VARIOUS — The Unshaped Series Vol.1

Various – The Unshaped Series Vol.1 SIDE B’s new 12-inch vinyl SIDEBUNSHAPED01 arrives as the label’s first installment of a conceptual series that interrogates the foundations of techno. Framed by a mission to “erode classic structures within club music,” the release gathers ten producers who have stripped away conventional rhythms to expose pure tone and texture. The result is a compact, 10-track exploration of time and space on wax, positioned as a bold statement in the label’s 2026 output. Within SIDE B’s recent catalogue, The Unshaped Series Vol.1 follows the earlier releases Rkeat – Indol (SIDEB001, 2025), Rill – Friss (SIDEB002, 2025), Iglo & Paul Hauck – Stable Fusion (SIDEB003, 2026) and DJ Dextro – Lost Frame (SIDEB004, 2026), while preceding the later offering A.Morgan – Nothing Is Lost (SIDEB005, 2026). This placement underscores the label’s ongoing commitment to experimental techno, moving from the more melodic contours of Indol and Friss toward the structural deconstruction presented here. Side A opens with Danya’s “Memory Of A Sound,” a piece that foregrounds lingering resonance, setting a contemplative tone that bleeds into Fergus Sweetland’s “Into The Soup.” Sweetland’s contribution deepens the abstraction, inviting the listener to drift further from recognizable beat patterns. Deluka’s “Here And Now” continues the journey, offering a momentary anchor before Measure Divide’s “Static Bloom” introduces a subtle shift in texture, while Casual Treatment closes the side with “Drifting Away,” a track that feels like a gentle release of momentum, preparing the ear for the B-side’s more probing statements. The B-side begins with Blenk’s “Talk To Travis,” a track that confronts the listener with stark sonic gestures, acting as a bridge to Beste Hira’s “Silent Choir,” which amplifies the series’ focus on tonal isolation. Red Rooms’ “Shimmer” adds a glimmering layer of ambience, contrasting with Chloe Lula’s “Cortical Drift,” a piece that feels like a slow, hypnotic progression through altered perception. The record concludes with Chontane’s “16th Of February,” a final statement that encapsulates the series’ inquiry by presenting an unresolved, open-ended texture that lingers beyond the groove. In the context of the participating artists’ output, this compilation marks a collective experiment rather than a continuation of individual discographies, as none of the contributors have prior releases listed on SIDE B. The record therefore serves as a snapshot of the current avant-garde in techno, aligning with the label’s broader trajectory of pushing sonic boundaries. For DJs, the record offers a toolkit of abstract moments suited to late-night or experimental set slots. Tracks such as “Memory Of A Sound” and “Silent Choir” provide atmospheric bridges, while “Talk To Travis” and “Cortical Drift” can be deployed for tension-building passages. The lack of conventional rhythmic anchors makes the release ideal for mixers who favour texture-driven narratives over straightforward four-on-the-floor drives. The release is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, matching the label’s standard format for its techno output. The physical format reinforces the tactile experience of manipulating time and space that the series aims to evoke. Various – The Unshaped Series Vol.1, SIDE B, SIDEBUNSHAPED01, 12-inch vinyl, 10 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Danya – Memory Of A Sound A2. Fergus Sweetland – Into The Soup A3. Deluka – Here And Now A4. Measure Divide – Static Bloom A5. Casual Treatment – Drifting Away B1. Blenk – Talk To Travis B2. Beste Hira – Silent Choir B3. Red Rooms – Shimmer B4. Chloe Lula – Cortical Drift B5. Chontane – 16th Of February