London-based imprint SHIBUI launches its vinyl series with a statement of intent – and Joolmad’s “Hakuna EP” delivers exactly the kind of sleek, club-ready energy that sets the tone for the label’s journey ahead. Across four cuts (plus a remix from Jhobei), Joolmad flexes his knack for turning minimalism into movement – and the title track “Hakuna” leads the charge with irresistible swagger.
It’s one of those tracks that sneaks up on you – a tightly wound groove that unravels just enough to keep you hooked. The bassline hums with understated confidence, the kind of low-end pulse that locks you in without shouting for attention. A whirling synth line sways around it, playful yet precise, twisting like smoke in a dimly lit room. Add in those hip-hop-style scratches – subtle, teasing, perfectly placed – and “Hakuna” starts to blur genre lines with effortless cool.
What truly distinguishes “Hakuna” is its sense of equilibrium – a masterful balance between restraint and release. Each subtle pause and fleeting break feels intentional, allowing the rhythm to exhale before plunging back into its rolling momentum. Its physicality translates directly to the body – you can almost feel the track’s motion unfold, envisioning a dancer caught mid-groove, loose-limbed and instinctive, lost in the hypnotic pull of the loop.
With “Hakuna”, Joolmad channels the essence of modern Minimal: functional, funky, and full of character. It’s the kind of tune that DJs keep in their record bag waiting for the moment when the floor needs just a little more bounce, a little more soul, a little more attitude.
Words by Holger Breuer
Torture the Artist 