Cwtch may look like a cryptic code, but in Welsh, the word translates as a serene place, a fitting metaphor for the deep friendship and shared vision between producers Fallen Tape and Pal Parallax. Their project thrives on dualities: intimacy and mechanics, sentiment and structure, sound and its echo. It is electronic music in vivid detail, dirty yet clean, one with grit but executed with razor-sharp clarity.

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De la... je l'espère, the Paris collective and label merging music, moving image, and scenography, provides fertile ground for this experiment. Focused on the merge between techno and bass music, and extending into experimental territory, the imprint carries the energy of its live events into its releases. The result moves from room-filling immersion to music that sparks active listening.

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The Parenthesis EP sparks just that, unfolding across five distinct tracks that oscillate between gripping techno, serrated bass explorations, and reflective IDM terrains on tracks like Silent & Weightless. Each track balances weight and release, showing the duo’s broad and eclectic approach to sound.

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Minimal Collective’s pick Gyoza opens the record with a brisk pace that carries a slower, heavy feel. A minimalist lead-up is jolted by a short burst of breaks, introducing a dark-toned bass line that anchors the track. From there, it builds loop by loop, gaining grit and weight. At the brink of climax, it locks into a dense groove before stripping back down, where the bass pushes on and a subtle dub character shines through. A stand-out piece that shows Cwtch at their most versatile.

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Full tracklist

1. Gyoza

2. Unakite

3. Cirrus Ascent

4. Silent & Weightless

5. Cerebral Dissonance

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The Parenthesis EP will be out on September 19th, 2025. Pre-order a copy via Bandcamp.  

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