François X HHV Records 4 Items

François X, one of techno’s most innovative and introspective figures, returns with Straight Edge Society, a four-track EP that sees the Paris-based producer refine his unique blend of emotional depth and relentless, driving grooves. Set for release on January 17th via his own XX LAB imprint, this new body of work marks his first solo release since the widely lauded CEO EP.

This release feels more like a statement, it's a manifesto wrapped in four tightly composed tracks. It takes techno back to its purest form: rhythm as ritual, sound as transcendence. Known for creating spaces where emotion converges with immersive grooves, François ventures further into new territory, offering an experience that is both physically intense and emotionally rich.



Techno AS A Path TO Higher Consciousness

At its core, Straight Edge Society reflects François X’s ongoing journey toward clarity and self-discovery through music. This isn’t a rigid doctrine imposed on listeners; rather, it’s an invitation, an exploration of what it means to live life in “raw motion,” free from distractions or external influences. This project isn’t about abstention or lifestyle choices; it’s about finding focus and purpose, a temporary escape from the noise of the world into a space where sound serves as a pathway to clarity.

François condenses his musical philosophy into four tracks that shift between emotional depth and rhythmic force, providing a vivid exploration of clarity through sound.



The EP opens with Got Me Overnight, a showcase of François’s signature use of chopped vocals, driving a vibrant yet introspective journey that merges the club-ready energy of modern techno with an undercurrent of renewal. The pulse of Unpolarized draws listeners into a more minimalist, focused state, with repetitive rhythms designed to lock into the dancefloor while evoking a meditative mindset.

As the EP progresses, Certified DNA amplifies the emotional resonance, highlighting François’s ability to weave richly textured soundscapes. Lush pads blend with layered beats, evoking both introspection and euphoria. The journey culminates with Raw Motion, a visceral homage to the classic sounds of Chicago house, where down-pitched vocal loops and gritty textures combine to create a forward-thinking track that encapsulates the spirit of techno as both a physical and cerebral experience. But even here, François X resists merely recreating past forms; this is techno that looks ahead, with an ear attuned to both tradition and evolution.



A Singular Vision

François X delivers a work that is both personal and expansive. It’s a deeply introspective project that not only reflects the artist’s philosophy but also encourages listeners to discover their own clarity within its grooves. For François, techno transcends mere sound, it becomes a medium for reaching a higher state of consciousness, one that extends beyond the dancefloor to touch something profound.

Vinyl with a couple of light scuffs. Cover with bumped corner

Francois X presents Irregular Passion Reshape, a 12 track LP that re-works his album of the same name, due for release in November on Demented XXX. The original full length LP, released in 2018 explored themes of euphoria and melancholy. Entertaining the listener with sensual atmospheres and unpredictable fervour, all designed to mirror the emotions and intensities of nightlife. With Blade Runner-esque soundscapes and bassy club tracks, Francois X played with a variety of genres and references, holding the piece together with cinematic and hedonistic atmospheres. Francois X has invited an accomplished list of friends and artists, both established and newcomers, to re- imagine the album tracks for Irregular Passion Reshape, building a community of like-minded producers that boldy represent what XXX is all about. From Bjarki's frenzied IDM exploration of breaks and golden era dubstep on 'Blurry Youth', to Anthony Linell aka Abdullah Rashim's experimental reshape of 'Down Under'. The collection marks a beautiful transmigration of the original work, embodying the diversity and myriad influences in Francois' own music. 'I wanted a complete rework of my album, containing a wide range of musical directions. A good representation of what XXX is all about. The important thing for me was to have some real transformations on my original material, in a way its a complete new album.'

Operating as a new series to his longstanding dement3d imprint, founded back in 2011 alongside co-founder hbt, the project will serve as a cultural platform for artists to share visions and expansive productions not confined within the worlds of house and techno, enabling the freedom to explore genres across the electronic sphere. This approach stems from Francois X' own personal approach to music production and djing, with a key emphasis on warm, emotive and sensual cuts at its core. The inaugural ep comes from Francois X with the four tracks featured on '001' bridging the gap between his earlier and forthcoming work as well as his future vision for the imprint, incorporating broken arrangements, captivating soundscapes, and immersive textures to reveal a warmer, more house-focused side to x's sound across slower, entrancing tempos. Whilst zoumenou's productions remain centred around his own personal vision of the night, highlighted by the track titles across the package, the cuts explore and delve deep into the idea of open expression within landscapes heightened through the sense of both obscurity and mystery, returning back to ideas explored within his IRREGULAR PASSION LP released in 2018.