2020 Releases
Photography by Tucker Pendleton (carraway)
Kiko Kaid - Feng Shui
Consider it August Pt. 2. These are the B-Sides from the older release August from 2019. This includes all the same vibes from the previous album. Sampling from the Collective, glitchy guitar splicing, and jangly bouncing acoustic guitars and bell synths. The muffled lofi beat pairs with the thumping sub bass that gives the songs a good movement. Includes a live intermission and several songs with vocal bits and a feature from Just the Architects.
Released: December 12th, 2020
Photography by Tucker Pendleton (carraway)
carraway & Kiko Kaid - Seltzer EP
A blend of lofi/chillhop elements and the lovely sounds of carraway. Tucker and I are roommates, thus able to do this collaboration in person. After several sessions together we were able to complete this EP in about 2 weeks. Tucker brought most of the progressions and accompaniments including the horn section on 3 songs. Mostly acoustic guitar throughout the EP with the splash of 12-string & washed out clean electric guitar. Kiko filled out the EP with most of the keys, drums and bass. Every song has a perfect blend of both projects.
Released: December 1st, 2020
Suri Sunriser - Beta Grounds
Suri is back with some new music. Feels good to be writing for this project and not putting together cutting-room-floor tunes. A blend of jazzhop and lofi. With each song I tried to go for your 'not so conventional' lofi beats. Using some funky rhythms and grooves as well as some psychedelic synth elements peaking out here and there. Overall keeping that retro aesthetic blend of synths and guitars I implemented on the previous release. Including introducing new jazzhop elements on a track featuring H A C E.
Released: November 20th, 2020
Artwork by Liz Silvergreen
Ovilis - Cacodemon EP
Here is my first attempt at truly making some drone metal in my bedroom. Using several effects on my voice to really put the screams over the top and oversaturated. Each song is a slow trudge threw the dirt. Still abstract in it’s own right but progressing far from the previous release. Some sludgy drone metal with more song structure, vocals, and full instrumentation. The whole EP is an experiment, each song is produced differently and was written in it's own unique way. Special thanks to Kevin Brusha (Cerulean Blue) for helping out on the track "Goddess"
Released: October 31st, 2020
Eco-Aura - Countries of the Sun
Much like the 2019 release this was written and recorded back in 2015. Around the same time I was recording Beachwood Castles for JTA. These songs were originally made for the project Crossing Bridges. But after realizing they were so far off of what CB is I just decided to hold onto these for a while. I lost the original stems so I couldn’t touch them up as much as I would have liked to. But all in all these tunes are bright, upbeat, and warm. Eco-Aura is finally showing off the true colors of the project. The idea now is to give Imisu more of a body. By adding full band elements. The full fleshed out sound is a mix of the multiple layering of guitars, reverse effects, and the blending of electronic percussion and drums with a live kit performance. Listening back to these tunes is time traveling for me. When I have more space to create I will be writing more songs in this style.
Released: October 15th, 2020
L a z u l i _ y e l l o w - DreamStation64-Cube360_PLATINUM
Since the start of L a z u l i I have experimented with several styles in the areas of “vapor” and “mallsoft.” Just trying out some things I’ve wanted to do for a while. Bouncing around from more modern EDM vibes to light vapor-ambient interludes of interludes. From light-hearted weather channel music to a dark ketamine club on the moon. Happy to say there are no samples used in this album. Using several Korg Volcas, guitars, several keyboards and synths, and warping my voice in falsetto to create some unique vocal textures. Includes a ‘Long Version’ of the intro track and features Kiko Kaid & WAVE COMPLEX. Expect some new EP’s in 2021.
Released: October 8th, 2020
Phlegmatic Stare - Caught in a Time Warp
A dark reboot of the Phlegmatic Stare alias/project. Written back in 2010-2011 when I first started writing. They were off time, no rhythm, random blending of notes and pseudo chords. In 2014 I did an attempt at blurring, filtering and droning out each song from that project. I took those attempts this summer and was able to make this. Properly blurring and warping these tracks into what I had envisioned originally. Mastering them for the first time, and only doing a small amount of mixing to keep some of the lofi qualities. I wouldn’t expect much else to come from this project ~
Released: September 16th, 2020
Painting by Liz Silvergreen
Kiko Kaid - Water Keys [LazyTreeRecords]
First time releasing Kiko through a label so I wanted to try some different approaches this time. Using all keyboards and synths. Standing while writing the whole thing. I wanted to have less going on and embellish the small amount of instrumentation going on. Keeping things more dry and small sounding. I can see this being the future of Kiko Kaid. I learned a lot and it was fun writing in a new light. Big thanks to all the support Lazy Tree Records has done for this release. Hopefully more to come!
Released: September 9th, 2020
Imisu - Ultisa
The journey continues from "Dark Hearth." Imisu is back with a second piano album. Improvised within 45 minutes in studio. Using analog gear, solo piano recording techniques, and the signature Imisu reversing/warping Ultisa is a new high point for ambient within the Collective. During the editing process I was able to work with the extremely talented vocalist Becka Lundy, and together we wrote the vocal scenes for the songs "Sapphire" & "Gold." I'm extremely happy how this came out especially Becka's parts. This whole album was created so organically yet I feel like it's been resonating in my soul for a while.
Released: August 6th, 2020
L a z u l i _ y e l l o w & BOSEBY - Marblesoft.
Part 2 of 2. Step off the edge where the familiarity disintegrates smoothly, and let the embrace of a forgotten consumer ecosystem wrap cold textures around your mind. The first installment leaves you at ease in the control room where every space of the shopping slush traversed is tangible and recognizable. A system clearly delineated: walk, shop, eat, mingle, repeat--now viewed from the safety of a single position, with its elements before you in plain focus, now appearing as an unfamiliar amalgam of carefully arranged patterns of activity, decentered from the experience itself. Marblesoft drops into the cacophonous hum of machinery powering the schemata underlying abandoned Malls.
Released: July 30th, 2020
L a z u l i _ y e l l o w & BOSEBY - Memorysoft.
A part 1 of 2. Memorysoft is the somewhat familiar nostalgia.Capturing the essence of liminal spaces and isolation. The absence of life, but plenty of evidence.This first installment is a steady track through the experience. Beginning with deep slushwave to give you that overwhelming feeling when entering a hustling and bustling modern shopping area. Then as the EP progresses all that slowly fades away into this ethereal journey. All coming to a grinding pause when you hit the final track "Dancing Alone in the Control Room." Almost like a to be continued moment. Continued in Marblesoft. Get to know the video series.
Released: July 23rd, 2020
NOYU.SIR - Lesgo
Two quick Hip Hop/Rap instrumentals I've had for a good bit. Written when 90.1FM was hosting freestyle fridays with the family from the documentary "Quest". After Being inspired by the local talent I wrote some easy to flow on beats. Played them a few times at those events. Hopefully those start back up again soon.. To digress there will be more of the WAX series from NOYU.SIR in the future. Consider this cleaning out some old tracks.
Released: July 20th, 2020
Aura Lynd - Underwater (¡All-Time Quarterback! Cover)
Recorded this a while back when I was doing a big EP for Aura Lynd. After redoing a good amount of the vocals and adding a few things I felt that it was ready to be released. Using repetitive simple drums and a few extra guitars really make the verses my own. But still keeping that lofi vibe with the tone of the acoustic guitars and using an amp effect on my voice. Then to have multiple harmonies come in with synth bass and other small nuances in the chorus gave this song that depth and build I always wanted to hear when listening to the original. Hope I did it justice, check out the video too ~
Released: July 17th, 2020
Fever Aches - Thirst EP
The third EP from Fever Aches. Truly honing in the style that is Fever Aches with the looping twinkly emo guitar riffs, crunchy/slappy lofi drums, and of course that amp/echo effect on the vocals. This time using pitching and other manipulation techniques to create some of the voices in this. This is definitely the direction future releases from Fever Aches will go. Biggest thing is making this different from Kiko Kaid. Hope you enjoy and get lost in it like I do ~
Released: July 13th, 2020
Illustrations by noyuzr
SAGATRACKS MIX.1
A collaboration between the collective and noyuzr (Nigel Phillips); friend and visual collaborator. It all started when noyuzr sent me a large grouping of different ideas. After just a few night me adding and working with them we have SAGATRACKS MIX.1. Planning to do this kind of collaboration with others in the future. It’s always fun to make a collective mix of multiple aliases, now collaborating with someone on top of that has really made this a fun release and will be an impressive series.
Released: July 9th, 2020
L a z u l i _ y e l l o w - d ( e m o ) s
A collection of tracks I’ve kept for years. Originally released as Crossing Bridges under the releases “Cloudcorp” series. After recent polishing and now I have an alias that is vaporwave I’ve released it under Lazuli. Extremely classic vaporwave vibes here. Heavy sampling and warping on every track. Small instrumentation over several songs. Groovy, moody, and all over the place. Enjoy ~
Released: July 5th, 2020
Just the Architects - Camera Demos (Live ‘16)
Audio found off of an old video of a gig back in 2016. Played along side the amazing drummer Chris Kerney, which really made the set pop. I played with the same guitar setup I did for Larry Nodder at the time. Not my best performance but I saw some value in these recordings so here they are! New tunes from this project coming soon!
Released: July 1st, 2020
L a z u l i _ y e l l o w; BOSEBY - A l o n e @ H o m e 2 [single]
A cold washed out mesh of sound. Crafted from BOSEBY’s original. I added several layers of synths and textures to get that true slush sound. Not to mention pitching, time warping, chopping & reversing, and adding multiple reverbs and delays to really transform the song into something otherworldly. This is just a peek into the future collaborations on the way from L a z u l i _ y e l l o w & BOSEBY.
Released: June 26th, 2020
H A C E - Party @ the Phil Collins Mansion (ft. Buck the Lackey) [single]
A PEF attempt. At one point we were writing tunes for Elevator Music and Branden let out this melancholy rollercoaster of a verse within just a few minutes of me writing the track. Inspired by early Tyler, the Creator styled instrumentals. Where we got the idea to pitch down the entire vocal track after sitting on this for around 2 years. I polished up the track a little and added some guitar to give it that H A C E vibe. More features to come from H A C E and other projects in the collective!
Released: June 22nd, 2020
Illustration by noyuzr
Suri Sunriser - PlotNights24
Songs I’ve had for years and have touched up multiple times along the way. You could say some are People Eating Fruit precursors. Mainly these songs consist of upbeat dance beats, some bit-crushed synths and soft strings, and a few experimental breaks. Suri’s sound is a mixture of the dancy/chaotic nature that is PEF, and a mix of those nuances I mentioned. Includes a remix/alt. version of a RANDEL .the ghost. tune. More to come from Suri possibly later this year ~~
Released: June 17th, 2020
Painting by Abigaze Sinpole
Kiko Kaid & Leandro Ragusa - River Eyes
The latest Kiko featuring Leandro has a wide step into new territory for this project and the collective. With Kiko’s open tuning twinkle emo guitar and smooth boom bap sub-bass marriage still being the main environment of the EP. Leandro’s bandoneon performance brings River Eyes to a new form of life. Allowing lofi/chillhop to take a step into the worldly and folk, to give the songs the ability to breathe. My favorite accompaniment / collaboration yet. Sit back and take a breath.
Released: June 14th, 2020
Violet A. Foster - Another Rift
A thick sheet of noise for your mind. Get washed away in the latest sounds of Violet A. Foster. This is a cornerstone album for the development of this project. Massive space and textures are throughout this album. Created from the samples of random older tracks from the collective. The purpose of this release is too pause your life. No matter where you are you can blast this album and tune out the world around you. Create your own adventure and experience this world of dark drone ambient.
Released: June 11th, 2020
Imisu - Sleep Moments 3 (ft. Cosette Gobat)
Third installment of the Sleep Moments series. This round featuring Cosette Gobat. This collaboration has the mixture of Cosette’s vocals heavily washed she also wrote swelling hypnotic bass riff. Imisu bringing back some guitar techniques that were commonly used in Long Drive Home (2017). Open tuned guitar with heavy delay and reverb. As well as the classic reverse sounds that is Imisu.
Released: June 7th, 2020
L a z u l i _ y e l l o w - ハッピー [single]
This slushwave single is the first of many. This extra warped track is an alternative version of a song you’ll find on “d ( e m o ) s” that will be available on all platforms later this year. ハッピー is layered with multiple delays and reverbs to create this sound. Hosting heavy 80s R&B sampling and extremely washed out drum loops. It’s abrupt beginning grabs you and leaves you in a digital paradise. Enjoy~
Released: June 3rd, 2020
_XPRESSWINDOW - IIII
Cold, breezy, and driven. _XPRESSWINDOW is back with 3 new songs with an ambient mix to close the EP. From some chill IDM vibes, world music expressions, and chill electro-house drum patterns. This EP showcases and drives home this projects signature sound and will only continue to solidify in future releases. My favorite track “Breeze” takes you away into this environment that I can only describe as inhaling fresh cool air and floating away in the wind.
Released: May 31st, 2020
NOYU.SIR - WAX.1
First of many to come from NOYU.SIR. The theme of these WAX releases is moving this project into it’s signature sound. Heavy vocal sampling of multiple styles and cultures. Droney distorted synths, pseudo-chords, and simple hard slapping hiphop/trap beats. Inspired by Clams Casino and XXYYXX in terms of vocal sampling use. WAX.1 features 2 vibes. One is a slow trot through hell, the other a fiery drive into the sun.
Released: May 25th, 2020
L a z u l i _ y e l l o w - Aether Connect
Lazuli’s first full-length album. An immersive journey through dissolution and dissociation through reality. Features a few friends and other aliases. Aether Connect’s long repetitive loops to get you fully enthralled in the music. Short upbeat tunes that are beat driven with plucky plastic synths. Including a few random total mind-melting vibes spiced throughout. Take a breath. Dive in.
Released: May 21st, 2020
Photography by Stavi Xinou
Kiko Kaid - Okie [single]
In light of recent times I personally had to make some happy tunes. This is definitely the peak of that vibe. Using lighthearted instrumentation like cowbell and organ to blend with the signature KK guitar noodles. I feel like this is definitely a step up in song structure for this project so definitely expect a little more depth like this in future releases. Enjoy this bright spring/summertime bop.
Released: May 14th, 2020
Original artwork provided by Sami Rahman
Forest Kids & Sami Rahman - Amends.Ver2 [single]
I came across the original track from Sami after they asked me to make a video for them. I fell in love with the track and just had to do something to it. So after getting the stems from Sami I only kept the vocals and main synth. Maybe a small nuance here and there as well. I started by completely reworking the drums but mixed them to match the original sound. Then came new midi guitar, multiple layers of pads, and some very active lead synths to finish the song. This remix is driven, cold, and bombastic. Check out the original song here.
Released: May 11th, 2020
Photography by Stavi Xinou
Aura Lynd - EVRY (ft. Buck the Lackey) [single]
The most polished work from Aura Lynd yet. Truly enjoying writing this new intimate style. Originally a Kiko Kaid track, I spiced up the beat with some Hip-Pop/Indie elements by mimicking a drum machine in the chorus paired by some light percussion for movement. Multiple layers of harmonies move in and out the entire song. Includes a wonderful poetic verse from Buck the Lackey. Imagery of some distant island day-dream vacation. Drives home the narrative of the entire song and meshes seamlessly to create a lively ending as well. More to come from Aura Lynd this year ~ Check out the music video ~
Released: May 7th, 2020
Crossing Bridges - In the Blue
Crossing Bridges is back this year with a full-length album. Dark mysterious and adventurous. This 12 track album drags you through what is known as the 2nd realm. Written in the span of around 3 years. In the Blue hosts songs that were originally for other projects. But after some touch-ups this dark electronic masterpiece is done. With some features from Talplex & GoldEater the vibe is consistent & smooth. Reminiscent of older Boards of Canada & Aphex Twin.
Released: April 30th, 2020
Photography by Stavi Xinou
Imisu - Forgetting You (ft. Fever Aches) [single]
A reverse piano ballad improvised within 30 minutes at the WRTI 90.1FM Performance Studio on their Steinway Grand Piano. Recorded mono. I played and sang with the intention of reversing myself so there were some experimental nuances I was trying out. I layered several extra low harmonies also quickly recorded and improvised right on the spot. Added several layers of delay and reverb as well as made duplicates of several tracks pitching them up and down to give this certain effect. As well as the signature Fever Aches amp effect on the vocals.
Released: April 20th, 2020
Just the Architects & Cosette Gobat - NO GUN [single]
A quick collaboration between myself as JTA & Cosette Gobat. I created the drum/percussion tracks as well as guitar parts and other small nuances. Including the small verse/pre-chorus vocal part. Cosette harmonized that verse as well as wrote the funky bass guitar part and other nuances to complete the song. As well as ending the song with her incredible vocal layering. More collaborations later this year!
Released: April 17th, 2020
L a z u l i _ y e l l o w - BIGSAX (ft. Joseph Jason Miller)
Dramatic and scenic. L a z u l i delivers that fluffy vaporwave blur vibe. With the classic drum machine sounds and loops to keep the song moving along smoothly. Features Joseph Jason Miller on saxophone ripping a beautiful solo the entire piece. Beautiful melodies you could just get lost in over and over. Also includes a long version of the song slowed and pitched. Just as soothing.
Released: April 15th, 2020
Imisu & pineconesweestones - Luxmane {bt}
A warm and bright collaboration between myself as Imisu and a new friend pineconesweestones. I sent over an unreleased Imisu record and just let them sample whatever they wanted. All guitar and real instrumentation is from Imisu and all song structure and everything else is pineconesweestones. I let them do whatever they wanted to the guitar tracks and after multiple layers of drums/perc and multiple fx & samples I couldn’t be happier with the outcome! More to come of this partnership??
Released: April 11th, 2020
NOYU.SIR - BUSY [single]
Quick little beat. Inspired by working with several local philadelphia freestyle rappers in future releases. Wanted something that was easy for someone to flow on yet still had a dissociative trippy element to it. Contact for collaborations, there are a few more of these I’m going to release before moving into a slightly different direction with NOYU.SIR ~
Released: April 1st, 2020
L a z u l i _ y e l l o w & Spiral Sounds - Lorem Lpsum
A collaborative EP between friends. Created during some long nights messing around on some classic keyboard sounds and here we are. These songs really capture the essence of retro video games and simply having the game on paused or some underwater level. Classic vaporwave vibe and very few samples used. Be sure to check out Spiral Sounds who helped out with a good deal of the keyboard playing.
Released: March 26th, 2020
Photo by Turbulent Determinism
Imisu - Little Twos
A continuation of the little series from Imisu. Written/improvised within 45 mins. Using my multi effects and looper pedal, this EP poured out of me like a breath. Very therapeutic to write, as well as listen.. and sleep. Enjoy this somewhat neoclassical inspired jumble of songs. My blending of guitar layers create this almost seamless voice.
Released: March 13th, 2020
Photo by Shay Day
Aura Lynd - Item [single]
This quick sugary bedroom pop single was written and recorded in about 2 hours spontaneously. Using some simple lofi drum samples and a few layers of synth with a chorus guitar. Vocal effects were achieved through several layers of harmonies and auto tune. This was fun to make and I have several more I will release this year under Aura Lynd.
Released: February 28th, 2020
Undertakes Vol. 1
The first installment of Undertakes which will be a series of mixtapes released every 2/7 in honor of FKC. Undertakes hosts B-Sides, Unreleased songs, Remixes, Collabs, and Alt. Versions of older and new songs. From 2015 till now these songs have been just sitting on the back burner. After a few touch ups they go pretty nice together. Mainly electronic, but there are several ambient songs that finish off the album. Enjoy~
Released: February 2nd, 2020
Photography by Enoch Purnell
People Eating Fruit - Elevator Music: Songs for the Ups and Downs
It’s finally here! The first full album from People Eating Fruit. 10 hot bangers for your face to enjoy! From poppy trappy bops to indie funky jams “Elevator Music: Songs for the Ups and Downs” is certainty a journey you’ll want to experience over and over and over again. Peep the Music Video !!
Released: January 20th, 2020
_XPRESSWINDOW & WAVE COMPLEX - Ambient Fingers Vol. 3
The slow dance of two synth heavy projects in the collective. Taming WAVE COMPLEX’s constant running synths to a slow stroll. Truly showcasing the wavy droney synths that are _XPRESSWINDOW with the tint of positivity that WC brings to the table. Some piano based songs and a second version are in the mix as well. Easy to get lost in.
Released: December 25th, 2019