New York label Alliance Upholstery returns after a hiatus that began with the COVID-19 pandemic. Eli Cohen – one half of Magic Words, whose Wabi Soba we raved about earlier in the year – runs the imprint. Their roster includes luminaries such as Sasac, Jex Opolis and Tokyo’s Greeen Linez. The new 12 reissues a track by Beijing band Nova Heart. Initially released in 2012 on the outfit’s debut CD, Ethereal is a collaboration between singer / songwriter Helen Feng and Roman DJ / producer Rodion. 

The original mix references ’80s synth-pop. A sort of midtempo electronic tribal stomp, with a big digital B-line, recalling the Cosmic Club vibe of, say, Anna’s Systems Breaking Down. An Italomatic remix raises the tempo and gives the bottom-end more of slapped twang sound, pitching the track somewhere between Fun Fun`s Happy Station and a dubby Kajagoogoo dance-floor extension. Ivan Berko’s reinterpretation is a racing, conga-ed and bongo-ed rave raindance. Magic Words manifest William Orbit’s `80s work. Especially his sides as Torch Song. Feng’s vocals are gated and trippy. Seriously shaken up. The tune’s busy musical molecules bouncing along to a fascinating rhythm that’s very Bassomatic, before dropping into a bass heavy proto-house section. Prepare to energize. 

Nova Heart’s Ethereal can be ordered directly from Alliance Upholstery.