When Kate Stein drops an EP, it’s not just music - it’s a neon-soaked summons to the dance floor, where euphoria and chaos flirt in a psychedelic embrace. "Psychworld", her second release of 2024, solidifies her status as a master of rave alchemy, blending the raw energy of underground clubs with a cheeky nod to the golden age of psytrance.

Opening with the title track, “Psychworld”, Stein wastes no time plunging listeners into a kaleidoscopic frenzy. The track is a rollercoaster ride of distorted synths, pulsating basslines, and chopped vocal samples that echo like distant party ghosts. It’s relentless yet refined - a track that’s equal parts sweaty warehouse rave and polished NYC swagger.

“Acapulco” follows, offering a sun-soaked counterpoint to the nocturnal chaos. With its breezy energy and shimmering melodies, it feels like stumbling onto a beachfront dance floor as the first rays of dawn stretch across the horizon. Yet, even in this moment of light, Stein’s signature intensity simmers beneath the surface, keeping the pulse alive.

And then come the remixes - a trio of reinterpretations that turn "Psychworld" into a veritable playground for the avant-garde. Roe Deers injects a hypnotic, acid-tinged edge, reimagining the title track as a slow-burning fever dream. Meanwhile, Mufti and REMAIN tag-team the same source material, pushing it further into the shadows with a brooding, industrial stomp that would feel at home in Berlin’s most infamous basements.

Stein’s knack for curating collaborators shines here, as each remix feels both distinct and thematically cohesive, adding new dimensions to her already rich soundscape. It’s a testament to her artistry that she’s as much a storyteller as a DJ, crafting narratives that transcend BPMs and genre boundaries.

Released through Kate's own NYC-based imprint 99FVR, this release feels like a manifesto for a new kind of rave - one where euphoria and discomfort meet, and where Kate Stein is undoubtedly one of its most compelling architects. For anyone who’s ever felt the magnetic pull of a dark room, a pounding beat, and the promise of transcendence, "Psychworld" is the soundtrack you didn’t know you needed.