Yosi Horikawa - Vapor (First Word Records)

I've just come back from an interview at Universal Music Australia (eek - fingers crossed for me, ay?!) so I'm a bit wired from all the adrenaline. As a result, I'm feeling mega inspired to share some recent finds, so apologies if you get a heap of updates all at once this afternoon!

My next recommendation comes in the form of Yosi Horikawa's new album 'Vapor'. I featured 'Stars' on a recent podcast, but the album is so insane I couldn't help but give it more airtime.

Hailing from Osaka, Yosi has been experimenting with music since the age of 12, sampling various self-made sounds in his bedroom to create DIY overdubs using two cassette decks. After many years of perfecting his craft, Yosi has now begun working with the immortals at the Red Bull Music Academy (including the likes of Dorian Concept), and when you hear his music you can understand why.

Yosi's style is genre-defining, impossible to pin down. It's almost impossible to put his experimental output into any kind of context. Live recordings sit alongside a host of truly unique drum patterns and rhythms, the only common denominator being the uplifting spirit and Eastern mysticism underpinning every track. As a result, I'll let the music speak for itself.

All that's left to say is this is a truly groundbreaking release, with only Matthew Herbert coming to mind when it comes to such bold, pioneering ingenuity.

'Vapor' is out today (24th June) on First Word Records | firstwordrecords.com

The Knife - Shaking The Habitual (Rabid Records)

The Knife’s new album comes in the form of ‘Shaking the Habitual’. Press play and there are immediate hints of Börk and Kate Bush, a theme which permeates the whole release.

The album moves the listener through an often dark and pained cinematic soundscape, its influences spanning vast oceans through African, oriental and middle-eastern musical references. But there are no clichés here.

The organic and electronic fuse perfectly in a twisted myriad of raw world samples, 808 drum loops, techy arps and spacey atmospherics. It almost plays like an Underworld or Coldcut album – an album that evolves on every listen.

The crazy pink artwork will see you cross-eyed, as will the unique and trippy vibes. An education, an experience.

'Shaking The Habitual' is out now on Rabid Records. Check the audio/video of my favourite single 'A Tooth For An Eye' and head over to Juno and download it. 

You can also stream the whole album over at the official website: theknife.net