Browsing Tag

Progressive House

Breaking the Deep House Mould: Take Me (The Russmerican Mix) by Saxboi Slick and ANNIKS

Posted on 7 February 2025

With Take Me (The Russmerican Mix), the powerhouse of a collaborative duo Saxboi Slick and ANNIKS cracked open a portal where progressive deep house meets the smoky billows of jazz saxophone, creating an organic transformative sonic synergy that can only be described as revolutionary.

The dynamic duo’s artistic chemistry is palpable in the five-and-a-half-minute mix, where pulsating electronic textures intertwine with soulful sax lines that guide the listener through ebbing and flowing momentum. The sax lines function as an almost non-lexical vocal, delivering emotional resonance without a single word.

ANNIKS, revered for emotional storytelling with cutting-edge production, and Saxboi Slick, a saxophonist who turns adversity into artistry, have crafted a track that redefines genre expectations. Drawing inspiration from ANNIKS’ viral TikTok presence and Saxboi Slick’s mission to integrate the warmth of live jazz into modern electronica, Take Me blurs the line between live performance and electronic innovation. The sax riffs act as a subversive crescendo, breaking deep house conventions with seamless, organic fluidity. Every note feels as if it was born to complement the next.

Perfect for fans of Bakermat, CamelPhat, and Nora En Pure, the track bridges progressive house energy with jazz-inspired depth. With its hypnotic balance of melodic grooves and electrifying rhythms, Take Me (The Russmerican Mix) is a genre-fusing triumph, proving that electronica’s future belongs to risk-takers willing to rewrite the mould.

Stream Take Me (The Russmerican Mix) from February 7th on all major platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Theo Lucas Shook Up Progressive House Pop with a Splash of Summer with ‘Sunset Martinis’

Posted on 24 August 2024

For his latest release, Sunset Martinis, the South London-based, Cypriot queer artist, Theo Lucas, hooked up with the multiplatinum DJ and producer, Lorenzo Cosi to drop the hedonistically hot EDM anthem of the summer.

By putting his own spin on progressive house with intersections of hyper-pop, Lucas crafted a track as intoxicating as the cocktail referenced in the title. The electrifying momentum seamlessly transitions into melodiously sensuous pre-choruses, efficaciously building intensity and anticipation before the bass drops, resulting in installations of pure euphoria.

The sticky-sweet vocal lines can sugar the pill of any hangover; by charging his vocal performance in the earworm with sincerity, it is clear that if Theo Lucas gets any hotter, he’s going to contribute to global warming.

In Sunset Martinis, Theo also embraces his queer identity and Cypriot roots, infusing them into his music with authentic flair as he lyrically compares his lover to Aphrodite, drawing on rich mythological imagery to celebrate love and beauty in its many forms.

So much more than a hit-maker, Theo Lucas is lighting a beacon for diversity and inclusion; his passion for advocacy shines through his work, which has seen him perform everywhere from London Pride to Westminster Abbey. Watch this proverbial space.

Sunset Martinis was officially released on August 15; stream the single now on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tom Jung decoded festival vibes in his EDM anthem, Everybody Feels the Love

Posted on 18 August 2024

In his latest aural embodiment of transcendence, Everybody Feels the Love, the DJ and producer, Tom Jung harnessed the heat of festival season, allowing the warmth of unity to permeate his peerless EDM production.

The unmatchable feeling of getting your body beat and rushes of serotonin and euphoria surrounded by people sharing in a singular experience reverberates through the trance-y take on progressive house, allowing the release to unravel as a parable of the sanctity of emotion-driven electronica and the paragon of it.

The way Jung manipulates sound with nuance to spark a profound emotional response establishes him as one of the most promising up-and-coming producers in the industry. The anticipation as the ethereally enveloped instrumental layers inch towards climax will leave you entranced until the bass-swathed house beats amplify the euphonic ecstasy resulting in a danceable remedy, capable of exhilarating and moving even the most steadfast listeners.

Don’t be surprised if in a few years keeping your finger on the EDM pulse revolves around revelling within the pulsative utopias orchestrated under Jung’s prodigal volition.

Add Everybody Feels the Love to your Spotify playlists and follow Tom Jung on TikTok to keep up to date with the visionary’s latest releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Electro-House Goes Pop in Secret Wish’s EP Melody of the Music Man

Posted on 1 July 2024
Secret Wish

Secret Wish’s hotly anticipated EP, Melody of the Music Man, kicks off with the unfetteredly feel-good 7th Heaven Radio Edit before blasting into the 7th Heaven Club Mix, then progresses into the DJ Combo & Rayman Rave, Duumix, DIM3NSION, and Stelios remixes; offering nine different ways to experience the euphoric waves of electro house as they progressively crash on the shores of airwaves and dancefloors worldwide.

The opening iteration of Melody of the Music Man starts with a simple AVICII-esque piano melody before erupting into a disco-grooved EDM anthem for the ages, not just the summer; the appeal of an EDM anthem in this evocatively and melodically liberating vein could never come close to temporal.

The track reaches the epitome of sun-drenched rhapsodic bliss through layers of transcendentally augmented instrumental layers; the beats bring just as much enraptured ecstasy as the synths as they endlessly ascend throughout the progressive house mix that stands as a testament to the Belgian duo’s ability to craft infectious dance-pop anthems with global appeal.

Their music consistently tops charts across Europe and Asia, demonstrating their ability to transcend borders with crowd-pleasing anthems while injecting high-octane energy into productions hooked with a timelessly finessed pop sensibility. It’s safe to assume that Melody of the Music Man will be sitting scintillatingly pretty at the top of the charts before long.

Stream the Melody of the Music Man EP in full on all major platforms via this link from July 1st.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

We Architects Synthesised the Sound of Summer with their Progressive House Pop Hit, Light Blue Skies

Posted on 3 April 2024

If your climate isn’t giving you the feel of summer, tune into the sound of it with the seminal progressive house pop single, Light Blue Skies by the cousin duo, We Architects, who have become infamous since their 2014 debut for their infusions of contemporary pop and tropical beach vibes. The stellar production will whisk you away on a holiday you never knew you were going on.

After racking up almost a million streams on Spotify alone, this single which oscillates with serotonin and soul, has become a staple of many who love the anticipation of sun-soaked hedonism and the core memories that follow sticky sweet escapades in the sun.

We Architects gave the progressions superlative intuition by knowing exactly where to take you to ensure you’re always led to euphoria. The rapture in the polished instrumentals juxtaposes the vocal lines which carry a melancholic sting while vibrantly celebrating the sanctity of summer, making them a perfect addition to the emotion-rich production which reaches the epitome of infectious stridency.

Stream Light Blue Skies on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ed Roberts became the guiding light in the EDM scene with Northern Star featuring Amy Wyatt and Roi Aknin

Posted on 22 February 2024

Ed Roberts’ latest single, ‘Northern Star’, featuring Amy Wyatt and Roi Aknin, is a luminous beacon in the EDM universe. This track, infused with metaphorical depth, stands as a testament to Roberts’ burgeoning prowess in a genre often overshadowed by the towering legacy of icons like Avicii.

Roberts, a UK-based producer, draws inspiration from EDM stalwarts such as David Guetta and Armin Van Buuren. His journey, which took a definitive turn at the Amsterdam Dance Event in 2019, has seen him evolve from a vocal producer to a creator of his own distinctive soundscapes. His previous works have already made waves on platforms like Spotify, but ‘Northern Star’ marks a zenith in his artistic trajectory.

The track opens with a subtle, yet captivating melody that sets the stage for the soul-stirring vocals. The production, bathed in the twilight of dreamy synths, allows the emotional resonance of the lyrics to shine through. Each beat, each note, is meticulously crafted to carry the weight of the song’s heartfelt message.

As the song progresses, Roberts demonstrates his mastery of the genre, blending powerful, energetic drops with a sense of emotional depth that is often elusive in EDM. The reverb, far from being just an auditory effect, acts as a vessel for the song’s affective power, drawing the listener deeper into its narrative.

Northern Star was officially released on February 18th; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Annava Put a Fresh Spin on Garage House with His Track, I Know

Posted on 18 January 2024

With structural twists and style transgressions always a feature of his genre-fluid discography, Annava’s self-produced unorthodox approach to sound design is a far cry from electronica monotony. His latest single, I Know, is a transmission of uninhibited expression within an echo of a deeply evocative memory.

Following a year of sonic adventures and collaborations, this Sacramento-based producer has crafted a track that stands as a testament to his evolving artistry. It begins with a subtle introduction, setting the scene for an intimately expansive auditory experience. Annava’s skill in blending genres is evident as he infuses the track with elements reminiscent of 100 gecs and Fred Again while following lesser-explored intersections of sound.

The genius of ‘I Know’ lies in its ability to maintain a grounded edge while exploring melodic realms. The track’s progression is a masterful blend of restraint and release, with every beat and synth wave meticulously placed to build a crescendo of emotional resonance. It’s a trippy, trance-inducing experience that transports listeners beyond the ordinary. The track’s progressive momentum is matched by a sense of euphonic catharsis, leaving listeners drenched in a sea of electronic bliss.

Annava said:

“For this release, I was inspired by UK Garage, 90s jungle, DnB, and old house mixes and the influence of my music teacher who challenged me to add harmonic variation in my tracks. 

Mostly, my music has no inherent sentimentality or meaning. I Know became the exception when I chopped up some vocals I recorded for an unreleased track, and it became a reflection of the pain of leaving someone you are in love with.” 

Stream I Know on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Naws extolled the virtue of patience in their melodic chill house single, Relevance

Posted on 11 January 2024

Intimacy and innovation became the cornerstones of the latest melodic chill house single, Relevance, from the West Bridgford-residing electronica outfit, Naws. Relevance is an odyssey through the intricate layers of human emotion, crafted with a blend of analog warmth and digital precision while unravelling as a testament to Naws’ Welsh heritage and their passion for creating music that resonates on a profound level.

The track is an immersive sugared pill. Swallow, and you’ll delve into its expansively oceanic depth, where the vastness of the soul is explored, guided by the haunting refrain, “Take your time with me”. This simple yet powerful lyric encapsulates the essence of the track – a call for patience and understanding in a world that often forgets the value of these virtues. It is a reminder of our inherent flaws in a world of fleeting moments and throwaway culture.

Each listen reveals new layers and nuances, making it a track that never grows tired. The use of the Moog Sub37, Roland Juno, and other analog synths infuses the track with a warmth and richness that is increasingly rare in contemporary electronic music.

Naws, with their appearances on BBC Introducing and signings to labels like Freegrant and Hathor, have already established themselves as artists to watch. ‘Relevance’ further cements their position in the melodic, progressive, and chill house genres.

Relevance was officially released on January 1st. Stream the single on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JANAYAH & Marcus Wiles brought euphoria to the dancefloor with their liberating EDM anthem, NOTHING TO LOSE

Posted on 6 November 2023

With their tantamount talent, the debut single, NOTHING TO LOSE, from the emerging vocalist and lyricist JANAYAH and EDM producer Marcus Wiles, who are both enrolled in the prestigious BRIT School in London studying music and production, respectively, is a radio-ready affirmation that whether they’re honing their collaborative chemistry or going solo, they’ll both have an illustrious career ahead of them.

The way the tension and emotion-fraught stabs of piano keys under JANAYAH’s stridently pitch-perfect vocals lead up to a mind-bendingly liberating drum n bass-drenched EDM crescendo signed, sealed, and delivered a promising future for the duo.

Their reverence for EDM and ability to emanate the same meticulous song-crafting flair as the likes of Calvin Harris, 3LAU, ChrisLake, Joel Corry, David Guetta, and Tiesto, will leave you on a knife edge as sharp as the hooks.

Once the monolithic momentum grips you, you’ll be at the mercy of the powerhouse duo. We can’t wait to hear the sophomore release after getting to grips with the transcendent debut, which could easily be considered the strongest EDM debut in 2023.

NOTHING TO LOSE is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Melancholia spills into the cosmos with Sub Caesar’s melodically progressive tech house cocktail Into the Oblast (When Will You Be Home) ft Brunetti

Posted on 4 November 2023

Some EDM anthems drop, others make a collision that will make an ever-lasting impression; Sub Caesar’s latest orchestration, Into the Oblast (When Will You Be Home) ft Brunetti, is luxe enough in meaningful momentum to scorch the airwaves on its arrival.

The dark and melancholic anthem, which is drenched in enough yearning and desperation for security and sanctity that it spills pensiveness into the cosmos, pulls together with a cohesion that makes it impossible not to surrender to the mellifluous instrumental layering and the searing soul in Brunetti’s glassy vocal lines. If her timbre sounds familiar, you may have heard her in her tracks featured on Netflix shows, including Selling Sunset, Love is Blind, and The Circle.

By exploring the most elemental trappings of melodic house & techno and progressive house, Sub Caesar produced an evocatively energising Tour De Force, which should necessitate the removal of the ‘sub’ affix from his moniker.

The independent Dutch producer, Sub Caesar, said:

“The inspiration for this track came from one of these heart-breaking clips of soldiers returning home, hugging their children. Amongst all the terrible news and images of war and war victims, his clip touched me deeply. A strong emotion is a good basis for music! The word ‘Oblast’ means region or province in Ukraine. In this track, it stands for any harm a loved one could be in while also being far away from home and the anxiety and special kind of longing that this causes. Having said that, yes, you can hear the actual Kiev air siren in there, pitched down a semitone to match the musical scale.”

Into the Oblast will officially be released on November 3rd; hear it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast