A Tiger Never Loses Its Stripes (2x12")

Description

Tiger Stripes to release new album, ‘A Tiger Never Loses Its Stripes’, on Rekids. The Swedish producer’s first LP in nearly two decades follows three releases on Radio Slave’s label since returning to dance music in 2024. Mikael Nordgren, aka Tiger Stripes, releases the ‘A Tiger Never Loses Its Stripes’ LP via Radio Slave’s Rekids 4th December 2026. More than two decades in, Sweden's Tiger Stripes has a discography that exudes rare style and oodles of character. A multi-instrumentalist who brings those skills to his always textured, rich grooves, masterful loops and irresistible swing, he is also the founder of the Strange Idols label and has forged his own path with standout releases on Hot Creations, Kaoz Theory, Kwench Records, and more. He released his debut ‘Safari’ album in 2007 and, after stepping back to focus on his indie-rock project Little Lies, made a full return in 2024, quickly recapturing the form that’s made him an international favourite and returning three times to Rekids since. Now, he follows up ‘Safari’ with another side of his sound: soulful, instrument-led House, packed with the kind of detail that rewards repeat listens and suits a range of settings. "The 'A Tiger Never Loses Its Stripes’ album feels very personal to me. At this stage of my career, I don’t really care to follow trends. I'm trying to do my own thing, inspired by all the different music I’m constantly discovering and have collected through the years. Not only Chicago house and Detroit techno, but also psychedelic rock, indie, dub reggae, soul and jazz. With this long player and with the EPs I have previously released on Rekids, I feel I have developed a soundscape I feel really proud of." - Tiger Stripes 'Slow' opens up with a funky bassline that worms its way between dusty, skipping house drums, while 'Shape The Future' has a twitchy, rasping lead that is more heads down and laser-lit before breaking out in subtle synth celebration. Silky, ever-rising, jazzy loops make 'Twelve' a joy; 'All Systems Go' has a vocoder vocal that brings a retro-future twist, and 'Sonore De Lettres' is loopy, soulful house perfection. Elsewhere, 'Stay Hypnotic' has its head amongst cosmic arps while the swinging drums are rooted in the backroom and hushed vocals bring the intimacy; the joyous 'Fire Eater' is a nimble groove with chords to match and 'ID' flips the script with more funky bass riffs and dub effects hanging above a lighter rhythm. Closer, 'Clocking' is a house heater to get feet stomping and hearts full of good vibes.