Budapest, April 16, 2026 – A transparent flexi disc made from an X-ray image is guaranteed to be one of the most exciting domestic releases of this year’s Record Store Day. The record, which features a previously unreleased Slow Village track, also serves an important social purpose.
Slow Village is releasing a one-track, 7-inch single titled Now Is Good for this year’s Record Store Day. On the brand-new song, the band—who celebrated its 10th anniversary last autumn and released a new album in February this year titled After Six—is accompanied by the jazz/funk group Speiz Boiz (Viktor Sági, Bencze Molnár, Tamás Heilig, Levi Boros).
Message from Samizdat
The release is notable not only because of the unreleased track with its distinctly jazzy feel, but also because of its unusual format. The transparent, flexible single—known as a flexi disc—reveals an image of a lung X-ray when held up to the light, and its square shape reflects that design as well. This format pays tribute to a long-forgotten method of music distribution: in countries of the Eastern Bloc, as part of samizdat culture, banned Western pop, rock, and jazz recordings were distributed on cut-up X-ray films well into the 1990s, and possessing them could lead to serious punishment. While X-ray records once spread culture, they are now being used to deliver an important social message to young people in Hungary.
“It was originally made for our third album, released this year, but in the end we felt that, although we really love the song, it might be better suited to a standalone release. In that sense, this important and unique campaign arrived at exactly the right time, because it gave the track the chance to receive an exclusive physical release. We’ve performed a lot with Speiz before; on our live band shows, they are our partners on stage, so we are especially happy that this release could come to life together with them,” the members of Slow Village emphasized in unison.
With a Social Purpose
The flexi disc, which will be released in an edition of 150 copies, aims to raise awareness of the dangers of vaping. “The spread of e-cigarette use among young people is particularly alarming. According to the latest European data (ESPAD 2024), 25 percent of Hungarian 15–16-year-olds smoke or use e-cigarettes—despite the fact that Hungary has one of the strictest regulatory frameworks in Europe,” says Dr. Rita Tersztyánszky, internist-angiologist and medical director responsible for outpatient care at Affidea.
There is also a clearly observable trend showing that e-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular even among 13–15-year-olds, while these products typically reach users through the illegal black market. “Vaping and e-cigarette use involve numerous serious health risks. The inhaled chemicals can cause irritation, inflammation, and irreversible scarring in the airways of the lungs, potentially leading in the long term to chronic bronchitis, asthma, and COPD,” the specialist adds.
Toxic substances and heavy metals produced during heating may also cause DNA damage and the development of malignant tumors, while nicotine raises blood pressure and heart rate, damaging vessel walls and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. “Regular screening tests play a key role in the early detection of organ damage caused by e-cigarette use. Even in symptom-free users, pulmonary check-ups are recommended; lung function testing can provide a picture of airway patency and respiratory capacity, supplemented if necessary by X-ray or CT examination. Laboratory results can reveal inflammatory processes in the body as well as liver and kidney damage caused by heavy metals, while cardiology screening provides an accurate picture of the heart’s structural condition and exercise tolerance,” points out Dr. Rita Tersztyánszky.
Screening for a Record
What is more, the release was created not only to raise awareness, but purchasing it also gives music fans direct access to an internal medicine consultation. The code found inside the record serves as a screening coupon that can be redeemed through customer service at Affidea, the complex private healthcare provider supporting the campaign (you can find information about how to redeem it HERE). The creators of the campaign hope that as many people as possible will take advantage of this free opportunity, especially those who expose their bodies to the risks of vaping. Because lungs are not vinyl—there is no reissue—and regular screening is recommended for everyone while the record is still playing.