Поиск:power state

Joel Hoekstra’s 13 returns with its fourth studio album, “From the Fade” — a dynamic collection of 10 brand-new tracks that combine soaring melodies, thunderous riffs, and the high-level musicianship fans have come to expect. Once again, guitarist and composer Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Cher, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) is joined by an elite cast of rock veterans: powerhouse drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio), legendary bassist Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder), virtuoso keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo), and rising vocal sensation Girish Pradhan (Girish and The Chronicles, The Nail). “From the Fade” delivers a blend of classic hard rock and modern melodic metal, characterized by tight arrangements, technical precision, and emotionally charged performances. Each track reflects Hoekstra’s signature songwriting — rooted in tradition but pushing the genre forward with a fresh and contemporary sound. This is more than just a studio project; it’s a statement of intent from one of rock’s most respected guitarists and his band of world-class collaborators.

Milwaukee's powerhouse Altered Five Blues Band returns with their eighth studio album, Hammer & Chisel, a simmering set of eleven electrifying original songs that showcase why this award-winning group has remained at the forefront of contemporary blues for over two decades. Belted out with gusto by singer Jeff Taylor, each track crackles with the energy of a band firing on all cylinders—tight musicianship, razor-sharp guitar work, and witty lyrics that cut straight to the bone. From the opening salvo of the funky, horn-driven "I Got It Good" through the cautionary "Who Can You Trust" to the empowering closing statement of "The Will of Man," the album demonstrates the kind of top-notch performance that can only come from five musicians who've spent 24 years honing their collective sound. Produced by multi-GRAMMY winner Tom Hambridge and featuring guest harmonica ace Jason Ricci on three tracks, Hammer & Chisel captures the band at their peak.

The continued relevance of the work of Akae Beka is forceful on the movingly topical Rastafari statement Imandment To Heart. Taken from 2021’s album Polarities and produced by Zion I Kings with Tippy I at the helm, the track presents a striking contrast: an uplifting major-key Rub A Dub rhythm, powered by renowned Jamaican drummer Kirk Bennett, sets the stage for scathing lyrics linking “chaos theory,” refugee crossings, and prophetic judgment. Vaughn Benjamin calls for a moral law “written upon the inward part” amidst global turmoil. Released on 7” vinyl for the first time by Before Zero Records, the single is backed by a B-side dub sculpted sonically by Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred at his Holy Mountain Studio in St Croix.

GRAMMY-prämierte Rap-Ikone Nas und DJ Premier – zwei der einflussreichsten und angesehensten Persönlichkeiten der Hip-Hop-Geschichte – veröffentlichten ihr mit Spannung erwartetes Kollaborationsalbum „Light-Years“ am 12. Dezember digital über Mass Appeal Nach den limitierten Day Ones Editionen gibt es nun die regulären Editionen mit Artwork, ab 20. Februar 2026.

Nach jahrzehntelanger Vorfreude ist „Light-Years“ die Wiedergeburt einer 30-jährigen Zusammenarbeit. Die Partnerschaft von Nas und DJ Premier ist tief in der DNA des Hip-Hop verwurzelt. Ihre Geschichte begann 1994 mit „Illmatic“, das Hits wie „N.Y. State Of Mind“, „Memory Lane“ und „Represent“ hervorbrachte. „Illmatic“ etablierte Nas als Ausnahmetalent und festigte Premiers damals aufstrebende Karriere. Ihre musikalische Chemie vertiefte sich im Laufe des folgenden Jahrzehnts durch Klassiker wie „I Gave You Power“, „2nd Childhood“, „Nas Is Like“ und „N.Y. State Of Mind Pt. II“.

Angeführt von Mass Appeals bahnbrechender Reihe „Legend Has It…“, die einige der wichtigsten und einflussreichsten Hip-Hop-Künstler aller Zeiten feiert und ins Rampenlicht rückt, präsentierte die Reihe ein ganzes Jahr lang historische Veröffentlichungen von Kultur prägenden Künstlern wie Slick Rick, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, Big L und De La Soul. Mit „Light-Years“ liefern Nas und DJ Premier den krönenden Abschluss dieser legendären Reihe, in der ihre unbestreitbare Synergie nach wie vor einzigartig ist.

2006 zierten Nas und DJ Premier das Cover des Scratch Magazine und kündigten ein gemeinsames Projekt an, das die Begeisterung der Fans erneut entfachte und die zwei Jahrzehnte währende Vorfreude beflügelte. Letztes Jahr taten sich Nas und Premier zusammen, um das 30-jährige Jubiläum von „Illmatic“ mit der Veröffentlichung des neuen Tracks „Define My Name“ zu feiern, mit dem sie erstmals ihr wegweisendes Kollaborationsalbum ankündigten.

„Light-Years“ ist ein wahrer Beweis für den Einfluss beider Künstler, ihr Vermächtnis und die Zeitlosigkeit ihrer gemeinsamen Musik.

After receiving ecstatic reviews from all over the world for their 2023 debut „To The Gods We Swear“, Norwegian heavy metal warriors ROZARIO return with a vengeance. Their new album, „Northern Crusaders, is not just a follow-up — it’s a statement of intent. This is a band on their own Northern Crusades“, carrying the flag for classic, melodic heavy metal into a new era. The new album is an explosive collection of 12 powerful tracks that blend soaring, epic melodies with hard-hitting rockers — all packed with massive sing-along choruses, fierce conviction, and unstoppable energy. Behind the wall of sound lies an impressively crafted production, driven by massive drums, thunderous bass, blazing guitars and a powerful, commanding vocal performance. Every riff hits hard, every chorus soars high, and every note bleeds passion and conviction. ROZARIO have added fresh firepower to the lineup with the incredible young guitarist Taran Lister, whose talent brings an extra edge and intensity to the band’s signature sound. „Northern Crusaders“ was recorded at Holter Studio, once again with the amazing Trond Holter (Jorn, Wig Wam) at the helm — the band’s trusted producer and unofficial sixth member — ensuring a sound that’s as grand and powerful as the band’s vision itself. 1. Fire And Ice 2. We Are One 3. Down Low 4. Free…Forever 5. Crusader 6. Coming Home 7. Die Like Warriors 8. Until The Gods Are Calling 9. Sleepless 10. The Warning 11. Haunted By The Past 12. Betrayed Black Vinyl

For years, L.A.’s David Jasso and the UK’s Mike Vest walked separate but parallel routes through psychedelic noise rock—two genre outsiders pulling the music toward raw instinct, intensity, and sonic extremity. Their paths kept echoing each other, from their own projects and collaborations—most notably through their work with key artists in the Japanese psych underground—both speaking the same volatile language of improvisation and avant-garde abrasion. A collision wasn’t just likely—it was inevitable.
This ethos and commitment to raw, volume-overdosed psych rock led to this new collaboration. Rather than deliver the expected heavy psych freakout, they opted for something more direct and confrontational.
The result is Non Violence and the album “Lifted Curse,” a six-track blast of noise rock focused not on mysticism and psych tropes, but on psychological depth. The album rips through raw male emotion: fraternity, loss, carnal impulses, mental states. Jasso’s lyrics read like an unfiltered journal mid-burnout; Vest’s swirling, savant-garde guitars create tension with Jasso’s own guitars; and Sned’s rocksteady grooves form a fistfight of harmony and dissonance.
Together, this new power trio carves out a new sonic language—heaviness rooted not in posturing, but in realness and weight: fragility, weakness, and the human efforts forged to break out from it. Non Violence is noise rock with an unironic violent aim in the physical dimension—a new conversation in a familiar space, where vulnerability hits harder than distortion and conviction outweighs myth.
David Jasso — Guitars, Bass & Vocals
Mike Vest — Guitars, Bass & Mix
Dave Sneddon — Drums

Minority Records is releasing a unique boxset Politique du silence with three early albums from Sylvain Chauveau, French composer of minimalist neoclassical music.
“When I made my first albums as a composer, I was obsessed with minimalism, and this quote from the film director Robert Bresson summed up my state of mind. I set myself three principles: 1) Use silence as a starting point, 2) Only add sound when it's absolutely essential, 3) Don't imitate the Anglo-Saxon musicians I admired, but draw on the musical culture of my country, France which lead me to listen intensively to Satie, Debussy and Ravel.” Chauveau explains the background to his work.

The collection Politique du silence contains the recordings of Des plumes dans la tête (2004), Un autre Décembre (2003) and Nocturne impalpable (2001) on coloured 180 gram vinyls. The cover features artwork by French photographer Valéry Lorenzo.

“When I discovered the simple and powerful black and white pictures by Valéry Lorenzo, in the 90s, I immediately fell in love with them. We became good friends and since then I ask him to let me use one of his photos for most of my album covers, or to make my portrait for press shots. It has become a real collaboration, music and images, for more than 25 years. It was then logical to ask him again for the cover of this boxset, like a gentle reflection on my piano and strings era. It's a true honour for me to see my early music recollected, repackaged, remastered after all this time. Which gives me hope that this music, in which I've put all my soul and heart during the years 2001 to 2003, is maybe not forgotten yet.” Chauveau himself adds of his collaboration with Valéry Lorenzo.
Nocturne impalpable and Un autre Décembre were re-issued by Minority Records in 2014 and 2015 and both titles completely sold out. This year’s release also includes the album Des plumes dans la tête in its world premiere on vinyl.

Nocturne Impalpable is a world of minimalism, abstraction, and contemporary rendition of classical music with variations for the piano, clarinet, strings, and accordion which are often compared to the compositions of composers Harold Budd and Claude Debussy. Here, Chauveau partially reveals his versatility as a composer by connecting electronic elements, noises, and ambient planes with monumental strings and piano preludes. The
album of piano variations Un autre Décembre is interspersed with field recordings and electronic noises. The inspiration for the recording of the album and for its name was the song Jaurès by the Belgian singer and composer Jacques Brel. This song tells the story of the grandparents’ generation who toiled in the mines. “Comfort and health won’t protect our generation from sadness and discontent. We also live through winter times, even if these are slightly warmer due to the current climate.” An album of 20 short instrumental sketches with several delicate intermezzos for the piano, string quartet, and the clarinet, Des plumes dans la tête, was composed for the eponymous film by director Thomas de Thier.
Sylvain Chauveau was born in 1971 in the French town of Bayonne and currently lives in Barcelona. His extensive discography of mainly meditative neo-classical recordings for the music labels FatCat, Sub Rosa, Sonic Pieces, and Flau is enriched by several collaborations and his participation in the Ensemble 0, Arca, and On projects. Chauveau has also composed many film soundtracks as well as music for the theatre. He has presented his works in Prague several times, most recently in the spring of 2024 at the Spectaculare festival. His compositions get tens of millions of streams on streaming services, and he’s been called the French king of minimalism.

Alpha & Omega (Greensleeves / A&O Records), the legendary pioneers of UK Dub, have shaped the sound of modern roots and dub since the 1980s, building a vast catalogue of over 40 studio albums. Their deep, meditative sound is foundational to the evolution of soundsystem culture and the global spread of bass music from Jamaica to the UK and beyond. Now, as part of the acclaimed A&O reissue series by Steppas Records, we proudly present the long-awaited reissue of Voice in the Wilderness. Originally released in 1994, this classic LP is one of the rarest in the Alpha & Omega catalogue—original pressings are almost impossible to find and regularly fetch extremely high prices on Discogs. Lovingly re-mastered and housed in the original sleeve with iconic A&O artwork, Voice in the Wilderness is a powerful statement in dub and a true collector’s treasure. This is UK dub history, revived.

ONĒK’s self-titled album is a bold statement of identity, blending cultural heritage, personal struggle, and self-discovery while showcasing his versatility as an artist. Rooted in seven languages carrying universal themes, ONEK by Anik Khan is a bridge between past and future, tradition and innovation. It reflects ONĒK’s deep connection to his roots while pushing boundaries musically, weaving together influences from around the world into a singular, powerful voice. 12 SONGS. 12 STORIES. 7 LANGUAGES. The album will be released in two phases, beginning with Pack 1, which lays the foundation for ONĒK’s journey, followed by the full album release, expanding into themes of personal evolution, confidence, and legacy.

Inspired by Thomas Hardy"s poem Transformations, ETERNAL BIRTH is Eliza Marshall"s debut solo album and a powerful statement on connection, ancestry and renewal. The album traces the cycles of life from conception to death, revering the natural world as a living archive of our ancestors and exploring the unseen bonds that connect past, present and future generations. Across the record, Marshall creates a rich, cinematic soundscape blending classical, folk and world traditions with flutes, whistles, bansuri, spoken word, percussion and electronics. Produced by Ivor Novello Award recipient Graeme Pleeth, the album features an international line-up of world-class musicians including Ady Thioune and Ansumana Suso (Senegal / The Gambia), Drew Morgan and Donal Rogers (USA / UK), Johnny Kalsi (UK) and Lena Jonsson (Sweden). Influences range from Steve Reich to Paul Simon, while remaining rooted in Marshall"s distinctive compositional voice.

BLACK SWAN Return with Third Album “Paralyzed” — A Masterclass in Melodic Hard Rock Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group), Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, The End Machine, ex-Dokken), and Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big) — collectively known as BLACK SWAN — are back with their explosive third album, Paralyzed. Following the critical acclaim of their previous releases, the supergroup once again delivers a powerful statement in modern hard rock. With all songs written and composed by McAuley, Pilson, and Beach, and expertly produced by Pilson, Paralyzed showcases Black Swan at their peak performance — offering a dynamic mix of towering vocals, razor-sharp riffs, and hook-laden melodies. The band’s chemistry continues to shine, elevating their songwriting and musical delivery to new heights.

Tracked at Pilson’s Los Angeles studio, the album reflects the tight-knit synergy among its members. McAuley’s commanding vocals remain as ageless, while the instrumentalists deliver with precision and fire. Much like its predecessors, the new record is a testament to the individual and collective talents of these seasoned musicians. Far from being a patchwork of their previous bands, BLACK SWAN has firmly carved out its own identity. Paralyzed is fresh, heavy, and melodically rich — a cohesive and compelling album that feels both classic and contemporary. Building upon the blueprint laid by their debut, Shake the World, the band expands their sonic universe. The result is a record that not only meets but surpasses expectations, cementing BLACK SWAN as a formidable force in the modern hard rock scene. Whether you’ve followed these legendary musicians since the heyday of '80s rock or you’re just now discovering their magic, Paralyzed is essential listening — a masterclass in melodic hard rock delivered by artists who continue to defy time and expectations.

Tears Before Bedtime is the sparkling new album by the Would-be-goods, Jessica Griffin’s band of pop adventurers. Since The Camera Loves Me, their cult classic 1988 debut for the legendary él Records, they have blazed a musical trail through indie guitar pop, with a garage band edge and forays into other territories - glam rock, tango, French chanson… The result is unique and timeless.
The songs on Tears Before Bedtime balance delicacy and power. Perfect pop melodies are delivered in Jessica’s gorgeous and idiosyncratic voice. Her lyrics are intelligent and wry, wistful and witty. Every song tells a story, taking us on a journey through space and time, from belle époque Paris to a 1960s London biker café, from a riverbank in ancient Greece to a 1970s teenage bedroom.
Listening to a Would-be-goods album is like wandering through a gallery of portraits. Innocence gives way to experience. Danger lurks amid the lights of the funfair in the 1950s carousel whirl of The Gallopers. The sinister Dr Love promises heaven but sends you down to hell, to the sound of a last dance in a smoky soul basement. A nymph meets a god in disguise in a garage-band take on a Greek myth (Tears for Leda). The Rose Tattoo is the tale of a doomed love in a sultry Southern state. Don't Come Crying To Me flames an ex-lover to the sound of Bollywood horns and shivery guitar. In Madame X a portrait painter vents his fury on a spoilt socialite beauty. The album closes with a sweetly jazzy lullaby (The Moon Doesn't Mind).
The Would-be-goods began playing as a full band in the 2000s and have been previewing some of these songs at recent shows in England, Scotland, France, and Spain. The album was recorded in London with Jessica on guitar and vocals, Peter Momtchiloff (Heavenly, Talulah Gosh) on guitar, Debbie Greensmith (Thee Headcoatees and many others) on drums, and Andy Warren (The Monochrome Set, Adam and the Ants) on bass. Guest musicians have contributed organ, piano, vibraphone, cello, trumpet, and flute to make this the richest-sounding Would-be-goods record yet.

Clusters of Noise LPR-V006, kicks off 2026 for Loopaina Records with a powerful vinyl release crafted by two standout names in the international techno scene: Oliver Rosemann and Carmelo Ponente. Photo taken in Mundukalogue between both artists, each delivering their own raw, focused vision of contemporary techno.

The A-side features one original track from each artist, clearly defining their individual styles.

On the B-side, they switch roles to offer remixes of each other's work-expanding the sonic palette of the release while maintaining a cohesive and impactful sound.

Clusters of Noise is a bold statement for the new year at Loopaina Records: quality sound, committed artists, and a strong devotion to the vinyl format while embracing digital as well. A solid, high-impact release that perfectly captures the spirit of the label.

All music written and produced by Oliver Rosemann & Carmelo Ponente

A rising and genre-defying figure in the French electronic scene, Goldie B continues her ascent with Who Says Night’s For Sleeping?, a five-track EP that asserts her distinctive signature: an instinctive blend of club energy, cinematic storytelling and UK rave influences. Conceived as the soundtrack to a night lived in full intensity, the record moves through the fire of the dancefloor, the collective trance, and those suspended moments where one floats between dream and wakefulness.

“I imagined this EP as the soundtrack to a night experienced in its entirety. From the first rush of adrenaline on the dancefloor to that floating walk home, still carried by the music. My influences range from Moby and Air to Floating Points and Joy Orbison, artists who know how to combine power and emotion. I love connecting the raw energy of the club with more dreamlike textures, because you can absolutely dream while dancing. Each track is an instinctive snapshot of my inner world.” Goldie B The EP’s opening act, “The Space Between” blends ethereal pads, organic strings and a steady crescendo, recalling the elegance of Air or Moby. It opens a suspended space, equally suited to inner drift or physical release. “I wanted it to feel like a threshold, a gentle hand pulling you into a trance state.”

On “U Make Me Feel So Good”, a sensual and narrative breakbeat track, a flowing bassline gradually tightens into trancier energy. Seductive female vocals weave through broken rhythms, creating a piece that is as tactile as it is hypnotic. “It’s about contrast, the softness and caress at the start, then a tension that rises and electrifies.”
Instagram | Youtube | TikTok | SoundCloudAt the heart of the project, “Rêve de Rave” channels 90’s breakbeat spirit with old-school samples, an euphoric central break and voices urging to move your feet. Urgent and liberating, it embodies the dreamlike essence of the rave. “It’s how I imagine the rave: a lucid dream where joy and collective energy feel almost unreal.”

Next comes the most incisive cut of the EP, “Purple FX”, driven by a grating central bassline that evolves relentlessly until its explosive drop. Minimalist yet implacable, it captures the sheer force of a peak-time track. “I wanted a track purely designed for the club, where the tension just keeps rising until it explodes.”

Closing in chiaroscuro, “Snake Waves” shifts from breakbeat into a half-house, half-techno 4/4 groove, carried by a sinuous, hypnotic bassline. The track plays on tension and release, with a rich harmonic break before fading like a suspended farewell, where the party recedes but the energy lingers. “It’s a farewell piece that keeps the intoxication alive, like a final vertigo before slipping back into the night.”

Goldie B is a multifaceted force on the French electronic scene. A producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, MC, DJ, and co-founder of the label Omakase Recordings, her sets blend bass, jungle, UKG, and breakbeat, captivating audiences with their contagious energy. Based in Marseille, she has released music on renowned labels such as D.KO, Banoffee Pies, and YUKU, and has performed on some of the biggest French stages and festivals: Peacock Society, Astropolis, NDK, Marsatac, Delta, Le Bon Air, and even the Festival d’Avignon. In 2024, she was selected by Apple Music for its Women In Electronic series. Her new Who Says Night’s For Sleeping? EP confirms her status as an instinctive and distinctive artist to watch on the French electronic scene.

Vintage recording equipment has long been a bit of a fetish, but to sound pioneers Voka Gentle, even the most magical machines are a means to an end. The band, made up of twins Ellie and Imogen Mason, along with Imogen’s husband, William J Stokes, are a family band in the truest sense. Whilst they started as a folk trio, their new album Domestic Bliss is an album of throat-grabbing, avant-garde indie rock songs studded with eccentric choices: a synth with its keys jammed, playing a tune of its own making; field recordings – Morris dancers, motorbikes – captured on binaural headphones.

Domestic Bliss is concerned with power: the abuse of it, being on the cusp of it, and what it really means. The album is
teaming with imaginary people in picaresque scenes that reveal the band’s rich cultural storehouse. The songs draw on history, literature, everyday life and pop culture references (specifically Jude Law’s 1995 Vogue cover), with tracks like Cheddar Man reflecting on climate change and prehistory and Creon I tracing the unease of authority through the lens of Greek mythology.

Recorded in the orchestral studios of City University, the album folds intimacy into scale, from phone-recorded vocals and samples of breath to heavy, tribal electronics in grand acoustic spaces. The result is by far their most refined record yet, where the band treat the recording studio like an instrument.

With her sophomore album JAWBREAKER, Sam Quealy cements her status as one of pop’s most daring new voices. Like the cult candy it’s named after, JAWBREAKER is bold, addictive, and dangerously fun — a sugar-coated explosion of chaos, glamour, and emotion.

Produced alongside longtime collaborator Marlon Magnée (La Femme) between their Paris home studio and the legendary Studio Ferber, the album marks a striking evolution from Blonde Venus (2023). Here, Quealy trades the sharp edges of techno-pop for a lush, disco-infused sound, blending live instrumentation and cinematic sheen with her trademark anarchic energy. The result is a record that feels liberating, hedonistic, and deeply human — a vibrant antidote to modern gloom.

From the euphoric escape of “LONDONTOWN” to the dark romance of “LOVE LASSO”, and the shimmering pop fantasy of “GIRLS NIGHT”, Quealy channels a thousand versions of herself — club queen, rock diva, dreamer, and provocateur. The ethereal duet “BY MY SIDE” with Magnée closes the album in a haze of tenderness and light.

A multidisciplinary artist — singer, dancer, performer, and visual visionary — Quealy extends her universe through spectacular music videos and high-energy live shows that merge fashion, choreography, and raw emotion. On stage, she’s magnetic: a whirlwind of hyper-femininity and power, commanding every room with unfiltered authenticity.

With JAWBREAKER, Sam Quealy delivers a fearless pop statement — an exhilarating fusion of sensitivity, chaos, and self-expression that confirms her as a genre-defying visionary ready to take over the world.

With a GRAMMY nomination and years of touring experience, this female- forward string band releases a career- defining album with Magic Accident . Longtime supporters of women in roots music, Della Mae teamed up with producer Alison Brown for this new release, their first on Nashville-based Compass Records. Magic Accident showcases the band's range of talents, from Americana songs that evoke early Chicks to energetic bluegrass and dreamy indie folk-inspired tunes.

The band's vocal power and instrumental skill shine throughout this mostly original collection, with standout tracks including "Out Run 'Em," written by guitarist Avril Smith and featuring champion fiddler and band founder Kimber Ludiker, "Lifeline," sung by bassist Vickie Vaughn, and the title track, written and sung by Celia Woodsmith. Guest artists on the project include Mary Bragg (vocals) and Jen Gunderman (accordion), with Brown playing banjo and guitar throughout. Since forming in Boston in 2010, Della Mae has proved to the roots music world that an all-women band is no novelty. Their 2013 Rounder Records release, This World Oft Can Be, earned them their first GRAMMY nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. That same year, the International Bluegrass Music Association named them Emerging Artist of the Year. Della Mae has performed in over 30 countries on behalf of the U.S. State Department. They are favorites on the roots music circuit, where their highenergy performances always get audiences on their feet, inspired by the power of their music and message. Available on turquoise coloured vinyl with 4-page folder and digipak CD editions

CAY unveils his personal side on Another Life, a debut album rich in melancholic euphoria

The expressive, multi-faceted 10 tracker comes on Mind Against's HABITAT label in January 2026

Cologne-born producer CAY explores beyond the dancefloor with Another Life, a debut album that trades peak-time pressure for an ambitious and artful exploration of self. Far from being rooted in one genre, the record weaves his own honest vocals with a wide range of powerful rhythms that pull from progressive, broken beat, techno and trance.

For CAY, making music has always offered refuge and a place to calm his mind, process life’s chaos and channel personal experiences into sound. His journey started in the clubs of Cologne, in illegal forest raves and with trips to Berlin to soak up big room techno. His search for more purpose, away from mental demons and the darker side of the party lifestyle, led him to production. DJing followed after a push from his brother turned Manager, and while those experiences around Europe shaped his understanding of dance floor dynamics, he was never in a rush to release his early experiments.

Instead, CAY took private time to evolve into an accomplished artist with his own musical voice. Label heads Mind Against were so impressed when they heard what he sent to their demo inbox, they both reached out to collaborate, and he has since released on their label HABITAT.

With Another Life, he is making music that is multilayered and rich in narrative, rather than defined purely by big moments. It is drawn from years of writing, with more than 60 tracks whittled down to one concise, impactful statement. "There wasn't one big concept,” says CAY “but there was direction. It's a big risk for me, but I wanted to introduce people who like club music to something deeper. I want the music to say something real.”

Because of that, Another Life introduces CAY the vocalist. For the first time, he sings on several tracks. The subjects are real, whether that's an important friend, a moment with his girlfriend or, on 'Runaway', the thought of giving up and escaping everything. The lyrics are honest but often slightly oblique, so they invite your own readings rather than spelling everything out.

Sonically, the album moves between optimistic grandeur and introspective reality. It's cinematic but personal and bridges the gap between dancefloor drive and vulnerable storytelling. There is a grand scale to many of the tracks, with arching synths reaching and heavyhearted drums anchoring a groove: you'll dance, you'll cry, maybe both at the same time.

Another Life is the sound of a producer granting himself permission to sing, turn inwards and risk audience expectations. It’s intimate without being insular, club-capable without being confined, and a compelling first chapter for an artist who has spent years building toward this moment of truth.

agoya-based multi-instrumentalist and rising DJ Hiroyuki Kato returns to the ever-consistent Flexi Cuts with Life 今 (FLEX 031), a record that perfectly distills the artist’s layered approach to sound and the label’s instinct for unearthing voices that carry both groove and depth. Having built a relationship with the label over the past two years—already signing an EP and a single—Kato now delivers a project that feels like a culmination of that dialogue: four tracks on wax, complemented by an additional cut exclusive to the digital edition.

True to its title, Life 今 exudes immediacy and presence. Kato draws on his background as a polyrhythmic player, folding live instrumentation into supple house frameworks, always with a subtle melodic sensibility. The vinyl selections range from the quietly propulsive to the rhythmically expansive, each tune infused with that warm, unhurried Flexi aura. Basslines strut with understated confidence, chords shimmer with daylight energy, and the arrangements move with a natural, unforced flow.

What stands out across the EP is Kato’s ability to balance the organic and the synthetic, never leaning too far into polish or rawness but finding a fertile middle ground that feels both contemporary and timeless. It’s the sound of someone equally at home behind a guitar as in the DJ booth, someone who understands that club music gains power not just from rhythm but from emotional resonance.

Flexi Cuts has long been a home for thoughtful, groove-driven records, and Life 今 is no exception. It is music that doesn’t demand attention with force, but rewards close listening with detail and atmosphere. At once intimate and club-ready, grounded yet expansive, it’s a confident statement from Hiroyuki Kato, an artist steadily carving his space within Japan’s evolving electronic landscape and beyond.


~~~~*
Written and produced by Hiroyuki Kato in Seto City, Japan
Mastered by Francesco Brini at Spectrum, Bologna
Distributed by Rubadub, Glasgow.
Designed by Galluzzi
A&R Simone Guerra aka Relative

Flexi Cuts, Italy 2025.

With Born From Chaos, DYMYTRY PARADOX make it clear: they are ready to claim their place among the leading forces of modern metal. Each of the nine tracks is a powerful statement on power, pride, and the destructive cycles that continue to shape our world. From driving anthems like “Red Sky Remains” and “War Beneath My Skin”, to the explosive single “Sun of a Broken God”, and epic moments like “Overmind”, the album combines crushing riffs, haunting vocals, and relentless intensity that immediately grabs the listener. DYMYTRY PARADOX demonstrate with every song their ambition to push boundaries and make a lasting mark on the scene. Born From Chaos is more than an album – it’s a declaration, a warning, and a statement: the time of DYMYTRY PARADOX has begun.