Genix drops five chillout reworks of his 2024 album ‘YOU.ME.NOW’ on Anjunachill.
A core figure in the Anjuna family since first joining the label in 2012, Genix has become one of its most consistent and versatile artists, best known for his club-driven, nostalgia-tinged productions on Anjunabeats. Building on over a decade of innovation across the electronic spectrum, he is an internationally respected DJ and producer whose career spans headline tours, global festival appearances and landmark achievements including Guinness World Records.
Following the success of ‘YOU.ME.NOW’ - which has amassed over 9 million streams alongside a 20+ date headline tour - the ‘Chill Mixes’ EP offers a different perspective on the album, swapping peak-time energy for immersive textures, warm melodies and moments of introspection. The EP features five tracks, with vocals from LYCA, Joe Haze, Zashanell, Sandy Chambers and JVMIE.
Speaking on the EP, Genix notes:
“It’s so much fun transforming my music into something completely different and giving it a new lease of life in another genre. Remixing club tracks into chill versions can be a really thought-provoking challenge, and I spent a lot of time focusing on the smaller details and adding depth and unique sounds. I even imagined myself lying on a beach with my headphones on tapping into that sense of relaxation and connection to the music. I’m really happy with how they turned out!”
‘YOU.ME.NOW (Chill Mixes)’ EP is out now on Anjunachill.
Following their introduction to the Anjunachill roster last year, Planet of Souls now present their debut album, ‘Lumiere’.
Paul Rogers and Tom Barlow are established club producers in their own right, with remix credits for Sasha, Gorillaz and Coldplay; but their union as Planet Of Souls sees them turn towards orchestral, soundtrack-inspired composition. The duo and their collaborators combine cinematic depth, electronic ambience and nuanced songwriting across 11 tracks.
Australian production duo Planet Of Souls release their debut album ‘Lumiere', a cinematic exploration of light, darkness, and the human experience.
Planet Of Souls is the collaborative project of producers Paul Rogers and Tom Barlow, born from a shared love of analog synths, sound design, and the electronic sound of the ’90s and ’00s. What began as a therapeutic creative outlet evolved into a two-year journey crafting a deeply emotive, cinematic body of work. Blending Paul’s melodic and compositional instinct with Tom’s mastery of sound design, the duo shape music that balances electronic experimentation with human warmth, drawing influence from Jon Hopkins, Massive Attack, RY X, and The Chemical Brothers.
Their debut album ‘Lumiere' is an introspective journey through the contrasts that define life: darkness and light, fragility and strength, isolation and connection. Each track moves through a carefully sculpted world of electronic sound design, cinematic strings, and live instrumentation, creating an immersive, filmic landscape. The album features vocals from vocalists across the globe including Lily Papas, Nicki Wells, Samsaruh and Douglas Dare. You may already recognise their music - the album has already received support from BBC Radio 1, and their track ‘One’ has appeared on hit TV shows including Grey’s Anatomy and Netflix’s The Survivor, alongside other primetime TV productions.
Digital tracklist
One with Lily Papas
No Way Back with Nicki Wells
Lumiere with Lily Papas
Love Is The Cure with Samsaruh
Beneath The Silence with Samsaruh
Faltered – Planet Of Souls
Afterlife with Lily Papas
You Already Have It All with Planet Of Souls
The Unknown with Samsaruh
Ascension with Douglas Dare
Home – Planet Of Souls
'No Way Back' with Nicki Wells
Gentle guitars and shimmering strings are paired with Nicki Wells’ vocals on today’s new single. A new taste of the album to come.
Planet Of Souls on writing 'Lumiere'
"Our creative philosophy is firmly rooted in emotional authenticity. Every song we make comes from the heart, and when we write together, we both bring a lot of what has been going on in our personal lives to the session.
The second element that is extremely important to us is texture and atmosphere. We love the impact that sound design can have on feeling, even if it’s not musical. This comes from our passion for cinema, and you must look no further than the likes of Hans Zimmer and Ludwig Göransson for great examples of using sound design to create tension and emotion in a cinematic setting.
Another critical element for us is finding personal meaning in the music. This is why we absolutely love collaborating with other artists. Each of them brings their own lived experiences to the songs we compose. The lyrics and vocal performance of a singer we have worked with can carry a mystery, a hidden experience that created a memory they want to share, and a pain they need to express.
Connecting with the audience on a personal level is extremely important to us. We have had many people tell us that a certain song we have created hit them in a way we didn’t expect. Each and every one of us has experienced challenges in our life, and we truly hope that our music helps people in some way to think differently about the journey they have been on, and most importantly to keep going. If we can keep doing this, we will feel like we are making a difference, and that’s what counts for us."
– Paul and Tom (Planet Of Souls)
Cinematic Chill
Enjoy some of Planet Of Souls’ favourite electronic and downtempo music from artists that inspire them on this playlist designed for immersive listening.
Pre-order, release date May 9th 2025.Sunlounger Returns with New Double Album Distant Memories
Sunlounger, the iconic project of internationally renowned DJ and producer Roger Shah, unveils his latest masterpiece: Distant Memories – a compelling double album that seamlessly blends soothing atmospheres with infectious club energy.
The album is split into two distinct yet connected experiences:
CD 1 – Meditation Versions: A tranquil soundscape of ambient and Balearic-inspired compositions, perfect for moments of introspection, relaxation, or mindful escape. These meditative versions showcase Sunlounger's signature guitar work and cinematic textures, inviting listeners to slow down and breathe.
CD 2 – Club Mixes: The flip side brings the energy to the dancefloor with groovy, melodic, and emotionally charged club edits. Crafted for DJs and electronic music lovers, these mixes reimagine the ambient originals with percussive beats and melodic drops, staying true to the essence of his balearic sound, organic and progressive house.
With Distant Memories, Sunlounger continues to redefine the boundaries between chillout and dance music, offering fans a full-spectrum audio journey.
About Sunlounger
Sunlounger is the beloved alias of Roger Shah, a German electronic music producer known for his unique fusion of Balearic, trance, and chillout sounds. With a career spanning over two decades, Shah has released music on labels like Armada and Black Hole Recordings, collaborating with industry giants including Armin van Buuren, Aly & Fila, and JES.
Sunlounger’s debut album Another Day on The Terrace became an instant classic, and his follow-ups — Sunny Tales, The Beach Side of Life, and Balearic Beauty — further cemented his place as a pioneer of melodic electronic music. Combining sun-drenched guitars, lush pads, and uplifting melodies, Sunlounger continues to be a defining force in the global chill and trance scenes.
Twenty-eight years of scene relevance don’t happen without a very special ingredient: quality. It’s the common denominator in all of Chicane’s work, from the ever-mentioned classics ‘Offshore’, ‘Saltwater’, and ‘Don’t Give Up’ to his newer productions and everything in between. Just like the last four albums that all topped the Dance charts worldwide, including the U.K., Chicane’s ninth studio album, ‘Trampolines’, follows suit.
Longtime fans will know that a Chicane album is exactly what you’d expect, but then not quite. From three club favorites of the past summer—‘Watching Over Me’, ‘Freefall’, and the much-feted ‘Love, Love, Love’—to tunes like ‘Day One’ and ‘The Sleepless Night’, ‘Trampolines’ audibly captures the emotional highs and lows, allowing listeners to bounce from hands-in-the-air summer fever to tracks that bring happiness and relaxation. ‘Trampolines’ is Chicane at its peak. Ever the quality, but always in a different capacity.
Album tracklist: 1. Prologue 2. The Sleepless Year 3. Freefall (dc mix) 4. Polystyrene 5. Day One 6. The Sun Will Come Again 7. Watching Over Me 8. Trampolines 9. In The Waiting Room 10. Freefall 11. The Yeah yeah yeah song 12. Love, Love, Love - Here I come 13. Epilogue
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] Chicane’s album Trampolines is a sonic journey that effortlessly blends electronica with chill house and balearic trance. It’s a highly satisfying experience that can be equally relaxing after a long day or the perfect prelude to a wild night out. The album features bubbly, pulsating basslines, thumping kicks, chunky grooves, warm piano chords, sensual strings, melancholic themes, and mesmerizing voices that come together in a harmonious blend to uplift the spirit and broaden our horizons. Chicane’s album is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, with creative touches that pay homage to the 90s. It’s a beautiful fusion of the past, present, and future, and the only phrase that comes to mind is “Thank God, there’s Chicane to add some meaning to our lives.” Each track on the album is unique and distinct, with a pleasant surprise in the recreation of the iconic love anthem, “Love, Love, Love, Here I Come.” #PureGold Love IT![/content]
[item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item] [item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item] [item value="10"] Melody [/item] [item value="10"] Synths [/item] [item value="10"]Breakdown[/item] [item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item] [item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item] [item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item] [item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item] [item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item] [item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item] [item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item] [item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item] [item value="10"]Vocals & lyrics[/item] [item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item] [item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item] [/review]
Indian-born British composer Cephas Azariah presents his highly anticipated debut album, a 12-track neo-classical LP 'Joy Paradox' to Reflections.
Cephas was always drawn to classical composition, he studied Music Theology and the Arts at Middlesex university and began composing soundtracks for film right away. He drew on the full spectrum of his influences to write his debut album, including neo-classical, ambient and cinematic, and wrote it in his home studio with a piano he bought off Facebook Marketplace. "I finished it all in Scotland in a cabin by the lochs," he says. "It was a beautiful way to wrap it up."
Every track on Cephas Azariah's 'Joy Paradox' has a story, tending to resolve personal conflicts through music, with each piece acting as a gentle unravelling of inner unrest. "This project is a summary of thirty years of life, and a realisation that you can't have good things without sacrifice," Cephas says. "Achieving success takes a certain level of suffering, and that's the paradox of joy."
Throughout his life, Cephas has experienced this paradox first-hand. His parents moved to the UK from India when he was ten, and he grew up witnessing the challenges that came with leaving their culture behind and having to adapt to a new one. "Sometimes you have to put something down in order to pick something up," Cephas says. "And you have to trust that you're making the right decision."
When listening to 'Joy Paradox', Cephas hopes people will be able to sit with and feel comfortable with conflicting emotions. "I want people to commit to their own journey in life, and not feel like they have to arrive already, or be at the start or the end," he says. "I want people to recognise the things they've had to put down in order to enjoy the things they now have."
Cephas' artistry and philosophy blend into one another, and instead of accolades, money and material possessions, he'd prefer to be at peace. "That was always a goal beyond working with a big label or writing amazing music or owning a home," he says.
"I can say now I'm totally at peace with myself," he continues. "This project is all about these cultural intersections that repeatedly come up in life. I often find myself at a crossroads, unsure of who I am, and being at peace is difficult when you just don't know where you fit. I'm brown, I live in the UK, I write a predominantly white genre of music. Then there's family background, heritage, language - it all comes into it. Now I understand that I will constantly live at an intersection, and that's okay."
Cephas is an Indian-born British composer writing music for contemplation, film & media. He combines atmospheric textures and analog piano melodies to create sounds that suspend emotions with a new clarity. After a higher education in Music Theology & The Arts, Cephas went on to soundtrack dozens of films, and score music for the likes of Channel 4, Puma, Soho House and Expedia.
Cephas Azariah is also a touring musician, who’s toured many times with songwriter, collaborator and friend Elle Limebear (who you’ll remember from their collaborative ‘if I can be honest’ EP). He started to release his own neo-classical compositions in late 2021, and we have been captivated with his sound ever since. He also enjoys making the occasional ambient edit of popular tracks, a showcase of his versatility.
Perfect for early mornings, relaxing afternoon and nightly wind-downs alike, volume 30 of the 'Chill Executive Officer (CEO)' album series makes rush hour feel like a walk in the park. Including tracks from Nico de Andrea, Yulia Niko, Ultra Naté and Lufthaus, this fresh selection makes every moment spent listening a moment enjoyed.
Absolute highlight in the compilation the magnificent DJ San & Sebastian Moore feat. Kin Kali with the outstanding How To Love. Truly dreamy driving relaxing but ready for dancefloors track with warm melodies, superb sound design and on the spot vocals with afro house infusions and melodic tropical house touches. Don't miss it!
A question often asked about Chicane’s music is why it’s not used in film more often. Music lovers and fans understand the depth and the nuances so suited to visuals and know his sound cannot be confined to a single genre. Despite having already soundtracked numerous moments in the almost thirty years since its release, Chicane's debut artist album now embraces a symphonic adaptation, perfectly poised for cinematic translation: 'Far From The Maddening Crowds (Symphony Rehearsals)'.
Scored and conducted by Joe Duddell (Elbow, James, New Order, Alison Moyet), the strings and orchestration take the forefront in reworking this symphonic reimagination of the 1997 album while simultaneously upholding the dance elements of the original record. From the opening track ‘Early’, reminiscent of the awakening after a romantic rendezvous, to the palpable dance rhythms in ‘Offshore DC’ and the mysterious quality of ‘Red Skies’, the album utilizes the talents of real musicians (The Hallé and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra) to authentically capture truly pure emotion.
“For nearly three decades, I’ve revisited this album, in each instance viewing it through a new lens,” says Chicane. “We’ve been floating the concept of a refined, instrumental adaptation for some time now, and breathing this new, unfiltered life into these tracks has brought a whole new meaning to this body of work that I cherish so dearly. So sit back, take a breath, listen and let the music paint the pictures in your mind.”
‘Far From the Maddening Crowd – Symphony Rehearsals’ is available on Modena Records via Armada Music from March 1, 2024. Find it here
Tracklist
1. Chicane - Early (Symphonic Rehearsal Mix)
2. Chicane - Already There (Symphonic Rehearsal Mix)
3. Chicane - Offshore (Symphonic Rehearsal Mix)
4. Chicane - Lost You Somewhere (Symphonic Rehearsal Mix)
5. Chicane - From Blue To Green (Symphonic Rehearsal Mix)
11. Chicane - The Drive Home (Symphonic Rehearsal Mix)
About Chicane
Often seen as one of, if not the seminal Trance originator. With the track Offshore he refined cool in the dance genre, the name Chicane became synonymous with Ibiza and sunsets, and quality music, an aural security blanket. Saltwater followed on and became a UK top five hit. Worldwide success was sealed with a collaboration between Chicane and Bryan Adams, Don’t Give Up from the hit album Behind the Sun. The track has reached the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart, indeed it was number one globally. Now recognised as a dancefloor classic, it was one of the first dance collaboration tracks to reach such heights. In addition to his work as Chicane the artist, he has worked with and produced music with Cher, Sir Tom Jones, William Orbit, Natasha Beddingfield and composed for TV and film.
About Armada Music
Armada Music is the biggest independent dance music label in the world. Founded by Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron (CEO) and David Lewis, the label manages an ever-growing catalog of over 40,000 tracks, built up across twenty-plus years of specialized dance music exploitation.
Representing artists such as Armin van Buuren, ARTY, D.O.D, Eelke Kleijn, Jan Blomqvist, Loud Luxury, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Tensnake, THEMBA and Yulia Niko, Armada Music amasses more than one billion streams per month, airplay on leading radio outlets such as BBC Radio 1 and Sirius XM, and top positions in the world’s most notable charts. The label also takes great pride in major achievements such as Armin van Buuren’s GRAMMY nomination for ‘This Is What It Feels Like’, Loud Luxury and Brando’s ‘Body’ surpassing one billion streams on Spotify and breaking artists such as Lost Frequencies into global stardom.
Across offices in Amsterdam (HQ), New York, London and Laren (NL), Armada Music offers a truly global appeal to its growing roster. The label has its own club, radio studio and multiple production studios, and hosts various live formats. Producer platform Armada University, which offers educational products and opportunities, shows the label’s sustained effort to nurture the next wave of talent.
In 2023, Armada Music launched BEAT Music Fund, the world’s first dance music investment company, that acquires catalogs with the mission of honoring, representing and reinvigorating them. BEAT’s portfolio will continue to grow; in the first six months following its launch, BEAT acquired the catalogs of, among others, electronic music star ARTY, house and techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson’s KMS Records, legendary NYC-based house label King Street Sounds and chart-topping producers Chocolate Puma.
Hot on the heels of releasing his ninth studio album ‘Nevertheless’ about six months ago, English producer Chicane has returned to Modena Records via Armada Music to celebrate his “greatest misses” over the years with a new album project.
Titled ‘The Greatest Misses’, the sixteen-track collection comprises tracks made throughout Chicane’s career that didn’t become top-selling releases despite receiving critical acclaim and being fan-approved. ‘Greatest Misses’ however isn’t a play on a greatest hits album; it is, according to Chicane, “genuinely a slew of tracks that were either released at the wrong time or, perhaps, a little ahead of their time.”
“I speculated over these tracks for years,” he added. “Even though they weren’t hits per se, I believed and still do really believe in them, as did many of my fans and industry peers. So I set out to revisit them and breathe some new life into them years on. As an artist, I feel it’s important to embrace all of your work whether it is deemed to be successful or not!”
‘The Greatest Misses’ is available on Modena Records via Armada Music from December 1, 2023.
Tracklist
1. Chicane - Come Back (Evolution Edit)
2. Chicane & Ferry Corsten feat. Christian Burns - One Thousand Suns (Edit)
3. Chicane - Hiding All The Stars (Evolution Edit)
4. Chicane - No Ordinary Morning (Edit)
5. Chicane feat. Paul Aiden - Oxygen (Edit)
6. Chicane - Going Deep (Evolution Edit)
7. Chicane feat. Senadee - No More I Sleep (Alt Edit)
8. Chicane - Come Tomorrow (Edit)
9. Chicane feat. Bo Bruce - Still With Me (Disco Citizens Edit)
10. Chicane feat. Adam Young - Middledistancerunner (Disco Citizens Edit)
11. Chicane - Gorecki (Edit)
12. Chicane - Come Back (Edit)
13. Chicane feat. Rosalee O'Connell - Nirvana (Swung Edit)
14. Chicane - Hiding All The Stars (Original Edit)
Armada Music is the biggest independent dance music label in the world. Founded by Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron (CEO) and David Lewis, the label manages an ever-growing catalog of over 40,000 tracks, built up across twenty-plus years of specialized dance music exploitation.
Representing artists such as Armin van Buuren, ARTY, D.O.D, Eelke Kleijn, Jan Blomqvist, Loud Luxury, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Tensnake, THEMBA and Yulia Niko, Armada Music amasses more than one billion streams per month, airplay on leading radio outlets such as BBC Radio 1 and Sirius XM, and top positions in the world’s most notable charts. The label also takes great pride in major achievements such as Armin van Buuren’s GRAMMY nomination for ‘This Is What It Feels Like’, Loud Luxury and Brando’s ‘Body’ surpassing one billion streams on Spotify and breaking artists such as Lost Frequencies into global stardom.
Across offices in Amsterdam (HQ), New York, London and Laren (NL), Armada Music offers a truly global appeal to its growing roster. The label has its own club, radio studio and multiple production studios, and hosts various live formats. Producer platform Armada University, which offers educational products and opportunities, shows the label’s sustained effort to nurture the next wave of talent.
In 2023, Armada Music launched BEAT Music Fund, the world’s first dance music investment company, that acquires catalogs with the mission of honoring, representing and reinvigorating them. BEAT’s portfolio will continue to grow; in the first six months following its launch, BEAT acquired the catalogs of, among others, electronic music star ARTY, house and techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson’s KMS Records, legendary NYC-based house label King Street Sounds and chart-topping producers Chocolate Puma.
Introspective, personal and soul-stirring. With his fourth artist album, Dutch chill composer Sebastian Davidson tells the story of rejoining the inner and the outer after the pandemic and the loss of his father. Each of the eleven tracks, from ‘Feel Good’ and ‘Elsewhere’ to ‘Who You’ and title track ‘Reconnect’, captures a significant moment in the process, outlining — and soundtracking — the journey of someone adrift trying to reach the shore.
It is this album that beautifully details the confliction emotions and different forms of expression, indicating the subtle steps forward as well as the ebb and flow of feeling. And it is here where Sebastian Davidson found his way forward, now presenting a body of work that others can also draw an endless supply of strength from: ‘Reconnect’.
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] The established artist Sebastian Davidson presents his 4th album called Reconnect. After a long period of lockdowns and enforced loneliness people are coming again close together with body contact in the clubs and festivals so definitely its great time to Reconnect. 11 must listen tracks in an album that you must explore from start to finish. It will be pretty impossible to stop listening to it or doing a selective listening by picking up some tracks as tasters. Reconnect is full of experimentation and new surprising ideas merging deep basslines with funky guitar riffs and cool vocal samples. With influences coming from every spectrum of house Sebastian delivers the goods and provide a very memorable set of beautiful tracks that each of them has its own tone, melodies, vocal samples and groove turning into a very organic playful experience with piano chords, jazzy saxophone riffs and guitar licks along with cinematic strings and human voices shaping a music journey that will please ears and connect easily with your deepest sides of your soul. Smooth, dreamy, hypnotic, relaxing and inspiring is an album that can bring calmness and will be nice company while you do your homework or do other little tasks in your living room to keep it sonically warm, friendly, and tender! #PureGold Love iT [/content]
Upping the ante with another must-have installment, the 'Chill Executive Officer (CEO)' series proudly presents its 27th volume. Decked out with tracks from staple artists such as Dennis Ferrer, Inner City, Joe Smooth, Lova and Tensnake, this brand-new edition of the album series keeps listeners on a blissful high from morning till midnight.
'ghost whispers' is the brand new album from silvershore, here on Enhanced Chill.
Out on Wednesday 21st June is the debut album from silvershore, an alias of British producer and songwriter Tom Hutchinson. The nine tracks that make up 'ghost whispers' see Hutchinson explore the indie / alternative corners of electronic music with a deft touch, crafting a captivating album that shines with its standout sonics and a powerful emotional depth.
Hutchinson made waves previously with his work as Anki, weaving elements of harder-hitting genres like future bass and dubstep into his crossover dance / electronic sound, releasing a host of impressive albums and singles on Enhanced Recordings and remixing the likes of Cheat Codes and Selena Gomez. He launched the silvershore project in early 2022 with a sublime remix of Blonde Maze's 'If I Could' before going onto release the 'home' EP, with tracks like 'orbit' and 'shot in the dark' proving him to be one to watch in the world of chill electronic music.
Now, after the release of three first-rate singles including 'lift me up', 'who can say goodbye?' and 'hold on', Hutchinson unveils the first silvershore album in the form of 'ghost whispers'. It's a magnificently cohesive and intentional project that puts the silvershore sound front and centre, allowing his slick production chops and exquisite songwriting skill to flourish. The album flows with an assured ease, with its intro, interlude and outro tracks giving it an engaging structure, and his unique sonic identity is present throughout: sharp, effervescent drum grooves, delicate guitar riffs, glittering synth melodies, wall-of-sound atmospheres and intricately-manipulated vocals. It's the latter that gives the album a strong emotional throughline, whether it's the fragmented vocal snippets peppered throughout or the contributions of guest vocalists Flachbau and Dorothea who weave a rosy nostalgia into 'ghost whispers' narrative.
2023 sees the release of silvershore's first album but he's just getting started - we can't wait to see what else he has in store.
Responsible for some of the most iconic dance tracks of our time, English producer Chicane today returns to Modena Records via Armada Music with his ninth studio album: ‘Nevertheless’. Preceded by seven singles, the album comes highly anticipated by legacy fans and industry folk alike.
Whisking the listener away into a blissful, downtempo-leaning sonic dimension, Chicane delves deep into the sonic tapestries we have come to know and adore from the legendary producer. The thirteen-track opus floats across dreamy soundscapes, and includes a handful of collaborations, featuring Chicane stalwart Paul Aiden (Nevertheless), illusive vocalist The Mannequin (All This Time Alone, Summer in E Major) and a wildcard, dancefloor-ready production with C-Systems and Hanna Finsen (Let The Universe Surround You).
On the album Chicane says, "it’s been a very exciting build up to the album’s full release, which to me is when it all properly comes to life. I hope people press play, listen to the whole thing from start to finish as it was intended to be heard, and really go on the journey that I went on."
Track List
01. Chicane - In One Ear & Out The Other
02. Chicane feat. Paul Aiden - Nevertheless
03. Chicane feat. The Mannequin - All This Time Alone
04. Chicane - LouBeeLou
05. Chicane - Summer In E Major
06. Chicane - The Belief
07. Chicane - Interlude
08. Chicane - We Were Once Kings
09. Chicane - Where This Whole Thing Began
10. Chicane - Nineteen Eighty Five
11. Chicane feat. C-Systems and Hanna Finsen - Let The Universe Surround You
12. Chicane - Hijóping
13. Chicane - Mass Bloom Beach
About Chicane
Often seen as one of, if not the seminal Trance originator. With the track Offshore he refined cool in the dance genre, the name Chicane became synonymous with Ibiza and sunsets, and quality music, an aural security blanket. Saltwater followed on and became a UK top five hit. Worldwide success was sealed with a collaboration between Chicane and Bryan Adams, Don’t Give Up from the hit album Behind the Sun. The track has reached the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart, indeed it was number one globally. Now recognised as a dancefloor classic, it was one of the first dance collaboration tracks to reach such heights. In addition to his work as Chicane the artist, he has worked with and produced music with Cher, Sir Tom Jones, William Orbit, Natasha Beddingfield and composed for TV and film.
Mark Barrott is an artist that creatively speaking, never stops moving. His musical career has taken many forms. Some know him as Future Loop Foundation, the alias he used to create and perform ambient drum and bass from the mid-90s. Some know him for his Sketches from an Island albums, which he released under his own name, and others know him as the founder of the highly influential International Feel label, a label that spearheaded the bespoke vinyl movement of the 2010's and brought DJ Harvey out of studio retirement. Barrott has spent close to four decades exploring new sonic territory and pushing the boundaries of various genres and is considered a pivotal figure in the revival of the Balearic music scene of the last decade.
Barrott's new album, 'Jōhatsu (蒸発)', is predictably unpredictable. Due for release this April on Above & Beyond's new downtempo imprint Reflections, the album is a full departure from anything Mark has written before, partly because he was writing to moving picture. In 2019, Mark was commissioned by a director to write the score for their new documentary, 'Jōhatsu (蒸発) ... the art of Evaporation'.
'Jōhatsu (蒸発)' is an 8-track journey through the sounds, sights, smells and sensations of traditional and contemporary Japanese culture.
Every year, it is estimated that as many as 100,000 people in Japan vanish, without a trace. These are the so-called johatsu. The "evaporated people". People become jōhatsu for many different reasons including addiction, divorce and job loss. While some people may consider taking their own lives, others simply… evaporate. Jōhatsu refers to these people who purposefully leave the lives they knew behind.
'Jōhatsu... the art of Evaporation', shadowed a Japanese man as he went through this exact process, paying a contractor to help him vanish, moving from central Kyoto to Scandinavia. Scene notes from the director and shots of Kyoto at night-time, rural Japan, and Scandinavian forest-scapes informed Barrott's musical direction for the project.
The tracks on this album are the 'full' pieces - those written for the longer sequences of film. The first single and opening track from the album, 'Kyoto (京都)', utilises the art of simplicity. It's stripped back and minimal, allowing Barrott's ambient, spontaneous production style to shine through.
'Jōhatsu (蒸発)' is a fairly air-tight representation of Mark Barrott as an artist. It's spontaneous, it's unexpected, it's unrestricted and it's a gorgeous listening experience. It's the sound of an artist set free, without creative restraints. If music could fly, 'Jōhatsu (蒸発)' has wings.
"Music is one of the most free forms of art. It's a way of expressing yourself and communicating with people without having to say anything." - Ryan Davis
Ryan Davis says his new album 'Through The Mirror Glass' has existed in idea-form for a very long time – most of his life, in fact. The album is inspired by the movies he grew up watching with soundtracks by James Horner, Thomas Newman and Jóhann Jóhannsson, and the tropes and rhythms of electronic music. Davis has wanted to connect the two ever since he started producing, so this album is his first full-length foray into cinematic electronic music.
Most of the 12 tracks on this low-tempo project are peppered with field recordings. Davis took his field recorder out on hikes in Japan, America, China, Austria and in the forests near his hometown in Germany. "I hope the album helps people reflect and rest for a moment," Davis says. "I think nature is one of the places people can go to connect and breathe." Davis knows this because he's spent most of his life in cities. He was born in Magdeburg, a small, green city in Germany's east that was part of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR).
In 2001 Davis' bought a pair of turntables and started DJing at local bars. His first releases were unnamed white label tracks mainly produced on his primitive desktop computer. He couldn't afford decent speakers so he'd shuttle back and forth to clubs in Magdeburg to play the track, then drive home to make edits. In 2007 he co-founded his own vinyl label Maripoza, which means butterfly in Spanish, and launched his digital labels Klangwelt and Back Home a few years later.
In 2006 he released his first solo EP, which sold close to 1500 copies on vinyl. He released dozens of tracks throughout the late 2000s and became a pioneer of the neo-trance movement. But he always maintained an interest in classical, cinematic and downtempo composition despite his dance-floor ready releases. So his debut album 'Particles of Bliss' on Traum Schallplatten in 2012, which married low-tempo and ambient tracks with up-beat, danceable productions, revealed the full spectrum of his musical interest.
Davis teamed up with Anjunadeep for the first time in 2012 with a remix of Andrew Bayer's catalogue classic 'Gaff's Eulogy'. This led to a series of EPs showcasing the melodic, downtempo side to his artistry. He'd long wanted to create a full-length project for Anjuna, so when Above & Beyond launched Reflections in 2022, Davis knew he'd found the perfect home for his next album.
"With electronic music I have access to a never-ending palette of sounds. This album has been inside me for ages, but computers just weren't good enough. I didn't know how to arrange notes to create an orchestra or to record a violin, but now Spitfire Audio has built these incredible samples. I have BBC One's orchestra at my fingertips."
And he makes full use of it on the first single 'Altitudes'. "With 'Altitudes' I programmed different rhythmic patterns to create these moving electronic dots and connect them with the liveliness of the piano and orchestra. I used an electronic kick drum layered with a drum used in classical arrangements to connect old and new, and that's really the essence of the album - it merges my musical past and links it with the future."
Ultimately, Ryan Davis hopes 'Through The Mirror Glass' will act as a sonic space to reflect and hold fragile memories. The mirror glass is a way to look at yourself, and simultaneously look behind you, at what's brought you to this point.
'Through The Mirror Glass' is out 5th December on Reflections.
Chill Executive Officer (CEO), Vol. 22 (Selected by Maykel Piron) Volume 22 of the 'Chill Executive Officer (CEO)' album series takes any listening session straight into chill territory. Harboring twenty blissful tracks from creators such as Joe Smooth, Lyke, Lufthaus, York and more, this handpicked selection is just what you need after a hard day at work.
Renowned Swiss artist Pablo Nouvelle releases his new album ‘Vulnerability’, following a string of new songs released this year. 'Vulnerability’ is the eighth studio album from the Swiss beat maker who’s built an impressive career and enjoyed world-wide acclaim since releasing his debut album back in 2012.
Pablo Nouvelle: “Vulnerability is a dance music album which, by my standards, is hard-hitting, but without losing the sensual and emotional side. No matter how upbeat and danceable the beats are, I want to touch people's hearts with my music and remain true to the Cry on the Dancefloor genre.”
Setting out to create an album that is in tune with the spirit of the times but which still has a timeless quality ‘Vulnerability’ is an impressive collection of modern electronica, and another stellar example of Pablo Nouvelle’s versatility in style, song writing and production. “I want to walk the fine line of being as versatile as possible by unreservedly exploring what interests me, further developing my own signature sound that is getting recognised more and more and yet never writing the same song twice. It is tempting to formulate goals that are measurable. But it would be wrong (and not good for your mental health) to define yourself only by monthly listeners and followers.”
Since the start of 2022, Pablo has been releasing new music at an impressive rate – with a new song every six weeks, all of which are included on the album along with a further five unheard tracks. Highlights include opener Goodbye which entices us in with its de-tuned synthesizers and overlaying arpeggio tension before it drops you into the void. Title track Vulnerability is based on a sample from a conversation about mental health, between the singer Anaiis and the actress Deborah Lukumuena. A particular sentence resonated with Pablo - "You can't be strong if you can't recognise that sometimes you need to be weak". “For me, this is the tagline of our generation, of our zeitgeist,” explains Pablo. “A rethinking that has taken place especially among us men. Fortunately, we are slowly but surely learning that being authentic is more important than pretending to be strong or sometimes tough.” The commitment to vulnerability is contrasted by the track’s excellent bass-heavy instrumental which sits somewhere between Jamie XX and Hans Zimmer.
Somos Solo Cuerpos I and II are hymns to uninhibited, self-determined devotion and sensuality. Part I - a tender and delicate instrumental leads into the second more rhythmic world of Part II – Pablo’s ode to the golden age of noughties trip hop. The minimal You Make My Days Better is an addictive slow-house jam and a powerful contrast to the dark beats of tracks like La Sensación Es Real and the shuffling synths of the wobbly dancefloor-friendly Bop – featuring drummer Mario Hänni (Mnevis, Rio, Sophie Hunger, Trio Heinz Herbert).
The contemplative Lights On soothes with its sparse arrangement and slow blissful strings whilst Mann:Frau, exploring the dissolution of gender roles evolves into a slightly crazed harmony sequence - somewhere between indignant drifting, euphoric and latent stress, the music and the thematic content find a symbiosis. There’s more squelchy beats in Call Me, Bye, the first song Pablo ever wrote in a Zoom session and don’t miss album standout Lovesongs & Sextapes. This is a radio ready anthem for the now generation inspired by a friend who said she was sick of all the drama, sick of lovesongs and sextapes. “What she really was yearning for was a relationship where you could rely on each other” says Pablo. “I thought the Lovesongs & Sextapes quote was so genius that we run to the studio that same night and recorded the vocals for the track.”
‘Vulnerability’ is also an album made to be played live. Pablo has big plans for taking this album on the road, bringing back his live band for the first time in over three years, Pablo will be hitting the stage alongside Matthias Nydegger & Roland Wäspe to play the new album in full. “Performing the album live is to position it more clearly as a dance project,” says Pablo on the yet to be announced shows. “Unlike in the past there is no front woman anymore, but the vocal samples will be triggered on video screens by me via Midi and Timon Christen, the visual operator. This allows the visuals and the band performance to merge into one unified whole, along with some epic lighting effects to give it that club-like feel.” Stay tuned for live show announcements, coming soon.
Pablo Nouvelle first gained international attention in 2012 with his self-released, eponymous album, described as “essential” by Mixmag and followed by the EP ‘You Don’t Understand’ on U.K. tastemaker label Black Butter. The artist subsequently made a name for himself with his numerous releases and remixes for the likes of Aurora, Gorgon City, Marina, Andreya Triana and collaborated on a AfroBeat EP that featured Angelique Kidjo. In 2021 he united with British instrumentalist and singer Kinnship for their acclaimed joint album – Stones and Geysers.
When not playing live shows with full band you might catch him as a DJ or classical pianist when orchestrating his neo classical album “Piano Pieces” with a string quartet and grand piano. And when Nouvelle isn’t pursuing music, he is an acclaimed animation filmmaker with 3 award-winning short films to his name. 'In A Nutshell’, his last, was longlisted for an Oscar.
TRACKLISTING: 01 Goodbye 02 Vulnerability 03 You Make My Days Better 04 Elementarteilchen (Füsse 5cm Ab Boden Version) 05 La Sensación Es Real 06 Somos Solo Cuerpos I 07 Somos Solo Cuerpos II 08 Lovesongs & Sextapes 09 BOP 10 Lights On 11 Mann:Frau 12 Call Me, Bye 13 La Busca 14 Back Again feat. Fiona Daniel
Teased by the release of three of its tracks over the past year, ‘Phases’ is the latest work of multitalented Canadian producer French Braids. Released on Armada Music via Sadboy Records, this seven-track display of genre-crossing ability boasts collaborations with acclaimed artists, producers and songwriters such as George Maple, Lizzy Land and Anjulie.
’ is a collection of songs, each with a different artist, with a different sonic palette and written during a different time in my life”, French Braids explains. “Some songs were written during the pandemic alone in a cottage, others during breakups or during fun writing trips in L.A. They all stem from different phases of my life, which led to a tapestry of emotions and sounds. That’s what inspired the title.”
The EP explores themes such as heartbreak and conditional love through honest lyrics married with matching soundscapes. Synonymous with the raw approach to the EP’s production, unlooped live instrumentation exists at the heart of each song. The EP’s headline track, ‘Dancing on the Edge’, features French Braids’ childhood piano played live in his parents’ home, giving an added personal layer to the production.
About French Braids
Sean Fischer’s production name French Braids makes perfect sense for an electronic artist known for weaving styles and genres together. In addition to the well over 15 million streams worldwide under this moniker, Fischer’s talents can also be heard on hundreds of syncs ranging from Grey’s Anatomy to Toyota, Walmart, Disney, Air Canada and McDonalds. Having fallen for electronic music, the Toronto-born beat-maker, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has also branched out into remixes for an international array of artists, including Grammy-nominated Australian trio Mansionair, South African superstar Sketchy Bongo, Swedish pop icon Zara Larsson and rising Canadian club crooner Virginia To Vegas.
