Dutch artist Marijn Filius brings us deep into the underground with his instrumental psychedelic project DOKA. This fuzzy, hypnotic blend of motorik grooves feels like a journey between the krautrock of Neu! and the free-form sounds of Träd, Gräs och Stenar.
His new record, CYCLI, will be released on October 17th digitally and on vinyl and cassette through his own small label, Twin Dimension Records.
Imagine driving alone on a long stretch of highway under a night sky, where the road and stars blur into one endless line. That’s the essence of Filius’ sound—a seamless, swirling blend of noodling guitars and laid-back motorik beats.
It’s music for solitary bicycle rides through the Dutch countryside or perhaps for a future mission in a DIY space rocket, drifting through the stars on a path known only to you.
The record starts with the hypnotic opener, “CYCLI,” immediately pulling you into a different dimension where time loses all meaning. Tracks like “Super 8” maintain that same magnetic pull, transporting you deeper into this magical groove.
“Jardim de mar” changes the pace, stepping away from the relentless motorik beat to explore a lazy drum pattern that provides the foundation for a mesmerizing, meandering guitar riff reminiscent of the best moments of Träd, Gräs och Stenar.
Side B shifts gears with “Meander,” a slow-building track that grows in intensity until it becomes a full-blown sonic storm, only to gently phase out into a quiet end. The closing track, “Howl Mexican Dog,” revolves around an off-kilter, mutant rock riff. The song meanders aimlessly, refusing to resolve, and that’s the beauty of it. It’s a perfect reminder that sometimes, the journey matters more than the destination.
As the final notes fade away, you might wonder: how long have you been in this DOKA? The answer doesn’t matter. What matters is the trip itself, and Filius has taken you somewhere far from the ordinary.
Check out CYCLI by DOKA on Bandcamp here.
Grab the vinyl or cassette of the album here.
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