VIKMATIC, DANILO BRANCA — Neighbors EP

Vikmatic & Danilo Branca – NEIGHBORS EP arrives on THE SOUND OF NEW YORK CITY as catalogue TSONYC006, a 12-inch vinyl that folds the sprawling soundscape of New York into four tightly sequenced cuts. Co-produced by label head Danilo Branca, the release blends deep house, acid accents and Balearic warmth, drawing on field recordings and percussive textures gathered from Brazil, Africa and India. The result feels like a love letter to the city’s boroughs, written in a language of rhythmic pulse and sun-lit nostalgia. Within the label’s current output, NEIGHBORS EP follows the WHOOSH EP (TSONYCEP003, 2025) and runs parallel to the CROSSROADS EP (TSONYC005, 2026) that dropped the same day. Both earlier releases showcase the label’s penchant for merging house foundations with global influences, and NEIGHBORS EP extends that narrative by turning the city’s diverse neighborhoods into musical vignettes. Side A opens with “W4 Street”, a jazzy house piece that balances playful minimalism with a smooth, beach-inspired flair. The track’s groove feels both improvised and meticulously arranged, capturing the nostalgic energy of a New York street while hinting at a sun-drenched shoreline. Its second cut, “Flushing”, shifts the mood dramatically; a haunting, mysterious atmosphere emerges from a weighty kick and an unpredictable synth line, transporting the listener to a markedly different corner of the metropolis. Side B begins with “Sunset Park (Vinyl Only)”. The composition evolves from a deep, rumbling undercurrent into a warm-weather groove, its satiny synth layers and unhurried melodic solos evoking the relaxed contentment of a summer day by the water. The final track, “Harlem River Drive”, closes the EP on a sultry, dream-like note. Woodwind textures sit at its core, delivering a bittersweet warmth that conjures the image of a sunset over Upper Manhattan, making it an ideal send-off for the record’s urban journey. In the context of Vikmatic’s discography, NEIGHBORS EP builds on the aesthetic first explored on WHOOSH EP (TSONYCEP003, 2025). Both releases share a deep house foundation enriched by global rhythmic sources, yet NEIGHBORS EP narrows its focus to the specific cultural tapestry of New York, offering a more localized narrative while retaining the label’s signature cross-cultural palette. For DJs, the EP provides a versatile toolkit. “W4 Street” works as a smooth opener or a late-afternoon set piece, its jazzy swing inviting subtle mixing. “Flushing” offers a darker, more introspective mood suitable for transition into deeper, mood-driven moments. “Sunset Park” supplies a sun-kissed groove that can lift a peak-time set, while “Harlem River Drive” serves as a reflective closer, its melodic woodwinds lending themselves to a warm wind-down. The vinyl format ensures each track retains the tactile dynamics prized by collectors and turntablists alike. The record is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, with “Sunset Park” marked as a vinyl-only track, underscoring the format’s role in delivering the full sonic intent of the EP. The analog medium complements the organic percussion and field recordings that underpin the production, preserving the texture and depth that digital formats can sometimes flatten. Vikmatic & Danilo Branca – NEIGHBORS EP, THE SOUND OF NEW YORK CITY, catalogue TSONYC006, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. Vikmatic & Danilo Branca – W4 Street A2. Vikmatic & Danilo Branca – Flushing B1. Vikmatic & Danilo Branca – Sunset Park (Vinyl Only) B2. Vikmatic & Danilo Branca – Harlem River Drive