Saint Petersburg-based ok,u records kicks off its discography with “Please Play Loud,” a four-track multi-genre VA featuring a lineup meant to embody the outlet’s vision from the very start: Intelligent music ranging from hypnotic grooves to peak-time club energy. On board the very first instalment, Rambal Cochet, Radial Gaze & Orchid, Moonoton, and Robsn, a combination that results in a decadent hotchpot of zests and zings. The selection feels deliberate – a thoughtful mix of names that hints at the label’s appetite for both intensity and nuance, without leaning too hard in any single direction.

Premiered here, Andrei Nikonorov aka Moonoton’s contribution brings the release to the Techno side of the force. His “Djelouwei” – a word with roots in an old Swahili rain song, carrying a sense of ritual and raw energy – is a captivating piece constructed over frenzied drum work that snaps and shuffles with restless, almost manic energy. A proper acid blanket spreads beneath, adding a gritty, textured layer that anchors the arrangement. The star of the show, however, is the frolic and playful whistle layer that cuts through the mix – catchy, mischievous, and impossible to ignore. It’s the kind of element that turns a track into a moment, daring you to join in without a second thought. Moonoton delivers a piece that feels alive and focused, a clear highlight of the compilation and a strong sign that ok,u records is starting as it means to go on.

You can find (and buy) this and other music pearls on the Beatport page of the label.

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