Listen To Japanese Trio CRYSTAL’s Siri-Sampling Ode To Donkey Kong
“Jungli-la” is retro-futurist mayhem.
Before they head from their home in Tokyo to Paris to take part in this year's Red Bull Music Academy, synth-pop three-piece CRYSTAL are preparing to release their debut album via dreamy Japanese imprint flau. Ryota Miyake (aka Sparrows), Keita Onishi, and Sunao Maruyama make hyperactive instrumentals where 2015 runs headlong into 1995, which makes it no surprise that they've previously released on French electro label Institubes, and collaborated with Hyperdub's colorful experimentalist Ikonika for a track on their new record.
On the manic chimes of "Jungli-la," premiering below, their retro-futurism couldn't get any more tongue-in-cheek obvious, or any more fun. The track samples your iPhone buddy Siri, while paying homage to the jungle stage of Donkey Kong. Asked to explain the story of the tune via email, the band wrote to The FADER: "One day, Siri took me to the jungle to see Diddy and his nephew Donkey. The jungle was their country. Then we played together. The result is this song. Diddy gave me some extra life balloons when we leave. Please enjoy the perfect combination of Diddy's marimbas and Donkey's percussions."
flau will release Crystal Station 64 on October 30. Pre-order it here.