IGAXX — New Lights LP

Igaxx – New Lights LP arrives on 12th Isle as catalogue ISLE-023, a 12-inch vinyl that situates the Tokyo-based producer within the label’s evolving house imprint. The debut full-length follows a series of split releases and dancefloor-oriented EPs, offering eight tracks that balance downtempo ambience with analogue-house sensibilities. Drawing from 1990s left-field influences and a palette of vintage hardware, the record feels both weightless and subtly mischievous, poised between club utility and focused listening. Within the 12th Isle catalogue, New Lights sits after the earlier releases Cacciamali LP (ISLE-024) by Rosso Polare, Looking for Mount Sylvan LP (ISLE-022) by Loris S. Sarid & Innis Chonnel, and Through Global Frequency LP (ISLE-021) by Michel Banabila, all issued in 2026. It follows the 2025 outings Rain & Cymbals (ISLE-020) and Reverse Acceleration of Dragons (ISLE-019), as well as the 2024 VL_Stay LP (ISLE-018) and Orsova (ISLE-017). This placement underscores 12th Isle’s commitment to expansive, genre-bending house that leans into atmospheric depth. Side A opens with “Something Like Astral”, a track that evokes a nocturnal sky, its title suggesting a shimmering, floating quality that dovetails into the more introspective “Zutto Mae”. The latter’s title, meaning “always forward”, hints at a forward-moving groove that bridges the first two cuts. “Atmosphere” continues the mood with a subtle shift in texture, while “Oka” concludes the side, its name recalling a gentle hill and offering a calm, grounding finish before the flip. Side B begins with “Motion”, a title that naturally propels the set forward, providing a rhythmic anchor for the second half. “Air To Spare” follows, its airy implication suggesting a lighter, breathy ambience that eases the listener deeper into the record’s soundscape. The centerpiece, “New Lights”, shares its name with the album and serves as a focal point, balancing immersive sonic environments with moments of sly, unexpected detail. The record closes with “Cosmic Being”, a title that hints at an expansive, otherworldly finish, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of weightlessness. Igaxx’s recent output includes The Perception (PAESAGGI RECORDS, PSGG006, 2026) and the Time To Move EP (PHONOGRAMME, PHONOGRAMME63, 2025), both 12-inch vinyl releases that explored similar hardware-driven textures, as well as the earlier SF TRAXX #2 (LADYBUG, LADYB04, 2024). New Lights expands that trajectory, unifying a broader musical world that was previously fragmented across EP formats, and showcasing the artist’s penchant for subtle variation and improvisational moments. In the context of contemporary underground house, the record reflects a resurgence of analogue-centric production while maintaining a modern sensibility. Its reference points—from 1990s Elektrolux releases to the lighter side of vintage UK labels like Irdial—situate it within a lineage of experimental dance music that values both groove and sonic nuance. The album’s dual focus on club-adjacent ambience and attentive listening makes it a versatile addition to any deep-house collection. For DJs, the record offers a range of entry points: “Something Like Astral” and “Motion” can anchor a set with their steady flow, while “Air To Spare” and “Cosmic Being” provide atmospheric interludes for transitions. Collectors will appreciate the cohesive sequencing and the way each track contributes to an overarching narrative, making the LP suitable for both crate-digging and long-form listening sessions. The release is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, presenting the eight tracks across both sides in a format that encourages analog warmth and tactile engagement. Igaxx – New Lights LP, 12th Isle, catalogue ISLE-023, 12-inch vinyl, eight tracks. Tracklist: A1. Igaxx – Something Like Astral A2. Igaxx – Zutto Mae A3. Igaxx – Atmosphere A4. Igaxx – Oka B1. Igaxx – Motion B2. Igaxx – Air To Spare B3. Igaxx – New Lights B4. Igaxx – Cosmic Being