Movin: DJ Aflow’s Smog

ByPatrick St. Michel

DJ Aflow’s been part of the Japanese juke scene for quite some time, having put out albums on vital label Booty Tune all the way back in 2012 and consistently put out material since, whether on their own or with Foodman and California’s SELA. Smog offers up a speedy set celebrating DJ Aflow’s approach to the style, kicking off with a track transforming a commercial starring Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg into a rubbery cut. Things get spikier and more unnerving on “SMOGTRAXX2,” though the last two numbers focus more on speed, even if the lyrics creeping through aren’t always upbeat (see closer “Possibly Go Wrong”). Get it here, or listen below.

Similar Posts

  • Ryuuta Takaki’s Stillness EP

    ByPatrick St. Michel

    東京のアーティストRyuuta TakakiのStillness EPにおいて、その定義は後半のトラック”Phantasm”に込められています。始まりはミニマルでリラックスしていて、楽園をシンセサイザーで再現しているかのよう。その音は鳥のさえずりを彷彿とさせていて、速いビートとは妙な違和感が。しかし一分を経過したくらいからは激しいクラブ・サウンドに変貌します。と思ったら…曲は再びアンビエントに。Takakiが静けさと激しさの狭間を追求したEPの絶好のスナップショットと言えるでしょう。タイトルは自然を連想するものが多く（”Under The Water,” “Chill Wind,” “Sleety Rain”等）、ミニマルな構成が特徴的です。でもノイズを活かした、よりダンサブルなトラックなんかもあります。Ryuuta Takakiのスタイルを知るにはうってつけの８曲作品になっています。試聴はこちらから。

  • New Memoryhook: Nothing To Do EP

    ByPatrick St. Michel

    It appears Nagoya dream-pop project Memoryhook has undergone a few changes over the last few months. The actual members making up this project seem to have changed, with one half (Takuma, handling bass and beats) sticking around while EMiSM has stepped up as new vocalist and keyboardist. Except…she’s also the featured vocalist here? Whatever that…

  • Three New Songs From Boys Age In Advance Of New Apocalypse

    ByPatrick St. Michel

    The always-productive Boys Age just refuse to slow down. After releasing their first widely distributed album Calm Time, they released another album two months later…and have a third right around the corner. The duo have shared three songs from the forthcoming New Apocalypse, ranging from the surf-rock tinged “Justice” and the funk, warbling title track….

  • New Alloapm: Boy EP

    ByPatrick St. Michel

    Plenty of outfits in Japan aim for a throwback feel, with varying results – sometimes they nail it, sometimes they should stick to making music videos. Alloapm more often than not get it right, and the just-uploaded Boy EP features two tracks that completely capture the project at its very best. One of those numbers,…