I’ve been in love with the low-tempo yet beat-driven sounds that make up the components of what we call “lo-fi” or “chillhop” music since my days of being in high school. Vividly, I can remember sitting in the library alone during lunch break trying to finish my already late algebra homework that I would eventually get an A+ for, all while trying to level out my stress by listening to any relaxing, underground hip-hop beats that I could find on the Internet. Fast forward to 2019, having traveled to Amsterdam & Rotterdam in March, it would later come to my surprise in the same year that a sound like this in particular would emerge from Netherlands, altogether.

Dutch electronic producer, Moods, has always brought forward this sonic balance that simultaneously withholds jazz and R&B elements – his 2016 single “How I Feel” being the moment I first caught wind. The vigorous chemistry between Moods & Dutch guitarist & producer, Yasper, really shines through with their latest EP titled Sofa Stories. Sitting at 5 tracks in length, sultry guitar chords add depth to the fiery beat composition that each track is composed of. Reminiscent in nature, these two have also remained very in touch with their collective roots, this listen being nothing short of harmonic & smooth from start to finish. With tracks like “Sofa Stories”, “Vibe Vibe”, & “Breakfast w Bastien” being my new favorites, these are easily soon to be added to my own curated playlists this week.

Stream the “Sofa Stories” EP below: