words FLYNN LANZ

Propelled by the unearthed sounds of underground techno and the shared passion for uncompromising rave culture, Amelie Lens’ EXHALE, a community-based label with a platform focused on dynamic sounds and high-energy events, celebrates the sixth instalment of their compilation series, VA006. By bridging the gap between DIY warehouse culture and main-stage sonics, EXHALE was conceived by the legendary Labyrinth Club resident, Amelie Lens, where she has curated unparalleled lineups featuring notable artists. 

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Let's take a glimpse at 2020 and visualise the immense success of EXHALE as Amelie brings this revolutionary event to some of the world’s most esteemed dance floors. From gobsmacking showcases at Shelter in Amsterdam and London’s Drumsheds, to the memorable dates in Paris, New York, Beirut, and Istanbul - EXHALE has become synonymous with the energetic and cutting-edge club culture of today. The brand has gained increasing traction within the modern techno scene since taking over colossal festival stages, including Awakenings ADE, Creamfields UK, and Tomorrowland. With this being said, EXHALE will be making its unvanquished return this July - rostering a lineup including Amelie herself and various heavyweights, including Ampe, Funk Tribu, Airod, Aron Hibell, Até & Salin, and an eruptive b2b set from SPFDJ and VTSS. Not only serving as a platform for unique sounds, EXHALE is notably a launchpad for exceptional emerging talents; bringing together a mix of both fresh and iconic artists. 

By sharing a collective vision of future-focused electronic music that pushes the boundaries, this sixth ideation series is a landmark compilation due to its alluring representation of what EXHALE stands for. With a fifteen-track feature, VA006 is a complete techno immersion of eccentric artists and their razor-sharp soundscapes. ‘Nobody’ kickstarts VA006, providing us with an icy vox over typically pummeling rhythms, followed by the French artist, Uphoria, who takes us into a euphoric techno rave with ‘Rave Dance Drink’. This installment then delivers us new talents from the 19-year-old Dutch hard techno producer, STORM, who serves us up a plate of deep bass, lasting synths, and electrifying drops in ‘Hypnotise’, closely followed by Polish DJ, Noemi Black, who invigorates us to transcend deep into their hypnotic rave energy and obliterating bass with ‘Lost In Sound’. VA006 daringly brings us the popular newcomer, German producer AKKI, who presents us with peak techno waves with chill-inducing choirs and a stirring string section in ‘Lost In Time’. Rotterdam’s IOSIO steps up with their uniquely bouncy beats full of groove and pump in ‘Echoes Of Heaven’, following this sonic delight is 2HOT2PLAY who has teamed with Poland-based artist Linds for a juicy spot of trance-fused techno with the infectious ‘Type of Beat’. Wrapping up this ideation is the emerging Italian producer, Flour, with his signature full-throttle trance on ‘Galattica’, the merciless beats and ravey acid of ‘Acid All Night Long’ by Brazilian artist Molothav, the irresistible energy of Até & Salin’s metallic synth in ‘Mess’. Heading into the lower third, Neapolitan producer, Lowerzone, transports listeners to the heart of raving with “I’ll Take You Higher’, whilst finalising this compilation are the two UK-based artists, Alex Farell and GALLO, who promise us hi-octane beats against stark soundscapes in ‘Move Your Body’ and ‘Mantra’. To bring balance to this collection, Onelas makes his debut with pulsating ‘Summer Walker’, meanwhile Amstra & Sosya close out VA006 with an atmosphere of transcending peaks in ‘Take Me Down’. 

With this stacked variation of modern techno sounds, it promises us a never-seen-before combination of new and staple artists that transport us deep into a landscape of soundwaves. With its arrival on 28 March 2025, the release of VA006 has become a hallmark instalment for EXHALE as it celebrates rave culture at all new levels whilst promising nuanced experiences on the dance floor. This techno journey is one that cannot be discarded; a distinct feeling of unique transcendence into the techno world.