London-based Kawaii San is a relatively new name in the scene – first releases of the artist appeared in 2022 only – yet he managed to place his music on labels like Padang, Magic Carpet, Albeit Records showcasing his rich palette of modern House sounds. On his latest EP Aqualand, a four tracker on vinyl-only label Meld, we hear a more matured sound as Kawaii San is presenting a deeper and more hypnotic approach of his style.
The EP starts with Poetry In Motion or a deep, dubby hypnotic House track affair with a strong retro-vibe as mesmerizing synths tickle every chord out of them to create an old-school Detroit-flair. Therefore, Poetry In Motion is a trippy yet stylish late night affair.
The A2 More And More has very nuanced melody due to its playful synth-line and overallĀ a more warm note if not say even some feel-good-vibes all the way through and is basically the counterpart of the A1. However, both tracks form the perfect symbiosis to round off the A-side of this EP.
The B-side kicks off with the title track, which is an agreeable Deep House-groover. Aqualandās charming effects and the haunting melody add some early Ibiza vibes and Balearic vibes to the track. Surely this one ist best enjoyed when those sun rays brush your skin in the blue hour.Ā
Tape Delay, the B2 of the EP, explores more of Leftfield-territories. Hence its minimalism the track is rather colorful in its being. Latter goes back to the memorable samples as well as broken beats and the punchy bassline, which the tracks all manages to unite in its almost eight minute ride through time and space.
After his Behind The Waterfall EP on Magic Carpet Kawaii San again presents an extremely solid EP on Meld, on which he seems to focus a little bit more on the origins of electronic music, brings those together and even combines them to a modern approach of the genre(s).
Kawaii Sanās Aqualand EP is out on Meld.
Words by Pasha Pliskin
Torture the Artist 