November 2024 marks a pivotal moment for electronic music with the release of Chizawa Q’s debut album, Xenoverse, on the renowned R&S Records.
Hailing from Yokohama, Japan, Chizawa Q is an artist who merges deep techno with experimental electronica, crafting a soundscape that is both nostalgic and futuristic. This ten-track album, set to release on November 22, is an homage to Detroit techno pioneers and European jazz-techno influences, yet it stands distinctly as Chizawa’s visionary sci-fi soundtrack.
Xenoverse arrives with great anticipation following two lead singles, “Beluga” (released October 4) and “Black Nebula” (released October 25). These tracks, along with the rest of the album, draw influence from icons like Underground Resistance, Kenny Larkin, and Carl Craig, while also nodding to jazz-inspired techno by artists such as Dave Angel and Vince Watson. For Chizawa Q, this project is a personal milestone: “This album is a soundtrack to a universe not yet born, a sci-fi score stirring memories of a world we’ve never known. Being on R&S Records, a label that has elevated Japanese artists like Ken Ishii, means so much to me.”
A Blend of Jazz, Techno, and Abstract Beats
Recorded across Tokyo Bay, Xenoverse presents a deep, immersive journey through techno and electronica, with layered textures and intricate rhythms. Contributions from notable artists Masaki Sakamoto, Kowalewski, and Dan Samsa add richness to the album’s sonic landscape. The tracklist includes collaborations on “Beluga” and “Psychedelia,” which blend Chizawa Q’s signature sound with Sakamoto’s and Kowalewski’s unique influences. Tokyo’s drum ‘n’ bass luminary, Makoto Shimizu, also lends his remixing talents to the album, delivering a captivating remix on the closing track, “Cozmic Flowers.”
From the opening notes of “Planet 9” to the atmospheric sounds of “Tokyo Bayside Blues,” each track on Xenoverse unfolds like chapters in a story, offering listeners a glimpse into Chizawa’s cosmic vision. His use of abstract beat science and jazz-infused soundscapes has attracted support from legends such as Laurent Garnier, Dave Clarke, Josh Wink, Ben Sims, and others. Tracks from Xenoverse have already garnered airplay on BBC Radio, hinting at the album’s global appeal.
Tracklist for Xenoverse:
- Planet 9
- Beluga (w/ Masaki Sakamoto)
- Orca
- Cha Cha
- Psychedelia (w/ Kowalewski)
- Tokyo Bayside Blues
- God Is Blue
- Freaky Flowerz (w/ Dan Samsa)
- Black Nebula
- Cozmic Flowers (Makoto Remix)
A Journey Through a New Sonic Universe
Xenoverse isn’t just another electronic album; it’s a bold step forward for Chizawa Q and a fresh exploration of what’s possible in techno. As he prepares for the album’s release, Chizawa Q looks to reach a global audience, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in his world of sci-fi soundscapes and innovative rhythms. For fans of techno and jazz-inspired electronica, Xenoverse is a must-listen experience that promises to redefine the genre.
Available digitally on R&S Records from November 22, 2024, Xenoverse will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the electronic music world. Pre-save the album here.
