Let's go back. It's apparent a few tracks into this smashing album that the music London producer and DJ Daniel Avery hears in his head tips the hat to the likes of Daft Punk, Green Velvet, Underworld and The Chemical Brothers. But instead of aping or reviving such 1990s ninjas for dramatic effect, Avery deftly uses a bunch of similar templates to create a sweep of robust, twisting, compelling techno. There's much to savour and admire in how he deploys a battery of old-school synth sounds to go wide and deep with his newer, fresher ideas. Again and again, Avery pulls spectacularly funky and irresistable noises (listen to the pulsating bassline that anchors Water Jump or the "Rez"-factor on the title track) and headspinning grooves (Knowing We'll Be Here) out of the ether to shape a distinctive, mesmeric sound. A remarkable debut. soundcloud.com/danielavery
Download: Water Jump, Knowing We'll Be Here, Drone Logic