Description
Damian Lazarus率いる人気レーベルCrosstown Rebelsがコンピレーション『Spirits VIII』をリリース。
Crosstown Rebelsの主宰Damian Lazarusが選曲を手がける〈SPIRITS〉シリーズ第8弾。レーベルの方向性を示す8曲を収録したコンピレーションだ。
2017年に始まった〈SPIRITS〉は、世界各地の先鋭的なプロデューサーを紹介してきたシリーズ。Get LostやDay Zeroといった独自のパーティーでも知られるDamian Lazarusは、ディープ・ハウスからテクノまでを横断する審美眼で評価を集めてきた。本作でもその姿勢は変わらない。新鋭と実力派をバランスよく配置し、レーベルの個性を明確に打ち出している。
幕開けはRaz Alon「Hey It’s Me」。温かみのあるコードと流れるようなグルーヴがじわりと空間を満たす。続くLost Desert「Ultima」は、トリッピーな質感とメロディックな展開が交差する一曲。転がるリズムと広がりのあるシンセが印象的だ。
B面ではTIMANTI「Warrior Spirit」が渦巻くシンセと霞んだメロディで深みのある世界を描く。STEB「House Of STEB」はスウィング感のあるビートと遊び心を備えたクラブ仕様のトラック。Yuvèe「Set The Fire」feat. FADOはヴォーカルを軸にした催眠的な構成で、感情的な重みと抑制の効いたリズムを両立させる。
Ekoboy「Lose Control」はタイトなパーカッションと推進力でピークタイムを想起させる。MADI「Around Me」はレイヤーを重ねた音像で内省的な空気を作り、JUAAN「Bass Cliente」が重心の低いベースで締めくくる。
ヒプノティックなハウス、メロディックな展開、深夜帯のテンションを一枚に収めた内容。ターンテーブルで再生すると、低域のうねりと空間処理の広がりがフロア向きのバランスで立ち上がる。Crosstown Rebelsの現在地を示すコンピレーションだ。
A1. Raz Alon – Hey It's Me
A2. Lost Desert – Ultima
B1. Timanti – Warrior Spirit
B2. STEB – House of STEB
C1. Yuvèe – Set The Fire
C2. Ekoboy – Lose Control
D1. Madi – Around Me
D2. Juaan – Bass Clientel
Damian Lazarus reveals the eighth chapter of Crosstown Rebels acclaimed annual ‘SPIRITS’ VA compilation series.
The latest instalment sees the label founder once again curating a carefully balanced lineup of emerging voices and established names, with the eight-track collection set for release on 30th January 2026.
Since its inception in 2017, Damian Lazarus’ SPIRITS series has become a trusted barometer for the year ahead, spotlighting forward-thinking artists and cutting-edge club music from across the global electronic landscape. With ‘SPIRITS VIII’, Crosstown Rebels continues this tradition, delivering a refi ned yet adventurous selection that moves seamlessly between hypnotic house, melodic depth, and late-night energy - building on the momentum of previous volumes and capturing the label’s unmistakable essence.
Opening the release, Raz Alon sets the tone with ‘Hey It’s Me’, a warm and immersive opener that draws listeners in with emotive touches and fluid groove work. Lost Desert follows with ‘Ultima’, leaning into trippy, melodic-tinged sensibilities as tumbling rhythms meet expansive atmospheres and subtly evolving motifs. On the flip, TIMANTI ventures into a captivating voyage with ‘Warrior Spirit’, pairing swirling synths with hazy melodies, before STEB delivers ‘House Of STEB’, a groove-led cut packed with personality, swing, and club-ready flair.
The journey continues with Yuvèe’s ‘Set The Fire’, featuring FADO, a hypnotic and vocal-led track that balances emotional weight with understated rhythmic pressure. Ekoboy then ups the intensity on ‘Lose Control’, combining crisp percussion with infectious momentum designed for peak-time moments. On the final stretch, MADI brings a reflective buy playful touch with ‘Around Me’, weaving lush textures and subtle dynamics into a deeply absorbing listen, before JUAAN closes the compilation with ‘Bass Cliente’, a punchy and bass-forward finale that rounds things out with raw club energy.
With its continued ability to champion new talent while welcoming respected artists into its orbit, Crosstown Rebels remains a vital force within electronic music. SPIRITS VIII stands as another clear statement of the label’s vision, reaffirming its role in shaping the sound of contemporary house and techno.
