Laxcity

Joshua Mbewe – Laxcity – is a Sheffield, UK-based, Ndola, Zambia-born artist whose music draws on imaginative, intricate soundscapes to create immersive electronica with emotional resonance.

His debut LP, <a href="spotify:album:6RqEBspNZboimm13lOf5Hj" data-name="Catharsis">Catharsis</a>, issued in 2018, is a moving project coloured by orchestral influences that would set the stage for continued blends of high-octane electronica and often wistful, ambient and cinematic scores. A second pair of EPs, <a href="spotify:album:5zTzxif1tJENo9YoMbLFSR" data-name="Purity">Purity</a> and <a href="spotify:album:46oF8bPSYc6DHs2PpqViTG" data-name="Disconnect">Disconnect</a>, would follow.

2021 saw him release <a href="spotify:album:2f0fN9byk0YhViWf0rZDDN" data-name="2018 – 2021 (mixtape)">2018 – 2021 (mixtape)</a> – a time capsule that captures the now-unmistakable Laxcity sound, with its whirring synths and sonic polish – a single with <a href="spotify:artist:50uPj85gZxHFuFOlNBnnr5" data-name="Moore Kismet">Moore Kismet</a>; play <a href="spotify:artist:3dz0NnIZhtKKeXZxLOxCam" data-name="Porter Robinson">Porter Robinson</a>’s “Secret Sky” and tour with <a href="spotify:artist:0u18Cq5stIQLUoIaULzDmA" data-name="DROELOE">DROELOE</a>. In December came &#34;<a href="spotify:album:5lWmBdwwqsE1XjgvRFjumN" data-name="‎melodies ‎from ‎heaven">‎melodies ‎from ‎heaven</a>,&#34; a lush tribute to Josh&#39;s Christian upbringing.

In 2022, Laxcity had his first headline show (London, in January) and tour (Canada, in June). He also made his festival debut at Amsterdam Dance Event; toured IE/UK with <a href="spotify:artist:3htNAy3vYWWYV8RZFeyRMT" data-name="Slow Magic">Slow Magic</a>; and played Ministry of Sound Club&#39;s main room, also releasing a string of high-energy singles like &#34;<a href="spotify:track:0xddO8ox8E82GvkPwkB0k9" data-name="‎amends">‎amends</a>&#34; and &#34;<a href="spotify:track:1eRs6fhPHpEbbF4dMKf4oc" data-name="‎kinder ‎opposites">‎kinder ‎opposites</a>.&#34;

His upcoming 10-track &#34;kinder opposites&#34; project is Laxcity&#39;s most high-energy, hard-hitting release to date, influenced by the bass music scene in Bristol – where Josh previously lived – and worldwide.