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『MASK Records founder ZentaSkai joins forces with Berlin-based creative Laura Merino Allue under the name Cuddling Monsters, a project centered on analog processes and tactile sound design. Debuting in March 2024, the project explores Detroit-infused House, dub Techno, and minimal soundscapes shaped by raw texture and spatial dep ...Read moreth. Working exclusively with analogue instruments, the duo prioritise warmth, imperfection, and presence over polish. Alongside her music work, Laura Merino Allue is also a graphic designer, bringing a strong visual identity to the project’s wider aesthetic. ‘Cuddling Monsters' is inspired by real-life experiences — the raw, imperfect, beautiful moments we move through. We believe in staying present, feeling everything deeply, and embracing the analog flow of the now. It’s about living the moment fully — and like a cuddle on the dancefloor, creating a space where sound holds you, warmth surrounds you, and even the wildest monsters feel safe enough to soften.’ Cuddling Monsters The Cuddling Monsters ‘Vol. 3’ EP opens with ‘Bubble Bloom’, a melodic house track featuring warped, filtered synth tones that set a hazy foundation before a dub-leaning beat settles in. It’s layered with aquatic, bubbly textures and fragmented samples, adding warmth and movement. ‘Warm Waves’ shifts into a lighter, more atmospheric space, increasing the tempo slightly while maintaining a restrained, ethereal character. The B-side closes with ‘Secret Signal’, a long-form techno piece stretching over ten minutes, where evolving synth lines gradually merge with soft, dubby drums and analogue percussion, building steadily without excess before easing out.』

This is the first release in the catalog of the new label "SPECIAL K.", curated by PAU PÉREZ himself and headed by CARLOS CABALLER! This is the first in a series of projects based on the theme of the "seven deadly sins" of Christianity. The album includes "Crowd Eater" (sample 1), a minimal dub-tech track with acid synths and sound effects mysterio ...Read more (Original Japanese text by Akie)usly crafted on a dub bass with a floating sound image, and "Freezer Wire" (sample 2), a stepper-style dub-tech track with a downbeat attack. (Original Japanese text by Akie)

PERSIAN, who regrettably decided to retire from production last year, has released "Smoke Dub" (2022), the third in his MYSTICISMS dubplate series, remixed by Yorkshire genius MILES J PARALYSIS (CRYING OUTCAST)! The original ragga dub and breaks are restored to heavy 4/4 steppers, and the arrangement is so lovingly arranged that it even includes br ...Read more (Original Japanese text by Akie)eaks. The original breakbeats were removed and the modern dub style syncopated "There Is No Love" was added. It is interesting to compare with the original. (Original Japanese text by Akie)

おすすめが軽快なドラムパーカッションにトリッピーなシンセサイザーがデザインされたウィアードハウス「Xdb At The Beach」(sample1)。音数を絞り切ったミニマルエレクトロATION ROP「E4a」(sample2)など。両者共に謎めいてますが奇抜なセンスは確か。現状レコードのみでのリリースです。 (Akie)

Axel BomanとJohn TalabotのTalabomanのリリースのために名門R&Sが設立したレーベル〈The Night Land〉。2019年の1ST EPは追加プレスさえもプレミア化している人気ぶり。2023年新作待望の新作、第2弾と、第3弾が同時リリースされました。ミッドテンションのダビー・ブレイクビート。電子音楽、スペースミュージック、ラテン、バレアリック、レゲエ、サイケデリック、様々な要素が交錯する流石の２曲。推薦盤です。 (サイトウ)

A new collaboration from 〈AD 93〉 (aka 〈Whites〉), following their previous joint project with Anunaku + DJ Plead. Now in stock! This 5-track release continues the approach taken on their previous work, drawing on traditional dance music from Arab countries such as Lebanon, festive dance music, and the rhythms and melodies of dabke. (Original Japanese text by Saito)

The second release, and the first in five years, from 〈DELODIO〉, the label run by French digital dub/electro unit FROID DUB! "La Chambre" (sample1) is experimental chanson where dreamy new age synthesis meets lightweight drum machines and dub bass. "Tango Charlie" (sample2) has lovely keys calling and responding with dubby low end. A luscious fusion of French pop and dub. (Original Japanese text by Akie)

Patrick Conway — known for his project with APPLEBLIM and Sneaker Social Club's Jamie, releases as Park End and Low End Activist, and remix work from LUCA LOZANO — returns with his first 12-inch since his 2021 album on Esp Institute. (Original Japanese text by Saito)

AKIO NAGASE, ALPHONSE, KHIDJAらオルタナティブな才能が数々のクラブヒットを残してきた〈(EMOTIONAL) ESPECIAL〉新作がまたも強い。古典エジプト民謡のオリエンタルスケール、打楽器が妖しいエッジになった中速トランスディスコ「Kremer」(sample1)や、ツイストさせたボーカルループをパーカッションが捻ったポリリズムを為す「Gieser」(sample2)など。東洋の妖艶さとリズムサイエンスがぶつかり目眩を起こすオルタナティブダンス４トラック！ (Akie)

The A-side channels the spirit of the demonstrations into sound: a leftfield 111 BPM cut with dirty synths calling out "RESIST!," driven by Middle Eastern folk-influenced percussion and an acid groove. The Utter Kunt Mix draws on EBM, new beat and the Sleng Teng riddim. On the B-side, "I Keep On Making The Same Mistake" is dubbed-out, progressive b ...Read more (Original Japanese text by Saito)reakbeat evoking '90s UK sounds. "Like the closing credits of a classic film — you can almost hear a wistful French lesbian talking about 'borrowed bliss.'" (Original Japanese text by Saito)

プロトエレクトロニクスから系譜するマニアックサウンドを探求してきた〈SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS DISCS〉に、レーベル拠点チューリッヒのアンダーグラウンドで活動する音響愛好家DON KASHEWが新作アルバムを携えカムバック！80年代まで遡ったフォーク影響下のシンセサイザーと木管楽器、ダークな低速ダンス「Pair of Bellows」(sample2)で幕開け、呪術的な民族打楽器ループの人力アコースティックトランスジャム「Reibung II」(sample1)など。プリミティブなムードとモダンなトランス感覚が交わるオルタナティブサウンド。トラックリストからもぜひ。 (Akie)

ベルリン〜ハンブルグを拠点に展開する自身のレーベル〈Altered States Records〉からの第3弾。ダーティーなシンセベース、ミッドテンポのダブワイズな「Level 2」筆頭に、トランシー・アシッドな「Dafen Village」、トライバルなエレクトニック・パーカッション、ダブ、中南米ダンスホール、エレクトロ・アフロなビートの「Nierpa」などどれも一筋縄ではいかないユニークな亜空間グルーヴ。〈Wisdom Teeth〉にもフックされた〈Third Place Records〉主宰のWill Hofbauerのリミックス(sample_2)、ポリリズムに織りなすパーカッションビート、エレクトロニクス、ダブの遊び心、キックはないがベースでひっぱり、DJの使い所で凄く良さそう。 (サイトウ)

Nathan Fake’s music blends African dance with industrial hammer beats, as well as psychedelic EDM that draws on counterpoint and contemporary classical music—as if encapsulating the mystery of numerical regularity and dissonance. It’s powerful. From Shangaan and Electro Acholi to Hrdvsion’s Juke-inspired remixes, African Electro, and Sinistarr’s co ...Read more (Original Japanese text by Saito)mplex, step-based sound centered around 160 BPM—each track features unique sounds and dance styles that transcend conventional genre boundaries, making this a highly recommended release! (Original Japanese text by Saito)

Philipp Otterbachの盟友Süne Große、Jens Papenroth　、〈International Feel〉などで活躍したGatto Frittoなどのミュージシャンが参加。ドラムにBjörn Bauermeisterをフィーチャリングした「Malarkeys」以外はオブスキュアなギター、ベース、エレクトロニックを中心。ドラムレスですがゆったりとサイケデリックなグルーヴで揺れるディープサウンド。「The Dahlem Diaries」。 (サイトウ)

On vocals are TARA SELLECK and SAM FOX, who also directed the video. A comeback with the original members! (Original Japanese text by Saito)

RÜF KUTZ主宰、SEAHAWKS、 〈LO RECORDINGS〉主宰のJOE TYEとのプロジェクトCHERRY GARCIA,〈KLASSE WRECK〉Sからのリリース、GLOWING PALMSとのプロジェクトでも奇才ぶりを発揮しているRÜF DUGの新作です。もうちょいライトにダビーなシンセ・バレアリックSHARIF LAFFREY(sample3)も！ (サイトウ)

Golf Channel RecordingsやClaremont 56からリリースApiento & Coとしてもリリースしているtestpressing.org のPaul Byrneのニューリリース。 (サイトウ)