Album Review: 'Wu Wei' by Kung Foolish

Loose, textured, and adventurous music

Artist: Kung Foolish
Title: Wu Wei
Label: Village Live Records
Release Date: June 13, 2025

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Some albums arrive with little fanfare, yet manage to quietly reshape the emotional and creative landscapes of those who encounter them. Wu Wei, the debut solo album by Kung Foolish, the musical alias of Nenad Stefanoski, is exactly that kind of work: subtle in delivery, profound in impact.

Stefanoski is no newcomer to music. Many will know him as the frontman and songwriter of the psychedelic indie band Foolish Green, a producer with deep roots in the hip-hop scene, a DJ with encyclopedic knowledge of vintage Macedonian music from the 1950s through the 1970s, and a skilled sound designer for film and television. With Wu Wei, all these facets of his artistry come together under a single, coherent, and deeply personal statement.

‘Kung Foolish Green’

Photo Credit: Maja Argakijeva

The album’s title, Wu Wei, borrows from Daoist philosophy, often translated as “non-action” or “the way of least resistance.” And indeed, there’s an effortlessness to the record that speaks of years of artistic mastery. This isn’t a debut in the traditional sense. It’s the culmination of decades spent shaping sound, listening deeply, and learning how to let the music speak for itself.

Opening with “Kung Foreword,” the album gently ushers us into Stefanoski’s world, one where hypnotic loops, delicate textures, and thoughtful guest appearances intertwine. The album’s playful spirit reveals itself right from the start. Groovy beats, well-placed samples, vinyl scratches, and dreamy keyboard lines set the tone, while a soulful flute performance by jazz master Kiril Kuzmanov adds a light, improvisational touch. From the very beginning, it’s clear that Wu Wei isn’t in a rush to impress; it unfolds at its own pace, inviting the listener into its laid-back, richly textured world.