The unmatched “Analogue Stories” series jumps back home to Re/Think on this four track EP of gorgeous deep house tracks. Analogue Stories 4 changes more than just the name on the tin — it’s a collaborative effort as it features one track credited to Abacus, two by Toronto’s Haf S and one track by both of them.

Abacus’ “In Between The Lines” (remixed, I think, by Haf S) leads off with warmth and grit and the bright shining vibrations of something deep and unfathomably dope. This is why you buy doubles: the unshakable urge that once this one heads into the final minute, you’ll want to tamp down on the anxiety and rewind to play it again. If you’re reading this you probably already believe that music is a form of magic, and Abacus remains one of the mysterious warrior monks on the mountain practicing esoteric spellcraft and pouring new potions into old bottles.

On the flip, Haf S lights it up with the high voltage “My Love Is.” Built around a scratchy vocal sample that crackles with electricity and chords that pulse like static thrown off by a Tesla coil, it leads into the cybernetic hinterlands of “Availability.” We toss around the word “hypnotic” a lot and it usually is meant to say something’s repetitive but still interesting. I think you could play “Availability” on a loop, though, and seriously fry your mind. Lulled by soft pads and vibrant synth waves, it gets into you with its nails and it doesn’t let go. Haf S is a talented producer and his contributions to this record are like a pass that allows genius architects to just build shit and not worry about the cost or consequences. Shapeless, untamed beauty.

⚪️ Analogue Stories Vol 4 Tracklisting

Abacus & Haf S: Analogue Stories Vol 4 (Re/Think / 12" Vinyl + Digital)
A1. Abacus - "In Between The Lines" (Jeep mix) (4:50)
A2. Din-dunya - "In My Life (An Ismaili Story)" (7:04)
B1. Haf S - "My Love Is" (Jeep mix) (5:45)
B2. Haf S - "Availability" (Jeep mix) (5:54)

⚪️ Disclosure Statement

This record was submitted as a promo.

⚪️ Previous Coverage

✳   New Music: Saturated in soul: Abacus adds to a legendary discography on Analog Stories Vol 3 (2025)
✳   New Music: Analog Trks: Abacus reissues one of the greatest deep house tracks of all time (2024)
✳   New Music: Maestro: Abacus returns with The Lower End Theory (2023)
✳   New Music: Basic Amounts Marks a Return for Deep House Legend Abacus (2018)
✳   New Music: Abacus Presents iDrum: iDrum This Djembe (This Is Not a Bongo) (2012)

 

5 Mag Issue 221
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BACK TO BASICS: First published in 5 Mag Issue #221 featuring Mark Knight, Yuu Udagawa, Gene Tellem and more. Become a member for $2/month and get every issue in your inbox right now…

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