Vital Label

Continuing the legacy of his Lovefingers blog, Andrew Hogge’s ESP Institute is a truly anything-goes imprint, unbound by genre or style. Alongside a mix from its catalogue, he tells Anna Wall about how how his DIY attitude and digger’s mentality has helped him unearth countless new musical gems

Helmed by 2 Bad Mice, Over/Shadow is one of the most essential labels in the modern jungle/drum & bass scene. Though initially formed around much of the classic Moving Shadow crew, its focus is set firmly on the future, releasing cutting-edge music from artists old and new alike, and aiming to create a sustainable model for all. Alongside a mix from its catalogue, Ben Hindle learns more

Founded by Jensen Interceptor and Assembler Code in 2018, International Chrome has become a byword for electro-licked club heaters — but it’s much more than that. From charity releases to expansive tapes, the label’s focus on bringing like-minded individuals together and connecting global sounds has kept things in a state of constant evolution. Alongside a mix from its catalogue, Ben Murphy learns more

Poland’s Pointless Geometry challenges the sonic and economic norms of both the music industry and its home country’s ruling power. Alongside a mix of tracks from its catalogue, label heads Copy Corpo and FOQL explain how they put community building, an egalitarian approach, and uplifting local artists at the forefront of everything they do

Melding psychedelic house, trance and techno with crackly charm, Naarm's  Butter Sessions imprint is raising the heat on dancefloors across Australia and beyond. Alongside a mix of tracks from its catalogue, Anisha Khemlani speaks to founders Sleep D about their community-building approach

UK-based label All Centre’s prolific output – and active online and IRL community – has placed it at the bleeding edge of bass-fuelled club music. Alongside a mix of tracks from its catalogue, Eoin Murray chats to DJ Pitch and Simkin about its evolution over the past five years, and its ethos of giving new artists a shot

Created by the team behind India’s Krunk events during the pandemic, Krunk Kulture was named as a label to watch by DJ Mag in 2021, and has since flourished into an essential multi-genre outlet for South Asia’s most cutting-edge artists. Alongside a mix of tracks from its catalogue by founder Rafiki, Aneesa Ahmed learns its story

Merging the steely sonics of industrial, EBM and techno with the colourful tones of post-punk and Italo, BITE has been raising the heat on the dancefloors of Berghain and beyond for five years. Alongside a fierce mix from its catalogue, Niamh O’Connor speaks to co-founder Phase Fatale about hybridised sounds, vibrant artwork and the joy of label nights

Since 2014, Wisdom Teeth has been a home for electronic music that blends the synthetic with the organic, and hits a sweet spot between bass-charged velocity and daydream reverie. Alongside a two-hour mix from its catalogue, founders Facta and K-LONE chat to Eoin Murray about the friendship and adventurous palette that have shaped the imprint’s evolution

Named after the postcode of legendary East London club Plastic People, ec2a has been putting out red-hot dubplates and helping to cultivate the reinvigorated UKG scene by nurturing up-and-coming artists. Alongside a mix from its catalogue, founder Dr Dubplate shares the label’s story so far with Rob McCallum

Launched in 2016, Amsterdam-based imprint The North Quarter has become a key platform for soulful drum & bass and beyond. Alongside a mix from its catalogue, founder Lenzman speaks to Ben Murphy about surprising listeners, originality, and the guiding principle of sharing the music he loves

Germany’s Get Physical Music has been a crucial outlet for house music in its many forms for 20 years. Alongside a mix from its catalogue, Kristan J Caryl meets co-owner Roland Leesker to learn about how the label is foregrounding artists from South Africa, Brazil and Cuba — and why trusting your gut is the key to success

As the underground drum & bass label celebrates its 20th anniversary, Critical Music founder Kasra records a breakneck mix of tracks from its catalogue, and chats to Jake Hirst about the imprint’s history and constant evolution

Showcasing the diversity of sounds on offer in the Indian electronic music scene and inspiring a new generation of artists to get creative, boxout.fm Recordings has evolved from radio station to club night to vital label. Alongside a mix from its catalogue recorded by Mutable Mercury, founder DJ MoCity tells Safi Bugel about the platform’s journey so far

New York’s Kindergarten Records has become an essential outpost for hard-to-define, easy-to-dance-to club music in just two short years. Alongside a mix from its catalogue, founder Ma Sha tells Sophie McNulty how friendship and a sense of fun are at the heart of the imprint