Born from the ashes of the Parisian rave scene, the Bass Culture party at Rex Club has been a pillar of club culture there for little short of two decades now. Presided over by Julien Veniel (a.k.a. D’Julz), the label of the same name is an outlet for the distinct functional house sound they have carved out over that time, propped up by the likes of Mr. G, Cassy and Franco Cinelli. With only his fourth release at home on the imprint, the label boss delivers three cuts that fit neatly into that tried and tested sound aesthetic.

It is business as usual for D’Julz with title track “Houdini,” a chunky, peak-time tech-house tool that smacks of Ibiza terraces—built within the classic four-to-the-four scheme, a bold chord progression and frisky yelps generate a few rapturous moments. “Waiting 4 Visa” serves similar purposes, with shuffling percussion and rising chords building up to a prolonged breakdown, but a relatively understated drop. The most rewarding moment is “Serendipity,” a low-key take on the sound, with a gentle bassline that could fit just as easily into home listening as it would club sound systems. Houdini is the work of an experienced tradesman—a selection of well-constructed, polished tracks, that are bound to have a transient spell in multiple record bags.