Funky Trip – Things Will Change EP [MAONO Records]

Funky Trip – Things Will Change EP [MAONO Records]

Funky Trip – Things Will Change [MAO-V002]

Deep groove mechanics, emotional restraint and refined minimal house textures shape MAONO Records’ compelling second vinyl release.

After launching its catalogue with the hypnotic precision of Barac, MAONO Records returns with a second release that broadens its sonic identity while maintaining a clear commitment to vinyl culture and underground dancefloor sophistication.

Things Will Change by Funky Trip moves into warmer and more groove-driven territory, combining deep house textures, subtle minimal structures and emotionally restrained melodic elements.

Distributed by Matter Of Fact, the release continues MAONO’s clear focus on physical formats, underground selectors and timeless dancefloor records built for longevity rather than temporary hype.

This is music designed for extended sets, intimate club environments and selectors who understand the power of subtle progression.

Track-by-track analysis

A1 — London Fog

The opening track immediately introduces a thick and immersive groove structure.

Deep rolling basslines interact with tightly programmed percussion while subtle atmospheric textures create an elegant sense of movement.

The groove feels warm but highly disciplined.

The percussive sequencing evolves through micro-variations that keep the arrangement constantly shifting.

From a technical perspective:

  • highly controlled low-end
  • clean percussion placement
  • subtle analog saturation
  • excellent dynamic balance

A sophisticated opener for patient dancefloors.

A2 — A Time Will Come

This track introduces more emotional depth.

Soft melodic layers emerge gradually while maintaining the EP’s groove-focused foundation.

The arrangement feels highly restrained, allowing atmosphere and repetition to create emotional tension.

The breakdown sections remain subtle and beautifully executed.

A deeply elegant composition.

B Side

B1 — Things Will Change

The title track closes the record with its strongest club statement.

The groove feels slightly darker and more hypnotic, with sharper percussion patterns and stronger low-end pressure.

Vocal fragments appear subtly throughout the arrangement, adding emotional texture without dominating the groove.

The track demonstrates excellent balance between functionality and musical sophistication.

A powerful closer.

Mixing Analysis

Funky Trip demonstrates impressive engineering discipline across the entire release.

The mixing feels extremely refined:

  • precise low-frequency control
  • excellent stereo placement
  • natural percussion transients
  • highly controlled harmonic layering

The record preserves warmth without sacrificing clarity.

Mastering Analysis

The mastering feels explicitly optimized for vinyl playback.

Dynamic range remains intact.

Low frequencies remain centered and highly stable.

High-end frequencies maintain clarity without sounding aggressive.

Excellent translation for club systems and home listening.

Artwork

MAONO Records continues its minimalist visual philosophy.

The artwork feels elegant, understated and collector-focused.

Its simplicity mirrors the sonic identity of the release.

About Funky Trip

Funky Trip demonstrates a strong understanding of groove architecture and emotional subtlety.

His production style feels mature, restrained and highly functional for underground DJs.

This release confirms significant artistic potential.

About MAONO Records

MAONO Records continues building an impressive catalog with strong artistic consistency.

Two releases in, the label already feels highly curated and worth watching closely.

About Matter Of Fact Distribution

Matter Of Fact continues supporting underground vinyl culture by ensuring niche independent releases reach collectors worldwide.

Their role remains increasingly important within contemporary electronic music.

Final Verdict

Things Will Change delivers exactly what modern underground selectors seek:

subtle groove design, emotional intelligence and timeless vinyl functionality.

Funky Trip delivers a deeply refined release that further strengthens MAONO Records’ identity.

A highly recommended record for minimal and deep house collectors.

Rating: 9/10

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