Los Angeles-based producer, DJ, and radio host Nikki Kyle unveils the ‘Icarus’ EP on Manual Smiles, releasing 6th November 2026, and coming with remixes from fellow Angeleno Akumen and long-time label friend Panooc. It follows the Ear2Ear radio show host’s debut, self-released ‘Pieced Together’ EP last year, and is already supported by the likes of Jorkes, Saoirse, Chris Cruse, Massimiliano Pagliara, and more.
Nikki Kyle’s ‘Icarus’ EP starts off with ‘(Don’t Waste) A Good Thing)’, a delectable Deep House offering with spacey synth textures, acid, and a hushed vocal. It’s an introspective, after-hours sound, followed by the progressive ‘Circumsolar’, a bouncy groove with more of that irresistible squelch, much like the dancefloor-focused title track ‘Icarus ’, which amps the energy further. Closer ‘Is He In Love’ returns to a mellow, sweet vibe to daydream to, rounding out a versatile package on the Manual Smiles label.
Akumen, also hailing from Los Angeles and co-running the Made to Move party there, remixes ‘(Don’t Waste) A Good Thing’, infusing it with a muscular groove, chopping up its vocal, and turning the original from downtempo into a dance track. XOXA resident and Freeride Millenium affiliate Panooc then mixes ‘Circumsolar’, reworking its synths and adding gorgeous stabs for a playful, video-game-like sound.
Founded in 2023 by Belgian-born artist and DJ Manual Smiles (formerly n_o), the London-based imprint has quickly become a home for tripped-out cuts across the underground spectrum. The label has featured artists including Azo, REES, Nickon Faith, Kalani, and Kajsa Villius, and hosted takeovers at institutions such as The Cause, The Carpet Shop, and Queen’s Yard Summer Party.
Nikki Kyle ‘Icarus’ releases via Manual Smiles 6th November 2026
Tracklist
01 (Don’t Waste) A Good Thing
02 Circumsolar
03 Icarus
04 Is He In Love
05 (Don’t Waste) A Good Thing (Akumen Remix)
06 Circumsolar (Panooc Remix)
Nikki Kyle: Instagram – SoundCloud – Spotify
Manual Smiles: Instagram – SoundCloud – Beatport – Bandcamp