VARIOUS — Never Give Up

Various – NEVER GIVE UP opens the Blackwater Label’s Goldenboy sub-label third chapter, catalogued as GLD003, on 12-inch vinyl. The release is framed as a nautical tribute, dedicated to the memory of Alessio Fantozzi, and gathers four producers who each chart a different segment of an imagined sea voyage. Its blend of electro, pop techno and electronica techno situates the record within Blackwater’s long-standing exploration of deep, hypnotic dance music. Within the Blackwater catalogue, GLD003 follows earlier Goldenboy outings such as Devianza’s “Le Piante di Elena” (BWL064, 2025) and its 2026 re-issue (BWL064 NOCOVER), as well as the label’s “Hypnóptera” (BWL065, 2026). These prior releases cement the label’s reputation for atmospheric, forward-thinking techno, and “NEVER GIVE UP” extends that lineage by uniting four distinct voices under a shared conceptual banner. Side A begins with Loris Ligonzo’s “Subalpine Nocturne”. Described as a Balearic-tinged deep house excursion, the track evokes a warm, submerged soundscape that feels like the first dip beneath the surface of Blackwater’s sonic ocean. Its hypnotic flow sets a calm yet immersive tone that prepares the listener for the deeper currents to follow. The second cut, T/Error’s “Apparently”, shifts the mood toward an unsafe, gloomy harbour. Dark electro textures and a sense of suspended tension suggest a vessel poised on the brink of departure, caught between the safety of shore and the lure of uncharted waters. Stefano Rocchi’s “Mushin” then acts as the propulsion for the imagined pirate ship, delivering acid-infused electro that drives the journey further into the abyss, rewarding those who trust the momentum. The final A-side track, Devianza’s “Ermetica Privazione”, closes the side with a reflective turn, its title hinting at an enigmatic withdrawal that complements the preceding forward thrust. The record’s structure—four tracks that progress from warm immersion to darker tension and finally to an acid-charged propulsion before an enigmatic finish—creates a narrative arc useful for DJs constructing a set that moves from lounge-ready grooves to peak-time intensity. The varied yet cohesive production styles allow each piece to stand alone on the dancefloor while contributing to a larger, story-driven flow. In the context of contemporary underground electronic music, “NEVER GIVE UP” demonstrates how thematic cohesion can be achieved without sacrificing individual artistic identity. The collaboration showcases Blackwater’s ability to curate a multi-artist release that feels like a single, evolving journey, reinforcing the label’s position as a conduit for forward-looking techno and electro expressions. From a DJ’s perspective, the record offers a versatile toolkit: “Subalpine Nocturne” works as an opening or transition into deeper sets; “Apparently” supplies a brooding, tension-building moment; “Mushin” delivers the kinetic energy needed for peak moments; and “Ermetica Privazione” provides a contemplative close or a bridge into more experimental terrain. Collectors will appreciate the unified concept and the way each track contributes to a broader narrative, making the vinyl a compelling addition to any techno-oriented library. The release arrives as a standard 12-inch vinyl, cut for optimal playback on club-grade turntables. Its format supports the full dynamic range required for the record’s shifting moods, from the warm low-end of the opening track to the crisp, acidic highs of the mid-section. Various – NEVER GIVE UP, Blackwater Label, GLD003, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. Loris Ligonzo – Subalpine Nocturne A2. T/Error – Apparently A3. Stefano Rocchi – Mushin A4. Devianza – Ermetica Privazione