RELEASED: 04 APRIL 2025
LABEL: AVENOIR
Spring 2025 marks the launch of Avenoir, a new label from Moroccan artists Zakem & Yescene, dedicated to deep, afro, and melodic house. Setting the tone for its vision, the label’s debut release, Letters From Layla, is a collaboration between Yescene and UK singer, songwriter, and producer StanLei.
A fusion of ethereal vocals, intricate cello layers, and a hypnotic legato bassline, Letters From Layla weaves organic textures with contemporary electronic production. StanLei—known for her poetic lyricism and genre-blurring approach—brings her signature vocal depth to the track, while Yescene channels his jazz and funk-infused musicality into a rolling, emotive composition. The result is a rich, atmospheric piece that embodies the label’s ethos: electronic music that stirs memories, emotions, and movement.
Remixes from Zakem (Moblack Records, Redolent Music) and D-Malice (Defected, Reel People Music, 4 To The Floor Records) alongside beatless and instrumental versions of the original complete an impressive debut release from Avenoir.
StanLei, based in the French Pyrenees, blends elements of folk, UK garage, and jazz into her music. A classically trained cellist, she honed her craft in Bristol’s vibrant underground scene before exploring the world as a nomadic artist. Her debut album AIPOD (2021) drew comparisons to Björk and FKA Twigs, leading to features on BBC Introducing and France Bleu Occitanie. She has since collaborated across multiple genres, including house music with Marbella duo Momo Khani & Meindel and an experimental live soundtrack tour in Mexico.
Yescene, a Moroccan-born, London-based pianist-turned-producer, fuses live instrumentation with deep, melodic house influences. His work, shaped by 15 years of playing keys and percussion in rock, funk, and jazz bands, has landed on respected labels like Moblack Records, King Street Sounds, and Deepalma. His music has gained support from Black Coffee, Angelo Ferreri, and Low Steppa, while his live keyboard-heavy performances have seen him share stages with Sebastien Leger, Roy Rosenfeld, and Amine K in both London and Morocco.
With Avenoir’s first five releases already locked in, Letters From Layla signals the start of an exciting journey for a label rooted in Moroccan electronic heritage yet reaching far beyond.
Letters from Leyla is out 11 April on Avenoir
AVENOIR MUSIC LINKS
and then