BMK Records, the French electronic music collective known for its sharp curation and underground spirit, readies its ninth release on Undergroove Records: “Illegal Business.” The four-tracker stays true to the label’s sound, blending Electro House grit with Garage-infused textures, crafting an atmosphere that balances sun-soaked euphoria with shadowy intensity. With contributions from Local Dj, Heimyl (a.k.a. Lazer Man), Aladdin!, and Funktroid, the EP sets itself apart as a statement of Lyon’s thriving underground scene.
Lazer Man kicks things off with “Que vas-tu faire?”, a deep and creeping groover with whispered tension in the form of its titular vocal refrain. Hints of electro bleed through in the form of creaky percussive details, but the track stays firmly in the realm of groove-heavy house. The rolling bassline locks in with precise drums, building a slow-burning atmosphere that teeters between brooding and hypnotic. A question asked, but never quite answered, leaving the listener lingering in its spell.
If “Que vas-tu faire?” lays the foundation, Funktroid’s “Connection Zone” fuels the ignition. Picking up on the deep, creaky aesthetics of its predecessor, the track leans more into forward motion, pushing an undeniable groove. The bass tightens, the swing increases, and a restless energy takes over—this is the moment when the dancefloor finds its collective rhythm. Funktroid crafts a track that feels like the transition from introspection to collective movement, the moment when bodies synchronize and the night truly begins.
Local Dj, riding the high of recent standout releases on Antam and Goodtunes, delivers “Dreams Of Radio,” a dubby, spaced-out cut that sees his signature vocoder stylings weaving through expansive synth pads. The track drifts in and out of consciousness, balancing warmth with distance, creating a late-night hallucination of a track that lingers between nostalgic radio waves and modern club functionality. A smooth, transportive moment that shifts the EP into deeper, more introspective terrain.
Closing the physical release, Aladdin!’s “The Ali-Ens” introduces a slightly darker, more mystical touch. The synths glow like neon in a smoky basement, guiding the listener through a haze of deep space sonics. The track’s evolving layers evoke a cinematic quality, an interstellar journey soundtracked by shadowy low-end rumbles and distant echoes of a distant world. Positioned perfectly as the EP’s outro, it rounds off the experience by delving into the unknown.
For those diving into the digital release, Amookii’s “Call Da 12” provides an extra dimension to the journey. Similar in mood to “The Ali-Ens,” it leans into sultry darkness, with spoken-word elements adding a seductive edge. The bassline breathes in thick, humid air, and the track pulses with an underlying sensuality that lingers long after the final beat fades.
“Illegal Business” is a statement release from BMK Records, a collection of tracks that align in mood but diverge in execution, creating a fluid yet unpredictable listening experience. From creeping grooves to full-bodied momentum, from celestial excursions to noir-tinged seduction, the EP thrives in its balance of light and dark, groove and grit. It’s a potent glimpse into Lyon’s underground and a reflection of Undergroove Records’ ability to spotlight the finest in contemporary club music.
Words by Holger Breuer
Torture the Artist 