Karpov Not Kasparov Memory

Romanian two-piece Karpov not Kasparov have dropped their new EP ‘Memory’, out 18th June on Disco Halal. A five-track release, ‘Memory’ opens with the sunkissed, synth-driven vibes of ‘Except For Bears’, ensuring the EP commences with some cosmic disco energy. Next up is the hypnotic, computerised sounds of ‘Fool’s Mate’ and otherworldly synth oddity ‘Les Pions Sont l'Âme du Jeu’, before the title track and recent single ‘Memory’ sees the Bucharest duo delve into psychedelia-laced outsider pop territories. Things are then closed out with an instrumental of the same track. Valeriu Borcos and Eduard Gabia aka Karpov not Kasparov describe what they do as ‘a musical game of chess between synthesizer and drums’. As well as releasing music on the likes of Fleeting Wax, Karakter Records and Local Records, the Romanian duo also incorporate an analogue visual artist and contemporary dancers into their live performances, resulting in a theatrical show and a kind of real-time soundtrack to the action around them. Encompassing elements of downtempo, new-wave and alternative pop, stitched together with a leftfield dancefloor throb, the Disco Halal back-catalogue, filled with efforts from the likes of Polocorp, Budakid and Moscoman himself, has seen the imprint rapidly emerging from the once-overlooked nightlife and club scene of Tel Aviv into the worldwide spectrum. An intriguing and experimental release, Karpov not Kasparov’s first EP on Disco Halal sees the duo bring exciting new sounds to the revered label.