05/2025 – Shufu Studio

This month we’re back with a classic Shufu mix that traverses continents, decades, and genres. From Japanese noise experiments to Jamaican dancehall, from psychedelic folk oddities to progressive rock classics—we’ve assembled a sonic journey that embodies our commitment to uncovering musical treasures from every corner of the globe.

Our three highlights for this month showcase the breadth of our musical excavations:

“When You Meet Death Of God” opens our playlist with hypnotic intensity. This collaboration brings together Hijokaidan’s noise pioneer Jojo Hiroshige with legendary singer Yoshiko Sai. Although it’s not an official release, this track appears to be an outtake from their 2001 collaboration album “Crimson Voyage,” which marked Sai’s return to music after a 20-year hiatus. The track builds methodically around a throbbing bass while Hiroshige’s guitar cuts through like a welding torch, both artists trading vocal duties that range from whispered incantations to anguished cries.

Near the playlist’s end, we encounter “Fuck Up Di Club” by Jamaican artist Popcaan—a brief but undeniably infectious banger that defies easy categorization. Found on the extended version of Popcaan’s 2020 album “Fixtape,” the track occupies an intriguing space between trap-inflected dancehall and traditional hip-hop skits, yet possesses a distinctive sonic fingerprint all its own. Unfortunately, the extended version remains elusive on major streaming platforms, though we’ve manged to find it on alternative sites. The entire album merits exploration for those seeking contemporary Caribbean sounds with a twist.

Closing our selection is “Walking Proxy” by Armon Pakdel, a track whose inclusion represents something of a triumph for our research team. Originally released on Bandcamp in 2014 as part of the album “Brain Mountain,” Pakdel’s entire discography mysteriously vanished from the internet (save for a single track, “Boomerang”). Recently, his work has resurfaced under the moniker Armon Saffron. While we have theories about this disappearance and rebranding, what matters most is the music’s return—particularly this exemplary piece of video game-influenced hip-hop production that sounds both nostalgic and futuristic.

As always, several tracks in this playlist exist beyond the reach of mainstream streaming services—a reminder that the most rewarding musical discoveries often require venturing off the beaten path. For the complete experience, you can listen to the full mixtape on our website where all tracks are available.

We hope you enjoy this month’s auditory expedition! Share your thoughts and favorite discoveries with us at: research@shufu.studio