MUSCLECARS — Black Planet

musclecars – Black Planet opens the Neroli NERO065 12-inch vinyl with a confident statement from a duo that has already amassed a string of singles, remixes and a debut album. The EP straddles disco-inflected deep house, merging futuristic afro-electronic textures with liquid space-funk, and hints at a broader palette that the label’s recent output has been exploring. Within Neroli’s recent catalogue, Black Planet follows the genre-spanning “The First Circle” (NERO050R, 2026) and the double-12” “The Second Circle” (NERO064, 2025), both of which foreground the label’s taste for deep, melodic dance music. Earlier releases such as “2 FINGER HASH BAND EP” (NERO043, 2025) and “Artistry EP” (NERO038, 2025) have also emphasized a balance between groove and atmospheric detail, a trajectory that Black Planet continues. The EP arrives after the label’s “Inside Vol. 1 Selected By Volcov” (NERO036, 2025) and “EP” by Trinidadian Deep & Light Work Productions (NERO063, 2025), underscoring Neroli’s commitment to forward-thinking dancefloor fare. Side A begins with the title track “Black Planet”. Its structure unfolds as a sleek, rhythm-driven piece that carries a sense of forward motion, setting a tone that feels both rooted in disco’s swing and filtered through a modern deep-house lens. The track’s arrangement provides ample space for DJs to layer, making it a useful anchor for a set that needs both momentum and a touch of futurism. Side B opens with “Euphoria”, a composition that leans into liquid space-funk. The groove is buoyant, offering a bright contrast to the A-side while maintaining the EP’s overall cohesiveness. Its melodic flow works well as a bridge between peak-time energy and more introspective moments, giving DJs a versatile tool for shifting the mood of a dancefloor. The final cut, “Black Planet (Cosmic Mix)”, pushes the material into beatless territory. Stripping away the percussive drive, the mix emphasizes texture and ambience, creating a cosmic soundscape that feels like a reflective coda to the record’s more rhythmic sections. This version invites a different kind of placement in a set, perhaps as a transition into a more atmospheric segment or as a late-night wind-down. For musclecars, Black Planet follows the earlier Neroli-adjacent outing “Full Circle” on Rhythm Section International (RS075, 2026). While “Full Circle” explored a more expansive house terrain, Black Planet narrows the focus to a tighter fusion of disco groove and afro-electronic flair, suggesting a continued evolution in the duo’s production approach. In the current underground landscape, where deep house and disco are constantly being reinterpreted, this EP offers a concise yet rich perspective. Its blend of rhythmic precision and exploratory mixes positions it as a noteworthy addition to both the label’s catalog and the artists’ growing discography. From a DJ’s standpoint, the record delivers three distinct tools: a dancefloor-ready opener, a melodic mid-set booster, and an atmospheric closing piece. The sequencing allows for flexible set construction, whether the aim is to build sustained energy or to introduce a moment of spacious reflection. The release is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of the label’s recent offerings and providing the tactile experience that collectors appreciate. musclecars – Black Planet, Neroli, catalogue NERO065, 12-inch vinyl, three tracks. Tracklist: A1. musclecars – Black Planet B1. musclecars – Euphoria B2. musclecars – Black Planet (Cosmic Mix)