Deep/lofi house producer returns with jazz-infused meditation on modern life
Singapore-based producer mermaids announces the release of "Thought Shuffle," a mesmerizing deep lofi house track that marks the project's triumphant return for 2025. The single, set for release on August 15th under SEAlectors, features the evocative saxophone work of Roxy Modesto, a staple of both jazz and rock landscapes in The Philippines and Indonesia.
"Thought Shuffle" serves as a bookend to mermaids' pandemic-era "Flat Curver" series, continuing the project's exploration of intimate, home-listening experiences while maintaining dancefloor sensibilities. The track represents a natural evolution in the mermaids sound, weaving together tinges of improvised jazz elements with the project's signature blend of warm chords and subtly energetic percussion.
"I wanted to make a track that bridges my previous work with the current sound I’m dropping at my DJ sets across Southeast Asia," explains the artist. "The improvised nature of Roxy’s sax adds this organic human element on top of the music I produced in a DAW. It's like finding clarity in the noise we all experience more and more of.”
“This was also the first mermaids track that I mixed through our large format analog console. The nature of analog mixing is quite different compared to working in a DAW, and there are a lot of factors and inconsistencies that can affect the sound in a pleasant way. Our Soundcraft TS12 has been in use since the 80s when it was part of legendary TRACKS Studios in Manila, and mixing with it in the analog domain imparted a lot of its charm and vibe.”
True to the mermaids aesthetic, "Thought Shuffle" creates an atmosphere perfectly suited for quiet morning coffee rituals or providing gentle motivation during long workdays. The track's sophisticated production showcases his influences from Chicago and Detroit house legends while maintaining the lo-fi textures that have become synonymous with the project's sound.
Roxy Modesto's saxophone performance adds layers of emotional depth, creating melodic conversations between acoustic warmth and digital precision. The collaboration represents mermaids' continued commitment to featuring diverse artists across Southeast Asia, building bridges between regional music scenes.
"Thought Shuffle" is now available on all major streaming platforms.
ABOUT MERMAIDS
mermaids is the deep/lofi house alter ego of Manila-born, Singapore-based DJ and producer Joey Santos. The project specializes in creating music that occupies the sweet spot between home listening and dancefloor energy. The artist describes it as "energetic-yet-soothing vibes suitable for both introspective moments and communal celebration." Drawing inspiration from Chicago and Detroit house pioneers, mermaids cites Kerri Chandler, Moodyman, and Joe Claussell as foundational influences. This reverence for house music's roots, combined with modern deep house production techniques creates a sound that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
The project emerged in 2020 with the pandemic-documenting "Flat Curver," followed by "Work From Home Is Where The Heart Is" and 2021's "Lockdown Anniversary." Each release has demonstrated mermaids' ability to capture specific moments in time while creating music with lasting emotional resonance.
Joey Santos brings over two decades of experience as both a DJ and music producer, contributing to Manila's vibrant indie rock, pop, and electronic music scenes while building international connections through the mermaids project.
Follow mermaids: instagram.com/mermaidsdj
Source: Nyou