DÜK Drops Jazz-Infused Deep House EP 'Flat001' on France’s Yoyaku

After a quiet hiatus of three years without releases, Montreal-based Lebanese multi-instrumentalist, producer and sound engineer DÜK is finally returning with a new EP on France’s renowned label Yoyaku Records. Released via FLAT 22, the specialised imprint built for forward-thinking late-night electronic heads, FLAT 001 EP is a sharp, four-track statement that positions itself right at the smoky intersection of jazz-fusion, deep house, and tech house.

DÜK has long been a key background architect in independent electronic music circles, frequently praised for his ability to layer live-tracked instrumentation with minimal grooves, notably within diaspora projects like Montreal’s Dream Culture. Yet, while underground selectors have kept his early catalog on rotation, FLAT 001 acts as his definitive, flagship landing on one of Paris’ premier distribution frameworks.

The 12” vinyl release thrives on its structural contrasts, cleverly dividing its real estate between vocal experimentation and pure instrumental club mechanics. The A-side anchors itself heavily in Levant traditions with ‘Za3raBeat’, featuring Lebanese artist Princess 5anjar, whose pensive, spoken-word Arabic poetry acts as a hypnotic focal point against a syncopated house rhythm. Here, dreamy jazz arrangements twist playfully around traditional phrasing, giving the tech-house foundation a raw, moody edge.

DÜK follows this with ‘Arnabeat’, a cut driven by an infectious, funkier bassline and intricate percussion. The track leans heavily into rich keyboard textures and organic drum layers, carrying the warm energy of an improvised live Jazz jam session into a deep house framework.

On the flip side, DÜK shifts geographic lanes entirely, steering the record toward East Asia. ‘Yoru No Groove’ introduces hazy, atmospheric Japanese vocal samples layered over a rolling deep house foundation. Translating fittingly to ‘Night Groove’, the track uses cascading synth chords and jazzy piano flourishes to build a late-night, dreamlike momentum. The EP closes with ‘Afterglow Affair’, a non-vocal, deep house resolution that is more on the chill side, allowing the musical arrangements to breathe fully, while stitching together crisp hi-hats and soulful, ambient melodies for a deeply cinematic end.

With FLAT001, DÜK hasn’t just delivered a collection of tracks; he has mapped out a highly international, genre-blurring sonic blueprint that feels tailor-made for dark basements where the speakers are slightly too loud.