6.20.2014

being in mint condition

DZ13 showcases the work of Hazey Jane, the serene sample-based folktronic pop project of Jeroen de Meyer from Belgium, drawing from styles of artists like of Bibio, Baths, and Blithe Field. After self-releasing the Spring EP in 2010, his style evolved from more raw upbeat sound collage to the blissful snowy soundscapes heard on 2012’s Winter Walks. These days, Jeroen is recording with a laptop, guitar and SP 404, creating samples and loops with buoyant beats and vocal manipulations to arrange a distinct blend of wistful ambience.

Being In Mint Condition conjures up the type of melancholy summer memories that will ease your mind with breezy warm sentiment, coat your skin in glistening balmy glaze, and stir up your thirst for an ice-chilled glass of nostalgia. The album greets you with a woozy and warbled uncoiling of warped textures that hover like refracting heat waves on the horizon. Jovial melodies shine through fuzzy muffled wails and slow grating rhythms as the sun begins to peak. Aural anodyne flows like sand sifting down a synesthetic hourglass while the divine afternoon auras dissolve and make way for the otherworldly glow blown in by evening tides. Dusk fades to darkness, a shimmering hum resonates in the air and the firelight dwindles down to reveal a boundless black canvas speckled with of soft celestial tones. The hushed ambience envelopes you and your eyes grow heavy as the ocean withdraws back into itself.



The album was originally released for free on Jeroen’s bandcamp in late 2013, and is now available on pro-dubbed clear-translucent mint condition cassettes in the store. Not much else remains in the DZ inventory save for a few copies of Reliefs, but digital downloads are all free all the time. 

6.10.2014

frnds nd fmly

The finishing touches are being put on DZ13 in preparation for its release on June 21, but this month has already seen some great work being released from a few friends of the label.

Pregnant has composed personalized songs for over 65 people at this point, and the choice cuts are finally being released on cassette by staring at the ceiling. Check out the complete 'Your Song' compilation below, featuring songs written especially for some nice folks including the gang from Decoder Magazine, FMLY and yours truly (which just so happens to be track #1):



It Is Rain In My Face. has just released another brilliant folktronic set of songs on the 'Stolen Days' EP:



Adam Torres continues to add a new track to his 'Golden Children' demos each Monday. Check out the entire set on his bandcamp, and while you circle the bases on your home run trot take a listen to this week's little number "Moonshot":



Terror Bird is kicking off her European tour this week in support of her new release 'Clubs' on SVN SNS RECORDS:



The seasonal solstice is almost upon us, and very soon the next DZ release will see the light of day, albeit shrouded in haze, but until then I hope you enjoy the new music above as you soak up the summer sun, wade in the warm ocean water and work up your base tan. ☼