Dark, distorted, abrasive techno with elements of acid — it’s not hard to imagine these sounds bubbling out of the industrial, electric atmosphere of Tokyo, where Risa Taniguchi was born and raised. This upstart first gained international recognition following her breakout show at SXSW in 2017, which helped push her Lyase Recordings track “What Are You Doing” into the hands of DJs like Daniel Avery, Maceo Plex, Perc and Amelie Lens, all of whom sung the track’s praises. The classically trained (she plays piano, trombone and violin) Taniguchi hasn’t slowed since.

Her Ambush EP, released in 2018 via the Barcelona-based electronica/leftfield imprint Clash Lion, reached not only the number five spot on Beatport’s Leftfield Techno chart, but tastemaker B.Traits played “Execution” on her BBC Radio 1 show. Her latest EP came through Suara, and once again got a rinsing from Amelie Lens. At home Taniguchi is a regular at clubs like Womb, Vent and Contact. But her appeal abroad is growing — she recently played Watergate, and alongside Pan-Pot at ADE.

Risa Tanigucho’s “Amalgam” is out now on Polymath.

DJ AAKMAEL

Few artists keep the spirit of deep house alive like DJ Aakmeal, the Richmond, Virginia-based DJ and producer with credits on some of the finest imprints around: Scissor & Thread, Freerange Records, Axe On Wax, Release Sustain, Kolour LTD, Hizhou, Monologues, Morris-Audio, and his own Unxpozd imprint, to name just a few.

DJ Aakmeal’s sets blend the melodious, sweeter-than-honey vibrations of his productions with hard-hitting deep house instrumentals, keeping dancers happy at clubs like Berlin’s ://about blank, Fáklya Klub in Budapest, NYC’s Good Room and Bossa Nova, Motor City Wine in Detroit, Altanta’s Soundtable, as well as dance floors in Japan, Korea, and beyond. It’s this keen ear for the underground that has earned Aakmeal the respect of peers like Frances Harris, DJ Spinna, DJ Sprinkles, Patrice Scott and Kai Alce. Now you know.

DJ Aakmeal’s Dees Beats is out now on Dogmatik Records.

DJ RICHARD

Having emerged from the Providence noise scene, DJ Richard has a flair for the unexpected. His music traverses ‘80s EBM, new beat and Italo disco, electro, techno and post-minimalist house. And his White Material imprint, launched with Galcher Lustwerk and Young Male, quickly achieved cult status after early releases from himself and the co-founders. But Richard’s willingness to push beyond expectations is what makes his music so necessary — exemplified by his 2018 album Dies Iræ Xerox on Dial Records.

After a stint in Berlin, where he worked at the influential Record Loft, Richard relocated to Philadelphia, where he works in the horticulture and forestry industry. But he still makes regular trips to the German capital to play clubs like Berghain, Griessmuehle, ://about blank and Tresor. He also visited clubs across the US this year, including New York’s Elsewhere and Good Room, as well as Electronic Playground at ​La Gravière in Geneva. And his first release of 2019 came via Flexxseal, a four-tracker out October 25th that deals in heavy, grungy techno and acid. Get it while it’s hot.

DJ Richard plays Good Room NY with Madam X, Shy Eyez, and Spiritual Mental Physical on 22 Nov. 

MONTY 

With support from the likes of Noisia, Ivy Lab, Alix Perez and the Critical family, this French drum & bass wonderkid has risen like freshly baked since dropping his first single, “45 Volts,” back in 2015. In that time, he’s released on respected imprints like Critical Music, Invisible, Flexout Audio, Vandal, and Cyberfunk; and most recently on Alix Perez’s 1985 Music with his Hello EP — a five-track dance floor destroyer that dips between nuanced, haunting vibes, and the harder-edged sound he’s also become known for.

Though Monty’s chops extend beyond the studio — he played Croatia’s Outlook Festival, South West Four, and Village Underground, as well as parties in South Africa, Ukraine, Austria, and Australia this year. Getcha gun fingas ready for Monty.

Monty’s Hello EP is out now on 1985 Music.

DANIELLE

Danielle Doobay might be a talented Bristol-based illustrator by day, but by night, she’s an exceptionally deft DJ whose eclectic blend of bass, house, techno, leftfield, broken beat, and everything in between has captured the ears of promoters in all the right places. DJing as Danielle, Doobay is just wrapped up her own weekly residency called Palette at Bristol’s The Love Inn. Guests included Solid Blake, Mor Elian, re:ni and Oceanic.

But this year has also taken Danielle to Circoloco in Ibiza, a Timedance takeover with Batu at Wire Club Leeds, Public Works in San Francisco, La Cheetah Club Glasgow, Sameheads Berlin, Pretty Pretty Good with Willow, and Salon Zur Wilden Renate for the club’s wild 36h Extended Easter Rave with Savour The Moment. She also hosts her own radio show on NTS, where she regularly displays her ability to weave disparate genres, much like she weaves her talents together, creating eye-catching artwork for all kinds of events and clothes. There’s much more to come from this multifaceted artist.

Danielle plays The Warehouse Project with Feel My Bicep on 30th Nov.