Caru & Brandn Shiraz Release ‘Two For Two’ EP
Today, Caru & Brandn Shiraz release their next collaborative EP Two For Two, hot off the press after a win at the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards for Best Electronic Artist with their 2025 EP Back 2 Back.
Two For Two is a five-track EP rooted in the rich lineage of UK dance music, drawing on the sounds of UK garage, broken beat, UK funky, dubstep and more. Across the project, the duo weave these influences into a contemporary club-focused sound, whilst maintaining an immersive headphone listening experience, anchored by Caru’s detailed production and Shiraz’s distinctive vocal delivery. Inspired by his South London family connections and the energy of Ragga MCs and Grime artists, Shiraz brings a uniquely personal perspective to the EP, bridging UK sound system culture with a fresh Aotearoa voice. Together, Caru and Brandn Shiraz reimagine these foundations through a modern lens, creating a project that connects dancefloors across continents and generations.
Closing out 2025 with title track release Two For Two, little did they know it would be the start of more to come. A perfect platform to test out their new songs live after the release of Back 2 Back EP, the Summer of 2026 saw them take over the stages of Northern Bass, Matakanarama and Twisted Frequency in the span of 24-hours, then closing out the season with an epic warehouse party in Mangere supporting UK dance music forces Bakey and Capo Lee.
Producer Caru says, “We always planned to follow up our first project Back 2 Back, so it’s definitely come naturally. We’ve taken our time with it to really try to expand and develop on everything we did with the first project. It’s feeling like it’s a step up in every way.”
The project opens with Speaking My Mind, an expansive introduction to the project featuring a sound firmly rooted in the influence of classic 2000s 2-step garage. It provides the perfect jumping off point for Shiraz to casually flex his vocabulary and assert his mastery, as intricate drum fills and staccato keyboard stabs race underneath. A unique fusion of international sounds with Aotearoa, Brandn’s elaborate and creative wordplay speaks to his influences as he raps, “bumping Nesian Mystik – Mr Mista”.
The EP’s focus track Best Believe is a dreamy R&B palette cleanser with production inspired by broken beat and UK funky, featuring Caru’s longtime collaborator fadedpuppy of Imugi 이무기 on the chorus. The tracks uplifting vibe and playful charisma provide the base for Shiraz and fadedpuppy to seamlessly complement each other, with Brandn’s tough and intricate flow contrasting fadedpuppy’s gentle and delicate performance.
Title track Two For Two (Side A) is a nod to the pair’s love for jazz instrumentation, “I always love to work with instrumentalists to write dance music, and I felt like this beat was calling for it.” says Caru. “We sent the beat to one of the most exciting up-and-coming jazz musicians in the country – Joe Kaptein. He knew exactly what to do”. The result is an expansive, jazz tinged beat that Shiraz effortlessly glides over top of with poetic rhymes and innovative flows, leaving ample space for Joe’s virtuosic keyboard parts to shine through
Two For Two (Side B) contrasts this sublime energy, providing atmospheric, bass-heavy, dubstep inspired instrumentation with sharp and stilted drum production. Shiraz matches these influences flawlessly with rapid-fire bars and aggressive punch-lines. “Licence to kill and I keep that closely, energy none like me – you done know me”, Shiraz boastfully spits as grime synthesizers and dub sirens ring out in the background.
Weapon closes out the project, with an instrumental palette shaped by the influence of UK funky, grime and dubstep. An undeniable banger, the track skirts past typical genre conventions such as big drops and exorbitant bass sounds – instead opting for brooding energy and distinctive rhythms that evolve throughout. Its tense energy and late night aura eventually build to a crescendo as Shiraz instructs the DJ to “Pass the weapon” leaving the listener with no other option but to throw up gun fingers.
Two For Two is supported by a nationwide tour, playing their songs live and direct on dancefloors across Aotearoa. Working alongside the venues, soundsystems, promoters and DJs who have supported Shiraz and Caru every step of the way, the tour will be presented by Garage Sale and GoldTooth – a selection of respected and leading dance music figureheads of Aotearoa.
Cover Art Credit: Finn Bowman
Photo Credit: Crystal Chen
