Blawan: SickElixir Brings Industrial Techno to XL
· re:union Radio editorial · 2 min read
Blawan drops his second album SickElixir on XL Recordings — a leap from post-dubstep roots to raw industrial techno, seven years after his debut.
Blawan has released his second studio album, SickElixir — over seven years after his debut Wet Will Always Dry. The British producer, who kicked off his career in the early 2010s on labels like Hessle Audio and R&S, switches to XL Recordings for this record and sharpens his sound decisively toward industrial techno.
At a glance
- Album: SickElixir, second studio album by Blawan
- Label: XL Recordings (2025)
- Predecessor: Wet Will Always Dry (Ternesc, 2018)
- Stylistically situated between post-dubstep and industrial techno
From Dubstep Circles to Industrial Sound
Blawan — active as a British DJ and producer since 2010 — originally emerged from the post-dubstep scene. Over the years, he's made a clear stylistic shift toward industrial techno, as reflected in his Wikipedia discography and label history: releases have appeared on Hessle Audio, R&S, and Ternesc, where his debut album also landed in 2018.
The September Announcement
SickElixir was announced in early September 2025, accompanied by the track "NOS", which dropped simultaneously according to Pitchfork. Blawan's move to XL Recordings for this project marks a break from his previous label home, Ternesc, where his first album was released.
Two Albums, Seven Years Apart
Seven years separate Wet Will Always Dry and SickElixir — a long arc for a producer who stayed consistently active in between. The choice of XL Recordings underscores that Blawan is being recognized beyond his established label circles with this album.
For more on the industrial and dark techno sphere, check out our piece on Ancient Methods: Society of the Spectacle – Debord in the Club. If you're into current genre developments, dive into Dark Techno August 2026 – The Best New Releases & Labels.
FAQ
Is SickElixir Blawan's first album?
No. It's his second studio album. The first, Wet Will Always Dry, came out in 2018 on Ternesc.
Which label is SickElixir on?
The album drops in 2025 via XL Recordings, following Blawan's previous releases on Hessle Audio, R&S, and Ternesc.
Source: Wikipedia – Blawan, Pitchfork
