25 record labels to follow in 2023 (Part 5)

Explore the 5th Part of our list featuring essential ROminimal & micROhouse record labels you have to follow in 2023 (Part 5)

This year we so far showcased 100+ ROminimal & micROhouse ventures from all around the world split into four parts and now it’s time to go even further with Part 5, revealing yet another list of 25 inspiring record labels that surely deliver the vibes. From pure minimal techno and microhouse to deep house, tech house, dub techno, breakbeat and beyond, all featured imprints carefully curate top-quality underground electronic music signed by established and rising talents alike.

In the ongoing debate between vinyl and digital, selectors, producers and enthusiasts always navigate between the warmth of analog and the convenience of modern technology. Here you can find a selection of labels that incorporate all formats, whether we talk about vinyl-only, digital releases or both. The music itself falls into focus so we invite you to scroll down and find out more.

Bladehouse – Bladehouse crew

German record label Bladehouse set sail in 2020 in order to explore the boundaries of underground electronic music, diving deep into the uncharted territories of house, techno, microhouse and minimal, covering the spectrum of modern sonic affairs with each occasion. Their vinyl-only releases are always mysterious as the names of the artists are not revealed and the tracks are all untitled, keeping the focus on the music itself.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / bandcamp / discogs

Buta Records – Mhrrmv (Zamin Meherremov)

Buta Records is a vinyl and digital label based in Baku, Azerbaijan. Carefully curated by Mhrrmv, the imprint so far released several solo EPs and Various Artists compilations featuring artists like Kondo, Knyazev (RU), Lukea, Nicolas Barnes, Vlad Bretan, Whyt, Jack Cheler, Kame2, Mobile Soul System, Nicula, Fictiv, Giorgio Robles, Minube and Solus, to name a few.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / bandcamp

Dinghy – Aron

Dinghy represents Aron‘s own vinyl-only playground which already brought forward three outstanding releases, propelling the Swiss artist to the international spotlight. Smoothly sailing on mind-bending minimal techno and microhouse soundscapes, the records enjoy massive support in the underground scene while having the mastering signed by Mike Grinser at Manmade Mastering studios in Berlin and the artwork by Jesse Wensing.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / discogs

Malonian – Hendrik Wladasch, Sebastian Werle & David Nicolas

Based on friendships started in Mamaia at the Sunwaves festival in 2014, the German imprint Malonian is managed by three friends and artists who share the same vision when it comes to underground electronic music. The catalogue features top-notch vinyl-only materials signed by Korsakow, Fusal, Msdeep, Cally, Andrei Ciubuc & Frost, Fabe, Paul Walter, Mental Carnival and label co-founders Sebastian Werle & David Nicolas aka Sedee.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / youtube / discogs

MINIM Records – Ruslan

Founded in 2016 by Ruslan Levin and based in New York, MINIM Records is a vinyl-only platform dedicated to promoting and releasing inspiring techno, house, minimal and microhouse soundscapes for unique dancefloor moments. The catalogue includes four VAs and four EPs featuring music from artists like Octave, Kike Mayor, He Did, Pheek, TIJN, Jay Tripwire, Derek Carr, Dragutesku, Giash, Coriesu, Komponente, Saktu, Yaroslav Lenzyak and LOy.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / bandcamp / discogs

MYR – Goeran Meyer

MYR is an independent record label founded in 2016 in Bad Hersfeld, Germany by Goeran Meyer and functions as a collective of artists and friends from all over the world focused on delivering top-quality electronic music to the people. The label stands for sophisticated modern house and techno sounds that shouldn’t be missed.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / beatport / website

Particular – Daniel Broesecke & Tobias Laun

Particular functions as a sub-label of Vivus Records founded by Daniel Broesecke and Tobias Laun, always looking for something special and dreamy soundscapes that will reach both the mind and the soul. The first release by Andu Simion was signed in 2018 and was swiftly followed by outstanding records from Sebastian Eric, Lumieux, Silat Beksi, Dumitrescu and Daniel himself.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / discogs

Repeat

Showcasing refurbished classic gems, unreleased or hard-to-find tracks and fresh sounds alike, Repeat‘s catalogue so far features multiple vinyl-only volumes from established artists like Junkie Sartre (Richard Davis), Jay Tripwire, Grant Dell, Eddie Richards, Mark Ambrose, John Howard, Terry Francis, Nathan Coles and Nils Hess.

discogs

Rockets Audio – Matheiu

Curated by Matheiu and based in Berlin, Rockets Audio enjoys an extended catalogue focused on futuristic and timeless electronic music. Dedicated to pushing the boundaries of techno and house while staying true to the roots of the genres, the label showcases 80+ amazing materials from artists like Prichindel, Danilo Schneider, Chech, Yes’in, Cesare vs Disorder, Anton Kubikov, Cesar Merveille, Max Jacobson, Wareika, Etro Hahn, He Did, Alex Arnout, Denis Kaznacheev and CL-ljud, among many many others.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / bandcamp / discogs

RORA (ODE / Bleu Ciel / Saga / Moulinet) – Romar (Romain Arandel) & Ravzan

Established in 2011 in Switzerland by Romar and Ravzan, RORA isn’t only an independent record label but an international platform relying on its founder’s fundamental values and philosophy. Presenting unique personalities and musical styles, all featured artists contribute to the label’s identity while developing innovative concepts. Bleu Ciel, Moulinet, ODE and Saga function as sub-labels taking the concept even further.

facebook / discogs

Sintope Vinyl Series – NTFO

Founded in 2008 by the Romanian duo NTFO and based in Timișoara, Romania, Sintope Vinyl Series and its offshoot sub-label Sintope Digital features amazing releases signed by the label heads and The Mekanism, Optick, Sammy W & Alex E, Rhadow, nSd, Remus, Bodeler & Saenz, Barut, Lumieux, Aron and Miroloja, among others.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / discogs

Sono Unica – Ajax Pontus, Vincent & Crew

Initially established as a podcast series, Stockholm-based venture Sono Unica steadily grew into a successful electronic music showcase, bringing something unique to the Nordics when it comes to house and techno music. As a record label, their first release was signed by Costin Rp in 2019, followed by Cosmjn, Sepp and Nu Zau.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / discogs

Subsdance – Mihnea

The freshly founded Romanian record label Subsdance welcomes Unisson for its vinyl debut release alongside VincentIulian on remix duties. The mastering is signed by Vlad Caia and the artwork by Cassia Vila. Expect more amazing releases to arrive soon.

soundcloud / instagram / discogs

Terminal M Records – Monika Kruse

Founded in the year 2000 by Monika Kruse, Terminal M Records has long been one of techno music’s most reliable labels. Dealing with peak-time sounds with a hint of dark melodies, the venture has built up a peerless catalogue of releases from a mix of established and rising artists alike, including Monika’s own productions.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / discogs

The Sound Collective – Mihut

Founded by Mihut in 2020 as a local event platform in Helsinki, The Sound Collective steadily grew into an international beacon for top-quality electronic music, doing podcasts, releases and showcase events while connecting artists from Romania, Finland and beyond. Here, you can find music from the label head himself as well as Boske, Nopame, Hanne Honkanen, Joona Hongell, Mari Seppala, Erast and Merikerho Club’s resident artists.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / bandcamp

Totoyov – Arthus

With an extended and inspiring discography, Totoyov music planet was founded by Arthus in 2015 as a project that searches to connect people and electronic music worldwide. With outstanding releases in both digital and vinyl formats, the catalogue includes materials from artists like Vern, Sebastian Eric, Petit Batou, Jacobo Saavedra, Gabriel Sordo, Fabiano Pit, Constratti, Nicolas Barnes, Dubphone (RIP) and Djosh, to name only a few.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / bandcamp / discogs

Tzinah – Primărie

Founded by Primărie, Tzinah Records has always been a reference point when it comes to underground electronic music or the Romanian sound for over a decade as the label collaborated with almost all artists from the international minimal techno and microhouse scene. The platform showcases well-known DJs and producers as well as rising talents, not for the hype but for the love of club music. With constant support from the worldwide community, expect only top-quality sounds perfect for the dancefloor, from Tzinah with Love.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / youtube / bandcamp / website / discogs

Vatos Locos – Hector, Javier Carballo, David Gtronic, Chad Andrew, Randall M & Sece

Founded back in 2016 by Hector, Vatos Locos evolved into an international phenomenon which brings forward an amazing crew of artists and collaborators that travel the world and perform at numerous events and festivals, focused on delivering the intricate aspects of modern house and techno music to the people. The record label side of the concept enjoys an exquisite discography which includes names like Luciano, Dani Ramos, David Gtronic, Javier Carballo, Chad Andrew, Randall M, Sece, Sakro, Mahony, Boris Werner, Iuly.B, Floog, Satoshi Tomiie, Rob Anderson, Amo, tINI, Seth Troxler, Dubfire and Josh Wink, to name only a few.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / discogs

VBX Records – Ferro & Reiss

After a couple of years of hosting and co-hosting several successful events, VBX expanded to a record label with the first six releases being vinyl-only, until eventually digital assets were made available through their Bandcamp page. Based in Amsterdam and managed by Ferro and Reiss, the venture is always on the move, delivering memorable parties and audio materials for collectors, selectors and enthusiasts alike.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / bandcamp / discogs

WAPM Records – Le Chu

Founded by Le Chu, We Are Play Music, or shortly WAPM, has recently set sail in the international scene, promoting top-quality electronic music through various platforms (premieres, exclusive podcasts, live sets, original mixes, edits and EP releases). Among the artists that have so far collaborated with the venture, we find Mike.D, Dubfound, Matpri, Ilya Dubrovin, Paolo Dominique, Arthus, Nicolas Barnes, Zenniv, Nicolas Duvoisin, Adonis Rivera and Alfij, among many many others.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / bandcamp

We R The Aliens – Melina, Jakob Seidensticker, Snad & Boronas

Founded in 2019 by Melina, Jakob Seidensticker of Wareika, Snad and Boronas, We R The Aliens aims to deliver a futuristic sound elegantly combined with the old-school aspects of house, techno and pure electronica. The label features four vinyl-only materials so far, featuring productions from the label curators themselves alongside Chklte, Markus Sommer, Just Jack, Katie Drover, Ohm Hourani, Amir Javasoul and Ricardo Villalobos.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / bandcamp / discogs

Why So Series – Nu Zău

Founded in 2015 by Nu Zău (UVAR, Stowaway), Why So Series shares amazing music signed by artists like Derek Carr, Lumieux, Diferit, Giash, Floog, Julian Bomm, Alan Castro, Lizz, Sublee, Rojid, Swoy, RWN and, of course, the label head himself. Expect an elegant blend of microhouse and minimal techno rhythms mixed with mesmerizing atmospheric textures and experimental motifs.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / discogs

Work In Progress – Arthur Roussel & Cédric Batret

Founded in 2018 by Arthur Roussel and Cédric Batret (half of ROAR alongside Romain Lucas Cebrian aka Roluce), Work In Progress delivers an eclectic vibration in the international underground scene and regularly organises showcase events. Among collaborators, we find Camilo Gil & Øne+1, Levi Verspeek, Juan Zolbaran, The Willers Brothers, Nico Forster and Red Pig Flower.

soundcloud / discogs

Bonus:

Misbits Recordings – Miss I & Moment dat (Radu Cosmin Dumitru)

Drawing its energy from nature’s unspoiled soundscapes, Misbits Recordings proposes a chilled and relaxed state of mind, away from the usual dancefloor rush. Curated by Miss I, the project delivers meditative grooves in its very essence, aimed to define melodic silence through compositions touching the ambient, experimental or downtempo genres.

soundcloud / facebook / instagram / website

Soundsphere – Atouck & Crew

Founded by Atouck back in 2012, Soundsphere brings forward numerous audio productions, live performances, contemporary art exhibitions and incognito events managed by an international team that includes Miron Ghiu, Electronic Emotions, t.quoise, DanB, DesuEx Sounds, Lala Misosniky, Mila Drone, Ana-Maria Irimia, Alina Ușurelu, Ciprian Purcaru, Mars And Daemons, In Vitro, Iajov and many many other multidisciplinary artists focused on experimental electronic music and beyond.

soundcloud / facebook / bandcamp / youtube / discogs

📄 Discover 100+ more record labels featured in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

Words by: AndreiB

*The copyright for the photos belongs to their respective owners and publishers.