The Berlin-based techno artist and Kuukou Records founder delivers a driving rework that channels the energy of Diana May’s acid-fuelled original through her own distinctive techno aesthetic.
Berlin-based techno artist, DJ and Kuukou Records founder Simina Grigoriu returns with a new remix for Volume Berlin Records, putting her own stamp on Diana May’s ‘Ass Ass Ass’. A high-impact rework built for the dancefloor, Simina’s version takes the energy of the original and pushes it into a darker, more hypnotic territory, combining muscular rhythms, acid-tinged tension and a relentless sense of forward motion.
With more than 13 years behind her as a DJ and producer, Diana May has built a reputation for hard-hitting, acid-driven techno. Originally from Russia and now based in Germany, her career has seen releases and appearances connected with influential labels including Ellen Allien’s Bpitch Control, Diffuse Reality and Dr. Motte’s Rave the Planet Future Prints. Her background as a resident DJ at the legendary KitKat Club’s Electric Monday further reflects her deep connection to Berlin’s rawer, more uncompromising club culture.
For Simina, ‘Ass Ass Ass’ provides the perfect foundation for a remix that leans into her own instinct for groove, pressure and atmosphere. Her approach is less about adding unnecessary layers and more about refining the track’s core energy, creating a powerful rhythmic framework that allows the tension to build naturally across the arrangement.
The remix opens with a deep, driving pulse, as punchy percussion and a weighty low end establish an immediate sense of momentum. Elements gradually lock together, with hypnotic rhythmic patterns and subtle textural details creating an increasingly immersive groove. The result is stripped-back yet powerful, giving the track plenty of room to breathe while maintaining a constant sense of propulsion.
As the arrangement develops, Simina introduces sharper accents and additional layers of tension, pushing the energy forward without sacrificing the track’s hypnotic character. Vocal elements and atmospheric details move in and out of the groove, adding depth and contrast to the heavier rhythmic foundation. It’s a precise and physical production that reflects Simina’s ability to make techno that is both functional and richly textured.
The remix also highlights a key aspect of Simina Grigoriu’s production philosophy: finding the balance between raw club energy and musical detail. Across her work as an artist and label founder, she has consistently explored the space between hypnotic techno, powerful rhythms and subtle emotional touches. Here, that approach gives Diana May’s original a fresh perspective while preserving its uncompromising spirit.
From Berlin’s underground club culture to international dancefloors, Simina continues to carve out her own space within contemporary techno. Her latest remix for Volume Berlin Records is another focused statement from an artist who understands that sometimes the most effective tracks are the ones that simply lock you into the groove and refuse to let go.
