Kohra & Monophonik unveil 'Jugalbandi' EP, inspired by Goa’s psychedelic pulse
The 4-track collab is rooted in deep techno rhythms, created by two of India’s leading maestros
Kohra and Monophonik are poised to drop their 4-track collab EP ‘Jugalbandi’, with two singles already out now on London-based label Space Lab. The project will be released in full on July 2.
The two artists have been cornerstones in India’s underground scene, with Kohra spearheading the always-exciting label Qilla, and Monophonik arguably leading modular music in the nation.
Crafted at Kohra's studio in Goa, the EP serves as a shared canvas for the duo's mutual passion for synthesizers and the unpredictable allure they bring. Inspired by Goa's serene yet psychedelic environment, the EP intertwines ethereal melodies with pulsating rhythms, underpinned by deep basslines and shimmering percussion.
It's a project seemingly tailor-made for the pulsating energy of a 5am forest rave, executed with precision.
The term 'Jugalbandi', derived from Hindi, traditionally denotes a collaborative performance between classical musicians, featuring a duet by two solo artists. In this EP, Kohra and Monophonik offer a futuristic reinterpretation of jugalbandi, meticulously crafted for the dancefloor.
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Their tracks blend Monophonik's modular wizardry seamlessly with Kohra's polished production, traversing realms of deep techno, progressive trance, and intricate breakbeats.
The majority of the EP is rooted in psychedelic, deeply layered techno, which is why we’re picking the closer ‘Jugalbandi’ as our standout. Although it’s as rich as the others, the distinctive breakbeat percussion makes it the perfect EP closer, allowing the synths to really shine and take centre stage.
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In celebration of the release, the duo have been touring across India, before sending off the project in Bristol, UK in August.
Purchase Kohra and Monophonik ‘Jugalbandi’ here.
Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.
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