Stella Z announces her enticing debut album 'In The Woods, Will Be Late'

Stella Z has announced the imminent arrival of her debut full-length release, ‘In The Woods, Will Be Late’.

Splitting her time between China and the UK, Stella Z is a DJ and producer known for the long-running Mars Weather Today show she hosts on Threads Radio, from where she selects cosmic-leaning electronica while showcasing China’s bubbling leftfield music community. ‘In The Woods, Will Be Late’ arrives via UK label, Third Place, featuring six delicately crafted musical meditations that were composed in the mountainous seaside province of Fujian, China.

The title track opens the release with weightless drums and intertwining pads before ‘6 Leaves Elephant’ brings nature-tinged atmospherics, quirky synths, and vocal samples together for a lightly whimsical joyride. ‘East Egret Pond Road’ sees out the A-side, slowing things down for a hypnotic journey filled with sub hits, flickering percussion, and subtle leads.

On the B-side, ‘Good Night Fire Lily’ glides into darker shades, with rumbling kicks and muted basslines sparring with squelchy FX before ‘In Ru’s Dream’ picks up the pace, tunnelling further into her detailed soundscapes with rattling drums, punchy low end, and wonky ambience. An ambient version of the title track brings the release to a soft landing, providing the climax to what amounts to an exceptional debut album.

You can listen to the lead single ‘6 Leaves Elephant’ here:

Stella Z 'In The Woods, Will Be Late' is out February 24 on Third Place, you can order it here or via the player above

Patrizio Cavaliere is Mixmag Asia's Music Editor. Follow him on Instagram