Tracing Xircles

Formed in 2017, Tracing Xircles is the collaborative studio project of UK artists Blue Hour (Luke Standing) and A-JX (Simon Pilkington). While some may know Luke’s 90s-rooted Techno as Blue Hour and the label of the same name, most are unfamiliar with A-JX, who acts as a mysterious figure behind their collaborative ventures. The project began as a vehicle to showcase dance music on the label that deviated away from four-to-the-floor beats in favour of downtempo breakbeat-led rhythms with a dreamy and colourful atmosphere. In a review by Resident Advisor, they described ‘Gaia’s Requiem’ as “the flip-side of the '90s sound Blue Hour has previously explored—the chill-out room's yin to the rave's yang.” It was a welcome left-turn for the label, which started its sonic diversification, exploring new areas with a growing