VARIOUS — Dead Hype

Various – Dead Hype The new 12-inch from Braintickle (catalogue BRT-002) arrives as the label’s second outing, following Naone & denial’s “Conversations in Dreams” (BRT-001) earlier this year. Positioned within the label’s emerging palette of ambient-tinged techno, the record blends brooding bass, winding electronics and a dose of acid-inflected IDM house, reflecting Braintickle’s commitment to forward-thinking dancefloor textures. On side A, the title track “Dead Hype” sets a weighty tone with a low-end groove that throbs beneath spiralling synth lines and crisp breakbeats, establishing a dark, hypnotic atmosphere that suits the deeper moments of a set. The second cut, “Ruins Kontrol”, shifts into a lumbering rhythm, its steady pulse amplified by ghostly samples that heighten tension and keep the momentum moving forward. Together these two pieces frame the A-side as a journey from ominous depth to a more expansive, yet still foreboding, groove. Side B opens with “Ocean Mathematics” (featuring Brio Aji, Mathieu Deschênes & Marie Laplante), a beatless soundscape that unfurls slowly, its eerie ambience growing in intensity and offering a reflective interlude for DJs looking to modulate the mood of a set. The record closes with the X Agency 5 AM Remix of “Ruins Kontrol”, which pivots sharply into a menacing electro terrain, its warped synth textures and gritty vocal fragments delivering a stark contrast to the earlier tracks while retaining the underlying thematic tension. Within the brief but growing Braintickle catalogue, this release reinforces the label’s focus on the intersection of ambient atmospheres and kinetic techno. The pairing of a deep, bass-driven opener with a darker, sample-rich follow-up, and the juxtaposition of a beatless ambient piece with an aggressive electro remix, showcases a curatorial thread that runs from BRT-001’s dream-like explorations to the more confrontational terrain of BRT-002. For DJs, the record offers versatile tools: “Dead Hype” works as a thick, floor-filling opener or a late-night anchor; “Ruins Kontrol” provides a steady, tension-building segment ideal for building a set’s narrative; “Ocean Mathematics” serves as a palette cleanser or a bridge into more experimental moments; and the X Agency 5 AM Remix delivers a high-energy climax suitable for peak-time peaks or a sudden shift in mood. Collectors will appreciate the cohesive sequencing that balances mood and momentum across the four cuts. The release is pressed on standard 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of its predecessor and fitting comfortably into any crate of forward-looking techno and house. Various – Dead Hype, Braintickle, catalogue BRT-002, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. Dead Hype A2. Ruins Kontrol B1. Ocean Mathematics (ft. Brio Aji, Mathieu Deschênes & Marie Laplante) B2. Ruins Kontrol (X Agency 5AM Remix)