Fresh off the brand spanking new Stoney Roads Records (yes you read that correctly – weird right?), fresh n’ shiny dance act Mazde has dropped his debut EP ‘Shifted Thoughts’, and it’s a strange, unkempt, oddball bundle of f*cking awesome.

Taking first to the Shifted Thoughts single featuring Sydney boiz La Mar, I grabbed my grubby headphones and settled in for some choonz. Upon first listen of the track – I felt immediately refreshed. Illuminated with multilayered synths – the track seamlessly breathed life into a downbeat drum pattern. It was like taking that first sip of a cold can of mountain dew – or being patted on the bum by an Atlantic salmon.

La Mar’s vocals were at home amongst what developed to be a sparkly and crisp progression – smooth and perfectly pitched amongst the waves of electronica in which they were immersed. In a steady to and fro between light and dark, the track plays with dichotomies in both beat and ambiance – always building, letting go and sustaining smooth releases.

The lyrics were sexy as hell. And on that note – I’d definitely recommend this one for a long, slow yet excitable boning. Clubs and mountaintops and sunsets and festival afternoons too – but yeah, this is one that would go well in the bedroom methinks. Try it out and let me know, wouldya?

On that same first listen (amongst the many feels going on in the thought tank) comparisons to the sparkly energy of Chrome Sparks, that smooth manly sweetness of Rüfüs and the eccentricity of Ta-Ku all came to mind. Similar and yet nicely removed from those styles, the track was just innovative enough to stand on the edge of popular Australian electronica.

Moving onto the EP’s second offering – Forest of Gold – I felt at home. This shit is fucking edgy.

Maybe this is a strange comparison to draw but I immediately though of Moby’s 2000 single Porcelain. Although darker more electronically diverse than Moby – it has the same capacity to make you feel disconnectedly euphoric. Opening with subdued organ sampling – I felt like I was approaching a haunted house of electric curiosities. Little did I know that was exactly what I was in for.

With strange and mysterious vocal manipulation – the track evolved into a strange mash of falling voices and sharp drums that shouldn’t fit together but interestingly do. Again dichotomies were at play as I found myself strung deep into the track’s quiet moments and then clobbered (in a good way) by the waves of heavy sounds.

I enjoyed the playfulness of this track. It was as if the producer had just gone in the studio and decided to fuck off the rules. The track is bold. Miles away from generic Australian electronica – this track actually made me engage and pay attention to where it was going. Music for the intellectual munter, the philosophical raver, the person who… enjoys good shit.

Where to listen? I’m not sure. Maybe in the bedroom (although my fear is that things would get a little weird for you, my friend). This is more for those festival times where you feel inexplicably linked with all the sweaty bodies around you, or for those times when you just happen to have an awesome sound system on a cliff face, y’know?

Stream the tracks below or purchase from Beatport here or give it a heart on Hype Machine here.