Yūgen-b – Ethereal Essence EP

Yūgen-b returns to Märked with Ethereal Essence – his first original release for the label. After previously appearing as a remixer on MRKD044, he now steps forward with a five-track EP that captures fleeting emotion through pulsing techno. Designed as a sonic flight into a weightless state, the EP weaves nostalgia and optimism with the sheer physicality of sound. Across four originals and a remix by Ronze, the release invites the listener to detach, move, and feel.

Sakura opens the EP in an emotional bloom – a radiant blend of dreamy melodies and a thick low-end, wrapped in a hopeful hue. The groove is steady but light, a perfect beginning for a journey that lifts rather than pounds – but also pounds.

On Dance In Life, Yūgen-b raises the energy. A distorted synth line flutters and buzzes at the surface, while under it a rolling groove and warm pad textures pulse with inner movement. There’s something meditative in its high drive – a kind of organized chaos that settles into rhythm.

Take Me Away delivers the most introspective moment. A melancholic vocal leads the break, pulling the listener into a slower-paced track where drive remains, but sentiment takes over. The track pulses with soft urgency, like chasing something already lost.

Then comes Control – the most intense cut. Stomping kicks and a fierce reese bassline tear through the mix. Yet even here, hope breathes in. The synths open a cinematic break that evokes struggle and resilience – a high-speed narrative of fight and clarity.

Closing out the EP, Ronze reshapes Take Me Away into a hazier, more contemplative groove. Rattling percussion and softened pads give it a dreamy afterglow, like revisiting a memory from a new perspective. Still driving, but looser, warmer.