WE FORFEIT :: Radio Relativa #58 — Top Tracks of 2025

 As 2026 begins, we return to our now six-year ritual at Igloo—bending time slightly to celebrate the finest albums of the past year, from 2025 standouts on labels like Warp Records and Clone to reissues and timeless cuts by Aphex Twin and The Sabres of Paradise, all fueling our tradition with renewed magic and momentum.

Time bent, Volume up

WE FORFEIT · RR#58 – Top Tracks of 2025

 

The new year is here, and we return to a tradition we started six years ago. Following up our own best of 2025 here at Igloo, we’ve gone back to the shelves to choose the best albums and references from the last twelve months. As is our other tradition, the rules of the last twelve months are slightly bent. Most of our selection was released in 2025, by labels such as Library of the Occult, Clone, R.A.N.D. Muzik, Unusual Systems, Who is Paula, and Warp Records. We have reissues, classics by Aphex Twin and Sabres of Paradise, alongside gems we found last year.

Like Caja Roja, lots of magic with tradition from the headquarters of WE FORFEIT. Thanks to everyone who listened in 2025, and we continue with more enthusiasm and less common sense in 2026!

Playlist ::
Dressel Amorosi :: Woodland Whisper (Library of the Occult)
The Sabres of Paradise :: The Haunted Dancehall (Warp)
The Sabres of Paradise :: Smokebelch II (Beatless Mix) (Warp)
Aphex Twin :: Rhubarb Orc. 19.53 Rev (Warp)
Polygon Window :: Untitled (Warp)
Hayter :: Hamsters (Clear Memory)
The Jaffa Kid :: Renumb (Suction)
Basic Mind :: Closed Gateway (R.A.N.D. Muzik)
Kalani :: Tranquil Steers (R.A.N.D. Muzik)
Kayroy :: Zap Sapphron (Echocentric)
Sylve :: I’ve Only Got You to Blame (Paris Mix) (Thank You)
Konerytmi :: Disko Allianssi (Unusual Systems)
Martin Matiske :: Dimension Phantasy (Captain Mustache Remix) (Bordello A Parigi)
David Gray :: Let’s Dance Tonight (Extended Version) (Thank You)
Joe Machine :: Follow the Rainbow (Frankfurt Mix) (ZYX)
Bigod 20 :: Body to Body (An Afternoon of Aggression) (ZYX)
Off :: Be My Dream (ZYX)
MCL :: Communicate (Atomic Mix) (ZYX)
Featherstone :: Shapeshifter (Who is Paula)
BufoBufo :: Red Squid Star System (To Pikap)
Aleksi Perala :: Vortex 1 (Clone)
Aleksi Perala :: Vortex 1 (Clone)
Death in Vegas :: Lovers (Drone)
Civil Duty :: No Dexterity (The Corner)
Seixlack :: Metados (777)
Company B :: Fascinated (88 Remix) (Polydor)
Lama :: 1993 (Best Record)
Polygon Window :: Quin Phec (Warp)

Visit WE FORFEIT at weforfeit.blogspot.com.

WE FORFEIT + Leonid @ Nuevo Montacargas (Madrid)

 

Acid ambient to techno bliss

This month, we have a two hour recording of a session of over four hours that I did with a good friend and a great musician; Paul Smith better known as Leonid. We had the pleasure of sharing the booth again, this time at Nuevo Montacargas. Leonid is an Irish producer who has been based in Madrid for a few years now. If he is not releasing records on labels like Statik Entertainment, Sistrum Recordings, Dolly Records, Lunar Disko Records, Photic Fields, Freebeat, Eleve, D1 Recordings and more, Leonid is playing in the best places in Europe like Berghain (Berlin), Tresor (Berlin) and more clubs in France, Croatia, Greece, Spain and of course Ireland.

This two hour session is focused on styles such as acid ambient, bleep, electro, house and techno with the softer side of these genres explored from the booth. No tracklist for this one, just some cracking music from artists like Cignol, E.R.P., and Steve Tang from labels like Down Low Music, M>O>S and Furthur Electronix.

Thanks to Paul and the whole team at Nuevo Montacargas.

WE FORFEIT :: DMX Krew (Interview & New Album Preview)

 Electronic music pioneer Ed Upton, aka DMX Krew, has been shaping underground sounds for over three decades. In this interview, he reflects on his early days, musical evolution, and the inspiration behind his new album No Way To Control It.

Three decades of DMX Krew

WE FORFEIT · DMX Krew – Interview + New Album Preview

 

Ed Upton has been at the cutting edge of electronic music for more than thirty years. Under monikers like Computer Rockers, DMX Krew, and EDMX (to name just a few), Upton has produced everything from acid to wave on pioneering labels such as Hypercolour, Rephlex, and Shipwrec.

I caught up with Ed just before the summer, in between gigs he was playing across Europe and ahead of the release of his new album.

In our conversation, we trace the beginnings of his unique musical journey. We revisit the early days when the DMX Krew sound was first developing. We explore his initial techno experiments on DAP and how the prolific producer pivoted to synth-pop after signing with Rephlex Records in his early twenties.

Accompanied by his music, we journey through an impressively diverse and distinctive career. We delve into the halcyon days of London’s rave scene and the heady excitement of that era. Upton reflects on his musical evolution—from founding his own label, Breakin’ Records, to pursuing starkly different sonic paths with the cold electro of The Collapse of the Wave Function.

At the heart of the interview is DMX Krew’s new album, No Way To Control It, set for release on Shipwrec. A selection of tracks is presented exclusively, with Ed sharing their influences and origins. From frigid electro-funk to gritty industrial textures and into understated abstraction, this new album captures the essence of an artist continually exploring new creative directions.

Thanks to Ed and Fer for making the interview happen!

Playlist ::
DMX Krew :: 17 Ways To Break My Heart (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: Soda (DAP)
Drexciya :: Hydrocubes (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: Sound of the Street (Vocoder Version) (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: We Are DMX (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: Adrenalin Flow (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: Rock Your Body (Hip House Mix) (Breakin’)
G.D. Luxxe :: Super America (Breakin’)
DMX Krew :: Make Me (Ghostly)
DMX Krew :: Lies Inside (Ghostly)
DMX Krew :: When The Going Gets Weird (Rephlex)
DMX Krew :: Iridium Flares (Strange Life)
Ike ‘N’ Mike :: White Chinos (Fresh-Up)
DMX Krew :: Interrupt (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: Dangerous Dungeon (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: Phaser Level 2 (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: Ghost Fish (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: Rephlections in Time (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: I Wonder Why (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
DMX Krew :: Sonic Escape Route
DMX Krew :: Xpanding (Shipwrec) (Upcoming)
Stacey Q :: Dancing Nowhere (Polydor)

Radio Relativa | Clone | WE FORFEIT

WE FORFEIT :: Radio Relativa #50 — Top Tracks of 2024

 Twenty five tracks of 2024; math was never a strong point, more artsy here. Unceremoniously punctuated by inane chat and blurry recollections, this is a super special collection and one to warm the heart during our new age of tariffs and tone deaf tantrums.

In the entrenched bowels of tradition

WE FORFEIT · WE FORFEIT – RR #50 – Top Tracks of 2024

What are you doing? An intimate evening with your better half? I’ll be there. Alone with the kitty and the wall? Me too. Bus? Car? Train? Count me in. Turn us on and we are with you, and of course we understand you and sympathize with you; we are you! We Forfeit!

After the break, we’re back with a crippling tradition at the HQ, our favourite tracks of 2024. For two hours we have twenty-fivepieces from the last twelve months with styles including acid, breaks, electro, italo, techno, synth and much more. We hope ya love em as much as we do, we are sure you will as we are you.

The return to Radio Relativa marks our 50th installment. Quite the milestone. The half formed memories and hours of television missed, the joys one hundred hours spent trying to put a sentence together alongside a mix.

In all seriousness, or some shade of it, we’re delighted to have reached such a number and are back in the entrenched bowels of tradition to bring you some real gems.

Serendipitously, or through rigorous and frightful struggle, this edition has a warm numerical suffix sensation. Twenty five tracks of 2024; math was never a strong point, more artsy here. Unceremoniously punctuated by inane chat and blurry recollections, this is a super special collection and one to warm the heart during our new age of tariffs and tone deaf tantrums.

    

Tracklist ::
Check Up Twins :: Sexy Teachers (ZYX Music)
Oh Romeo :: Living in a Fantasy (I.D. Limited)
Tony Caso :: Dancing in Heaven (I.D. Limited)
DJ Steve  & Bobi Cacen :: Moon 2 Inner Orbit (Klasse Wrecks)
Ace Vision :: Katana Cut (Trance Mix) (Ace Vision)
Unknown :: Untitled (Under the Radar)
Volksmusik :: Underground (Unusual Systems)
Strange Connection :: Tecnología (Inst Remix for Red Industries) (Unsys Riots)
Anbau :: Mortirolo ’94 (Bordello A Parigi)
Panthera :: Newlook (Bordello A Parigi)
Ricardo Baez :: On & On (Curses’ Vocal Version) (Bordello A Parigi)
Luca :: Proxima (Anacalypto)
Uf0 :: Elsa (Fourier Transform)
Gimmik :: Analog Dream Plants (MOY Remix) (Wave Function)
Gimmik :: Analog Dream Plants (Gimmik Remix) (Wave Function)
Heiki :: Komplexoboxxx (Suction)
Teslasonic :: Nebulosa Omega (Giano Electronics)
Robyrt Hecht :: Stolen Letter (Clear Memory)
Nuron :: Stavelot (De:tuned)
Featherstone :: Pivot (Ernest’s Way)
Analytica :: Barricades (Ice Machine)
Caramel Chameleon :: d-_-b Future Is Blind (Notte Tempo)
Jared Wilson :: ?? (Altered Sense)
The Actor :: Picture 210 (Mannequin)
Susumu Yokota :: Zenmai (Sublime)
Susumu Yokota :: Tanuki (Sublime)

WE FORFEIT :: Radio Relativa #49 (Mora, Live from RR HQ)

 This clammy one is packed full of styles, acid, electro, italo, house, new beat and techno, a b2b of two hours recorded live from the new studio of Radio Relativa. Tracks from 22 Recordings, Ace Vision, DJ Overdose, Neud Photo, and loads more.

A seriously hot and sweaty affair

Recorded in June 2024, this was a seriously hot and sweaty affair. The mercury read thirty five and the inside of the studio was even more. Perservering, we had a guest very close to our hearts. For the third time, we ended our season with our good mate, a selector from Asturias with many years of experience in the booth; we finish with Mora.

This clammy one is packed full of styles, acid, electro, italo, house, new beat and techno, a b2b of two hours recorded live from the new studio of Radio Relativa. Tracks from 22 Recordings, Ace Vision, DJ Overdose, Neud Photo, and loads more. Enjoy!

WE FORFEIT · Radio Relativa #49 – Mora – Live from RR HQ

 

Tracklist ::
Wibbley Brothers :: The Wonderful World Of Terry Wibbley (Trubshaws Astonishing Sounds)
Loud-E :: I Feel Love (Megaversion) (Objects of Desire)
Hunee remix of unknown (Sex Tags Mania)
DJ Overdose :: The Girl In Trouble (Viewlexx)
Franck Kartell :: Low Frequency Analysis And Recording (Noise to Meet You)
Polymer :: Arrester (Kraftjerkz)
I-F :: Space Invaders are Smoking Grass (Viewlexx)
LVCA :: Inner Thoughts (22 Recordings)
Henning Baer :: Variant Of A (Manhigh)
Attack 41 :: Soviet Calculator (P89 Remix Instrumental) (Unusual Systems)
The Stallion :: Hope (M.W. Edit) (Prego)
Risque :: Thunder & Lightning (Instrumental) (Polydor)
Ace Vision :: Enigmatic Flow (Ace Vision)
unknown
Neurox :: A Raving Night (Moustache)
Innershades & Robert D :: Point Of No Return (9300)
Will to Power :: Fading Away (Big Beat Mix) (Epic)
unknown
Naif Orchestra :: Check Out Five (Disco Version) (Medical)
Spirito :: Omega (Anacalypto)
Mézigue :: Le Nouveau Kusanagi (D.Ko)
unknown
Scannoir :: Industrial Technology (Frigio)
Future State :: Future State (Some bootleg jobby)
Unknown
Tantra :: Hills of Katmandu (Polydor?)
Beard in Dust :: Coconut Paradise (Crudo Ricordi)
Greetings :: Time is a Thief (Boots & Legs)
Unknown x 2

[MAD] WE FORFEIT + Kubo @ Nuevo Montacargas - 04/07/25 - 20.00-00.00

Heat inside and out. July 4, we'll be serving up some sizzlers. Disco. Italo. House. Wave and say bye bye.

20.00 to 00.00 Nuevo Montacargas.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Qrz3d1FjPFwfSsc6

Come on by if you're in Madrid!

 

WE FORFEIT :: Interview & Mix (Node, Gated Recordings)

 As the Spring draws in, the music keeps flowing here at WE FORFEIT. For this month, we have a label we love. We have Gated Recordings. Founded in 2019 by DJ Node and Jadey Smith, Gated has become an imprint of serious intent in the world of electronic music.

Gems from acid, breakbeat, electro

As the Spring draws in, the music keeps flowing here at WE FORFEIT. For this month, we have a label we love. We have Gated Recordings. Founded in 2019 by DJ Node and Jadey Smith, Gated has become an imprint of serious intent in the world of electronic music.

This month, we’ve been lucky enough to speak with one the bosses of Gated, Node, about the imprint and what makes him tick. In a conversation that reveals all, and then some, we go back through the Gated catalog and pick out some personal favorties from artists like Sound Synthesis, The Jaffa Kid and Dip Shim.

In the second hour, Node takes the helm with a mix of serious proportions with gems from acid, breakbeat, electro and loads more. Expect unreleased material as well as tracks from Acidulant, Cityman Productions, and Wave Function.

Thanks a million to Node for the interview and mix, one we will be enjoying for years to come.

WE FORFEIT · #48 – Interview + Mix – Node – Gated Recordings

    

Gated Tracklist ::
Linear Movement :: The Game (Minimal Wave)
AFX :: Sommit from Ananlogue Bubblebath 3 (Rephlex)
MOY :: (Analogical Force)
Simial :: Terminal B2 (Gated)
Sound Synthesis :: Xjenza Electronica (Gated)
The Jaffa Kid :: Free to Travel (Gated)
Liðvarð :: Quadcore Hardcore (Gated)
Dip Shim :: Mälmo Acid (Gated)
Joel Brittan :: In Here (Gated)
Dirscen :: Helical Structures (Gated)

Node Mix Tracklist ::
1. Gated forthcoming
2. Shinra :: Cowbell (Self Released)
3. Gated forthcoming
4. Aleph :: Small Pieces (Vision)
5. Dyselecta :: Lynchpinn (Self-released)
6. MAC Address :: 1B-1E-A2-88-6C-39 (Work) (Planetaria Soundsystem)
7. Varum :: Get Funky (Clear Memory)
8. Acidulant :: Quantum X (Gated)
9. Uf0 :: Talking with Keith (Wave Function)
10. Denham Audio :: Love me less (Black Butter)
11. Lucita Octans :: Tropic of cancer (Self-released)
12. Mani Festo :: Bioscan (Forthcoming 24th May)(WNCL)
13. PPALACE :: Googly Moogly (Planetaria Soundsystem)
14. Pizza Hotline – Shadow Moses (Cityman Productions)
15. Sangam :: Sector (VILL4IN)
16. Sully & Salo :: Nights (Astrophonica)

Guilty pleasure!