Black Eyes Drops 'Mystic Aquazone EP'

Deep house devotees take note: Black Eyes returns with a richly textured new transmission, the Mystic Aquazone EP, landing via Ascension on Wax as the label’s fourth vinyl outing (AOW004). Dropping digitally on 30 January 2026, with a 12” pressing following on 6 March, this latest chapter sees the Manchester-born, Berlin-based producer dive even deeper into his self-styled “Hydro-Trip” universe.

Having previously released on underground mainstays such as Upstairs Asylum and Housewax, alongside steering his own Lost Control 2097 imprint, Black Eyes has steadily carved out a sound that is immersive, smoky and unmistakably his. On Mystic Aquazone EP, that identity feels fully submerged and weightless.

Submerged Grooves, Late-Night Pressure

Across three original cuts, Black Eyes explores the deeper end of the pool. The grooves are subtle yet propulsive — shuffling percussion, aquatic pads and low-slung basslines that feel engineered for dimly lit basements and extended blends. There’s a tactile warmth running throughout the record, a nod to his Detroit inspirations — Mike Huckaby, Omar S, and Norm Talley — while the hazy soulfulness recalls European contemporaries like Motor City Drum Ensemble.

The EP’s atmosphere is unmistakably shaped by Black Eyes’ journey from Manchester’s industrial sprawl to Berlin’s concrete dance floors. Since relocating in 2022, his productions have taken on an even rawer edge — stripped-back but emotionally resonant, designed as much for the mind as for the body. It’s club music with introspection built in.

Nico Lahs Steps Beyond

Adding another dimension to the release, Italian stalwart Nico Lahs delivers a forward-thinking remix that refracts the source material through a more cosmic lens. His rework maintains the EP’s deep-rooted authenticity while nudging it into subtly futuristic territory — crisp drums, expanded atmospherics and a hypnotic drive that feels primed for sunrise moments.

A Natural Fit for Ascension on Wax

For Ascension on Wax, Mystic Aquazone EP signals a continued commitment to vinyl-led, underground-focused house music. The pairing feels organic: Black Eyes’ “Hydro-Trip” philosophy — deep, trippy, soulful house inspired by his enduring love of water — aligns seamlessly with the label’s dedication to quality over hype.

As ever, this is music built for DJs. Black Eyes remains, at heart, a selector first and foremost — a truth evident in the EP’s patient arrangements and mix-friendly structures. These are tracks designed to breathe in the club, to evolve across long blends, and to reward attentive dance floors.

With Mystic Aquazone EP, Black Eyes doesn’t just tread water — he plunges headfirst into the depths. Authentic, immersive and uncompromisingly underground, AOW004 is essential tackle for deep house heads charting the darker, smokier corners of 2026.

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