This Week In Techno: Eli Brown, Carl Cox, Lily Palmer & More

Eli Brown - Believe

One of electronic music’s most unique new talents, Eli Brown, has made a name for himself without conforming to genres. His career started firmly in the tech house realm. After a few years of success, he slowly pivoted toward a funky, upbeat blend of techno and tech house that scintillates large and small rooms. "Believe" is the perfect example of his new sound. Coming in hot at 132 BPM, the track carries the bangin' tempo and drum patterns of techno while remaining true to what we expect from Eli Brown. 

Kaiserdisco - Together One Time

Made up of Frederic Berger and Patrick Buck, this iconic duo from Hamburg has rattled warehouses with their epic techno sound since 2008. With a background in Nu Disco, Kaiserdisco’s unique techno brand carries enough weight to slam big rooms while maintaining a more buoyant sound than most artists. "Together One Time" carries a classic house vocal sample and is currently one of the hottest tracks in the techno world. 

Lily Palmer - We Control

First premiered on Drumcode radio in 2021, “We Control” by Lily Palmer is now topping the Beatport techno charts. Lily Palmer is part of the new techno renaissance. Firmly diving into the scene in 2015, the Zurich-based DJ has made a name for herself by mixing complex melodies with heavy driving basslines to create an incredible live performance. Her new track, "We Control," does just that and is receiving play from main line techno DJs all over the world. 

Ben Klock - Junction 2 Connections Presented by Beatport

One of the original big European techno names, Ben Klock, remains a driving force in the scene. His sets at Berghain are the stuff of legend, and when he plays techno festivals like Awakenings and Time Warp, crowds rejoice. His livestream for Beatport in 2021 is no different. Playing from TV Tower in Berlin, Ben Klock brings his typical intense energy to this set, weaving together techno gems for an hour of heavy dance music. 

Carl Cox Live from Creamfields 2021

Per usual with Carl Cox, when he plays, we listen. Although any Carl Cox set is worth listening to, when the king takes over the Steelyards at Creamfields, you know it will be a special occasion. Perhaps the biggest indoor festival stage in the world, the Steelyards plays host to legendary sets year in and year out. In 2021, Carl Cox graced the stage to drop a hammering two hour set of pure techno destruction. Watch him take complete control over a dancefloor, spinning tracks that would escape even the most learned ears. 

Joseph Capriati B2B Joris Voorn at Awakenings (Amsterdam Dance Event 2021) 

Whenever an unlikely duo plays a B2B set, one must listen to understand how differing sounds will mesh. Joseph Capriati is known for techno, while Joris Voorn typically strattles the cusp of melodic house and techno. Combined, their BTB at Awakenings in Amsterdam was a true masterpiece, blending the big room sounds of both genres for a blistering set with masterful track selection and mixing. 

Jeff Mills - The Seawolf (1992)

A true techno OG and legend, this is not the first time we have included Jeff Mills on this list. As one of the godfathers of techno, any true fan must pay homage to Jeff Mills. The track’s energetic sonar-infused sound is an example of the early days of the bangin brand of techno that would eventually dominate the scene. 

Josh Wink -Higher State of Consciousness (1995)

Most techno fans today still know Josh Wink for his frequent collaborations with the legend Carl Cox. "Higher State of Consciousness" is an iconic 90s techno track that makes use of the ubiquitous acid sound of the Roland 303. Many will recognize this track for its iconic breakdown which has been sampled to oblivion over the years. 

Energy Flash - Joey Beltram (1990)

Born in 1971, Joey Beltram was a true pioneer of techno music. His track "Energy Flash" will be immediately recognizable to fans of techno and house music. The slithering vocal sample, “ecstacy” can be heard throughout a wide variety of sets to this day, and his famous synth line throughout the song has been twisted and reworked time and time again over the years. "Energy Flash" was one of the genres first forays into the dark industrial sounds that we now associate with big room techno.