OPAL SUNN Vinyl & CDs

Review: Touch From A Distance is a Berlin based label run by Panorama Bar resident Nick Hoppner. Following up a terrific inauguration by Holding Hands boss Desert Sound Colony, the label returns with Japanese duo Opal Sunn aka Al Kassian and Hiroaki OBA. Opal Sunn are a well seasoned hardware only live act, who are very much in control of their repertoire, but also capable of captivating improvisations. They have a recognisable sound driven by smart, often arpeggiated synth lines, on point drums and textures. Highlights are the slinky and hypnotic tech house cut "Parallax", followed by the discofied slow burner "Mirage" and the deep electro journey "Phantom" on the B side.

Review: Opal Sunn's 'Elastic' lands on Test Pressing Recordings as the first in a trilogy, bringing together Alex Kassian and Hiroaki Oba's knack for genre-blending electronic soundscapes. Known for their captivating live sets, they've crafted an EP that traverses moods and styles. The A-side opens with hypnotic deep trance, layering rich synth textures and rolling grooves. Over on the B-side, things get lush and atmospheric: one track dives into dub influences, saturated with warm basslines and echoing chords, while the final cut drifts into serene, ambient territory. It's an impressive start that shows their mastery of both rhythm and space.