flofilz: hagaki 葉書
Francisco Espregueira
FloFilz returns with Hagaki 葉書, a project that feels a bit more than just a music album, more like a meticulously crafted audio-visual travelogue. Released via the ever-consistent Melting Pot Music, this fourth chapter in his globe-hopping series turns its gaze toward Japan—a country that has long intrigued the German beatmaker. The title, meaning "postcard" in Japanese, sets the tone for what unfolds: an intimate, analog-drenched correspondence with the country’s culture, cities, and soundscapes. With contributions from Takuya Kuroda, Budamunk, Nao Yoshioka, and others, the album is rich with collaboration, blending soulful horn lines, dusty grooves, and subtle ambient textures into something that’s as cinematic as it is meditative.
Where Hagaki 葉書 truly shines is in its commitment to storytelling beyond the music. This is a continuation of the artistic journey that began with Metronom (2014), Cenário (2016), andTransit (2019), each one a genre-blending postcard from a different city. As always, the visuals are helmed by the photographer Robert Winter, who joined FloFilz and Melting Pot Muic founder Olski in Tokyo, capturing the rhythm of the city through jazz joints, ramen stalls, temple walks, and record store hauls. The result is a gatefold LP with an included 20-page photobook—a beautiful tactile artifact in an era of streaming. Rooted in the harmonies of Japanese nature and the intricate craftsmanship of its urban life, Hagaki is less about visiting a place and more about becoming part of its rhythm, showcasing his seductive blend of jazz, soul, and hip-hop grooves. Dropping tomorrow (friday) on vinyl. A very pleasant experience awaits you.