Two decades into his ever-evolving career, today Mark Sixma opens a new chapter for it. Through the launch of Karakter Recordings, the Dutch producer’s new imprint arrives with its mission statement already hardcoded in its tag.
And that goes twice for its debut release - the bass-rich, tech pressured and flawlessly vocalled ‘Like You Do’. As Karakter’s introducer, it telegraphs a platform unconstrained by genre boundaries - dialled solely into identity, instinct and its artists’ individual signatures.
For Sixma, the label’s launch represents far more than simply adding another musical string to his bow. Karakter has been conceived as a reflection of his wider artistic development — one shaped by years of his own studio explorations and an increasing desire to operate without stylistic restriction.
Mark goes on to explain his thinking behind the imprint, which comes through a newly-inked deal with Netherlands powerhouse Black Hole Recordings.
"Karakter Recordings was born from a very simple realization”, he says. “After 20 years of making music, I no longer fit into one box, one genre, or one vision. My sound has constantly evolved throughout my career, and I reached a point where I wanted a home that could truly represent all sides of who I am creatively, without limitations or boundaries.For me, Karakter Recordings is not about chasing trends or fitting a formula. It’s a platform built around individuality, artistic freedom, and music with identity. When people ask me what genre the label focuses on, my answer is simple: good music.”
Speaking to that, ‘Like You Do’ combines first-second-to-last energy with a sleek, club-contemporary production. Mark engages his signature floor drive from the off, with bouncing kicks, charged by a propulsive LFO and a jaggedly-bleeping and thoroughly irresistible mainline. It also sees him re-team (after ‘Cyanide’) with singer Noubya, and the pair split the atom between expressive vocalism and mainstage clout. For her part, Noubya’s vocal brings ‘Like You Do’ a surprising level of soulful warmth — think Cassandra on Rui da Silva’s classic ‘Touch Me’ and you’re not far off!
With its 001, Karakter shows its character from the start. ‘Like You Do’ from Mark Sixma & Noubya hits streaming and sales platforms from today. Check here: karakter.lnk.to/LikeYouDo
‘Like You Do’ by Mark Sixma & Noubya Tracklist:
01. ‘Like You Do’ (Original Mix)
02. ‘Like You Do’ (Extended Mix)
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"] Mark Sixma - Like You Do feat. Noubya [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Mark Sixma’s “Like You Do” featuring Noubya is a masterclass in contemporary trance production, showcasing the culmination of decades of refined skill and artistic evolution. From the very first beat, the track establishes a rhythmic foundation driven by a powerful bassline and neatly layered kick drums that maintain impeccable BPM consistency, making it an effortless fit for DJs looking for seamless sync in live sets. Sixma’s use of groove and drive is evident in the propulsive LFO modulation that infuses the track with kinetic energy, ensuring that its momentum never falters. The transitions and build-ups are flawlessly executed, using well-timed risers, filter sweeps, and intricate percussive fills to heighten anticipation before explosive drops, which are perfectly sculpted to energize club and festival audiences alike. The melodic components of “Like You Do” are especially captivating, with harmonic layers that weave together lush pads, soaring leads, and meticulously crafted arpeggios. These melodic hooks not only enhance the track’s overall atmosphere and immersion but also serve as a conduit for emotional resonance, invoking feelings of euphoria and uplift. Noubya’s vocal performance adds a soulful warmth that balances the hard-hitting instrumental elements, creating a fusion of expressive human emotion and mainstage power. The lyrical content complements the arrangement, bringing an intimate dimension to a track otherwise designed for large-scale dance floors. Sixma’s attention to sound design and spatial effects is evident in the stereo imaging, with reverb tails and delay throws adding depth and breathing room to the mix. Combined with a wide dynamic range and expertly managed loudness levels, the result is an immersive experience that retains clarity even at high volumes. In terms of originality and artistic identity, “Like You Do” encapsulates Sixma’s vision for Karakter Recordings: music that refuses to be confined by genre boundaries yet is instantly recognizable as his own. The structural cohesion of the track tells a clear story, moving listeners through phases of tension and release that mirror the physical and emotional journey of a festival performance. This dynamic flow makes it particularly effective for fitness and wellness contexts, where sustained energy and motivational peaks are key. Research in music psychology supports the use of high-BPM, rhythmically engaging tracks to enhance exercise performance and induce positive mood states (Karageorghis & Priest, 2012; Thoma et al., 2013). The uplifting harmonics and emotive vocal layers align with findings that melodic and emotionally resonant music can reduce perceived exertion and promote mental well-being during physical activity (Clark et al., 2016). In group fitness or dance therapy sessions, tracks like “Like You Do” can foster social bonding and collective euphoria, contributing to improved emotional resilience and reduced stress levels. Sixma’s technical mastery extends to the track’s intro and outro structures, which are DJ-friendly and provide ample cue points and loop potential. The careful attention to crowd reaction potential ensures that each drop lands with maximum impact, while the track’s catchiness and replay value make it a staple for both personal listening and live performance. Ultimately, “Like You Do” is a celebration of creativity and freedom in electronic music, offering both a visceral dancefloor experience and a scientifically backed boost to mental and physical wellness. #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.
Thoma, M. V., Ryf, S., Mohiyeddini, C., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). Emotion regulation through listening to music in everyday situations. Cognition and Emotion, 27(3), 534-543.
Clark, I. N., Baker, F. A., & Taylor, N. F. (2016). The influence of live music on health-related outcomes in older adults: A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 26, 26-32.
Additional info: