Even after the success of Diary 1 Upon Yous first CD label compilation it was clear that the Berlin crew wasnt through with their adventures and had every intention to keep documenting them (and doodling in the margins, too). With nearly 70 releases in their catalog and with recurring label nights held in their hometowns top clubs Berghain/Panorama Bar and Watergate, Upon You felt it was time to make another full-length statement in the form of Diary 2, compiling 12 new, exclusive tracks, showing the labels wide sonic spectrum within the realm of techno and house music. But Diary 2 isnt just some uninspired victory lap. Whereas the first edition was curated by Marco Resmann (who co-runs Upon You along with Hawks Grunert), this time the honor goes to DJ/producer Marcus Meinhardt, a core member of the Upon You artistry and bookings roster as well as co-founder of the legendary HomeSweetHome party series in Berlin. Another core difference here is that while our first compilation focused solely on our own home-grown talent, this sequel invites some international like-minded friends in on the action such as Mark Henning, Douglas Greed, The Glitz, Melohman, Javi Bora and RifRaf in addition to regulars like Gunnar Stiller, Pele and ONNO & Marcus Gehring. From pristine pulsations to clattering percussion, from warm timbres to frigid synths, Diary 2 covers all the bases, in line with the rich past of techno and house, but clearly without any retro fetishism. Douglas Greed sets the tone with the seductive opener Sense, featuring the demure Delhia de France cooing Everything was buzzing and sizzling and fizzing and twisting, while RifRaf contributes the fuzzy, buggy Down from Heaven which demands the fog machine be cranked up to 11. One of the compilations highlights (a relative term, as all 12 tracks are highlights!) is the first collaboration between Marco Resmann and Emerson Todd, the bewitching Cursed, which seems to melt sine waves until they evaporate in the air. In between more spartan and darker moments, The Glitz and Nico Stojan lighten the mood with their respective looney tunes Orange Blossom which would definitely make it into Woody Woodpeckers DJ bag and Inflagranti the kind of track that makes you think you have 5.1 ears on your head. And of course our tastemaker Meinhardt wouldnt neglect to include himself, here bringing a slice of colorful, synthetic tropicalia titled Splash. Finally, up-and-coming duo Melohman & Javi Bora close out the collection on a graceful, somber note with the operatic Moldavia.