General Electrix (FIN)

General Electrix are Olli Koponen, a seasoned DJ familiar from Helsinki clubs, and producer Santtu XL, previously known from such monikers as his solo project, Xlter, and Rad (together with Koponen), all released on the duo’s earlier label, Pollination Records. General Electrix was launched in 2024. So far there has been two vinyl EPs on their own Secret Order label. Their sound could be described as old school electro, frequently backed by a sturdy breakbeat. I don't think it's too far-fetched to find some elements of acid techno or IDM there, either.

Their debut, "Year of the Dragon" EP, was released on the 27th of January, 2025, on Secret Order label. This EP rapidly became my favourite, remaining in constant rotation, with the sound reminiscent of the classic 80s/90s era of hip hop-flavoured breakbeat electro. The EP kicks off with the title track, 'Year of the Dragon', with a nagging one-note organ riff and crunchy bassline set to a hypnotic martial breakbeat. 'Angel Swamp' has a steady 808 electro beat, with a synthline reminiscing a straycat miaowing in a nocturnal alley and a funky bassline to boot. 'Fruit of the Bloom' features the classic 'Funky Drummer' beat. 'Return of Diesel' sports a squelchy bassline and dubby FX.

I was smitten by the overall quality here and the ageless bass-heavy sound, avoiding all latterday glitchy production trickery. It’s a gimmick-free sound stripped of anything unnecessary, with funky, dubby basslines and unflinching, train-like breakbeats. As there have been rumours of yet another electro revival looming in the horizon, these releases might well find their way to the turntables and record collections of the true connoisseurs.

General Electrix - Year of the Dragon EP

(SOFYI-1, Secret Order/FIN, 27 January 2025)

"After a long break in April 2024, two old friends returned to their studio in Helsinki, Finland. The emerging music appeared to be quite different from the duo’s previous work, so they felt a need to have a new name for the project. That’s how General Electrix was born. During the next months, a series of meaningful coincidences occurred. As a result four tracks found home on a new record label Secret Order."

1. General Electrix - 'Year of the Dragon'

2. General Electrix - 'Angel Swamp'

3. General Electrix - 'Fruit of the Bloom'

4. General Electrix - 'Return of Diesel'

General Electrix - Maze EP

(SOFYI-2, Secret Order/FIN, 16 June 2025)

"Once the first EP was finished, this double helix continued making new tracks or General Dance Music as they call it. See you in the maze?"

1. General Electrix - 'Maze'

2. General Electrix - 'Laced'

3. General Electrix - 'DNA'

4. General Electrix - 'Wasp'

General Electrix:

Discogs

Facebook

Instagram

Soundcloud

Secret Order

Secret Order @ Soundcloud