{"title":"Releases - Kai Tak","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"kai-tak-designed-in-heaven-made-in-hong-kong","title":"Kai Tak \"Designed In Heaven Made In Hong Kong\"","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"95\" data-end=\"722\"\u003eLos Angeles-based collective Kai Tak, led by producer Chris King (Cold Showers, Still Ruins, House of Harm), returns with \u003cem data-start=\"217\" data-end=\"255\"\u003eDesigned in Heaven Made in Hong Kong\u003c\/em\u003e, a lush exploration of moody soundscapes that blend shoegaze, trip-hop, and electronica. The album channels cinematic tension and urban grit, drawing inspiration from the paradoxical energy of King’s birth city, both real and imagined, as seen through the lens of John Woo and Wong Kar-wai films. Each track unfolds with collaborators contributing distinct textures, creating a dense, immersive sonic portrait of the city’s restless streets and neon-lit alleyways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"724\" data-end=\"1301\"\u003eKing’s compositions oscillate between reflective atmospheres and propulsive rhythms, balancing dreamy textures with tangible urgency. From brooding synth layers to layered percussion and expansive sound design, \u003cem data-start=\"935\" data-end=\"973\"\u003eDesigned in Heaven Made in Hong Kong\u003c\/em\u003e captures the duality of Hong Kong—the romanticized and the lived-in, the cinematic and the everyday—without ever losing its human heartbeat. The album’s moods move fluidly, evoking both wandering contemplation and cinematic spectacle, making it an ideal soundtrack for urban exploration, introspection, and nocturnal reverie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1303\" data-end=\"1797\"\u003eVisual artist Paige Emery complements the music with cover art that mirrors the album’s thematic tension, capturing Hong Kong’s hazy, time-warped neon streets in a hopeful impressionist style. Together, the sound and imagery form a complete sensory experience, immersing listeners in the vibrant yet fleeting spirit of one of the world’s most storied cities. \u003cem data-start=\"1662\" data-end=\"1700\"\u003eDesigned in Heaven Made in Hong Kong\u003c\/em\u003e is Kai Tak’s most cinematic and evocative release yet, a marriage of sound, memory, and place.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"à La Carte Records","offers":[{"title":"Checkerboard hill splatter 12\"","offer_id":42860030099636,"sku":"ALC-121-LP-1","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cheung sha sunrise splatter 12\"","offer_id":42860030132404,"sku":"ALC-121-LP-2","price":8.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/8331\/0772\/files\/ALC-121Digital.png?v=1712677114"},{"product_id":"welcome-strawberry-stargel","title":"Welcome Strawberry \"Stargel\"","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"89\" data-end=\"603\"\u003eWelcome Strawberry returns with \u003cem data-start=\"121\" data-end=\"130\"\u003eStargel\u003c\/em\u003e, a 12” single that pushes the boundaries of modern shoegaze into experimental terrain. Forgoing the typical dense layers of the contemporary scene, the Oakland-based project blends psychedelia, trip-hop, electronica, and post-shoegaze textures into a five-minute, tripped-out opus. Crafted by Cyrus VandenBerghe (Still Ruins), the track draws inspiration from Seefeel, 90s Madonna, and Jagwar Ma, producing a hypnotic, genre-defying sonic journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"605\" data-end=\"1110\"\u003eThe release also features three inventive remixes from forward-thinking artists across the indie and electronic spectrum. Tricky FM transforms “Stargel” into an IDM-tinged ambient meditation, forever ☆ reimagines it with UK garage-infused breakbeats and harmonies, and Kai Tak delivers a moody, trip-hop reinterpretation reminiscent of hidden 90s club tracks. Each version highlights the versatility and timelessness of the core composition, giving listeners multiple immersive perspectives on the song.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1112\" data-end=\"1533\"\u003eMixed and mastered by Angel Marcloid (Fire-Toolz) at Angel Hair Audio, \u003cem data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1192\"\u003eStargel\u003c\/em\u003e is presented with artwork by Bruno Lauzon Tanzi, whose Y2K rave-inspired visual aesthetic complements the music’s futuristic-yet-nostalgic tone. This 12” single is both a bold statement of Welcome Strawberry’s evolving sound and a testament to the creative possibilities at the intersection of shoegaze, electronica, and experimental pop.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"à La Carte Records","offers":[{"title":"Pink-in-clear with baby blue splatter 12\"","offer_id":43398371803316,"sku":"ALC-127-12-1","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/8331\/0772\/files\/Welcome_Strawberry_Cover_Textured_HD.jpg?v=1720923988"},{"product_id":"various-artists-alc-sampler-2024","title":"Various Artists \"ALC Sampler 2024\"","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"95\" data-end=\"580\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"95\" data-end=\"113\"\u003eALC Sampler 2024\u003c\/em\u003e compiles standout tracks from à La Carte Records’ 2024 releases, offering a curated snapshot of the label’s diverse roster. Spanning atmospheric post-punk, shimmering shoegaze, darkwave, and experimental synth, this compilation showcases the range and vision of artists pushing the boundaries of modern independent music. Each track contributes to a cohesive yet dynamic listening experience, reflecting the label’s commitment to bold, emotionally resonant sounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"582\" data-end=\"1054\"\u003eFeaturing exclusive collaborations and fan-favorite singles, the sampler includes highlights from Holy Wire, Bleached Cross, Public Circuit, Docile Bodies, Mirror of Venus, Welcome Strawberry, and more. From the brooding intensity of Bleached Cross’ “Grief’s Eternal Wound” to the ethereal textures of Pet TV’s “Honey” and the hypnotic pulse of Mirror of Venus’ “Never Say Forever,” the collection captures the spectrum of moods and styles that defined the label’s year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1056\" data-end=\"1452\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"1056\" data-end=\"1074\"\u003eALC Sampler 2024\u003c\/em\u003e is both a gateway for new listeners and a must-have for longtime fans, offering an immersive journey through the standout moments of à La Carte Records’ catalog. Whether discovering a favorite artist for the first time or revisiting cherished tracks, this compilation delivers a vibrant and compelling portrait of a label at the forefront of post-punk and modern indie music.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"à La Carte Records","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":43408359129268,"sku":"ALC-133-CD-1","price":3.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/8331\/0772\/files\/ALC-133_Digital.png?v=1780265369"}],"url":"https:\/\/alacarterecords.com\/collections\/releases-kai-tak.oembed","provider":"à La Carte Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}