“Loving everything Kuna Maze is making right now” – Rohan Rakhit
“A Brussels-based producer who's changing the game up!” – Tarzsa
“I’m loving Kuna Maze right now!” – Jamz Supernova (BBC 6Music)
Kuna Maze bottles the improvisational spirit of live performance on his new album ‘Layers’
‘Layers’ is the sophomore album by Brussels-based producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ Kuna Maze, aka Edouard Gilbert. The live-driven, 11-track LP features the singles “Stab” “Bristol Changes” and "Blast". The band are celebrating the album at their release party on Friday 7th March, at AB Concerts in Brussels.
Following the success of Kuna Maze's debut album ‘Night Shift’—a concept record exploring the journey into the night, ‘Layers’ offers a dynamic fusion of textures and tones, creating a listening experience that reveals new depths with each spin.
‘Layers’ is a project deeply influenced by Kuna Maze's experience of touring with his live band. “My aim was to capture the energy and improvisational spirit of live performances, while diving deeper into the jazz influences of my music, all while maintaining the electronic vibe that has always defined my sound”. Kuna Maze worked directly with the band in the studio to record his compositions, channelling the energy, emotion and spontaneity that are present in his live shows.
This album can be seen as a jazz record that invites deep listening at home and offers a glimpse into Kuna Maze's vibrant live energy. Drawing from the dynamic UK jazz scene, Kuna Maze’s music takes jazz as a foundation and expands into various genres—from house to dub—pushing boundaries without sacrificing coherence or his own unique sound signature.
The title ‘Layers’ reflects Kuna Maze’s approach to music and art as a whole. “I love the idea of multiple levels of listening, where each time you hear a song, you notice something new. My composition process often involves layering instruments and tracks, gradually building a rich, textured sound.” We see this in the focus track “Backlash”, which captures a unique blend of nostalgia and energy, driven by a heavy, pulsating synth that sets the tone from the very beginning. Though the concept of layering extends beyond music for Kuna Maze,it’s also present in how he approaches art and even clothing, where fabrics and textures come together to create something greater. It’s all about creating depth and complexity, both sonically and visually.
Holding down previous residencies on Brussels’ essential radio platform, Kiosk Radio and community music space Volta, Kuna Maze has firmly made Brussels his home, a metropolis with a flourishing and emulating jazz-electronic scene (home to Alia, Echt!, Le Motel, Lefto, Mika Oki). Constantly evolving and adapting his sounds, Kuna Maze has played alongside accomplished producers, such as Nosaj Thing, Flako, Lapalu and Machinedrum, while boasting releases on Cascade and Galant Records.
Tracklist:
1. Backlash
2. Jolt
3. Maina
4. Layered Memories
5. Blast
6. Bristol Changes
7. Tangle
8. Hazy Day
9. Stab
10. Scraps & Pieces
11. Kuna's Dub
