CRYSTAL light a trail to their new album

Directed by Shinya Satotaken from the forthcoming album 'Reflection Overdrive' Download/Stream the single http://smarturl.it/CRYSTAL-ReflectionDirected by Sh...

Driven by a love for late 80s neon pop, the duo return to release the first few tracks from upcoming album ‘Reflection Overdrive’

Japanese group CRYSTAL has kept focus on the development of their own unique sound from the start, and their original attitude and style has begun to draw widespread attention. They’ve being receiving praise from both reviewers and artists, including Flying Lotus and Gaspard Auge of JUSTICE.

The artists behind this project Ryota Miyake and Sunao Maruyama, producers who share an interest in retro aesthetics, 80’s pop and experimental ventures in electronica. We previously covered their Ecco Funk EP back in 2020, a release which delighted in nostalgic pop funk vibes, without becoming confined to the pre-established genres of city pop of vapourwave. Tracks from Ecco Funk seemed determined to reconnect with that period when technology was rapidly developing, and artists were excited to see how they could incorporate that into their sound.

We may have jumped ahead to 2021, but CRYSTAL are still drawing on that early retro aesthetic. The duo has been dropping a few tracks taken from their upcoming collection ‘Reflection Overdrive’, which is set for a full release on May 7th via the ever indie Japanese label Flau. The pre-release singles so far are vibrant with racing synth and neon basslines; original work from a different time.

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CRYSTAL embraces old school sound, with ‘Ecco Funk’

taken from the forthcoming EP 'Ecco Funk' Download/Stream http://smarturl.it/CRYSTAL-EccoFunk/Pre-Order https://flau.bandcamp.com/album/ecco-funkartwork by R...

Fans of 80’s new wave, CRYSTAL prepare to deliver a new EP fresh from the past

With retro melodies and a touch of sparkling chiptune, ‘CRYSTAL’ are laying claim to their own unique place in the Tokyo synthwave scene. It’s clear to see that Ryota Miyake and Sunao Maruyama are influenced by decades past and keen to resurrect retro sound to bring life and energy to their modern music.

Their discography shines with the vibrant electro pop funk of the late 70s and early 80s, unapologetically groovy synth and energetic electronic percussion keeping the mood neon bright. A love of retro gaming also finds its way into CRYSTAL’s sound, samples sneaking into their tracks from classic franchises and generating a layer of nostalgic comfort.

Their firmly retro sound is niche but the bubblegum energy captured by CRYSTAL is infectious. The pair has received praise for their work from names like French label Sound Pellegrino, and has collaborated with artists including Ikonika and Matias Aguayo.

The duo just released their new EP, titled ‘Ecco Funk’ on the alternative Japanese label Flau. Referencing the cult classic game Ecco the Dolphin, the lead track plays around with dolphin chatters and smooths out the mood with cosmic sighs.

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Eclectic and electronic- listen to our playlist below!

Experimental Dream-pop marks Cuushe’s return

taken from the forthcoming album WAKEN http://smarturl.it/Cuushe-Magic video directed by Tao Tajima 田島太雄 http://taotajima.jp/ animation directed by Yoko Kuno...

Warm tones, soft percussion, and higher resolution; Cuushe steps back into a community ready for her voice

The past few years have been tumultuous for Japanese producer Cuushe, with circumstances leading to the artist taking a hiatus from the industry. The strength and determination behind her return to music is contrasted by the delicacy of her sound, and the ethereal quality of a voice which remains her distinguishing feature.

Cuushe, AKA Mayuko Hitotsuyanagi, often creates a mood in her music which draws from the same pool of energy as chillwave; reverb heavy and gentle in their warmth, early releases like ‘Sort of Light’ explored hard to capture atmospheres of familiarity and comfort. Accustomed to movement from place to place herself, Cuushe releases into her tracks a sense of open space, horizons too distant to conceptualise.

In her return to the electronic scene Cuushe is supported by acclaimed Tokyo label ‘flau’, on which has been released her homecoming single ‘Hold Half’. The track demonstrates a more defined process. Dream-like synth, shimmering melodies and the unconstrained freedom of space remains, but Cuushe herself stands in a clearer space allowing her vocals to lead the sound rather than fade into it.

The single is now followed by ‘Magic’ taken from upcoming album ‘WAKEN’. Within the track melodies of voice and experimental electronica reflect off one another.

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Check out more quality electronic tunes in our Spotify playlist!

TWYN Rips the roof off with 'Ravana'

TWYN is the collaboration between two reputable, highly accomplished multi-instrumentalists from Miami, Florida who have been making waves for some years in supporting roles, winning a multitude of industry awards and touring internationally. Jason Matthews (keyboardist) and Aaron Glueckauf (drummer) together create music that spans multiple genres and decades. With the use of the TWYN synth collection and the guidance of Matthews’ direction, the shape of their sound becomes timeless and modern at the same time, finding the space within to showcase their flare for playful, unique moments. The union of Matthews’ noodlings, cosmic explorations and epic explosions along with Glueckauf’s energetic drumming and precise programming leads to a pairing that puts together a well-rounded sound that fits perfectly. Whether they are making more downtempo or high-energy tracks you still feel like the duo are fully focused on their vision to create highly imaginative, experimental electronica brimming with energy.

‘Ravana’ is a power-house track that blurs the lines between multiple genres such as jazz, electronic and breakbeat. Opening up with a commanding presence of two opposing synth lines, one epic and uplifting the other forbidding and almost oppressive, causing instant drama and tension. This is what I love in music, ‘Ravana’ grabs your attention from the first second and takes you on a  thrilling journey throughout, with highlighted elements of jazz drums, cosmic fluctuations and playful textures that really brings the track to life. 

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A post-dub, vocal masterclass with Vimala

Listen on Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Jx5WE8A0eq0ByRqipIliK - Shot on Super 8 by Louis Thomas and Adrien Casalis With Chrystel Bonne - Double EP available on Vinyl : https://bigwax.fr/fr/opening-light/music/the-double-ep - Follow us on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/vimalaband/ Subscribe the channel Vimala : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7YhXgTlG99EuhOgltSVn1Q/?sub_confirmation=1

Adrien Casalis aka Vimala is a Parisian composer who’s work has been mostly showcased in short film and plays until recently when he joined his sound engineer brother in his studio to record ‘Crystal’, what a talented family! 

Crystal is everything we have come to admire and adore in the modern landscape of electronic singer song writers. While there are some heavy influences and easy comparisons to draw from, on first listen you would be forgiven for thinking you are listening to a super group comprised of James Blake and Antony and The Johnsons. Taking elements from both of these artists while maintaining his own unique sound, Vimala achieves something that is quite rare and spectacular. The play between the harrowing vocal and the driving, post-dub production keeps you locked in to the track through out. This release feels like a visit from a friend that you don’t want to end. It’s fun but intimate, you feel like it has new stories to tell you but you also bask in the shared memories you have with it. 

This is such an easy one to call, if you are a fan of James Blake, Antony and The Johnsons or just modern day electronic music in general listen to this.

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Current Eddy serves up a Tasty slice of synth pop heaven with 'Eyes'.

Current Eddy is an international electronic music group based out of Thailand, Korea and the UK.  ‘Eyes’ being only their second release to date displays a track with well established synth pop sensibilities. 

According to my good friend at wikipedia Current Eddy “are loops of electrical current induced within conductors by a changing magnetic field”, it seems that this is the premise behind ‘Eyes’ as the track plays with elements that do exactly that, not just within the audio but also the animated accompanying video. Both sound and vision are created with an infectious playful energy that are excited by all the elements of the track that flutter, swirl and simmer like sparks of imagination caught in a magnetic field. Accented by a bell-diving bassline that bubbles back up towards the surfaces of swirling synths and crisp percussion.

The video is beautifully animated and supports the viscosity of the vibrant pallet of colours which is omnipresent in every sense. Current Eddy already sounds like a group with a distinct style, bringing something fresh and energetic to the table while managing to engage with the more familiar elements of pop we love. If you are a fan of groups such as MGMT, Tama Impala, Flume, and Gotye then be sure to check out future releases from the rising international electronic group. 

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