HYSTERICAL LOVE PROJECT — February’s Album LP

Hysterical Love Project – February’s Album LP arrives on Motion Ward as catalog MW014, a 12-inch vinyl that delves into downbeat, beats-hip-hop and trip-hop territories. The record presents ten tracks that feel like warm compresses soaked in late-season humidity, where muted guitars float above a steady low-end throb and the mix is threaded with subtle hiss and e-waste textures. Within Motion Ward’s recent output, February’s Album follows the earlier releases of Cancer House’s The Moth LP (MW012, 2026) and Lavurn’s Baby it Cold Outside LP (MW013, 2026), while sharing the label’s penchant for atmospheric, bass-heavy compositions. The catalogue also sits after the 2024 entries it means a lot LP (MW011) by Ulla & Ultrafog and Laundry LP (TAPE) (MWT005) by Kevin, positioning the new LP amid a lineage of releases that balance introspection with rhythmic depth. Side A opens with “Perfect Patina”, a track that sets a contemplative mood through its languid low-end pulse, inviting DJs to layer it under more melodic elements. “A New Extremity” picks up the momentum, maintaining the same throb while introducing a slightly more urgent phrasing that works well as a bridge into “Window Down”, a piece whose title suggests an opening of space that the music mirrors with a subtle lift in atmosphere. “Myopia For Kindness” follows, its title evoking a narrowed focus that the track reflects through a restrained groove, and “I Could Burst” closes the side with a tension that hints at release, making it a useful cue for transitioning to a deeper set. Side B begins with “Blonde Feeling”, a composition that sustains the record’s warm, humid ambience while offering a smoother, more melodic surface suitable for late-night mixing. “Thinking Woman’s Lament” deepens the emotional palette, providing a reflective backdrop that can support vocal samples or atmospheric overlays. The middle of the side, “Limbo”, sits between two contrasting moods, acting as a pivot point that can either extend a groove or signal a shift in a DJ’s set. “Gorse” follows with a slightly more textured feel, its title recalling resilient foliage, which the music mirrors through a sturdy rhythmic foundation. The record concludes with “The Moraliser”, a track that resolves the journey with a measured sense of closure, its steady pulse offering a final anchor for the vinyl’s narrative arc. Although Hysterical Love Project’s discography on Motion Ward is limited to this release, the duo of Brooklyn Mellar and Ike Zwanikken—credited as writers and recorders—continue the label’s tradition of immersive, low-frequency-driven soundscapes. The record’s reference points, from Chris & Cosey to Labradford, place it within a lineage of experimental electronic music that values mood over overt dancefloor aggression. For DJs, February’s Album supplies a suite of tracks that can be deployed at various points in a set: the opening A-side cuts work as intro material or as atmospheric layers beneath more kinetic tracks, while the B-side offers deeper, more introspective moments ideal for winding down a set or for late-hour sessions where texture and groove take precedence over peak energy. The release is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, matching the format expectations of collectors who appreciate the tactile and sonic qualities of analog playback. Its physical distribution is handled by Rubadub, ensuring the record reaches a network of specialist outlets. Hysterical Love Project – February’s Album LP, Motion Ward, MW014, 12-inch vinyl, ten tracks. Tracklist: A1. Hysterical Love Project – Perfect Patina A2. Hysterical Love Project – A New Extremity A3. Hysterical Love Project – Window Down A4. Hysterical Love Project – Myopia For Kindness A5. Hysterical Love Project – I Could Burst B1. Hysterical Love Project – Blonde Feeling B2. Hysterical Love Project – Thinking Woman's Lament B3. Hysterical Love Project – Limbo B4. Hysterical Love Project – Gorse B5. Hysterical Love Project – The Moraliser