It’s easy to become immersed in the mesmerizing soundscapes of yhyk, a collaboration between producer Yutaka Hirasaka and bassist Yusuke Kurahara. Released under the beatsupply label, this album transports listeners to the serene mountain lodges of Kumamoto, a city in Kyushu, Japan, where the duo crafted the compelling sounds within. The cassette release, adorned with Yuichi Date’s captivating artwork, adds a tactile charm to the auditory experience. The layers and emotional depths within yhyk create a sonic journey perfect for contemplation. A steadily unraveling groove takes hold on the open ..read more

A moody, laid-back intrigue shows on “I’ve Seen The Future,” a memorable debut single from Seeroy. The soulful vocals captivate in their title-touting refrain, lamenting a dark, cold, and lonely imminence. The overall ruminations contrast a higher-pitched refrain with the more sullen lyrical progression, meshing well alongside twinkling keys and tender guitar tones. “I’ve Seen The Future” is a debonair, hypnotic success from Seeroy, whose future tracks we’re certainly anticipating. — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles ..read more

London-based artist Rupert Cox consumes on his debut album Search Party, melding elements of folk, jazz, and dance with eclectic appeal. “I wanted the whole process to be guided by a commitment to vulnerability and authenticity, so those are probably the overarching themes,” Cox says. “The Nowhere Dance” opens the release with an inviting vibrancy. Twinkling keys and a warming bass pulse guide a delightfully effervescent charm, with key-laden flourishes and emerging synth lines excelling in their emergence alongside the steady piano-based backbone. “Fig Tree” follows with a more contemplative ..read more

Exuding an uplifting flute-led momentum reflective of its namesake, “Kinetic” is a ravishing single out today from DM Ascension. The Canberra, Australia-based duo comprises multi-instrumentalist Mike Dooley and producer Daniel White. “Affinity” also features ARIA award-winning flutist Cecilia Kemezys, whose standout talents meld cohesively with the act’s lounge-friendly jazz inclinations. A peppy rhythmic groove and flourishing flute accompaniments drive with intrigue, punctuated by glistening keys. The steady rhythm section evolves into panting momentum as the first minute concludes, as jaz ..read more

The third single from Dutch drummer and composer Ruud Voesten, “The Crypto Shuffle” presents an intoxicating jazz styling that swells from concise, brassy bursts into a soaring, swooning embrace in the second half. This follows up the single “Goesting,” which is also from Voesten’s upcoming full-length Ambrosia, releasing in September via ZenneZ Records. Voesten describes the effort as “about the capital sin of greed, where sinners call each other out for spending too much or being too frugal.” He elaborates: “Personally I related this to the cryptocurrency wave that has been going over the w ..read more

A gorgeous production from Brooklyn-based artist and producer pantology, “Dear” meshes jazz, city-pop, and lounge-friendly warmness. The track comes via the upcoming EP Tours, releasing via Sony Music (Denmark). “Dear” is described as a showing of gratitude toward the artist’s “wonderful people in his life and their support.” A laid-back range of laid-back keys twinkling and a suave bass line craft an enticing introduction. The effervescent string-laden qualities at the mid-point enamor amidst the increasingly funky bass line. Elegant piano tone thereafter fully immerses, with a sort of loun ..read more

First catching our ears with the excellent track “Cold” last year, Martha Eve compels further on the track “Pale Faced Moon.” The South East London-based artist casts a laid-back spell with this newest one, propelled initially by balmy acoustics and twinkling keys alongside the artist’s ethereal vocal entrancement. “Do you feel like you’re lost? Are you scared to be forgot?” the vocals resonate during the heart-tugging chorus, expressing how lofty and tumultuous the world can feel, especially from the tranquility and familiar peace of a bedroom. The dreamy verses guide seamlessly into the se ..read more

Photo Credit: Tamea Burd Vancouver-based artist Anita Eccleston enamors with a sound that beautifully balances lo-fi quaintness with expansive brass-laden effervescence. Such is apparent on the fantastic new track “Golden Hour,” a highlight off Eccleston’s album Gala Gardens. The lush and radiant “Golden Hour” plays with a casual charm, its swinging 6/8 time enabling a sense of spontaneity, especially as the bright brass additions hit around the one-minute mark. Twinkling keys provide a sense of tranquility; the momentary respite builds seamlessly into the bolstering keys and suave brass incl ..read more