I don't get what you mean. I like the way new looks as compared to the Record. syntax, but either way you need the java class visible in the current namespace:

    sjl at grendel in ~/s/caves
    ><((°> lein2 repl
    caves.core=> (use 'caves.world)
    nil
    caves.core=> (new World [:foo])
    CompilerException java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: Unable to resolve classname: World, compiling:(NO_SOURCE_PATH:1)
    
    caves.core=> (import '[caves.world World])
    caves.world.World
    caves.core=> (new World [:foo])
    #caves.world.World{:tiles [:foo]}
    caves.core=> Bye for now!
    
    
    sjl at grendel in ~/s/caves
    ><((°> lein2 repl
    caves.core=> (use 'caves.world)
    nil
    caves.core=> (World. [:foo])
    CompilerException java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: Unable to resolve classname: World, compiling:(NO_SOURCE_PATH:1)
    
    caves.core=>

Is there another way to create record instances that doesn't involve that warty (import) call that I'm not aware of?