Berlin-based techno innovator Simina Grigoriu returns to OFF Recordings with ‘Ascended Masters’, a powerful two-track EP that distils her signature blend of hypnotic precision and kinetic energy. Dropping December 12, the release marks her final offering of the year, and a striking conclusion to a prolific run that has included standout releases on Drumcode Ltd., Terminal M, OFF Recordings, Phuture Wax, and her own Kuukou Records.
‘Ascended Masters’ follows Simina’s critically acclaimed Precision EP from September 2025, further cementing her longstanding relationship with OFF Recordings, where she has been a regular contributor since her 2020 debut Sandbox Wars. True to form, this new EP showcases her meticulous approach to sound design and her instinctive feel for tension, momentum and dancefloor architecture.
The title track ‘Ascended Masters’ wastes no time establishing its command. A thunderous bassline anchors the piece, propelling forward with a disciplined intensity that is unmistakably Simina. Following an immense breakdown, coiling samples weave between the percussion, shifting in subtle, evolving patterns that maintain a constant sense of movement, while spectral motifs flicker at the edges of the mix, giving the track an almost ritualistic aura. The result is techno that feels both elevated and deep-rooted.
On the flip, ‘Inner Alchemy’ sees Simina continue to dive into dark, introspective territory. The low-end growls with restrained power, while crisp percussion slices through the atmosphere, balancing tension with clarity. A brooding melodic pulse beats beneath the surface, slowly gathering intensity as each layer locks into place. At its core, the track is about transformation; rhythmic, emotional and energetic. A swirling mid-track breakdown briefly suspends gravity, only to plunge back into a sweeping, muscular groove built for peak-time impact. This is techno engineered to shift the mood of a room: immersive, evolving, and subtly incendiary.
Over the past decade, Simina Grigoriu has shaped a distinctive identity in modern techno: cerebral yet visceral, refined yet always driven by raw pulse and purpose. Whether releasing on globally respected labels or steering the direction of her own Kuukou Records, she remains dedicated to pushing boundaries both sonically and structurally. With Ascended Masters, Simina closes out 2025 on a high note, delivering an EP that is as technically daring as it is emotionally resonant.
You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Ascended Masters’ exclusively on When We Dip. Enjoy!
Release Date: December 12th, 2025. Buy Here
Simina Grigoriu: Instagram / SoundCloud
OFF Recordings: Instagram / SoundCloud