Stream & buy: https://kuukou.ffm.to/shadow

https://www.instagram.com/giulia.it_music
https://www.instagram.com/kuukourecords

Kuukou continues to fly on course with another blood-pumping addition to the catalogue from VOLTA and Respekt affiliated Giulia. Based in Rome, Giulia is a masterful producer, DJ and sound designer whose spacious and propulsive Techno has been supported by dignitary such as Adam Beyer, Carl Cox, Amelie Lens and of course - Simina Grigoriu.

Here she lines up a dance floor rocket that draws together a compelling contrast between brutalist synth and drum work and Giulia's light, spectral vocals. 

'Shadow' charges straight out of the blocks with a formidable kick rattling under swift, burnished hats and caustic stabs. On-beat claps whip up frenzied energy in build ups towards breaks that grant space for the vocals to glow through the fog before the groove slaps back with power and punch. Not to be missed!

Simina Grigoriu's remix of 'Shadow' has a stripped-back sound with a subdued bassline that allows the percussion to deliver a hypnotic groove. It also makes sparse use of the original's vocal to increase its impact in key sections.

Shadow

Stream & buy

Giulia (IT) - Shadow

Stream & buy: https://kuukou.ffm.to/shadow

https://www.instagram.com/giulia.it_music
https://www.instagram.com/siminagrigoriumusic
https://www.instagram.com/kuukourecords

Kuukou continues to fly on course with another blood-pumping addition to the catalogue from VOLTA and Respekt affiliated Giulia. Based in Rome, Giulia is a masterful producer, DJ and sound designer whose spacious and propulsive Techno has been supported by dignitary such as Adam Beyer, Carl Cox, Amelie Lens and of course - Simina Grigoriu.

Here she lines up a dance floor rocket that draws together a compelling contrast between brutalist synth and drum work and Giulia's light, spectral vocals. 

'Shadow' charges straight out of the blocks with a formidable kick rattling under swift, burnished hats and caustic stabs. On-beat claps whip up frenzied energy in build ups towards breaks that grant space for the vocals to glow through the fog before the groove slaps back with power and punch. Not to be missed! 

Simina Grigoriu's remix of 'Shadow' has a stripped-back sound with a subdued bassline that allows the percussion to deliver a hypnotic groove. It also makes sparse use of the original's vocal to increase its impact in key sections.

Shadow (Simina Grigoriu Remix)

Giulia (IT) - Shadow (Simina Grigoriu Remix)

Stream & buy: https://kuukou.ffm.to/inyourfavoritepose

https://www.instagram.com/malia.nima 
https://www.instagram.com/kuukourecords

Next up, Kuukou warmly welcome back long term label friend Malia Nima with a slice of humid club hypnosis.

Malia arrived on the scene with a refined and distinctive sound - one characterised by potent, reduced drums and ominous, spatial sonics that has so far touched labels such as Phisica, Ritual, Earthly Delights and of course - Kuukou.  
 
With 'In Your Favourite Pose' she harnesses a sense of impending - once again extracting maximum impact from minimal sound sources, creating a hot and heavy mood that slowly but surely pulls you in. 

The groove is tightly anchored by a striding bass line and neat, snippy percussion. A seductive vocal gently streams into the mix, looping to mesmerising effect while sweeps and FX build momentum, dialling in a pre-eruptive vibe that renders it ultimately playable.

In Your Favorite Pose

Malia Nima - In Your Favorite Pose

Stream & buy: https://kuukou.ffm.to/thepoem

https://www.instagram.com/ilonamaras
https://www.instagram.com/kuukourecords

Up next on Kuukou is a slick and highly effective 2-tracker from Montenegro born maestro Ilona Maras. Known for her impassioned approach to production and DJing, Maras has amassed a gleaming back catalogue with highlights including records on Get Physical, Selador and Filth on Acid. Here she neatly tessellates with Kuukou's sound, presenting 2 disparate but equally effective cuts.

'The Poem' opens up with a distinctly dubby tone that advances like a stealthy submarine. A deep, filtered pad creates an oceanic bed while bright, burnished hats and colourful stabs propel an ever-ascending tension. A bold and expressive breakdown sets an eruptive mood at the centre of the track; one that gives way to cascading tones that tumble to entrancing effect. 

'Control D' balances the release with a more sturdy bone structure. The groove strides with bite and urgency as raw, jagged form barbs under a pulsing bass line and razor sharp claps. The track segues through its chapters with captivating ease as it ramps towards another arresting break that allows trippy snap shots of vocals to flicker before tension pops in a masterclass in dance floor control.

The Poem

Ilona Maras - The Poem

Ilona Maras - Control D

Stream & buy: https://kuukou.ffm.to/keysteps

https://www.instagram.com/carloruetz
https://www.instagram.com/kuukourecords

Revered German producer Carlo Ruetz slots into the Kuukou catalogue with a nimble, driving cut that gleams with a steely, industrial quality. Having ensnared the attention of Richie Hawtin via his seismic debut LP 'Breakthrough' - Ruetz has continued to march forwards, amassing a catalogue that's touched MINUS, DEEPERFECT and KD MUSIC.

Here - he offers up some of his signature meticulous production that has all sounds honed, precise and heavily set. All elements have an animated and ever-evolving life of their own and are interlaced to create a steadily morphing mood that forges forwards with gripping intensity. 

The heart of the track is an armoury of warped, jagged synths and stabs that are interlaced, filtered and panned. Together they interact, rebounding off each other, whipping up peaks and troughs that maintain traction throughout. This is refined and functional Techno at its best - not to be missed.

Keysteps

Stream & buy: https://kuukou.ffm.to/inthestorm

https://www.instagram.com/brucezalcer
https://www.instagram.com/kuukourecords

Next up on Kuukou is the welcome return of Kneaded Pains, Tronic and We Are The Brave affiliate - the Panama based Bruce Zalcer who aims a punchy 2-tracker straight at the floor.

'In The Storm' is a slick and captivating trip - one that builds as it segues through distinct phases of stripped, heady groove and electrifying, synth-heavy intervals. 

In the opening, the groove is deep-set, swinging and hypnotic. The drums are sunken and punchy while a sparse organ arp provides some subtle seasoning in the build up to a breakdown that signposts a shift and the start of a second chapter. Here, a bright stab beams out with arresting intensity while on-beat claps bolster a feisty mood that pairs the track comfortably with bubbling floors. 

'All Good' follows up with a dank, warehouse cut. Broad, brawny drums punch out a tight 4/4 groove while a deadly bass line percolates through the bassbins. Choice vocals are dropped in and out for maximum impact and the combined result is dancefloor dynamite that's simply too kinetic to resist.

In The Storm

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All Good

Stream & buy: https://kuukou.ffm.to/xtc

https://www.instagram.com/deviddega
https://www.instagram.com/bestyfritz
https://www.instagram.com/kuukourecords

Devid Dega makes a welcome return to Kuukou, this time working alongside Throne Room and Jeton affiliated Besty Fritz. Together, the duo deploy adroit sound design across 2 powerful and menacing Techno tracks that map out chilly, brutalist spaces.

'XTC' kicks things off. Despite the wide space that the sound occupies, absolutely no power is lost as domineering kicks land with sub splitting force and burnished hats ring out with piercing clarity. The track thunders toward a breakdown that sends sonics down a well before a searing acid signal beams out, sparking things up before an equally potent conclusive chapter. 

'Zero2' follows up and renders another wide-open landscape. A heavy, stoney kick rebounds against a truncated acid bass line that maintains pressure while broad synth sweeps illuminate the distance. A shimmering breakdown opens things wider still as the energy burns right to the close of a record built for DJs and dance floors alike.

Zero2

Dirty synths on thumping basslines. Techno grit meets melodic appeal. These are the main directions you will find in Simina Grigoriu’s Kuukou label. Self disclosed as a “techno for techno” establishment, Kuukou’s aim is to cut through the noise of whatevermusic and showcase powerful yet meaningful techno that leaves its mark on the dancefloor. Putting forth productions from various talented artists resonating with this ethos, as well as the label head’s own secret weapons, Kuukou is all about forging its distinct soundprint. Welcome to the runway... kuukourecords.com 

New tracks tagged #kuukou