Comes 4 Me”, a title that hints at an exotic flair, expanding the sonic palette while maintaining the techno core. Side C introduces the collaborative effort “Awake” by Sons Of Hidden and Advanced Transistor, a piece that feels like a moment of heightened awareness within the set, followed by BENZA’s “Akania”, which re-asserts the label’s signature groove. Maōh’s “The Trail” concludes the side with a sense of forward motion, bridging the earlier intensity to the final side’s mood. Side D begins with Pablo Bozzi’s “Lights Down”, a track that subtly dims the energy, preparing the listener for the more intimate closing statements. Lacchesi’s “Monday Morning Lovers” adds a wistful nuance, while Kirby Royce (aka Bailey Ibbs) closes the compilation with “Summer In London Fields”, a title that evokes a warm, expansive finish, offering DJs a melodic resolution that can serve as a perfect wind-down or a surprising uplift in a late-night set. The compilation marks a clear step in Smile Sessions’ evolution from a pure techno imprint toward a broader electronic music identity. By gathering long-time contributors such as BENZA, JKS and Lacchesi alongside newcomers KUSS, Carmen Electro, Mac Declos, Pablo Bozzi and Gloria Rose, the record showcases the label’s community-driven ethos while pushing its sound into new territories. For DJs, the 12-track selection offers a versatile toolbox: the opening tracks provide high-energy entry points, the mid-sides deliver mood-shifts suitable for peak-time transitions, and the closing cuts supply atmospheric depth for winding down a set or creating contrast in a mixed sequence. Collectors will appreciate the printed sleeve that documents the series’ final chapter and the cohesive sequencing that reflects the label’s curated approach. Workout Sessions Vol. 3 arrives as a 2x12inch Vinyl, printed sleeve, catalogue SMILE013, featuring twelve tracks of techno-centric, yet genre-expansive, productions. Tracklist: A1. KUSS – Feel The Vice A2. DJUS – It Gets Better A3. Gloria Rose – Serenade B1. JKS – Spore Signal B2. Mac Declos – Trying To Understand Why B3. Carmen Electro – Arabian Prince Comes 4 Me C1. Sons Of Hidden, Advanced Transistor – Awake C2. BENZA – Akania C3. Maōh – The Trail D1. Pablo Bozzi – Lights Down D2. Lacchesi – Monday Morning Lovers D3. Kirby Royce (aka Bailey Ibbs) – Summer In London Fields