by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Artist albums from established DJs in house and techno are relatively rare these days, which is one of a few explanations for Adam Beyer’s first album in over 20 years.

Swedish DJ Beyer runs the Drumcode label, but the title Explorer Vol.1 reflects a desire to explore different approaches and styles within and beyond techno.

What’s the music like?

Right from the start it is clear that a lot of thought as gone into this, and even though Explorer is an artist album it also works as an unmixed DJ set.

Beyer works the ebb and flow of the beats and breakdowns perfectly, keeping the listener’s attention with a wide range of material but getting the feet engaged at every opportunity too.

After the introduction, Taking Back Control has a good vocal, while Alto, with Layton Giordani, uses the familiar “What were the clouds like when you were young?” sample before a sturdy beat kicks in, courtesy of his collaborator.

Elsewhere, Explorer has real attitude, while Desolate Lands, a collaboration with Chris Avantgarde, stands out with its brilliant, roughed-up bass. Tanit adds a strong breaks undercarriage, Beyer getting a fine blend between styles with one eye straying towards the Mediterranean. Meanwhile The Distance Between Us has proper bite to it, a clash of styles that is definitely the sum of its parts. Finally The Long Way Home, like Tanit a track rescued from Beyer’s pre-COVID writing, is a cracker with which to end.

Does it all work?

It does – no skipping here! The beats are brilliant, too.

Is it recommended?

Very much so. An exciting new chapter of Adam Beyer’s career, Explorer has plenty of thrills and spills from beginning to end, stimulating the mind while it does maximum damage on the dancefloor. Very encouraging to see that it’s the first volume, too, as it demands a sequel!

Listen / Buy

You can listen to clips and explore purchase options at the Beatport website – and read more about Adam Beyer and previous releases on his own Drumcode label site

Published post no.2,595 – Saturday 31 May 2025