VARIOUS — Clergy Splits [05]

Various – Clergy splits [05] arrives on the Clergy imprint as catalogue CRG043, a 12-inch vinyl that continues the label’s focused techno output. Issued on 9 October 2026, the record is presented in a stickered sleeve, a small visual cue that matches the stark aesthetic of the music inside. Within Clergy’s 2026 chronology, this EP follows a string of releases that have solidified the label’s reputation for forward-thinking club fare. Earlier in the year the label put out the “Clergy Splits [04]” (CRG042) by Franco Rossi & Pierce, the “Thermal Dynamics EP” (CRG031) from Habgud, and the “Switchback EP” (CRG028) by Albert Zhirnov, among others such as Kontain’s “Formless EP” (CRG038) and Moddullar / Temudo’s “Clergy 018” (CRG018). The “Clergy Splits” series now reaches its fifth instalment, extending the dialogue between emerging techno voices that the label has cultivated. Side A opens with three contributions from Bidoben. “Pit of Carcan” (A1) sets a deep, resonant tone that anchors the side, while “Seye” (A2) shifts the mood with a more introspective groove, creating a subtle contrast before “Spirals” (A3) closes the side with a looping, hypnotic progression that propels the momentum forward. The three tracks are linked by a consistent rhythmic drive, each offering a slightly different texture for a DJ to weave into a set. Side B turns to SAMA, whose trio of cuts maintains the EP’s kinetic focus. “They’re Just Thoughts” (B1) introduces a crisp, percussive pattern that feels ready for peak-time placement, and “It Doesn’t Work” (B2) follows with a slightly more restrained vibe, allowing space for mixing. The final track, “Savant Syndrome” (B3), builds tension through repetitive phrasing, delivering a satisfying release that can serve as a closing statement or a bridge to deeper selections. The record sits comfortably within the broader Clergy catalogue, echoing the label’s penchant for techno that balances mechanical precision with an undercurrent of atmospheric depth. While the “Clergy Splits” series has become a platform for varied producers, this fifth edition showcases the label’s commitment to curating distinct yet cohesive sonic narratives. For DJs, the EP offers six tracks that can be deployed across different points of a set: the opening Bidoben cuts work well for building anticipation, the middle SAMA pieces provide rhythmic variety, and the concluding “Savant Syndrome” supplies a potent climax. Collectors will appreciate the stickered sleeve as a modest yet distinctive packaging element that differentiates the release without resorting to overt gimmicks. Clergy splits [05] is a 12-inch vinyl pressing, featuring six tracks that span the techno spectrum with a focus on groove and structural clarity. Various – Clergy splits [05], Clergy, catalogue CRG043, 12-inch vinyl, 6 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Bidoben – Pit of Carcan A2. Bidoben – Seye A3. Bidoben – Spirals B1. SAMA – They're Just Thoughts B2. SAMA – It Doesn't Work B3. SAMA – Savant Syndrome