Helena Hauff is a German DJ and record producer based in Hamburg, Germany. She is known for her “stripped-down techno and electro tracks,” that are recorded using strictly analogue equipment and draws influences from acid house, EBM and industrial music. Hauff, who has an eclectic background in fine art, physics and systematic music science, released her debut record, ‘Actio Reactio EP’, in 2013 and has been on the rise ever since. Following a series of releases from various different labels, including James Dean Brown’s Hypnobeat record label, she released her debut full-length album, Discreet Desires, through Werkdiscs records in 2015 and the album was listed as number 19 on Rolling Stone‘s list of ‘20 Best EDM and Electronic Albums of 2015.’ Last year, Helena Hauff became the first-ever female DJ to be named BBC Radio 1‘s Essential Mix of the year and at the end of 2017 Crack Magazine declared Hauff ‘The Most Exciting DJ In The World (Right Now)’

‘Qualm’ is the new album by Helena Hauff, released only last week via Ninja Tune. The title is a word that has a double meaning as in German, the word ‘Qualm’ translates as fumes or smoke, whilst the English meaning refers to an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear. True to form, the record is unapologetically raw and finds her returning to her original modus operandi – jamming on her machines – “trying to create something powerful without using too many instruments and layers”.

Buy the full album here.