ABCLTD004
Release Title « Take A Trip With Me »
Artist Costin Rp
Label Rawax
Catalog Number RWX026.1
Release Date August, 2025
Format 12″ EP
Romanian electronic music continues its global growth with Costin Rp’s second release on the prestigious Rawax imprint, marking a significant milestone in both the artist’s career and the label’s continued exploration of Eastern European talents. What makes this collaboration particularly interesting is how it illustrates the transmission between different generations; while the pioneering one established the foundations, artists like Costin Rp are expanding the blueprint, incorporating influences from across the electronic spectrum while maintaining the hypnotic, groove-centered aesthetics that defines the minimal sound.
The two-track format allows for maximum impact within minimal means, a philosophy that aligns perfectly with both Costin Rp’s artistic vision (“focused on sound, not hype”) and Rawax’s reputation for releasing only essential material – this is electronic music for serious listeners, crafted by artists who understand that true innovation comes through deep exploration.
The Artist – Costin Rp
Costin Rp, born and raised in Bucharest, Romania, is a performer and music producer who is dedicatedly shaping both his set performances and his vinyl discography ever since his debuts, more than ten years ago, back in 2012. As both an electronic music DJ, producer and label owner, he embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven Romanian electronic music’s global success.
His artistic philosophy is refreshingly direct : “I make electronic music and play records around the world. Focused on sound, not hype”, which commitment to substance over style has defined his career trajectory, allowing him to build a reputation based purely on the quality of his output rather than marketing manipulation or trend-following. Costin Rp’s discography reveals an artist committed to deep exploration of electronic music’s possibilities, as his catalog spans from the introspective “PAST I” digital collection (eight tracks of unreleased music showcasing his range from minimalistic textures to futuristic rhythms) to more recent projects like “The 7 Pieces” or “Shapes EP” – all available on his Bandcamp page.
Moreover, his has shaped an impressive vinyl discography, from “Giselle” on Hashplant (2018), to “Rosette Nebula” on Hubble Recordings or on Priku’s Atipic series (2023) just to name a few, until his own label addition “Automatic Sunshine” (2025), each highlighting different facets of his artistic skill set. The founding of Garden Of Eden Records depicts his commitment to supporting the broader electronic music ecosystem, which entrepreneurial approach reflects the broader Romanian electronic music community’s understanding that sustainable success requires building long term infrastructure, not just creating individual tracks. What distinguishes Costin Rp within the crowded Romanian electronic music scene is his ability to honor tradition while pushing boundaries. For over a decade, the Romanian producer has dropped groundbreaking tracks on labels like Rawax and Pressure Traxx, establishing himself as a vital voice within the global minimal techno community.
His international recognition extends far beyond Romania’s borders, which international perspective impacts his production decisions, creating music that functions equally well in Bucharest’s underground clubs and international festival main stages. Costin Rp’s collaboration history reveals an artist who understands the value of creative dialogue, especially by appearances on VAs like Winder (2020), The Other Side “Impact Lebanon” (2020) or Na Zrak (2022), but also through remixes for The Senss (2021) or PennyRoyal Rec (2023) just to name a few. His remix work and collaborative projects demonstrate his ability to honor source material while adding distinctive personal elements, which collaborative spirit makes him an ideal artist for Rawax’s roster, which has always emphasized the importance of artistic community over individual ego.
The Label – Rawax
Rawax stands as one of the most respected names in contemporary electronic music, representing the kind of uncompromising artistic vision that has become increasingly rare in today’s market-driven landscape. Based in Germany and distributed worldwide through DBH Music, “one of the few leading worldwide vinyl distributors for electronic club music”, Rawax has established itself as a curator of essential electronic music across multiple subgenres.
The label’s catalog highlights a sophisticated understanding of electronic music’s evolution and current trajectory. Recent releases showcase incredible diversity while maintaining consistent quality standards, from Ricardo Villalobos to Move D, from Acid Jesus to Ana Antonova, Rawax shows how a strong curatorial vision can embrace diversity without compromising authenticity. What sets Rawax apart in the electronic music landscape is their commitment to the vinyl format as each release receives careful mastering and pressing attention, demonstrating their understanding that high-quality electronic music deserves high-quality physical presentation.
The label’s roster reads like a who’s who of electronic music’s most thoughtful practitioners. Artists like Ricardo Villalobos, Move D, Losoul, John Selway and now Costin Rp illustrate different visions of electronic music creation. This curatorial consistency has made Rawax releases essentials for discerning DJs and collectors worldwide. Its release schedule depicts patience and selectivity that has become their trademark, which creates anticipation around each new release while maintaining the label’s reputation for consistent excellence. Rawax’s international reach reflects electronic music’s truly global nature. With artists from Romania (Costin Rp), Germany (Move D), Scotland (John Selway) and beyond, Rawax serves as a meeting point for electronic music’s most innovative voices regardless of geographical origin – this internationalism highlights that great electronic music transcends national boundaries.
Rawax’s technical standards consistently exceed industry norms; the attention to mastering, pressing and packaging details ensures that their releases sound and look exceptional, honoring both the music and the vinyl medium. This focus on quality extends from the largest catalog numbers to limited releases, as the label’s relationship with DBH Music provides global distribution network while maintaining all artistic sensibilities, which partnership ensures that Rawax releases reach international audiences while preserving the careful curation and quality control that defines the label’s identity.
Track-by-Track Analysis
SIDE A
A Take A Trip With Me
“Take A Trip With Me” opens this first part of RWX026.1, immediately establishing the hypnotic foundation characteristic of minimal techno on top of futuristic grooves very typical of Costin creations, ultimately creating an emotional arc through subtle layering and careful frequency manipulation.
What makes this track particularly effective is how it functions simultaneously as introspective listening music and functional dance floor material, as the tempo sits perfectly in that sweet spot where contemplative listeners can lose themselves in the details, while dancers find irresistible groove. This duality reflects Costin Rp’s understanding that the best electronic music serves multiple purposes without compromising any of them. The production quality illustrates why Rawax chose Costin Rp for their roster; every element sits perfectly in the mix, with sub-bass information providing weight without muddiness, mid-range frequencies offering warmth without clutter and high-frequency content adding sparkle without harshness.
Rhythmically, “Take A Trip With Me” showcases the subtle complexity that defines quality minimal techno. While the basic pattern remains consistent, micro-variations and barely perceptible timing shifts create organic feeling that separates human artistry from mechanical repetition. This is indeed music for mental traveling, creating the kind of immersive sonic environment where listeners can lose track of time and space. Most impressive is how “Take A Trip With Me” feels both fresh and timeless; while clearly rooted in minimal techno, it incorporates influences from across electronic music’s spectrum without ever feeling eclectic or unfocused – this is refined artistry from a producer who understands his strengths while remaining open to new possibilities.
Discover snippets below
SIDE B
B Sound Crafted On Earth
“Sound Crafted On Earth” is the release’s perfect complement, depicting Costin Rp’s wide production range while maintaining conceptual coherence with the A-side. Where “Take A Trip With Me” emphasized journey and exploration, “Sound Crafted On Earth” focuses on grounding and presence.
The rhythm highlights how minimal elements can create maximum impact through precise placement and careful timbral selection, where each percussive element have multiple purposes (rhythmic, melodic, and textural) creating grooves that allows for complexity within simplicity. What makes of “Sound Crafted On Earth” standing out is that its quality reflects Costin Rp’s production philosophy and his understanding that electronic music’s power comes from human creativity enhanced by technology, not replaced by it.
The bassline deserves particular attention for its sophisticated relationship with the kick pattern; rather than simply following the rhythm, it creates counter-melodies and harmonic interest that reward repeated listening. The frequency content sits perfectly, providing foundation without overwhelming other elements; this is the kind of careful balance that shows why he has earned respect from both peers and audiences worldwide over the years. As the track develops, subtle variations and additions keep listeners engaged without disrupting the hypnotic flow, Costin Rp navigates it with the confidence of an artist who has spent years perfecting his craft. The two tracks create perfect dialogue, complementary pieces that are exploring related themes through different perspectives, which conceptual coherence transforms a simple two-track release into a complete collector item.
Discover snippets above
Technical Specifications and Pressing Quality
Conclusion
RWX026.1 highlights everything that makes contemporary vinyl releases essential in the digital age, exceptional music, uncompromising technical standards and creations that enriches both the artists and the label. Costin Rp’s latest appearance on Rawax depicts the evolution of both artist and label, creating a release that will be remembered as a significant moment in contemporary minimal techno’s evolution. What makes this release particularly significant is that Costin Rp shows how deep understanding of minimal techno traditions can serve as foundation for personal expression and creative development.
The collaboration between Costin Rp’s production skills, Rawax’s curatorial vision and the technical expertise of Manmade Mastering and Record Industry pressing creates release quality where every aspect of the release show professional excellence and respect for the medium.
Discover RWX026.1
Bandcamp – digitally available
https://dbh-music.bandcamp.com/album/rwx0261
DBH Music – available
https://dbh-music.com/shop/release_view/16091
Deejay – upcoming 15/09
https://deejay.de/Costin_Rp_Take_A_Trip_With_Me_RWX0261_Vinyl__1147828
Juno – available
https://www.juno.co.uk/products/costin-rp-take-a-trip-with-me-vinyl/1087531-01/
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