Barcelona’s revered Kommuna label marks a decade of pushing underground House music forward. True to its ethos, the imprint—helmed by CMYK and Pekkuliar—functions exclusively as a platform for various artists, eschewing EPs. This approach transforms each release into a treasure trove for diggers, unveiling fresh talent and rediscovered gems from artists who might have otherwise slipped under the radar. Over the years, Kommune has assembled ten EPs featuring underground heavyweights such as CMYK himself, Nicola Kazimir & Barbir, SINM, Stopouts (the late, great Andy Panayi), and Cedric Dekowski—each leaving their own indelible mark on the label’s landscape. For its latest VA, Kommuna has curated four tracks that encapsulate the spirit of contemporary underground House. Each contribution carries a distinct personality, yet together they form a cohesive showcase of the scene’s raw energy and inventiveness.
Fabricio, the newcomer in the fold, makes an electrifying debut with “Collateral Effect”. This opener is a masterclass in modern Electro-Funk, seamlessly channeling the golden era of French Electronics. A seductive synthetic bassline slithers beneath a sultry rap vocal, while warped and woozy effects give the track a time-warped feel—like an unearthed relic from Ed Banger’s lost archives, somehow both nostalgic and cutting-edge.
Next, Charleze (one-fifth of underground collective Felon 5, also known for his Downtempo alias Acid Chaz) steers the record into hypnotic terrain with “Rage Power”. Trippy, intoxicating, and ever so slightly paranoid, its shadowy synths and throbbing bassline ooze late-night tension. Topped with hushed, alluring vocals, it’s the kind of track that thrives in smoke-filled basements, where the walls sweat and time dissolves.
Wooka’s “Tirty Dalk” delivers an essential slice of 2025 Electro-House—a bold, bass-driven cut brimming with personality. Cleverly manipulated phone call snippets weave in and out of the mix, alongside eerie vocal fragments and scattered piano stabs. The track’s Big-Room build-up threatens to tear through the ceiling, yet it never strays into excess; every element is meticulously balanced, culminating in a feral peak-time bomb.
Closing out the EP, Mooglee lets loose with “Things I Love”—a Funk-infused club weapon. Minimalistic pads hover over a punchy bassline, while pastiche EDM vocal samples and crisp rapped verses add a playful edge. In the hands of a skilled DJ, this one has the potential to trigger pure dancefloor mayhem.
Across “Dysto Disco“, Kommune continues to showcase underground House music at its most vibrant and unrestrained. The artists assembled here aren’t just following trends; they’re bending them to their will, pushing the sound into thrilling new territory. A classy, forward-thinking release from one of Barcelona’s finest.
Words by Pasha Pliskin
Torture the Artist 