Drunken Kong & SUDO collaborate with Drumcode stalwart Bart Skils for ‘Sakura’ EP

Known for his stellar work on Drumcode, Bart Skils teams up with Tokyo’s techno maestros Drunken Kong and SUDO, delivering two standout tracks ‘Nexus’ and ‘Set It Right’ for new EP ‘Sakura’.

The release dropped today (September 13) via Drumcode.

“Both tracks came out amazing. The one with Dee [Drunken Kong] leans more into a phat building groove and the Isao [SUDO] track gets the psychedelic rolling with some fantastic synth work,” mentions Bart Skils, speaking on both tracks.

With ‘Sakura’, the collaboration between the artists delivers a captivating blend of hypnotic rhythms, intricate synth work, and a deep connection to Japanese cultural roots.

SUDO, comprising brothers Isao and Takashi, gained major traction with their Drumcode debut ‘Real World’. On ‘Nexus’, their collaboration with Skils, the duo delivers fast-paced, hypnotic techno infused with short, chime-like synths that dominate the breakdown, culminating in a dangerously entrancing drop.

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Reflecting on the collaboration, SUDO said, “Nexus had an iconic melody, and we sent the first version of the stem to Bart, then the version that came back really complemented the melody and it was the next level with amazing chemistry!” They how the melody of the track “feels something nostalgic and warm” and that it “uses the scale of Japanese folk songs”.

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Drunken Kong, residents at Tokyo's WOMB and known for their groove-heavy techno, collaborate with Skils on ‘Set It Right’—a stern, driving track with a resonant vocal riff and ominous synth chords. The duo explain, “We feel that our groove was something that Bart really liked which eventually led to this collaboration. We have always loved Bart's style, and this naturally led to us creating a groove-focused track.”

They also add: “The vocal we used has a melancholic and beautiful vibe, which fits perfectly with the mood of the Sakura season here in Japan.”

Listen to the two tracks of ‘Sakura’ here.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.

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