Presenting their first ever collaborative project, Elias Erium and Monarke land on Phenomena with ‘Transcend’. Canadian artist and Phenomena label boss Elias Erium has enjoyed a triumphant return this year. Projects for Eleatics subsidiary Aletheia Recordings and long-standing Berlin imprint Steyoyoke set the stage for three well-received Phenomena EPs, with tastemaker favorites John Digweed, Mind Against and more being steadfast supporters along the way. Meanwhile, fellow Canadian artist Monarke has also had a remarkable year. A contribution to Atlant’s popular Voyager III collection was preceded by a string of releases for Steyoyoke, along with remix projects for Opengate Society and Us and Them. Now pairing for the first time, Eilas and Monarke combine their extensive forces on the much anticipated ‘Transcend’.

Pitched somewhere comfortably between shadowy monochromes and wintry hinterlands, its warm machine gun style groove and flickering percussive arrangements marry perfectly with percolating effects and prophetic arps. Coming to full fruition during the second act, the duo’s creative attitude is on full display, as striking chord stabs emerge, conjuring up prophetic imagery, while remaining undeniably infectious against a backdrop of shapeshifting textures and balmy overlays, onwards to a spirited finale. Equally at home above a festival skyline or sitting in the sweet spot of a main room set, its deeper design and thought-provoking atmospherics provide a much-needed dance floor curveball for the more adventurous selectors out there.