100% Silk US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Fresh from delivering a gorgeous and colourful album under his DJ Panthr alias, Hunter P Thompson returns to 100% Silk under his ambient and ambient techno-inspired alias, Akasha System. Dealing in waves of warming electronic colour, 90s ambient nostalgia, mid-80s 'new age' synth sounds, heady grooves and memorable melodies, the Portland-based producer delivers a set that's as sonically vivid as it is loved-up and unashamedly nostalgic. Standout moments are plentiful, with our picks including the delay-laden drums and delightfully drifting synth washes of 'Light Energy', the saucer-eyed Mr YT swell of 'Canopy Song', and the sunrise-ready wonder that is 'Life Cycle'.

Review: Soshi Takeda's Secret Communication marks a stunning return for the Tokyo-based deep house producer, offering a richly textured sequel to 2021's Floating Mountains. Across six new tracks, Takeda continues to push the boundaries of his atmospheric, emotive style, blending the sonic aesthetics of 80s and 90s hardware with a fresh, contemporary vision. Recorded in his home studio throughout 2022 and 2023, the album floats through a dreamy haze of lush pads, rolling basslines, and shimmering piano touches. Inspired by both personal highs and lowsiwar breaking out and the birth of his childiTakeda channels these emotions into a deeply moving collection. Tracks like 'Can Imagination Transcend Distance?' capture wistful daydreams, while 'Rainstorm' glides effortlessly through a starlit soundscape. The title track is a bittersweet farewell, soaked in melody and lingering resonance. What makes Secret Communication so compelling is its ability to evoke a sense of placeian invitation to escape the grey hum of city life and get lost in Takeda's intricate, otherworldly landscapes. His music doesn't just move your feet; it transports you to inner worlds, evoking vivid, nostalgic moments that seem just out of reach. It's music for the dreamers.