»Show Us Your Weak Side« by Muxu

This new release is most definitely Monotonik’s first from Malaysia, thanks to duo Euseng and Liang, also known as Muxu, who’ve followed up their self-released debut album ‘Above Us, A Clear Summer Sky’ with this wonderful 6-track EP, ‘Show Us Your Weak Side’, here as the 190th release on Mono.

The duo first met for a joint band project - with Liang playing guitar for delightfully named band Citizens of Ice-Cream, but set up Muxu in early 2006. They’ve also contributed a track to the Mu-nest label compilation ‘We Are All Cotton-Hearted’, alongside other artists such as Lullatone, Piana, Park Avenue Music and Aus.

In any case, Muxu starts out with the delightfully meandering ‘Hishiko’, all sliding ambience and strong melodies - reminding of previous Monotonik artists Sleepy Town Manufacture through a distinct guitar-infused Asian blend, perhaps? It only gets lusher from there, with ‘Let’s Walk On The Frozen Sea’ weaving almost Harold Budd-esque piano into the mix, and ‘Meeting Snow During Summer’ continuing the carefully multi-layered shimmer.

Other highlights include the careful groove of ‘Moving At 30’ and the end track, ‘People Running Away’, which has us running towards, not from Muxu’s lush sound from an unusual place. Thanks, guys.