MUZAI Records has always been a home for the strange, the uncompromising, and the sonically adventurous. Our singles catalogue is a testament to that ethos — a series of one-off transmissions from artists who refuse to colour inside the lines. From the angular post-punk of Faux Machismo to the warped electronic experiments of King Shoji, each release stands alone as a complete statement, a snapshot of a moment in time. These are not album outtakes or teasers; they are fully realised worlds, pressed onto vinyl and unleashed into the wild.

Faux Machismo – Artemisia

Faux Machismo returns with 'Artemisia', a single that burns with quiet intensity. Named after the Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi — a figure of resilience and defiance — the track channels that spirit through a lattice of jagged guitar lines and propulsive rhythm. The band's trademark tension-and-release dynamics are on full display, with verses that coil like springs before exploding into a chorus that feels both cathartic and unsettling.

The production is deliberately raw, capturing the immediacy of a live performance while allowing subtle studio textures to bleed through. Lyrically, the song grapples with themes of agency and reclamation, though the words are delivered with a sneer that suggests triumph rather than victimhood. 'Artemisia' is not a comfortable listen, but it is an essential one — proof that Faux Machismo continue to evolve without losing their edge.

Faux Machismo – For Daze

On the flip side of the Faux Machismo coin lies 'For Daze', a track that trades the clenched fist of 'Artemisia' for a more hypnotic, almost psychedelic drift. Built on a repetitive bass motif and shimmering, delay-drenched guitars, the song unfolds like a slow-motion fever dream. The vocals are buried deeper in the mix, functioning as another instrument rather than a focal point.

Lyrically, 'For Daze' explores the numbing fog of modern existence — the endless scroll, the blur of days, the search for meaning in a world that offers only distraction. Yet there is a strange beauty in its melancholy, a sense of acceptance rather than despair. It is a track that rewards repeated listens, revealing new layers of texture and nuance with each spin. Together, 'Artemisia' and 'For Daze' represent two sides of the same restless coin, and they stand as a high-water mark in the Faux Machismo discography.

“These singles are not stepping stones; they are destinations in themselves — each one a world unto itself.”

Horror in Clay – Satan in the Teletext

Horror in Clay has always delighted in the obsolete and the arcane, and 'Satan in the Teletext' may be their most perverse offering yet. The title alone evokes a lost era of chunky pixels and dial-up modems, and the music follows suit: a churning, lo-fi assault of drum machines, warped synths, and vocals that sound like they were recorded through a telephone line. It is a song that feels both nostalgic and nightmarish, as if a haunted broadcast from 1987 has somehow found its way into the present.

The track's structure is deceptively simple, but its execution is anything but. Layers of static and glitch are woven into the fabric of the song, creating a sense of constant instability. The lyrics, delivered in a deadpan monotone, reference occult imagery and late-night television in equal measure, blurring the line between the sinister and the absurd. 'Satan in the Teletext' is a reminder that Horror in Clay are not just making music; they are constructing alternate realities, one corrupted signal at a time.

King Shoji – Untitled [8]

King Shoji's 'Untitled [8]' is a masterclass in minimalism and restraint. Part of an ongoing series of numbered, untitled works, this single strips away all excess to reveal a core of pure, pulsating rhythm. A single synth line repeats and mutates over a skeletal beat, while occasional bursts of noise punctuate the silence like distant thunder. It is a track that demands patience, but rewards it with a kind of meditative intensity.

There is a distinctly physical quality to the music — one can almost feel the air pressure change as the frequencies shift and collide. King Shoji has always been interested in the intersection of sound and space, and 'Untitled [8]' feels like an architectural study in audio form. It is not a song in the traditional sense, but rather an environment to inhabit, a place to lose oneself for four and a half minutes. For those willing to submit to its logic, it is a profoundly immersive experience.

King Shoji – Green House.

In stark contrast to the austerity of 'Untitled [8]', King Shoji's 'Green House.' is a lush, almost organic affair. The title, with its deliberate full stop, suggests a contained ecosystem, and the music lives up to that promise: warm analog synths bloom like tropical flora, while field recordings of rain and distant birdsong drift in and out of the mix. It is a track that feels alive, breathing and shifting with each passing moment.

The rhythm is more pronounced here than in many of King Shoji's other works, with a gentle, loping beat that anchors the otherwise free-floating textures. Melodies emerge and dissolve, never quite resolving, keeping the listener in a state of pleasant suspension. 'Green House.' is a reminder that electronic music can be as organic as anything played on acoustic instruments, and it stands as one of the most accessible entries in the King Shoji catalogue — a perfect gateway for newcomers to this singular artist's world.

The Singles Series: A Curatorial Statement

When MUZAI Records first began releasing singles, the goal was simple: to provide a platform for artists to experiment outside the constraints of the album format. A single can be a snapshot, a test, a detour, or a manifesto. It can be a one-off collaboration or the first hint of a new direction. Over the years, our singles have run the gamut from abrasive noise to delicate ambience, from three-minute pop songs to twenty-minute epics. What unites them is a commitment to artistic freedom and a refusal to compromise.

We believe that the single is not a lesser format, but a different one — one that allows for a different kind of focus and intensity. The releases on this page represent some of the most vital work we have had the privilege to put out. They are not stepping stones to something bigger; they are complete statements in their own right. We invite you to explore them with open ears and an open mind.

How to Listen and Support

All of the singles listed here are available on limited-edition vinyl, with digital downloads included. We are a small, independent label, and every purchase directly supports the artists and allows us to continue releasing music that challenges and inspires. You can find our releases at selected independent record stores, or order directly from our website. For more information about our other releases, be sure to check out our Album Releases, Albums, and EPs pages. And if you are interested in the broader context of our singles series, visit the Single Releases category page.

We also encourage you to follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming releases, events, and special offers. The world of independent music is a community, and we are grateful to have you as part of it. Thank you for listening.