In the 22nd century, all the Earth's power needs are supplied from space. Giant space platforms orbit the sun relaying power via satellites to collectors on Earth. These platforms are also colonies for intergalactic trade. Thousands of species from across the Universe gather to barter, negotiate and socialise. These hyper-modern, platform-cities are the most technologically advanced and diverse structures in the known Universe. Over 10,000 species reside here, providing an unparalleled selection of culture, markets, restaurants and nightclubs.

Helios City is the brainchild of Glasgow based, modular-synth producer The Unperson (Ally Skivington). Ally conceived of Helios City and sent the above brief to his producer friends all over the world. He asked them to compose a piece of music on modular or analogue synths to the brief set. What arrived back was an incredible array of cosmic-inspired, deep and warm tracks all based on the concept of a large, independent off-world city state. The genres span from Italo to Trip-Hop, Breaks to Synthwave. A truly unique LP, it is a tour de force of cosmic energy from some of the finest new producers in the cosmos.

Helios City opens with The Unperson’s Welcome to Helios City, perfectly setting the tone of this futuristic metropolis with a trip-hop track mixing elements of warped cassettes, delay trails, modular bleeps and drum machines, it floats somewhere between hazy dreams and fuzzy memories. Son of the Speaker delivers three blinding tracks, a producer who has been making music since his beginnings with c-90 tape and scissors, his tracks float between italo and house with a wonderful robotic bounce each capturing the cosmic vibes required by his brief. We Should Hang Out More deliver a massive dark cosmic house banger in the guise of Helios Nebula, a club ready stomper set on board an under attack spaceship. Their two further contributions paint a picture of a deep, cold outer space full of floating analogue sounds. Offline’s entries to the LP are melodic, electronic explorations of sound. Combining beats, synthesisers, field recordings and resampling techniques they express a deep, conflicting love of past and present. A particular highlight is Billy Bates’ Advanced Structure Universe, a Bjorkesque wonderland from an artist who undertook Indian classical vocal lessons 20 yrs ago and has been blending that style of singing with his music since. It’s a wonderful float through an orchestral backing, taking the listener to the very gates of Helios City. Lost Cosmonaut gets the listener ready to board an attack ship to defend the galactic marketplace, while Mother’s Pride provides the most experimental track of the LP, develing into the motherboard of Helios City’s internal computer and flying us through the complex alien circuitry. John Corrigan’s epic curtain draw begins to see the LP round off, with a sorrowful hip hop/synth, 80s mashup. Reminiscent of 90s trance Angels Terms takes us on a rewarding and ethereal journey through the cosmos. Finally Drew Blood puts the brief to a stealy, rattling hip hop beat to remind us why we’re here to begin with.