Shine Grooves

Artificial Owl Recordings is thrilled to announce the release of Free Waltz, the latest vinyl album from Yekaterinburg’s multifaceted electronic music visionary Andrey Kurokhtin, known as Shine Grooves. Set for release on Dec-1-2025, Free Waltz is a captivating journey through experimental and ambient soundscapes, pressed on limited-edition yellow vinyl for collectors and audiophiles alike. Free Waltz compiles tracks recorded between 2016 and 2024, drawing inspiration from the vivid images and memories stored in Kurokhtin’s mind.
The album captures the essence of the unusual—moments that linger from past experiences. The mood of each track is shaped by the state of Kurokhtin’s soul, influenced by diverse experiences: serene walks in the forest, the hum of an airplane in flight, heartfelt conversations, cycling through open landscapes, the pulse of love, and the energy of music itself.
Many of these compositions were born from extended jam sessions in his studio, where creativity flows freely. The album showcases Kurokhtin’s mastery of an extensive array of synthesizers, samplers, sequencers, and effectors, blended with intricate digital plugins and meticulous processing. This sonic palette creates a rich, immersive sound that bridges experimental, ambient, and electronic genres, offering listeners a deeply personal and evocative experience.
As a producer, engineer, and creator of the Magnitron cassette mixer, Kurokhtin brings a wealth of technical expertise to Free Waltz. Beyond Shine Grooves, he releases music under aliases such as Quadrat, Unlight, and Rokton Ensemble, and collaborates on live experimental projects like X343 and Ryabina. As the founder of Hanagasumi, a hand-stamped label dedicated to non-commercial music, and owner of a vinyl record store in Yekaterinburg, Kurokhtin is a central figure in the underground electronic music scene. Free Waltz is a testament to Kurokhtin’s boundless creativity and his ability to translate fleeting moments into enduring sound.