VARIOUS — Year VII EP

Various – YEAR VII EP Bonkers Music marks its seventh anniversary with YEAR VII EP (catalogue YR007), a 12-inch vinyl that pushes the label’s high-energy compilation forward while retaining the unmistakable Bonkers sound. The release arrives on 2 November 2026 and gathers electro, acid house, pop house and indie house influences into a concise six-track statement. Within the Bonkers Music chronology, YEAR VII EP follows the earlier YEAR VI EP (catalogue YR06, 2025), continuing the label’s tradition of annual, genre-spanning samplers. The new edition deepens the palette, introducing fresh collaborators and a slightly evolved direction that still feels rooted in the series’ kinetic core. Side A opens with David Meyer & Ludviq’s “Mandanga 2.0” (feat Nick Hanzo). The track balances tension and movement, layering hypnotic acid sequences with a deep, rolling groove and atmospheric vocal snippets that create an immersive, shadowy journey. It sets a dark, relentless tone that segues into Neskeh’s “Liquid Sky”. Built entirely from samples of the cult film of the same name, the piece erupts with saturated highs and a shaking low end, delivering a warped, trippy club tribute that feels both alien and visceral. The side closes with Your Reference’s “Afterparty”, a raw, industrial-inspired composition that evokes abandoned warehouses and nocturnal immersion, offering a gritty, unfiltered energy that complements the preceding tracks. Side B begins with Lebollet & Mar Bravo’s “Aleta”. The title references a Colombian term for intense, dark music, and the track lives up to that definition with a weighty, brooding atmosphere that feels almost tactile. Funboys follow with “Skin In The Game”, a piece that conjures the ebb and flow of a breaking heart’s pulse, weaving half-faded memories into a warm, familiar colour that rises to a simple yet powerful climax. The record ends with Milla Campollo’s “Brote Psicodélico”, a hypnotic blend of acid rhythms and psychedelic textures. Its evolving repetition builds tension and release, pulling the listener deeper into a state where rhythm, body and psychedelia merge. In the context of Bonkers Music’s annual series, YEAR VII EP demonstrates the label’s capacity to curate a diverse yet cohesive snapshot of contemporary underground dance music. The inclusion of artists from Barcelona’s hidden scene to Colombian collaborations broadens the sonic narrative while maintaining the label’s signature high-energy thrust. For DJs, the record offers a versatile toolbox: “Mandanga 2.0” and “Aleta” provide dark, driving back-to-back moments for peak-time intensity; “Liquid Sky” and “Brote Psicodélico” supply textural depth for late-night or after-hours sets; “Afterparty” and “Skin In The Game” work as bridge tracks that can transition between moods without losing momentum. Collectors will appreciate the EP’s role as a milestone in the Bonkers Music anthology, capturing a moment of evolution in the label’s soundscape. The release is pressed on a standard 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of its predecessor and preserving the tactile experience that defines the series. Various – YEAR VII EP, Bonkers Music, catalogue YR007, 12-inch vinyl, six tracks. Tracklist: A1. David Meyer & Ludviq – Mandanga 2.0 (feat Nick Hanzo) A2. Neskeh – Liquid Sky A3. Your Reference – Afterparty B1. Lebollet & Mar Bravo – Aleta B2. Funboys – Skin In The Game B3. Milla Campollo – Brote Psicodélico