Pond Recordings Vinyl & CDs

Review: On Curve 1, Mura Masa takes a detour from pop-infused collaborations and returns to his roots with a record steeped in the spirit of club culture. Released on his own Pond Recordings, this fourth album is a statement of independence, reflecting both a shift in direction and a rejection of the narrative-heavy, hyper-commercialised approach that has often surrounded modern music releases. Curve 1 is enigmatic, playful, and ambiguousidesigned to resonate in both solitary listening sessions and the intensity of packed, sweat-drenched dancefloors. Mura Masa describes the album as a manifestation of a personal philosophy: to ignore the noise of the attention economy and focus on what truly matters. In this light, Curve 1 becomes more than an albumiit's an invitation for listeners to strip away preconceptions and find their own meaning within its layers. Tracks bounce between euphoric highs and introspective moments, leaving plenty of space for tension and release. With the launch of his own label and creative space in Peckham, Mura Masa continues to position himself at the heart of youth culture, pushing boundaries and fostering new talent. Curve 1 marks the beginning of this new chapter, full of possibilities and free from convention.

Review: Deep house doesn't often get served up on 7" but that doesn't stop Pond Recordings who do just that here. Mura Masa is behind the two really quite different cuts and shows a real variety of skills. 'Rise' is a dusty house gem with warmth and soul and a great vocal sample. On the reverse is a physical workout that mixes prickly beats, chopped-up vocals and wiry synths into something usually and alluring. Two very different sides then but both equally effective in their own right.