TROVE 031 | Eulalie

When Moe Watadani slips into music mode, she becomes Eulalie.

Calling Kyoto home, the Japanese producer and vocalist has been shaping a catalogue of dreamy, computer-coded sound since 2019. Eulalie’s creations possess a diary-like quality as if she’s letting you in on a secret, irrespective of whether you can understand her native tongue or not.

On Friday, she offered up Escapism: a four-track journey that’s enchanting, delicate and danceable, courtesy of French label Ano Ano. The extended play hops lillipads between left-field pop, techno, and experimental, driven by daring sound design, including whispery vocals, door-banging FX, and crackly syncopated beats. Fans of James K, Oklou, FKA Twigs and Grimes will feel right at home with this collection.

Coming to me live from a London night bus, Eulalie shares that the past few weeks have been a welcome break from a life usually dominated by virtual spaces and the Internet.

2. Malibu | “So Sweet & Willing”

Malibu may be one of my most recent influences. I love the sadness and story, sometimes fierce and magnificent, in her soft ambient music. I really like the ethereal approach of her new album, Vanities. The track “So Sweet & Willing” is my favourite. She blends analog synthesisers, vocals, and strings to create a really great song.

3. Votives | “Countersun”

A new album by Votives, a project by Hyetal and Antonio Miaovvi. I love the unique rhythms they create, especially on “Countersun”. It reminded me of when I was a little kid, half asleep in my father’s car, looking out at the highway at night. The overdriven kick, combined with the sentimental synthesiser, made me nostalgic and was perfect for the mood I was in during the trip.

4. Blood Couture | “Baiju Demons“

Blood Couture is the alias of the dance music of French ambient artist Ex Aquis. He is a very enthusiastic and versatile musician, incorporating lo-fi house, techno, and many other genres into his beautiful soundscapes and ambient pieces. It’s really cool and I’ve been playing it a lot when I DJ lately.

5. Donor Lens | “Living Sculptures”

New album from UK producer unit Donor Lens. The album’s organisation is humorous and has a Vaporwave approach everywhere, but the sound is very 2025. The bass and synthesiser treatments are modern and very fat. My favourite track is “Living Sculptures”, which has exactly the kind of romanticism and sadness I like to hear when I’m walking through the winter lights. On a side note, I really like the cat in the album art.