late to the party #1: Conundrum Records

04-11-2025

There are in fact, at least two record labels which focus on techno of this name. With no disrespect meant to that founded in Eindhoven (itself home to an all-time legenday label in Djax Records) in 2017, this profile is over the more recent one in founded in Los Angeles more recently. Here is the list of the releases on Stephen Disario's new label Conundrum Records, followed by a little writeup for each of the eight which are all available as digitals/12".

2023

Stephen Disario - Lights Down Under (CNDRM001)
A1 Under the Rug (Original Mix) [5:03]
A2 Walking Through Trees (Original Mix) [5:08]
B1 The Marathon (Original Mix) [5:02]
B2 Lights Down Under (Original Mix) [5:46]

Under the Rug is undoubtedly a great cut to have in any DJ's arsenal, though its description on the label's bandcamp as a masterpiece is a bit much. It's not like Disario invented this type of vibe or sound, but it is definitely a great start to this contemporary label and certainly it is true it "sets the tone" for the rest of the EP. The next two numbers, Walking Through Trees and The Marathon (perhaps especially the latter), have much more to offer, especially with the sound design explored in their combined ten minutes ten seconds, and if anything on here is a masterpiece compared to the rest, it's those two. Atmospheric at times, would sit well in a contemporary mix. The last track, which gives the EP its name, Lights Down Under, certainly is funky in its use of the 808 clap, and it's true that the "hard to discern and yet catchy vocals" do lead to "great results", the howl sound effect is pretty corny. But three outta four ain't bad, isn't that what they say?
Jay Fresia - Night Ride EP (inl. Jay York Remix) (CNDRM002)
A1 Night Ride (Original Mix) [6:22]
A2 Wrong Turn (Original Mix) [5:16]
B1 Sintesia (Original Mix) [5:38]
B2 Sintesia (Jay York Remix) [5:29]

This Night Ride ain't thru Babylon but it's title certainly recalls that early Transmat cut. It's definitely something with great sound design, has some nice metallic FM clang, a little bit of bubbly not quite acid going on. Very solid opening number. Wrong Turn exemplifies to my mind one of the things that keeps techno one of my favourite musical idioms: although most techno on some level may appear a homogenous mass, the combination of the reliable grooving four-to-the-floor with inventive sound design, which in this case sort of psychedelic and mechanical, evoking mylar or some sort of hard alien plastic made in the chemical engineering plants of a distant world. Sintesia is by the label's own admission rather toolsy, but still definitely solid. I'm not totally convinced by Jay York's remix but I have no doubt he'll bring something to the table I'll enjoy at some point, the higher BPM and the rides were welcome additions even if I didn't quite get the rest.

Stephen Disario - When They Fall EP (incl. Ketch Remix) (CNDRM003)
A1 Filling the Void [5:05]
A2 When They Fall [4:39]
B1 Sixth Sense (Ketch Remix) [5:33]
B2 Sixth Sense [5:43]

Filling the Void does that and more. Great use of atmospheric pads and echoing, and the drum programming as exemplified by the rimshot and the hats here are just lovely. Next up, the title track When They Fall continues the same darkness but with some more tricks up Disario's sleeve, some lovely bips and blips, with more energy. Both Ketch's remix and the original version of Sixth Sense take the energy up a notch again, especially the former.

2024

Arthur Robert [b/w] Jay York - The Unknown EP (CNDRM004)
A1 Arthur Robert - Come Closer (Original Mix) [6:38]
A2 Arthur Robert - String Theory (Original Mix) [6:07]
Arthur Robert - Worries (Original Mix) Digital Bonus [7:03]
B1 Jay York - Encrypt (Original Mix) [5:22]
B2 Jay York - Castigo (Original Mix) [5:24]
Jay York - Espirito (Original Mix) Digital Bonus [6:45]

Jay York is from New York City and helms the label Toca with Dallas, Texas' Gautham "Decoder" Garg, the next label profiled in this series (which to date only has three releases). To kick things off, Arthur Robert invites us to Come Closer, a dark number with repeated vocals with the track's number...not something I'd normally go for, but is minimal enough in its employ that a skilled DJ could make it work wonders. An extended breakdown with insipid food for thought designed to enthrall the drugged out dancers, this is not.String Theory's sound design is even more interesting than its predecessor. But Arthur Robert's most interesting contribution to the EP is the digital-only bonus, Worries, one highlight of which are nervous footsteps. Jay York's side starts with Encrypt which has some very cool cavernous feel, and some great tambourine groove, but the melody is a trifle more something than I'd like. Next up, is Castigo which I enjoy even more, which has a perfect melody and synth tone to it along with a steadily evolving pad and is my favourite of York's contributions to the EP. Espirito has a bunch going for it, most notably its pads...this is one for near the end of the night. York's second best on here, undoubtedly.

Hitam - Subterranean EP (incl. Rene Wise Remix) (CNDRM005)
A1 Nagini (Original Mix) [6:30]
A2 Hoia Bacu (Original Mix) [7:36]
B1 Kaelago (Original Mix) [7:23] B2 Kaelago (Rene Wise Remix) [6:28]
Kaelago (Mix 2) Digital Bonus [7:23]

Dutch DJ/producer Abel "Hitam" Kneulman who produces as Hitam as well as Optics, gives us this lovely fourtracker. He starts with the also aptly named Nagini whose pads, percussion, and topline slither as its title would suggest, while the kicks and bass chug along. One of my favourite techno new tracks from this year I've heard so far (though I wouldn't say I'm up to date, this site is only recently getting the steam it deserves). More lovely use of panning, pads, percussion, and space continue on Hoia Bacu. In both its original mix and Rene Wise's remix, Kaelago shine brilliantly (in the dark). But it's the digital-only bonus second mix of Kaelago and the opener which are my picks on what feels without question to be the strongest of Conundrum I have yet heard.

Toru Ikemoto - The Primative Loops (incl. Lindsey Herbert Remix) (CNDRM006)
A1 Don't Play 171 (Original Mix) [5:06]
A2 Don't Play 162 (Original Mix) [5:57]
B1 Don't Play 170 (Original Mix) [5:03]
B2 Don't Play 170 (Lindsey Herbert Remix) [5:07]
Toru Ikemoto - Don't Play 170 (Lindsey Herbert Stripped Down Remix) Digital Bonus [5:07]

Toru Ikemoto is a producer based in Osaka, Japan. The Primative Loops sounds anything but primitive. The highlight for me is the second track on the A-side with the most interesting sound design though all have a decent amount to offer on that front, possessing a mix of science fictional, "tribal", and more. Lindsay Herbert's remixes don't (sorry) add a ton sonically but they do add something to the danceability of the pieces. This is not to say that they were not very danceable before, nor is it to say they add nothing of value, it's it's just those versions are that much more dance oriented.

2025

Stephen Disario - Tawa EP (incl. Marcal Remix) (CNDRM007)
A1 She's Calling [5:11]
A2 Tawa [5:31]
B1 Coldsweats [5:13]
B2 Coldsweats (Marcal's High Times" Mix) [5:44]
Coldsweats (Marcal's High Times Drum Mix) [5:44] Digital Bonus

Another one from the label head. She's Calling has some lovely trippy stuff happening with percussion and vocal chops... showcasing Disario's talents in production. This continues onwards with Tawa, but although this one exhibits his "razor-sharp drum programming, immersive sound design, and cerebral atmospheres" as per the album's copy, I personally find the use of breathy female vocals saying "I want you to feel me" very much not the kind of thing I go for although it could certainly help make the techno more accessible to some.
The persistent vocals of the same voice repeating the word "unique" on the next piece, Coldsweats are more merciful, being less icky, and though the tune doesn't feel unique itself, Disario's second use of a canine sample, in this case using a sampled dog bark, feels a lot more interesting and effective than his previous employment of a howling wolf.
Marcal's first remix adds some synth with a somewhat sample-and-hold flavour which replaces the vocals to some interesting effect.

Uväll - Vertigo EP (CNDRM008)
A1 Vertigo [5:01]
A2 Move [5:29]
B1 Drain [6:04]
B2 Shed [4:54]
Flight 571 [5:56]

Irakli "Uväll" Bregvadze'sVertigo is a well named cut with some delightfully, deliriously, dizzying panning in its percussion, pads, echos, and textures, all while chugging along. Absolutely beautifully crafted stuff in what is shaping up to be my other favourite release from this label so far. The next track, Move makes me want to do just that with its exhortations to do so, and its masterful balance of flowing pads which billow loosely like giant sails on a great sailing ship with percussion which is so masterfully tight it could cut off your circulation were you to tie yourself up in it.Drain may swirl with the hinted at Coriolis effect but it doesn't sap its listener of any energy despite not being the fastest techno song one will ever hear.Shed has some of the coolest drum programming on the EP and more psychedelic, evolving atmospherics in the background. Is this cut named for Rene Pavlowitz? Who's to say?Flight 571 sounds like it could have easily have sat alongside the other four numbers if this label would do more than four tracks on each EP. A voice seems to be repeating "Get out" or "Get help"? rather ominously, adding a texture which only really works for me because of its lack of clarity.
Check out Los Angeles, California's Conundrum label here
>> late to the party #2: Toca
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