Martim Rola and David Mackay debut on Anjunadeep with ‘Sunday Sunrise’.
A powerful melodic afro house collaboration from two up-and-coming artists, ‘Sunday Sunrise’ has already proven its impact on some of the world’s most influential dancefloors. The track quickly took on a life of its own during summer 2025 after becoming a staple in sets from RÜFÜS DU SOL, Adriatique, Keinemusik and Black Coffee. Perhaps the defining moment of summer arrived when RÜFÜS DU SOL closed the terrace at Space Miami with the track at sunrise on a Sunday, a moment that directly inspired the track’s title. The record has continued to build organic momentum through key moments like David’s filmed DJ set at Pátio da Galé in Lisbon.
London-based, Porto-born Martim Rola has rapidly emerged as a rising force within melodic house, techno and afro-influenced sounds. His debut release ‘Odyssey’ landed on AMPISH’s Sierra Records, followed by releases on London’s KONFLICT imprint, with ‘Joker’ earning support from Solomun. Next came Martim’s collaboration ‘Luci’ with Arodes, released via RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Rose Avenue Records, further cementing his profile and drawing support from RÜFÜS themselves, Adriatique and Hernán Cattáneo. On the live front, he made his Pacha Ibiza debut in 2023, with DJ sets that seamlessly blend melodic house, techno and afro house into a cohesive, high-energy sound.
Amsterdam-based David Mackay is a similarly rising talent within melodic afro house. With early support from Keinemusik, Adriatique, Tiësto and Black Coffee, David has quickly gained recognition for his emotionally driven, melodic productions. His DJ debut in summer 2024 saw him play Madrid’s Los Amantes, before touring internationally across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and South America. Together, Martim Rola and David Mackay deliver a collaboration that bridges melodic house and afro house that is tried and tested by some of the scene’s most influential artists.
Martim Rola and David Mackay’s ‘Sunday Sunrise’ is out now on Anjunadeep.
Find on Beatport HERE
Dimitris Kechagias Review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Martim Rola & David Mackay - Sunday Sunrise [/item]
[item value="10"]Melodic Hooks & Harmonic Layers[/item]
[item value="10"]Transitions, Drops & Build-Ups [/item]
[item value="10"]Energy Flow & Momentum [/item]
[item value="10"]Sound Design & Production Quality[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality of Arrangement & Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]Use of Effects & Spatial Design[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Range & Loudness Balance[/item]
[item value="10"]Atmosphere & Immersion[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional Resonance[/item]
[item value="10"]Creativity & Artistic Identity[/item]
[item value="10"]Cohesion & Storytelling[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocal Performance & Lyrical Impact[/item]
[item value="10"]Catchiness & Replay Value[/item]
[item value="10"]Club / Festival Suitability[/item]
[item value="10"]Track Intro/Outro Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]BPM Consistency & Sync Ease[/item]
[item value="10"]Cue Points & Loop Potential[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Energy for Set Flow[/item]
[item value="10"]Crowd Reaction Potential[/item]
[/review]
Suggested Bibliography
Karageorghis, C. I., & Priest, D. L. (2012). Music in the exercise domain: A review and synthesis (Part I). International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5(1), 44-66.
Salimpoor, V. N., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. J. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257–262.
Thoma, M. V., Ryf, S., Mohiyeddini, C., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). Emotion regulation through listening to music in everyday situations. Cognition & Emotion, 27(3), 534–543.
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Martim Rola & David Mackay - Sunday Sunrise [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] Martim Rola and David Mackay’s “Sunday Sunrise,” their debut on Anjunadeep, epitomizes the seamless fusion of melodic house, melodic techno, and afro house. The track’s 124 BPM structure delivers impeccable rhythm, groove, and drive, propelled by pulsating basslines and thumping kicks that establish an irresistibly danceable flow. Its tribal percussive elements interlock with subtle syncopations, maintaining a kinetic energy that ensures momentum across club and festival sets. The melodic hooks are built with layered piano chords and ethereal female vocal textures, evoking both warmth and nostalgia, while the harmonic layers create a spacious sonic field that encourages emotional resonance and deep immersion. The production quality of “Sunday Sunrise” demonstrates meticulous attention to sound design and spatial arrangement. Each element occupies a precise place in the stereo field, with careful use of reverb and delay to enhance atmosphere without muddying the mix. The dynamic range is finely balanced, allowing the track to breathe between its introspective breakdowns and euphoric climaxes, while maintaining competitive loudness suitable for modern festival sound systems. Transitions and drops are executed with masterful tension and release, guiding the listener through a journey that feels both organic and deliberately structured. Subtle effects, including filtered sweeps and resonant echoes, support the narrative flow of the track, while its cohesive arrangement ensures seamless integration into DJ sets, with intros and outros designed for effortless beatmatching and looping. The artistic identity of the track shines through in its originality of arrangement and storytelling. From its emotive piano-driven opening to the soaring vocal phrases that crest at the euphoric peak, “Sunday Sunrise” captures the sensation of witnessing dawn after a night of dancing, speaking directly to both the body and the mind. The track’s catchiness and replay value are amplified by its strong melodic motifs, which linger in memory long after the music fades. Crowd reactions in live settings, as evidenced by high-profile support from RÜFÜS DU SOL, Adriatique, Keinemusik, and Black Coffee, confirm its effectiveness in triggering collective emotional release. Its BPM consistency and smooth cue points make it a reliable tool for DJs aiming to maintain dynamic energy in their set flow, while its looping potential allows for extended moments of euphoria on the dancefloor. Beyond its club and festival appeal, “Sunday Sunrise” demonstrates notable potential benefits for mental health, fitness, and wellness classes. The combination of rhythmic entrainment and melodic content aligns with findings from scientific research on music and neuroplasticity, suggesting that tempo-consistent, emotionally uplifting tracks can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance physical performance during exercise (Thoma et al., 2013; Karageorghis & Priest, 2012). The harmonic progression and vocal timbre evoke positive affect and can facilitate mindfulness in movement-based practices such as yoga or dance therapy. Studies on dopamine release during music listening (Salimpoor et al., 2011) also support the notion that euphoric build-ups and drops, like those found in “Sunday Sunrise,” contribute to heightened feelings of reward and well-being in listeners. The track’s ability to synchronize physiological rhythms with its BPM enhances both aerobic activity and meditative flow states, making it highly effective for wellness-oriented contexts. Its immersive soundscape creates a sense of escape, allowing individuals to enter a focused, emotionally engaged state that can alleviate stress and promote overall mental wellness. By combining technical excellence with emotional depth, Martim Rola and David Mackay have crafted a production that transcends mere entertainment to become a tool for physical, emotional, and psychological enrichment.
#PureGold Love iT[/content]
[item value="10"]Rhythm, Groove & Drive[/item][item value="10"]Melodic Hooks & Harmonic Layers[/item]
[item value="10"]Transitions, Drops & Build-Ups [/item]
[item value="10"]Energy Flow & Momentum [/item]
[item value="10"]Sound Design & Production Quality[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality of Arrangement & Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]Use of Effects & Spatial Design[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Range & Loudness Balance[/item]
[item value="10"]Atmosphere & Immersion[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional Resonance[/item]
[item value="10"]Creativity & Artistic Identity[/item]
[item value="10"]Cohesion & Storytelling[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocal Performance & Lyrical Impact[/item]
[item value="10"]Catchiness & Replay Value[/item]
[item value="10"]Club / Festival Suitability[/item]
[item value="10"]Track Intro/Outro Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]BPM Consistency & Sync Ease[/item]
[item value="10"]Cue Points & Loop Potential[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Energy for Set Flow[/item]
[item value="10"]Crowd Reaction Potential[/item]
[/review]
Suggested Bibliography
Karageorghis, C. I., & Priest, D. L. (2012). Music in the exercise domain: A review and synthesis (Part I). International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5(1), 44-66.
Salimpoor, V. N., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. J. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257–262.
Thoma, M. V., Ryf, S., Mohiyeddini, C., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). Emotion regulation through listening to music in everyday situations. Cognition & Emotion, 27(3), 534–543.
Additional info:
