The collaborators release their debut single.

Tikhet – the new musical project from German producer Sepalot and songwriter-poet Angela Aux – have dropped their debut single smoke rings and it’s infectious. With a low-down, trip-hop beat and The Streets-esque simplicity, it’s a hell of a first impression from the duo.

smoke rings fills that liminal space between specific genres; part psych-rock, hip-hop and Roses-ish Britpop. Think Second Coming on a xanny. With woebegone vocals and melancholic sound, you’d think Tikhet’s intro to the scene would be a downbeat affair. Wrong. It’s as catchy as anything the Gorillaz ever put out; and surprisingly uplifting. There’s even a flute – impressive.