This Is SHÈN

Released in November 2022 on SHÈN Recordings, This Is SHÈN is less a mixtape in the traditional sense and more a fully realised world. Spanning 27 tracks and running over two-and-a-half hours, Franky Wah uses the format not as a stopgap between releases, but as a canvas wide enough to capture the full scope of his sound.

The project began modestly, a handful of tracks pulled from a deep archive of unreleased material, before expanding into something far more ambitious. What remains is tightly curated despite its scale, a journey that feels deliberate rather than excessive.

Wah’s approach is rooted in movement. Progressive house, deep house, melodic techno and organic textures all weave together, not as separate ideas but as parts of a continuous flow. The transitions feel instinctive, guided by the logic of a DJ set rather than the structure of a conventional album. It is designed to be experienced in full, a gradual immersion rather than a collection of isolated moments.

There is a clear identity running through the record. The SHÈN ethos, as Wah describes it, leans into melodic and tribal elements, drawing on earthy rhythms and emotional undercurrents. Those ideas are present throughout, giving the mixtape a cohesion that holds even across its extended runtime.

The accompanying visual mix, set against a forest backdrop at sunset, reinforces that sense of atmosphere. It frames the music as something expansive and cinematic, aligning with the project’s ambition to transport rather than simply entertain.

What stands out most is the confidence. Wah does not rush to condense his ideas. Instead, he allows them to unfold, trusting the listener to move with him through shifting tempos and moods. It is a bold choice, but one that pays off, turning the mixtape into an experience rather than a statement.

This Is SHÈN feels like a defining release, not because it closes a chapter, but because it opens one. A project built from abundance, shaped with intent, and delivered with a clarity of vision that suggests there is still much further to go.