POOLSIDE TECHNIQUES

Tokyo underground hip-hop unit Mitch & BLABLA return with POOLSIDE TECHNIQUES, their eagerly awaited sophomore album that pushes their signature sound into even deeper, more immersive territory.

Rooted in the raw energy of Tokyo's club circuit-honed through sessions like "GET YOURS" at Takadanobaba 88BLOCK-Mitch & BLABLA have meticulously absorbed the city's hip-hop DNA. POOLSIDE TECHNIQUES is the ultimate manifestation of that journey, blending the duo's trademark effortless delivery and immaculate balance into a fresh manifesto for domestic alternative hip-hop.

Alongside longtime ally CAMEL BEATS, the record boasts an elite lineup of producers tied directly to the MCs' deep-rooted networks. JOMO as Ill Clinton (host of the "GET YOURS" parties that sparked the album's creation), Fukui-based beatmaker Ballhead (a collaborator from Mitch's days in Kanazawa), and M-al (from BLABLA's home crew, PACK3) all step behind the boards. Notably, M-al handles beat production for select cuts while cementing the cohesive sonic vision by mastering the entire project.

The lone guest appearance on the mic comes from PharRiverSiders. On "M-7 FOOLISH MAN feat. PharRiverSiders," the two duos lock into a masterclass trade-off of verses over a bouncy Ballhead production. It's a bittersweet, junk-food-binge kind of rush-greasy, addictive, and radiating an invincible, feel-good euphoria.

Perhaps most importantly, over half of the album's beats are self-produced by Mitch & BLABLA themselves. By stepping up behind the boards, they lay bare their exact artistic stance and creative evolution with striking clarity.

Tune in, find your own lane, and deconstruct POOLSIDE TECHNIQUES however you see fit.