Adhesive is a techno label and multidisciplinary concept based in London, United Kingdom. It was founded with the vision to challenge, subvert and push the boundaries of modern techno. we are focused on releasing cutting edge music by some of the most subversive artists in the game. Our vision is driven by our desire to challenge and subvert modern techno, we select music that excites us and brings something radically new and fresh to the scene.

Our releases are aligned with our dystopian vision for techno and our unique sound is characterised by mesmerising sonic landscapes, radical experimentation and FORWARD-THINKING innovation. We work with some of the most innovative musical minds in the game,  our releases venture into the peripheries of techno, experimental and post-club. The Adhesive sound is embodied by the DECONSTRUCT REALITY concept, which engages the crowd with our worldview to question and challenge contemporary culture, power structures, established norms and social hierarchies.

ADHESIVE REVIEW


Adhesive was born in the london afterhours and many of our artists came out of the underground scene. we remain loyal to our roots and maintain a close relationship with the underground. our editorial projects showcase the visionaries of techno and electronic music from all corners of the industry, who are pushing the boundaries of their field and inspiring a new generation of creatives.

LABEL VISION

In the current class society of the music industry, labels have taken on the role of a luxury brand flagship store where releases are marketed as high end products and sold as commodities. These have become a critical form of social currency; from Instagram bios cluttered with high profile names to highly co-ordinated celebrity collaborations pretending to illustrate artistic expression. This has established new hierarchies where both the social and monetary value of artists is dictated by their aesthetic, online presence, following and amount of releases they have had and on which label; most importantly, this process has manufactured a bizarre new class system where artists who refuse to compromise on their sound and identity in favour of making music suited to high-end music labels are dismissed as incompetent. 

The current business model of techno releases depends on reproduction and distribution for its sustenance, which has created an endless loop of near-identical and uninspiring releases. What used to be a high-brow culture concerned with good taste, has degenerated into a systematic culture of commodity fetishism where vulgarity is the norm and quality is hard to come by. In the European scene, which is home to some of the leading artists in the field, the pressure felt by (both emerging and established) artists and labels to release music that would be deemed as commercially lucrative is slowly suffocating the techno scene from within. At this point, any artist that is inherently serious about what they do will find themselves faced with making the detrimental choice between conforming to the new norms and industry standards in order to get their music signed or maintaining their artistic integrity by refusing to chase releases. The amount of artists who choose the latter and subsequently start questioning their competence as musicians should now be a cause for concern to everyone. How can we all continue to rationalise our participation in this system?

Techno emerged as a genre born out of ideas promoting equality, unity and inclusivity. it pioneered a culture and movement within electronic music free from social hierarchies and senseless consumerism. The growing commodification of techno goes against its fundamental principles and is now causing serious harm to the communities that it is home to. Not only has this had a negative impact on artists and independent labels, the new rules within the hierarchy of modern techno has also helped suppress any criticism towards its key players, which is needed in order for this genre to progress and evolve. More importantly, it has purged the scene of intellectuals, artistic freedom and new ideas. The lack of critical engagement and serious music journalism within this sphere at present has created a favourable environment for money-oriented labels to thrive, which is driving young artists to make music that goes against their own sound. it is therefore essential for artists to defy the new system, promote radical innovation and showcase their musical excellence. if they do not, their identity as artists will be forcefully erased and their work sold to the highest bidder.