It seems like an age since I’ve heard from the good folks at Dirty Filthy Records about a new release. Much like buses we wait for ages for one to come along and then TWO come along in quick succession. Of course, both had to be amazing albums so I am going to cover both this week.
Kicking things off we have the new album from Arcane Allies, the Berlin-based synth trio. They’ve been weaving their unique tapestry of sound since their formation in 2016. Drawing inspiration from psychedelic and Krautrock pioneers like Can, Neu! and Tangerine Dream, they’ve also embraced elements from electronic and techno artists such as Derrick May and Jeff Mills. Their journey began during a U.S. tour with the psych-surf band Dai Kaiju, leading to their debut album, Saraswati, in 2019. This was followed by Sunra Oscillations in 2023, showcasing their evolving sound.
Now they return to present Mount Adhaphera, a six-track odyssey that continues their exploration of sonic landscapes. Let’s drop the needle and embark on a track-by-track journey through this latest offering.
The title track sets the stage with a gradual, hypnotic build, like a spaceship powering up for lift-off. A swirling mass of analog synths loops around a krautrock-inspired motorik beat, pulling you into its gravitational field. The theremin wails like a distant cosmic signal, while arpeggiated synths dance in intricate, overlapping patterns, creating a sense of movement that feels both free-floating and structured. The guitars, drenched in reverb, subtly weave in and out, reinforcing the ethereal, exploratory nature of the piece. This is Arcane Allies in full control of their sonic universe, blending organic instrumentation with synthetic textures in a way that feels both futuristic and deeply nostalgic.
Where the opener drifts in on an ambient tide, ‘Cards’ has a more propulsive energy, its tight drum grooves and bubbling bassline hinting at an underlying urgency. The synth lines twist and morph unpredictably, as if they are alive, reshaping themselves in response to the shifting rhythms. There’s an undeniable danceable quality here, but it’s more cerebral than club-ready—a kinetic piece that feels like it’s constantly evolving, inviting the listener to decode its many layers. The way the track locks into a trance-inducing groove while still remaining playful and elastic showcases Arcane Allies’ ability to keep things fresh and unpredictable.
This is the album’s most evocative and geographically unbound track, taking us on a sonic journey between two worlds. Indian-influenced scales shimmer over a steady pulse, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that feels both exotic and cinematic. There’s a distinct warmth here—the kind of sound that could score an imaginary road movie spanning neon-lit highways and sun-drenched deserts. A sitar-like drone hums beneath the surface, grounding the track as the percussion shifts between organic hand drums and electronic clicks and snaps. The result is a mesmeric fusion of sounds that never feels forced, but rather like an unspoken conversation between cultures.
As the title suggests, ‘Harm’ introduces a darker, more ominous energy to the album. A pulsating bassline throbs beneath icy, reverb-soaked synths that drift like ghostly apparitions. The drums are stripped-back and minimal, creating an uneasy sense of space, as if something unseen is lurking just beyond the edge of perception. There’s a slow-burning tension here, a feeling of inevitable escalation, and sure enough, midway through, the track unfurls into a storm of distorted synth swells and scattered percussion hits. It’s a masterclass in atmosphere-building, proving that Arcane Allies are just as comfortable conjuring unease as they are crafting blissed-out sonic landscapes.
If ‘Harm’ is the storm, ‘Toys’ is the moment of playful release. There’s an innocence to the way the synths bounce and glisten, bringing a levity that stands in contrast to the preceding track’s brooding intensity. The drum patterns are looser here, almost jazzy, allowing the track to meander and explore different rhythmic pockets. There’s a modular synth feel to the way the melodies emerge and dissolve, like someone twisting dials and letting the machines speak for themselves. This unpredictability keeps things exciting, making ‘Toys’ a joyful, spontaneous detour before we head into the final number.
Closing out our sonic journey we get aboard ‘Erkan Airlines’.. Airy synth pads stretch out like an open sky, while soft, shuffling percussion mimics the sound of distant engines humming. There’s a dreamlike, almost meditative quality to it—like watching city lights blur past from the window of a late-night flight. Gentle arpeggios and field recordings add texture, making it feel like we’re eavesdropping on a secret world hidden between radio frequencies. As the track fades into silence, it leaves behind a lingering sense of wonder, as if the journey hasn’t truly ended, but merely shifted into another dimension.
Mount Adhaphera isn’t just an album—it’s a sonic expedition through uncharted realms. Arcane Allies have managed to take their krautrock and electronic influences and mould them into something uniquely their own. Each track is a self-contained world, yet they all flow together seamlessly, guiding the listener through peaks of euphoric exploration and valleys of introspective moodiness.
It’s the kind of album that rewards repeat listens, with new details revealing themselves each time. I highly recommend tuning in with headphones in a dimly lit room or letting it soundtrack a late-night drive. However you choose to experience it, Mount Adhaphera offers an escape—an invitation to drift beyond the ordinary and into the unknown. Are you ready to take the trip?
Mount Adhaphera is out now via Dirty Filthy Records and Echodelick Records on psychedelic vinyl limited to a mere 300 copies. Also available via the Arcane Allies Bandcamp page.
You can follow Arcane Allies on social media here….
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