Makoto Nagata provides 'Depth' on his latest release

Japanese track-maker Makoto Nagata is a relative newcomer in the world of electronic music, having just released three singles this year before the latest collection - an eight tracker titled ‘Immersion’ in December.

Not that you would notice this by listening to his work though which spans the worlds of IDM, future garage, ambient, and downtempo - flitting between them with aplomb. Different moments on the record could quickly draw favourable comparisons with the likes of Jamie XX, Burial and Brian Eno - clearly Nagata is taking his musical cues from some top-drawer electronic icons.

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There are some real sonic pleasures on display throughout, but the pièce de résistance of this offering is nestled right in the middle of the collection and goes by the apt title: “Depth”.

It’s an unashamedly bustling track, where emotive breath noises and sound design elements circulate between floating Rhodes, dance beats, and driving bass lines in an elegant sound that is reminiscent of the early dance forays of Four tet. Around the mid way point a throbbing bass synth takes centre-stage before a steady rise brings the main themes back in once more with some pitched vocal snaps that could easily have been straight out of the Kieran Hebden playbook.

It’s an enjoyable listen that shows more than a touch of personality from the producer - balancing sensory stimulus and fun, expertly crammed into a smart package of just over three minutes.

Buy or stream ‘Immersion’

Check out more from Makoto Nagata

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Ke Thu turn down the lights with ‘Salis’

Rising from a strong debut as support for DJ Boring, Ke Thu release their second impactful EP

Musical collaboration supports a sharing of experience, talent, and passion. It also means the synthesis of something new, as ideas collide and styles combine. Such is the case with Ke Thu, a project created by Detroit based electronic duo Tim Barrett and Steven Stavropoulos.

Together the pair has more than 20 years of experience at their disposal, built up as they separately experimented with bands and production, testing out genres including indie, experimental and techno. It’s the latter which feeds the core of Ke Thu, as Barrett and Stavropoulos delve into darker corners of techno and return with soft, shadowed synth and ambient echoes of deep dub.

The sound of Ke Thu slides into the echoes left at the end of the night; minimal and almost listless in the employment of moody IDM, but determined in the pursuit of club rhythms. Our featured track ‘Salis’ is drawn from the recently released ‘Bound Apart’ EP, and captures the ethereal moments of late night dance clubs.

‘Bound Apart’ was composed earlier this year as quarantine rolled in, leaving the two artists to cooperate from a distance. The EP is one of the few examples of 2020’s isolation giving way to a deeply communicative work.

Support the album on Bandcamp or stream it on Spotify

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Check out the label- Detroit Underground
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Dancefloor sound and charged discourse: VAPA drops ‘Envol Captif’

Listen here: https://Wiseband.lnk.to/VAPA-Envol-CaptifID VAPA - Envol Captif Réalisation: Perrine Drouillet INSTAGRAM: https://vapa.lnk.to/instagram FACEBOOK...

French music producer VAPA makes his presence felt on the dancefloor, with indie electronic and late night rhythmic patterns of synthesizer. Since 2017, VAPA has been pushing himself further into the scene through his series of often self-released singles, developing his following through digital promotion and word of mouth.

Purported to be created with the backing of significant experience with the study of musical theory and song writing, the tracks created through this solo project have consistently been layered with a careful hand. The core structures tend to be built around harmonic work and reverberating pulses, framework which VAPA then seeks to fill with themes of realise and realisation.

While VAPA demonstrates his refusal to limit his audio style with each track, he remains consistent in his inclusion of found sound, sampling from various journalists or well-known personalities. In this way he imbibes his work with the discourse of global issues, making successful attempts to remove the divide between dance floor music and the multifaceted reality of our modern world.

Now receiving greater recognition from French media, VAPA continues to spread his music and his political voice with the release of single ‘Envol Captif’.

Support the single on Beatport or stream on Spotify

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'point of departure,' a harmonically tuned machine of a track from octo17

The first thing you can tell about ‘point of departure,’ a brand new track from St. Petersburg’s octo17, is that it was built with precision. Like a seasoned machinist steadfastly grinding away parts for the perfectly tuned machine, octo17 produces a sonic aesthetic that is crisp, airy, and grounded in harmony. Every component of the track works with another, whether it be the harmonizing arps, call-and-return stabs, or cross-panned percussion.

And because everything works together, it builds quite naturally to a satisfying climax, taking its time to get there. Fans of melodic or slow techno will surely appreciate this one. Stream it above, and after follow octo17 on Soundcloud to keep up with the rest of his output.

- review by autonomy

Deep bongo bombs from Sweden's Tekkla

Tekkla - Love Vibration [CLIPP043] Crack a coconut on the head next to you and recline your seat til it recline no more! Stockholm’s Tekkla must have a life chiller then mr Snoop Double O G writing a track like this. Warm and tropical this beat is something out of an old surf video. You can pretty much smell the ocean with this Sheller. Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Pa3aTm BandCamp: https://bit.ly/2CPHrKQ Youtube: https://bit.ly/2PEKsAx Beatport: About clipp.art: clipp.art promise an ongoing series of weekly/bi-weekly digital cuts - complemented by the occasional limited edition split artist 12 inch and dance party. Current clipp.art events and tours feature headlines from Gerd Janson, Ross From Friends, Bloody Mary, DJ Seinfeld, DJ Boring, Black Loops, Coeo, Auntie Flo and Demuja, while supporters for clipp.art original music include: Andrew Weatheral, The Black Madonna, Dusky, Laurent Garnier, Vin Sol, Skream, Little Helpers, Horse Meat Disco, Dixon Avenue Basement Jams, Jacques Renault, Nightmares on Wax, and more. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Tekkla > @soundsoftekkla Join our fanclub and receive all past and future clipp.art stuff at clipp-art.bandcamp.com Follow our "Sounds Like A Good Time" Playlist - spoti.fi/2o51IC8 Subscribe to our Channels: Youtube - bit.ly/2o09yOu Spotify - spoti.fi/2EJMi0H Soundcloud - @clipp_art FB - facebook.com/clipp.art BandCamp - bit.ly/2LjbudJ Send Nudes 'N Tunes ☞ clippart001@gmail.com 000-919999-KETTY "WE CARE, BECAUSE U."

Swedish duo Tekkla sends summer vibes to Melbourne’s clipp.art label with a deep house bongo bomb, continuing clipp.art’s brisk pace of dropping quality singles. But ‘Love Vibration’ itself is anything but brisk. Clocking in at a breezy 110bpm, the track evokes beach side vibes with gentle bongos and builds beautifully with subtle pads.

Whether you’re a dj looking for the perfect opener to warm up the df, or just need a bit of summer nostalgia in your life, you can’t go wrong with Tekkla’s ‘Love Vibration’. And after that track gets you in the mood, Tekkla’s got a brand new mixtape for clipp.art that’ll surely have you hankering to crack open a coconut. You can hear the mixtape below, and if you like the track, hop over to clipp.art’s bandcamp to grab a copy yourself.

— review by autonomy

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From Bucharest with love with Golan

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Golan is a group of musicians destined for big things. They started a few years back as 3 guys focusing on digital production and electronic music. They released some quality tracks, delving into genres like deep-house, nu-disco, trance and more. Recently they've increased to 5 members deep and evolved to use more acoustic instrumentation, featuring piano, flute, guitar and drums of multiple varieties and more.

They also recently played a massive sold out concert in their home of Bucharest, Romania with a full symphonic orchestra. It was the third iteration of their full symphonic show and from the reactions online, it certainly won’t be their last. They're a band that stays true to their beat based roots, but are seriously kicking things up to another level with their production and live show, which includes precise control of dozens of live musicians.

Their tunes these days can range from the mellow and chill to the wild and tribal, whipping audiences into a frenzy in the live setting. Founding members Alex, Mihai and Ernesto are working harder than ever as the band prepares to drop its’ second full length LP.

The album is sure to be varied and wide ranging, judging from what they've released so far. The track featured above, “September Fall”, is a dreamy, melodic chiller, complete with a well produced video that will leave you longing for long lost summer days of your youth, well into the chill of October and beyond. The song is a self proclaimed 'mood' track rather than a full single, regardless, it’s a good taste of their varied style. Don't hesitate to browse through Golan’s YouTube channel to get a further taste of their forthcoming album. I’d also highly recommend to check out a few videos of Golan in the live setting, where they really shine. Tracks like “Abel” and “Sapphire” are prime examples of the type of excitement, emotion and love Golan can induce in its’ audience.

You're not going to want to miss the release of their new album or the Golan live experience, so make sure to follow the group on the platforms below:

Official Website
Spotify
SoundCloud
YouTube

Indie Electronica from Latvian producer- Mayten

Movements, a song by Mayten, Ella Joy on Spotify

Combining elements of downtempo music with dancefloor sensibilities, Latvian producer 'Mayten' makes unique and listenable electronic music. Currently based in Seattle, Mayten has continued to push himself as an artist and producer since moving stateside. Case in point, his recent release 'Movements' out now via Seattle label Big Slide Records, was the first time the eclectic producer has featured vocals in one of his tracks. The track, featuring the vocals of singer Ella Joy, is a 4 minute journey of swirling vocals, billowing atmospheres and a well textured beat.

Movement's feat. Ella Joy is part of 'Recess 002' a new electronic compilation released by Seattle's Big slide records.  Stream it here. 

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