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12"
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MSK 013EP
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Arriving on a limited 200-copy translucent orange vinyl, "Dark REM" on Cuddling Monsters' second release on Mask Records is a hunched-over and direct dub techno cut with forceful drums and deft percussion, adding texture next to warm, sustained pads. There's a real sense of urgency in this most frictionless groove, which means it cannot fail to cast a spell on the dance floor. The fantastic "Event Horizon" is then infused with the aura of deep space -- sustained chords with a cosmic edge add vast scale to the well-programmed deep techno drums. "Monster Talk" is a mid-tempo dub track with underlapping drums and rattling, rusted chords that disappear to infinity. It's cavernous and evocative, with myriad little details occupying the mind. "Temporal Aura" is another standout sound that blends deep techno, dub, and minimal into a serene soundtrack that encourages inward reflection while driving onwards through the cosmos. Mask Records founder ZentaSkai and his creative partner Laura Merino Allue are Berlin mainstays helping shape the underground. Cuddling Monsters is a new project that debuted on the label in March, 2024. It is all about crafting music with analogue instruments, which they believe "offer distinctive sonic qualities, creative constraints, and genuine sound reproduction." They explore Detroit-infused house, dub techno and minimal soundscapes with raw edges and a great sense of atmosphere.
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12"
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MSK 012EP
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Following a ten-part series of unannounced artist records and a spectacular high-concept album on Mask Records, label head ZentaSkai returns to the imprint for his next solo vinyl-only release, Bob. The A1 sees the Berlin-based ZentaSkai combine a dusty, taped white noise feel with subtle, swirling dub chords as its high-end propels the track forward. It's a stunning and evocative piece before the A2 continues with minimal drums and electric acid bleeps, a smooth organ lead completing its gorgeous soundscape. On the B-side of the Bob EP, ZentaSkai joins forces with long-time collaborator Sebastian Klenk. It follows their "Apeiron" track on ZentaSkai's 2023 Architecture Of The Mind LP, among other joint work, and sees them deliver a near-twelve-minute track that is a true masterpiece. The track takes listeners through found-sound texture samples, intricate drum patterns, crunchy breakbeats, and more beautiful dub melodics. Bob is another fantastic listening experience on Mask Records, already supported by Satoshi Tomiie, Raresh, and Laurent Garnier.
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12"
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MSK 011EP
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Mask's ZentaSkai and Laura Merino Allue announce vinyl-only underground house and techno series as Cuddling Monsters. Cuddling Monsters serve up the first vinyl-only volume of a new self-titled series on Berlin-based Mask Records. All four cuts explore deep and classy techno, dub and house soundscapes with the aim of rediscovering the soul of electronic music and forming new bonds between human creativity and technological innovations. ZentaSkai is the Mask founder recognized for his immersive, hypnotic groove, and Allue is a fashion and graphic designer. They are newly assembled under this alias but have a long-time love of vinyl and analog machines, which shows in their sounds. "Crafting music with analog instruments holds profound importance in the contemporary musical landscape. Despite the omnipresence of digital technology, analogue instruments maintain a pivotal role, offering distinctive sonic qualities, creative constraints, and genuine sound reproduction. The tactile, hands-on connection" --Cuddling Monsters. The superbly deep and atmospheric "Lucky Star" is a dubby minimal cut with a deft rhythm and warm pads that are perfect for cozy back rooms. The absorbing "Crystal Growing" is another stripped-back techno roller with rubbery drums and pensive chords that lock you into a state of meditation. Up next is the powerful "Floating Tank" which pairs gorgeous ambient synths with driving drums. It's a great coming together of the physical and the emotional that will take dancefloors to the next level. "Analog Dreams" shuts down with more perfectly smoky pads and grainy lo-fi atmospheres as slick but driving drums power onwards.
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3LP
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MSKLP 001LP
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ZentaSkai unveils stunning, high-concept house album on Mask Records. ZentaSkai undertook a period of research into the underlying structure and organization of the human brain before writing The Architecture Of The Mind. The Berlin-based artist then took what had been learned and kept it in mind when writing the music that marks Mask's first album release. It comes with extensive background notes on each track, and an operational manual of sorts -- notes from the artists as to the effects each piece will have on those who hear them. The gorgeous "Mind Mapping" opens up with deep and dubby drums and lush harmonies that soothe you to your core, "030" then has more raw, heavy drums with many layers of glowing synths, glassy melodies and organic found sounds. "Fügun" keeps the deep and introspective moods coming before the crisp tech of "Flow Dreaming" ups the ante with more drive and layers of vocal whispers, hi-hats and smeared dub chords. Elsewhere the likes of "Quiet Reflection" lean into the groove with swirling pads and one-word vocal sounds drifting through the air over propulsive drum loops, and "Boiling Range" suspends you in deft synth loops amongst the stars over a prickly house beat. The superb synth craft and well-designed grooves continue through the dusty deep house of "Karl-Marx-Allee" and minimal dub of "Dynamic System" before the elegant melodic techno of "Apeiron" and dreamy synthscapes of "Parallel 30" close the album in a reflective fashion. This is a deeply evocative album with a fully realized concept that is as thought-provoking as it is immersive. Also featuring Laura Merino, Jeremy Reinhard, Palawan, Sebastian Klenk, Apoena, and Yucuma.
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12"
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MSK 006EP
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Mysterious Berlin label MASK return with a pair of raw cuts entitled Marilyn. MASK preserve their esoteric philosophy of delivering well-crafted, modulated house and techno cuts produced on hardware equipment and Marilyn certainly follows suit. MASK releases are the result of anonymous artists live-jamming together in unison with the first five releases picking up support from the likes of Laurent Garnier, Marcel Dettmann, Elena Colombi, Machine Woman, and many more. The A side is 13-minute voyage featuring fluttering, resonant drums, lo-fi synth stabs, and growling oscillations that become the focus in the track's latter stages while on the B side sweeping pads, spacey undertones, and squelchy, acid-soaked sci-fi elements keep the sonic experience obscure yet fascinating throughout.
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12"
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MSK 005EP
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The elusive Berlin label Mask are back with another anonymous release featuring four, analog-driven tracks entitled Cliff. Known for being purveyors of mysterious yet exquisite hardware induced tracks, Mask continue to hold up their reputation following on from Hunter (MSK 004EP) that picked up support from the likes of Laurent Garnier, Elena Colombi, Machine Woman, Anastasia Kristensen, and DJ Deep. Cliff involves four people live jamming on analog equipment in a Berlin based studio. A1 begins with crunchy drums fused with revolving, modulated synths and obscure elements that are soaked in acid flavors before the A2 focuses on an electro-tinged sequence in harmony with ominous atmospherics and eccentric oscillations. On the flip, sweeping pads balanced with intense kicks and washing synths take the focus on the B1 until the B2 rounds off this magical EP with wavering compositions, hard-hitting percussion and unsettling sound design keeping the atmosphere intense yet truly absorbing.
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12"
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MSK 004EP
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Enigmatic Berlin label MASK return in 2019 with a vinyl-only release consisting of four eccentric cuts entitled "Hunter". The mysterious German label maintains its reputation of providing quality, esoteric music by anonymous artists with a focus on analog sound design and modulated oddities. Hunter is the result of the first take of a live recording coming from a duo who have been playing together for over a decade.
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12"
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MSK 003EP
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The mysterious Berlin-based label MASK returns with four raw and murky cuts entitled Rellik. As with the previous two releases on the label, Rellik was recorded live and on the first take using a selection of analog synths, drum machines and sequencers, particularly the warm and dynamic sound of the E-Mu SP-1200 as the lead. The project is a mash-up between rock and hip-hop elements using SP1200 classic drum kits, filtered and distorted synths, something the label calls "Krauttech".
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12"
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MSK 002EP
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Mysterious Berlin imprint MASK preps its second release with four more untitled tracks. Noah has been produced and recorded live in one take using a selection of analog gear.
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12"
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MSK 001EP
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Mysterious Berlin based label MASK preps its debut release titled Lemmy EP, with four untitled cuts. The A side begins with a track built around a tightly programmed drum loop, laced with mix-slicing hats and sub-low kicks. The second production is twisted and dusty, using flanging and reverberated effects and driven by full-bodied snares and a growling sub line. On the flip, dulcet tones of a female vocalist join lush melodic chords to cleanse the palette. The final track strips things back even further, employing minimalist percussive hits and a warm bass lead.
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