Three years after the release of Volume 1, Innershades returns to home turf with a second entry in his Heritage series. The New Beat territory that its predecessor tackled, serves as the starting point for the A-side of Volume 2 as well.
The glistening arpeggios and choir patches on “Mind State” enhance the track. The unyielding kicks, alarm-like synth lines, and plodding tempo of “System Breakdown” contribute to its unique feel. These elements reaffirm how the genre’s hallmarks smoothly align with the artist’s own inclinations.
The B-side draws from the broad spectrum of styles that emerged a bit later, in the early nineties. During this time, it seemed the dance floor would move unimpeded between genres and bridge them. The boundaries were often not as firmly established. “Fuse Memory” nudges the pace forward, driven by the 909 and a staple hypnotic lead.
When the drums come to a halt, a 303 emerges to flesh out the break. “Rhythm Composer” continues in a similar early techno vein, but pulls the track into outer space via its formant-heavy leads and Detroit-tinged sci-fi sweeps.
On ALT023 Innershades appears in fine fettle, providing another batch of up-front club tracks, inspired by the past yet moving forward.
Discover: Innershades preview of Heritage vol. 2 on soundcloud
release date: March 30th, 2026
label: Altered Circuits
catalog no: ALT023
About Innershades:
Innershades is Thomas Blanckaert, a Belgium‑born producer and DJ known for his eclectic, club‑ready electronic music rooted in house, techno, electro, acid and New Beat influences. He emerged in 2013 with early releases such as That Girl and Gravure. He quickly gained attention for bass‑heavy, rave‑charged productions. These draw from Chicago, Detroit and European underground sounds.
Over the last decade, Innershades has developed a distinctive sound palette marked by powerful kicks, hypnotic synth lines and analog hardware textures. He co‑founded the label Altered Circuits to showcase forward‑thinking club music. He has released numerous EPs and albums there. This includes the Heritage series, which pays homage to Belgium’s New Beat heritage. It also pushes its legacy forward. His work also spans side projects and aliases, with explorations into electro, progressive and trance‑tinged styles.
As a DJ, Innershades is celebrated for dynamic, genre-blending sets. These sets balance raw dancefloor energy with atmospheric depth. This makes him a respected figure in the international electronic music community.
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