NOCUI and Charlie Vaux joins forces for transformative EP 'Changing Colors'

Out 6th of June via Shapeless Culture

Berlin-based DJ/producer NOCUI teams up with LOVESHACK founder Charlie Vaux (they/them) for their highly anticipated collaborative EP, Changing Colors, out 6th June via Shapeless Culture.

Following the success of his recent CLUB EXIT EP, NOCUI continues to build momentum, joining forces with fellow Berlin party starter Charlie Vaux for a deeply emotional and sonically adventurous 5-track journey.

Blending dreamy synths, raw emotion, and a touch of ’80s nostalgia, Changing Colors is a powerful and cinematic debut EP that captures the emotional spectrum between euphoria and melancholia, elation and introspection. A collaborative work between NOCUI and Vaux, the release marks a transformative chapter for both artists. For Vaux, it’s a bold debut – a vessel for grappling with identity and self-acceptance. “Feeling like a chameleon in certain situations is something I think a lot of people can relate to,” they share. “It’s scary to take off our mask and show our authentic selves.” Meanwhile, NOCUI continues to evolve following last year’s breakout debut LP Italian Robot, which saw him step fully into performer mode and push the boundaries of conceptual club music. Together, they channel their individual journeys into a collection of evocative, liberating dance tracks that resonate far beyond the club floor.

Warming things up perfectly is the EP’s title track, “Changing Colors” – a slick 2000s-inspired house cut where driving beats, an irresistible groove, and euphoric soundscapes collide to deliver a track that is both upbeat and reflective. Transition and change are woven into both the music and lyrics, with Vaux working through their personal journey of coming to terms with their trans identity. This period of deep introspection is present across the EP, exploring the universal longing to connect and find one’s place in a constantly shifting world. “There is such liberating power in embracing fluidity and accepting change and uncertainty as the only real certainty,” Vaux reflects. What started as a dark, introspective demo transformed into a bold, driving anthem through collaboration with NOCUI.

The EP’s second track, “Passing Time,” shifts gears into a more atmospheric and brooding territory, juxtaposing the energetic opening and allowing Vaux’s vocals to glide through the mix. With echoes of Jessie Ware’s smooth, soulful delivery, Dua Lipa’s polished pop presence, and the allure of 80s-era Shannon, NOCUI’s approach evokes a sense of both nostalgia and innovation, while maintaining a subtle dancefloor energy.

Classically trained and with a deep dedication to innovative sound design, NOCUI is carving out his space as one of the most versatile emerging voices in the electronic scene. His music bridges the human experience with immersive, emotive soundscapes, enriched by his background in neuroscience. NOCUI’s distinctive style has earned him a coveted residency at Berlin’s Riverside Studios, where he continues to push the boundaries through his own productions and rising imprint, Shapeless Culture.

Charlie Vaux is a multidisciplinary artist and rising force in Berlin’s underground scene, known for their soul-enriching sets, visual artistry, and fearless self-expression. A founding member of Neukölln’s genre-fluid party series LOVESHACK, co-founder of the R27 collective, and resident artist on the EBM/Darkwave label Crave Tapes, Vaux has steadily built a reputation as one of Berlin’s most versatile and exciting emerging talents. Their standout sets, including appearances on HÖR and at renowned clubs like KHIDI in Tbilisi and Le Sucre in Lyon, reflect a deep passion for the transformative power of dance music and community. Off the dance floor, Vaux channels their creativity into photography, filmmaking, and visual arts, pushing for inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity and creating unforgettable moments that resonate long after the music ends.

Changing Colors arrives on Shapeless Culture, an imprint carving its own lane on the underground, known for fueling creative collaboration and a home from some of the best sounds from across the dance spectrum.

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