As the saying goes, quality is always better than quantity and Axe Traxx is proving just that with its second release of the year by Die Roh & Trudge. The sub-imprint initially launched with a mystifying, four-track bombshell by Sydney duo SONDERR.

Axe Traxx is a freshly started sub-label of the London-based imprint Axe on Wax and tends to push out more gritty, raw music than it’s parent. It came to fruition this past April when it debuted with All My Dreams EP by SONDERR, including a remix by Jordan Alexander aka Mall Grab. This latest endeavor brings that same energy and surely will not disappoint.

Die Roh is an Italian duo formed by Luca Segato aka Sagats and Marco Zanin aka DJ Octopus. They have featured on labels such as Vae Victis Records, MUS Records, Muscle Records, Row Records, Love Notes, Love Venison, and Campaign Trail. They also released an excellent album with Steve Murphy titled The Chasm through the German label Chiwax back in 2012. Trudge is a Parisian artist with a more eluding internet presence, leaving us trailing his Soundcloud page to stumble upon his intense, groovy style in the sounds of spacey house. These two club-house forces come together to build on the young sub-label and push out some energized, atmospheric cuts that are definitely ready for the dancefloor space.

The A side of the aptly titled Split EP features the tracks Coming Out and Give, by Die Roh and Trudge respectively. Coming Out runs smoothly with some playful percussion, soft pads, and soulful vocals while Give features a more somber style, incorporating an appropriate sample of Alicia Keys’ Un-thinkable. The B side kicks up the tempo with Die Roh’s Her First Time, a proper funky cut with a cheeky sample of undoubtedly some girl’s first time. Trudge ends the record on a bouncy note with a booming, filter house track titled Series 7 sure to get those hips moving til sunrise.

The EP is a great effort in releasing a dynamic style from some of the best up-and-coming artists in Europe. Let’s hope we see more coming from Die Roh and Trudge through Axe on Wax in the near future. Split EP is available now on Juno, Phonica Records, Red Eye, and Cold Cuts // Hot Wax.

Stream previews of Split EP below.

Tracklist:

A1 Die Roh – Coming Out

A2 Trudge – Give

B1 Die Roh – Her First Time

B2 Trudge – Series 7