VA - Neon Reflections (2025)

About ‘Neon Reflections’ - Celebrating 5 Years of Boundary-Pushing Club Music

As Early Reflex turns five, the label marks this milestone with a landmark 30th release: a global-minded, rhythm-forward compilation that captures the spirit and evolution of the imprint since its inception. This 12-track release features a cross-section of cutting-edge producers shaping the contours of contemporary club music.
From Seoul to Valencia, New York to Milan, Taipei to London—this collection brings together a constellation of artists whose sonic identities reflect the genre-defying ethos of Early Reflex. Propulsive yet detailed, physical yet intricate, the compilation traverses bass-heavy terrains, syncopated percussive structures, and otherworldly textures, acting as both a retrospective and a projection of what’s next.
Whether you're locked into headphones or immersed in a full club system, these tracks carry the uncompromising, future-facing energy that defines Early Reflex.

The compilation begins with Arexibo’s “Overoptimistic”, an eerie and shimmering ambient opener that layers vibrant tones into a rich, cinematic prelude—ideal for both dancefloor openings and solitary headphone rituals. Pépe’s “Tobeigeseek” follows, delivering a disjointed yet hypnotic club track born from a nonlinear, chance-embracing process. Filled with cuts, glitches, and wormhole dynamics, it’s a piece that thrives in unpredictability.
Next comes Martini’s “Fixative”, a delirious and divine expression of feminine power, where messy textures and flamboyant rhythm shape a fabulous and empowered aesthetic. Label head Alec Pace contributes “Dal Segno”, a no-nonsense tool designed with minimal techno precision and twisted bass mutations, epitomizing the Early Reflex signature sound.
Natsumi Hirota strips things back with “e. _________”, a vibrant yet simple rhythmic construction that radiates clarity and groove in equal measure. Up next, Sonia Calico’s “Temporal Drift” blurs genres and geographies, fusing Electro Funk and Budots-inspired energy into a morphing, 808-fueled banger that captures the dizzying sensation of time slipping away.
At the heart of the compilation is Sobolik’s “Distraction”, which bursts with color, polyrhythms, and genre-defying flair. Drawing from both UK and North American club traditions, it's a dazzling example of hybrid dance music in full bloom. Biased brings raw percussive energy on “Circuit Bug”, where South American grooves collide with jungle rhythms, layered with a rubbery, elastic sonic backdrop.
Ikävä Pii dives into storytelling with “Marlboro City Puglia Circa 1999”, an exhilarating soundtrack to an imagined '90s car chase through Southern Italy. Its propulsive breaks and cinematic tension echo a lost era of contraband and rebellion. Emily Jeanne’s “Sunyata” takes a spiritual turn, channeling a brief encounter with the infinite into a lush ambient-techno sculpture of ephemeral beauty and depth.
Aeery flips expectations on “Bersek Riddim”, merging dancehall structure with cybernetic intensity, spiraling into tension and release while referencing the chaotic surge of mecha anime energy. Finally, the compilation closes with “Neon Fever”, a collaborative burner from Alec Pace & Capiuz. It’s a relentless, dancehall-influenced finale loaded with heavy subs, propulsive drive, and raw percussive weight—a powerful conclusion to five years of sonic exploration.

Alec Pace said about Neon Reflections:
“It’s incredible to think that six years have passed since our very first Early Reflex event here in Turin—featuring Sonia Calico and Hence Therefore alongside myself—and now we’re celebrating five years of the label with our 30th release. Watching the project evolve from local nights into a platform connecting artists across the globe has been nothing short of surreal. This compilation brings together an outstanding lineup—featuring established names like Pépe, Emily Jeanne, Sonia Calico and Arecibo, longtime collaborators such as Sobolik, Capiuz, Martini, and Ikävä Pii, as well as exciting up-and-coming and new-born talents from across the club spectrum such as Aeery, Biased and Natsumi Hirota. It feels like the perfect way to mark this journey: a milestone release that reflects our identity and community, pressed into a special limited-edition vinyl piece. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Neon Reflections is available across all platforms on Friday 13th June 2025.