Mint Pillow’s Debut Vinyl Shifts Between Nostalgia and Experimental

Mint Pillow’s first vinyl release is a vivid display of variation, blending experimental textures with playful nostalgia.

The 10-track release spans just under 25 minutes and sees the Medford-based artist blending his years as a vinyl DJ with a distinct production style.

Pressed on a 180g eco swirl vinyl and limited to just 100 copies, it’s a release that merges sound with sustainability. Issued by Crift Records and Vinyl Index, the record represents a detailed and thoughtful approach to both sound design and physical media. Available to purchase on 12″ here. 

The artwork accompanying this release adds a layer of personal context. It features a photo of Derek’s son alongside the abstract piece titled ‘Vir Heroicus Sublimis’ by the expressionist painter Barnett Newman.

About the Artist

Derek Hixon, aka Mint Pillow, is a Medford-based artist originally from Upstate New York.

With a background in both audio and visual arts, Derek has worked professionally in media and technology for over two decades and currently leads technology support services at MIT Libraries.

Album Review

Having been a part of Boston’s vinyl scene for over a decade, Mint Pillow pulls from a wide palette of influences. Drum machines, samplers, field recordings, and synthesizers feature throughout the release, with textures that feel deliberate and familiar. There’s no clear genre to hold onto, but instead, a set of recurring tones and unique drum patterns.

Track 2, “4j9001,” is a good introduction to the album’s tone. It’s built around a looped synth line and simple percussion, with a melody that fills the space like a lead vocal would. The percussion has a slight chorus-like modulation that gives the track a gentle side-to-side motion.

“Relax” stands out as a unique transitional track that also brings to mind DJ Shadow. It’s short, with a pulsing bassline, a slightly gritty, lo-fi-sound, vinyl scratches, and a rather hypnotic sample. The central sample feels unexpected. I tried to trace its origin but had no luck.

“Mon Porche Parisien” is more atmospheric. Muffled voices and background textures build a mood that sits somewhere between presence and distance, that brief transitional moment switching rooms at a party. It’s a good example of the way the album plays with space and depth as there’s plenty of detail here, but it’s not at the front of the mix, yet slightly lost.

“Flow to Forget” is the standout single for me. The use of synth-pop melodies, filter sweeps, and a laid-back rhythm gives the track a nostalgic tone. The structure is subtle, with the kind of progression that feels unhurried and completely natural. There’s a definite ‘90s influence in the sound design, especially in the synth tones and percussion.

“Leg It” is another standout single, although short. The main synth melody has a slightly oriental feel, with a delay effect that pushes it off-beat. There’s also a tonal shift that makes it feel just a touch off-key. There’s also a swirling ambient backdrop that adds atmosphere, while the percussion drives forward with a fast high-hat rhythm and a steady kick. It’s short, but packed with character.

 

Release Date and Streaming

Mint Pillow was released 1st July 2025, in which you can now stream the album on Spotify, Bandcamp and Apple Music.

You can also support the artist on Soundcloud and Instagram.

Interested in discovering our artist catalogue? Head to our artist page here.