London-based Producer & DJ N1NJA (Mobilee, Tales of Twilight…) continues her impressive rise with ‘Umusa’ with South African vocalist Nana Atta, released on Get Physical.

N1NJA & Nana Atta performed Umusa together on Constitution Hill in Johannesburg – the historic site where Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were once imprisoned. Two women, performing a song about resilience and transformation, at a place forever marked by struggle and liberation.

Umusa, meaning grace, is the product of a rare moment of universal symbiosis. N1NJA had long admired Nana Atta’s voice, and when Grammy-winning artist Zakes Bantwini introduced them, the chemistry was immediate. They began collaborating remotely, but their bond deepened months later when they finally met in South Africa through N1NJA’s work with IMS and Beatport.

“The moment Nana walked in, there was an instant sense of sisterhood”, N1NJA recalls. “She had just returned from a spiritual mission in her local village, and she radiated a very peaceful yet deeply protective energy.” During that visit, Nana Atta gravitated towards one particular sketch on N1NJA’s laptop, an untitled piece that would later become Umusa.

Press play and the track opens with emotionally charged synth lines, carrying a sense of urgency yet filled with hope. Delicate, shimmering snares dance over the bassline, grounding the emotion as Nana Atta’s unmistakable voice soars in equal parts lament, passion and power.

Exactly one year after the stars first aligned, Umusa arrives as more than a release – it is a message and a testament to resilience, resistance and renewal, landing fresh in the wake of both artists stepping into a new chapter with the launch of their own labels.

Buy & Stream Umusa at getphysicalmusic.lnk.to/GPM901

Tickets | Website | Instagram 

As it enters the new year, London music venue 77 has announced its 2026 opening schedule, continuing its focus on music-led events within a purpose-built space designed around sound, lighting and a deep connection between artist and crowd.

After a hugely successful inaugural Autumn/Winter season, the new programme continues 77’s commitment to bringing together a community of dedicated music fans, showcasing house and techno from internationally respected artists in a space crafted for an immersive music experience.

Alongside its in-house programme, 77 will also be partnering with Zamna and Lone Collective, marking the beginning of a new series of collaborative event nights that bring globally recognised brands and distinctive curatorial identities into the space.

Successful event ACASO have also chosen 77 as their preferred destination, adding further depth and profile to the line-up and cementing the venue’s reputation as a trusted home for electronic music.

January is led by a standout collaboration on Saturday 24 January with Lone Collective and the globally recognised Zamna brand which hosts immerse showcases across the globe.

February sees house and techno royalty step into the booth, including US pioneer Dennis Ferrer on Friday 6 February as he brings his timeless, soul-driven sound to Marylebone. Later in the month, Magdalena and Yvonne Simone land on Friday 20 February with a refined blend of melodic depth and groove-led energy. The cult Zamna brand then returns on Friday 27 February.

March continues the momentum with line-ups including CIZA, Julya Karma, Nowa, Trikk and Novak, with Julya Karma, Nowa and Trikk all part of the Innervisions label family, reinforcing 77’s commitment to genre-spanning programming.

More artists and events will be announced across the coming weeks, with the opening setting the tone for what promises to be a defining year ahead.

77 A-Z Lineup 2026

ACASO
Amirita
AYA
CIZA
Culoe De Song
Dennis Ferrer
Indigenous
Julya Karma
Kasango
Le Blanc
Lone Collective
Magdalena
Novak
Nowa
Temple Tales Presents
Trikk
Vidojean
Yvonne Simone
Zamna

After a sold old debut, the second edition raises the bar with Josh Baker, Prospa, Gene On Earth, Oden & Fatzo (Live), Eliza Rose, Fleur Shore, Girls Don’t Sync, Kolter, Lee Foss, Sidney Charles and more set to play in 2026

29 April – 4 May

Website | Instagram 

Following a standout debut in 2025, Higher Love Festival returns to the sun-soaked shores of Malta for its second edition with a heavyweight Phase 1 lineup for 2026. Running from 29 April to 4 May, the festival once again takes over multiple stunning locations across the island and mixes up world-class electronic music with sunrise-to-starlight dancing, glistening coastlines, next level food and a like-minded crowd.

Curated by Sammy Porter alongside the team behind leading promoters LoveJuice, Higher Love is an all-encompassing European festival experience – think pool parties under blazing sun, open-air shows by the sea, boat parties with beats rolling across the water and secret afterparties that stretch long into the night.

Phase 1 lineup highlights include fresh tech house from new school tastemakers such as Josh Baker, Prospa, Eliza Rose, Fleur Shore, Girls Don’t Sync, Kolter, Lee Foss, Sidney Charles, Riordan, Wheats, Julian Fijma, Paige Tomlinson, Obskür and a special live show from Oden & Fatzo with five headliners still to be revealed in Phase 2.

The week closes in style with an unmissable Closing Party at Boat Club, Café Del Mar, featuring G Chase, Harty, Mazos, Mike Younger, O’Neil McDowall and Sonny Kane.

Higher Love also brings a stacked schedule of stage takeovers from cutting-edge brands including 23 Degrees, After Caposile, Appetite, Binary, Boat Club, Creche, Club Roto, Groovin, Indigenous, INLV, Lab 54, LoveJuice, Modern Funktion, Secret Sessions and WYLD who will all bring their own flavours and add to a diverse, forward-thinking soundtrack across the island.

This weekend escape is a perfect way to kick off the 2026 festival season in a gorgeous setting with an already essential line up, and more is to come soon.

Sign up now at wearehigherlove.com, with tickets on sale on Tuesday, 13th January.

Featuring evocative Hindi vocals by Eeshita Rathore, Migrant’s final release of the year is an organic, emotionally grounded house cut rooted in love, preservation and a sense of place.

Renowned Indian DJ and electronic music producer Migrant closes out 2025 with “Tarase”, his final single of the year and a deeply personal statement that reflects a more intentional and focused evolution of his sound. Stripped back yet emotionally rich, the track leans into organic groove, subtle propulsion and spacious production, allowing feeling, texture and intention to lead.

Built on warm basslines, ethereal atmospheres and hypnotic rhythmic flow, “Tarase” unfolds patiently. At its core is a captivating vocal performance from acclaimed Indian vocalist Eeshita Rathore, whose Hindi phrases add intimacy and emotional weight. Intermittent male vocal textures from Migrant himself appear throughout the arrangement, enhancing its human quality without overpowering the groove. The track breathes through expansive moments of space before returning to its pulse, mirroring the natural ebb and flow that defines the release.

The title “Tarase” draws meaning from multiple linguistic and cultural interpretations. In Hindi, Taras evokes compassion, longing and emotional sensitivity; elsewhere, the word carries associations with character and spirit depending on context. Rather than a singular definition, “Tarase” represents feeling; something instinctive, unforced and deeply human.

That emotion is also closely tied to a place. “Tarase” comes from Migrant’s love for the Aravalli mountain range in north-western India; its fragile ecology, its people, its art and its centuries-old forts and palaces. To mark the release, Migrant and Eeshita performed the track within the Aravallis, allowing the landscape that inspired the music to become part of its expression. The project reflects a quiet call for preservation – of landscapes, of culture and of shared creative ecosystems.

Speaking about the single, Migrant commented:

“Tarase comes from love. Love for the Aravallis – especially now, when their state is so fragile. Love for its landscape of immense beauty – one we risk harming if we’re not mindful. Love for its art, its people and its heritage. Love for the forts, palaces and the stories they carry. At its core, this project is about preservation – of places, of culture, of each other.”

Throughout 2025, Migrant has explored a wide range of tempos, sounds and emotional palettes; from introspective and meditative to bass-heavy, breaks-driven experimentation. “Tarase” brings those explorations to a close with clarity and intention, marking the beginning of a more defined Migrant identity, where beats, bass and rhythm serve something deeper than the dancefloor alone.

 “Tarase” is available on all major streaming platforms from December 26.

Illyus Barrientos alongside fresh talent Aden Rémei, kick start the year with a certified club weapon.

‘Deep Down’ is a first-class production, guaranteed to set dancefloors a blaze with its raw undiluted energy. Known for his consistency in producing stand out House, hosting Toolroom Radio, and supplying Toolroom with genuine moments like ‘So Serious’, ‘D.A.N.C.E.’, ‘Shout’, and ‘Promise’, Illyus Barrientos return to form with ‘Deep Down’ combining authentic House vocals with trademark hypnotic and infectious grooves.

Music is 4 Lovers releases catchy single from Los Angeles artist, SAAND, featuring three blazing remixes from Luca Saporito of Audiofly, Pezzner & Jon Lee out of Seattle, and NYC-based artist, Saqib.

SAAND – Take Me to the Disco will be released exclusively on Beatport on Friday, December 19, 2025, and then on all remaining platforms on Friday, January 2, 2026.

Tracklisting:
01) SAAND – Take Me to the Disco (Original Mix)
02) SAAND – Take Me to the Disco (Luca Saporito Remix)
03) SAAND – Take Me to the Disco (Pezzner & Jon Lee Remix)
04) SAAND – Take Me to the Disco (Saqib Remix)

Artists: SAAND, Luca Saporito, Pezzner & Jon Lee, Saqib
Title: Take Me to the Disco
Label: Music is 4 Lovers
Catalogue: MI4L120
Release Date: 2026-01-02

– jams
Jimbo James
Editor-in-Chief
jams@musicis4lovers.com

Mad Motel is the brainchild of Derek Kamm, aka Kidislive, an American producer raised on Long Island who has been DJing and producing for almost 20 years. He has previously worked with Wareika and Henrik Schwarz on Visionquest and ran his own Local Raider Records, but now branches out with a new project which will combine music and visuals in the world of micro house, minimal techno, and experimental electronica. We sat down with Kidislive to discuss the release of his new EP, Mad Motel, and his experiences as a DJ.

1. Hi Derek, thanks for sitting down with us today. How are you doing?
Doing great, grateful for the endorsement, and have been busy working on my vinyl project coming out this year

2. Break You Heart is your first release on your new label, Mad Motel. Can you tell us about these tracks?
Of course… Beak Your Heart is the type of track that scores your life story nicely. I think most people can relate to the words. Either being the one who broke someone’s heart or had their heart broken, the track came along nicely during production, and all the sounds just fit well with one another. Monsters R Us is more of something I would want to hear in an afters environment on big powerful old dusty speakers where I can enjoy that hypnotic groove it creates, Ussy Bop I actually made fairly quickly in the sudio, there is not a lot elements to the song but it just grooves very well, an ideal ibiza brunch track with party people taking in the vibes.

3. You’ve previously worked with Wareika and Henrik Schwarz on the Visionquest label and run your own, Local Raider Records. How did that inspire you to start Mad Motel? 
Well, as far as working with Wareika and Henrik Schwarz, at that time, many years ago, that was the biggest deal for me EVER. I was living in Berlin, and 2011 was just a magical time there. I had made friends with all the right people there, especially the crew at Renate. Local Raider Records was started, but lacked a clear vision at the time for me, it was a fuzzy time period as I was juggling a lot of different businesses, and the math wasn’t making sense. Now with Mad Motel, I have a very clear vision as far as what I want to create, and I feel my voice as an artist is more defined, and I plan on using my new imprint as a launch vehicle for my own personal work, plus different edits of my work. Possibly release solo artist releases down the road, let’s see.

4. You’ve been DJing and producing for over 20 years. How has the music landscape changed over the years, and how has this impacted you as an artist?
When I was living in Brazil in 2010, there was this mystique of international DJs playing local parties. I feel that has left now that the world is more interconnected on social media. The whole cell phone record revolution has its pros and cons, as there are certain epic moments in the history of our scene that can’t be relived without seeing it; however, there is still this amazing vibe of no-cell phone parties like Berghain that keep alive the old aesthetic of the original ravers.

5. You grew up in Long Island, a place that’s been home to many successful artists. What was the music community like growing up in there? How did it influence your work?

The Long Island scene, to me, since day 1 has always missed the boat, not including the Hamptons or Montauk, which is a different scene all together. From my earliest memories of partying, you had to travel to NYC in the 90s to experience the sound and energy at places like Sound Factory, Tunnel, Twilo, and Limelight to really convert. Then, eventually, those clubs changed, and so did city politics. That’s when you had the birth of NYC warehouse parties in Brooklyn with the Blackmarket Membership crew. This was a special run during the 2000s. Blackmarket was bringing in all the upcoming talent from overseas and showcasing their sets in illegal warehouse parties; it was magical. Now you have a bunch of splinter cell parties doing the same, which is good for the industry.

6. You’ve played all across the globe. Where is your favourite place to play? How do you prepare for your shows?
Brazil, for me, is always magical. The people are wired and programmed to party hard and party long; it’s in their DNA, and it’s in mine as well, as I am half Brazilian. Preparing for shows is different now then back in the day, where back in the day most of my sets were vinyl. So, really spending time with my records and knowing how they all mesh with one another would allow me to experiment with new combos in a live scenario. Now most of my sets are with CDJs and it just makes things so much more faster and easier to experiment more, as I can see BPM and wave size of the audio, also being able to loop on the spot with tracks that are sub 5 mins, there is just so much more you can do on the fly these days with less tedious preparation and more on the spot improvisation, which is fun.

7. What are some of your favourite releases from this year?
Damiano von Erckert has been on fire for me lately and seems to be dialed in on every track, along with Jimi Jules, he’s a phenom in my opinion. Lastly, Gerry Read is an enigma to me, so talented, and a dear friend of mine.

8. What artists can we expect to hear on Mad Motel in 2026?
In talks now for some edits with Gerry Read, Dave DK, and Paula Tape. But primarily, most of my own work, as I have a lot to release this year coming up, some of my best work.

9. It’s been great to chat with you today. Do you have any plans for the rest of the year?
Just spending time in the studio relentlessly finding the next groove, and time with my two little beautiful sons and wife.

Quarters Brighton, the newest venue from Amaad Venues, is proud to announce a pioneering partnership with AudioActive, the South East’s leading non-profit music organisation dedicated to empowering young people and emerging artists through music. This collaboration brings together Quarters’ commitment to world-class live music experiences with AudioActive’s expertise in youth development, mentoring, and creative opportunity.

Together, Quarters and AudioActive will curate events led by AudioActive members, with both talent and crew coming from the organisation and supported by Quarters, giving young people hands-on experience in planning, staffing, and delivering live music showcases. The partnership will provide paid internships offering real-world experience across all aspects of running and managing a professional venue, while creative opportunities, including rehearsal and recording spaces, content creation for personal platforms, and guest list access, ensure music remains accessible to those who need it most.

This partnership will create concrete, actionable opportunities that give young people genuine ownership of the Quarters space and the chance to shape its cultural impact. From the outset, Quarters has aimed to be more than just a club, actively contributing to its local community and providing a platform where the South Coast music scene can flourish.

AMAAD Co-Founder, Paul Jack said, “When we started building Quarters, the aim was never just to open another club. We wanted a space that really belongs to the community. AudioActive’s mission and the young people they support align perfectly with what we’re trying to create in Brighton. Together, we’re building real opportunities, real pathways, and a place where new talent can grow, perform, and genuinely shape the city’s music culture.”

Michelle Hunter, Director of Programmes, Communications and Marketing at AudioActive said, “Quarters share our belief that young people deserve genuine access to the spaces shaping our music culture. This partnership creates real, paid opportunities across performance, production and venue operations  not just for artists, but for the next wave of industry talent. It’s the kind of collaboration that strengthens a city’s cultural ecosystem and makes the South Coast a place where young creatives can grow and be seen.”

Every guest list allocation at Quarters will include a £5 donation to AudioActive, with all contributions tracked and shared to highlight the partnership’s tangible impact. Industry mentoring and classes will see AMAAD staff and music professionals hosting sessions and talks, connecting young members directly with artists and leaders shaping the future of electronic and live music.

Since opening in September 2025, Quarters has already made its mark with an innovative programme of live and electronic events, featuring artists such as Shy FX, Laurent Garnier, Swimming Pool, Everything Everything, The Sherlocks and The Callous Daoboys.

TICKETS/INFO

– @MitchDodge

Dance music powerhouse GRYFFIN, rising producer LAVERN, and electro-pop duo AR/CO have enlisted Italian duo Mathame for the newest official remix of ‘Higher Power’ out now via 10K Projects.

The latest remix extends the emotional weight and uplifting spirit of ‘Higher Power’ while offering a fresh perspective for the dancefloor. Mathame’s version chops AR/CO’s ethereal vocals and layers droning synths over pulsating percussion, pushing the original’s anthemic energy into new territory. Transformed through a blend of atmospheric melodies and driving underground rhythms, Mathame have elevated ‘Higher Power’ into a cinematic, late-night club experience.

Mathame’s new remix joins earlier ‘Higher Power’ reworks by Matt Sassari and AVELLO. In addition to heavy-hitting collaborations with Kaskade, Excision, and GRiZ, 2025 saw GRYFFIN tap acts across the electronic music spectrum for official remixes of ‘Air’ and ‘In My Head’ as he continues to cement his place as a leading figure in the scene. GRYFFIN will close out the year with NYE festival appearances at Contact, HiJinx, and Provenance.

Stream Mathame’s new ‘Higher Power’ remix available now on all platforms.

All Day I Dream is closing out the year with Glade, a wondrous three-track EP from Argentinian producer Ramiro Drisdale, out now.

Glade brings Ramiro’s atmospheric touch into sharper focus, presenting a fluid collection built around momentum and understated detail. Across the three tracks, he shapes a patient narrative that rises gradually, guided by crisp percussion and warm tonal shifts that open each track into expansive, late night territory. The result is a cohesive journey that reflects his instinct for movement, letting the melodies and rhythms unfold naturally.

“This EP is made up of three tracks, all designed to resonate on the dancefloor. ‘Glade’, ‘Jebel’, and ‘Norte’ each contain organic nuances, but together with their synthesizers they achieve a main-set feel that works very well at key moments in a set. The drums and percussion play a major role in making this happen, as they ensure the groove never fades or if it does, that its drop is striking.” – Ramiro Drisdale

Born in Buenos Aires, Ramiro Drisdale has been releasing music since 2019, building a catalog of uplifting tracks on labels including All Day I Dream, Anjunadeep, Sudbeat, and The Soundgarden. His work has received support from Lee Burridge, John Digweed, Hernán Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Tony McGuinness, Jimi Jules, and others. Glade marks his first full EP on All Day I Dream, following three consecutive appearances on the label’s Winter Sampler compilations.

Ramiro Drisdale’s new EP caps off a year filled with imaginative releases from Lee Burridge, Lost Desert, DIM KELLY, Tim Green, Double Touch, Amand & Capoon, and Khen. All Day I Dream will return in 2026 with their first-ever event in Cape Town on February 6.

Stream Ramiro Drisdale’s new Glade EP out now on all platforms.