PERLON137
Release Title « Flooss »
Artist Felix HK
Label Perlon
Catalog Number PERLON137
Release Date March, 2025
Format 12″ EP
Felix HK’s debut solo 12″ « Flooss » on Perlon (PERLON137), released in March 2025, is more than another addition to the legendary Berlin label’s colelction, but a crystalline distillation of what makes contemporary minimal techno so compelling.
Indeed, this three-tracker distinguishes from his Ottlix debuts together with Ottber, offering truly sophisticated minimalism; released in the label’s quintessential vinyl-only format, this pressing is doubtlessly something of a holy grail for collectors.
The Artist – Felix HK
Felix HK, born Felix Hornfeck, is a German artist developing his path steadily yet solidly. Formerly a resident at Essen’s Hotel Shanghai and now based in Berlin, Felix Hk has already made a name for himself in the techno scene with performances at renowned venues like Club der Visionaere and Perlon events, Tresor Berlin, Club Guesthouse Bucharest or Renate.
What sets Felix HK apart in the increasingly crowded minimal techno landscape is his approach to texture and space. Following up the 2022 « Tamarindo » release under his duo alias Ottlix (together with Ottber / PERL132), he presents his first solo 12″, in which he operates in that rarefied space where academic electronic music meets genuine club energy – a playground perfectly suited to Perlon’s artistic philosophy.
The Label – Perlon
Perlon is, as everybody knows; that globally recognized record label founded in 1997 in Frankfurt, Germany, (now based in Berlin), run by Thomas Franzmann (ZIP), Markus Nikolai and Chris Rehberger, characterised as one of the most influential German dance music labels. Producers such as Ricardo Villalobos, Baby Ford, Luciano, Matt John, Dandy Jack, Akufen and Pantytec have already added their sophisticated grooves to the label’s unique collection.
Perlon’s legacy is built on several foundational principles that make PERLON137 particularly significant :
Vinyl-Only Philosophy
Perlon is one of the best labels from 1997 until this day – vinyl only. You can’t find Perlon releases on digital platforms, and that is fabulous; this dedication to physical medium ensures that each release maintains its collectible status and sonic integrity.
Curatorial Excellence
The label famously never accepts demos, instead hand-selecting artists who align with their sonic vision, making of each artist inclusion particularly noteworthy.
Genre-Defining Sound
Their ability to identify the most inspiring minds in styles that have some relationship to the genres “minimal” or “tech-house” made Perlon one of the most influential labels ever. For example, in his book « Energy Flash » about rave music and dance culture, Simon Reynolds called Perlon one of the leading labels of its second decade.
Track-by-Track Analysis
SIDE A
A One Hundred Pyrenees
Opening the release, « One Hundred Pyrenees » immediately depicts Felix HK’s sonic palette – one built on precision rather than power, delivering a fantastic creation to introduce this 137th Perlon piece.
The track unfolds through electronic minimalism, each element being positioned with cartographic accuracy; the title suggests a mountainous area, and indeed, the track’s architecture mirrors the slow ascent and subtle peak moments one might experience traversing mountain landscapes. Percussion elements appear and disappear like weather systems, offering a subtle harmonic foundation that provides the gravitational pull keeping dancers oriented.
Discover snippets below
SIDE B
B1 Flooss
This eponymous centerpiece might be the EP’s most adventurous moment, where Felix HK demonstrates his understanding of space as a compositional element.
« Flooss » discovers that liminal space between consciousness and dream state, creating a sense of perpetual decay, as if each rhythmic element is dissolving even as it appears. The track’s genius lies in its restraint, trusting the fundamental elements to create their own complexity through interaction and timing; the result is music that rewards both passive listening and active dancing – a blissful achievement in contemporary electronic music.
B2 Saulagratzos
Closing track « Saulagratzos » is especially charming, as this final creation provides the release’s most playful moment while maintaining the overall artistic coherence; the track’s construction suggests someone who understands that the most powerful emotions in electronic music often emerge from the subtlest gestures.
« Saulagratzos » is both a conclusion and an invitation – wrapping up the sonic journey while leaving listeners curious about Felix HK’s future directions.
Discover snippets above
Conclusion
Felix HK’s « Flooss » highlights a cohesive release that works equally well in intimate listening environments as well as club dancefloors. What elevates this release beyond technical competence is its emotional intelligence, as his selections and arrangements reveal a producer who trusts listeners to complete the musical picture through their own imagination and physical response.
In the context of Perlon’s uniquely curated collection, « Flooss » holds its own place admirably, establishing Felix HK as an artist worthy of serious attention. For collectors and casual listeners alike, PERLON137 is music that exists in conversation with the genre’s history while pointing toward its future possibilities; in an era of infinite digital availability, the fact that this music exists only on vinyl feels like a dedication to the tactile, the finite and the irreplaceable.
This release comes at a moment in electronic music history when the foundational artists of minimal techno continue to produce timeless creations, while new voices like Felix HK demonstrate the genre’s ongoing evolution. Moreover, beyond its immediate musical merits, « Flooss » highlights as well continuity in an increasingly fragmented electronic music landscape; the fact that Perlon continues to operate according to principles established in 1997 (vinyl-only releases, careful curation, artistic coherence) provides stability and institutional memory in a scene often obsessed with novelty over depth.
Felix HK’s successful navigation of Perlon’s standards suggests promising developments ahead, as the confidence displayed across these three tracks highlights an artist ready to push boundaries while respecting traditions. Future releases will likely build on the foundation established here, potentially exploring more experimental realms while maintaining the dancefloor awareness that makes this debut so effective.
Essential for lovers of sophisticated minimal techno, required listening for anyone interested in Perlon’s collection, while also highly recommended for any electronic music enthusiasts, as this release acts as an excellent introduction to minimal techno for listeners unfamiliar with the genre.
Discover PERLON137
Dancing Vinyl – available
https://www.dancingvinyl.com/release/1739988230279/felix-hk-floosssrsltid=AfmBOopI4_KevfQc8jl24QPtLOYQJ1wni95_b4_kbNaG7CvdsXRPZmrV
Decks – available
https://www.decks.de/track/felix_hk-flooss/co2-3m
Deejay – available from 08/09
https://www.deejay.de/FELIX_HK_FLOOSS_PERLON137_Vinyl__1125099
Discogs
https://www.discogs.com/release/33293610-Felix-Hk-Flooss-
Hard Wax – available
https://hardwax.com/84687/felix-hk/flooss/
Kompakt – available
https://kompakt.fm/releases/flooss
Yoyaku – available
https://www.yoyaku.io/release/felix-hk-flooss-perlon137/
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