The wait is over! Acclaimed Australian electronic producer Golden Features makes his highly anticipated return with his rousing new single “Touch” featuring Rromarin. 

Golden Features has turned out to be an apt name for the artist born Tom Stell, a nod to the gold mask he wears while performing. “Touch” marks the first taste of new music from Stell’s Golden Features, after a literal golden run since bursting onto the scene in 2014.

Since his 2018 debut album SECT and the launch of 2020’s collaborative project BRONSON (with ODESZA), Stell felt creatively spent and needed time to recoup. Instead of opting for the traditional R&R approach, Stell emersed himself deep into clubbing mecca of the world, Berlin. There, he lost himself in the city’s renowned techno bunkers and hedonistic clubs, dancing with strangers, stripped of phones and returning to the apartment in the early hours to hunt for the tracks he’d heard the night before. Four nights a week spent raving only came to an end when COVID closed the clubs down. But Stell returned to Australia revitalised and most importantly, inspired. 

“Touch” encapsulates everything Stell took away from his invigorating stint in Berlin. A track that’s both moody and light, layered with pulsating rhythm, hypnotic beats and the duelling deep and wispy vocals of Rromarin.

“Touch was born from that synth riff. I fought it for so long, feeling it was too happy and upbeat. After giving it some space I reharmonized everything under the riff and it instantly made me feel something. Claire (Rromarin) had actually recorded these vocals for another song, but the lyrics just felt right for Touch” says Stell on the new single. “To me it encapsulates that feeling after the rave… At the kick-on laying with your head in somebody’s lap, smoking a cigarette while they play with your hair.”

Now with two platinum and six gold ARIA certifications for his tracks, 275+ million global streams, an acclaimed and beloved debut album in 2018’s SECT (#1 ARIA Dance Albums Chart, #1 iTunes, Triple J’s Feature Album), selling out two shows in 4 hours at the Sydney Opera House, headline slots at major festivals both at home and abroad as well as forming the BRONSON project and releasing their self-titled album with stadium-conquering US electronic duo ODESZA under his belt, Golden Features has cemented himself as Australian electronic music royalty, returning now as an artist at the top of their game.

ABOUT GOLDEN FEATURES

Stell’s music career began in 2014 with his self-titled debut EP featuring the massive “Tell Me” with Nicole Millar. Shortly followed by his 2015 EP XXIV, featuring guests in the form of American rapper K.Flay and Australian singer Thelma Plum, who appeared on the sultry “No One”. Always building on his prior successes, in 2016 Stell released his biggest tune to date, “Wolfie”, featuring Julia Stone and showcasing a poppier, brighter sound. Shortly after Australian dance music heavyweights The Presets came knocking to collaborate on the Raka EP. 

Debut album SECT landed in 2018 to cement Stell’s status as a bona fide star, selling out shows across Australia, securing festival appearances everywhere from Coachella, Ultra to Falls Festival to Holy Ship!.

Two years later, locked down fans were treated to the sounds of their future rave dreams when Stell and ODESZA dropped BRONSON mid-pandemic. Their self-titled collab, borne out of a years-long friendship that started between Stell and ODESZA in Australia in 2014, is the best of both their worlds, infusing Odesza’s cinematic, expansive synth layers with Stell’s stormy, brooding low end. With over 2.5 billion streams across platforms, features from Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED) and lau.ra (on “Heart Attack”)) and support from world-leading music publications and DJs, BRONSON was one of the biggest electronic records of the year and further evidence of the breadth of Stell’s talents. 

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Toolroom’s Summer 2022 has already kicked off with a string of absolute heaters. Lined up next, it’s Abode’s resident DJ and frontrunner GW Harrison who is back on the label with ‘Feels Good’. The latest Toolroom outing for the London-based DJ, and this time he’s enlisted the powerful voice of Laura Davie, the vocalist behind some of Toolroom’s most popular releases from Mark Knight’s – ‘If It’s Love’ to Illyus and Barrientos – ‘Disco Hearts’.

Back on the label once again after dropping last summer’s washed-out House banger ‘Out My Mind’, GW Harrison is stepping up the game for 2022. Leading onto ‘Feels Good’, a summertime Piano House belter featuring a staunch bass line and pumping groove that pushes that euphoric, hands in the air feeling to the max. There’s no doubt that GW Harrison is a DJ and producer with a stacked-out schedule of gigs and releases, and his latest outing on Toolroom is a record that’ll sound track those dance floor moments throughout 2022.

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Leaving one reminiscing about the ‘90s club scene, JONDOE’s latest single ‘Lost Your Mind’ is a nostalgic track that has one’s hip-swaying along with its rich beats almost instantly. The Aaki Records track was created with the thought of being captured by the music so that you forget about the world around you for the song’s duration. Along with this, you also forget about your inhibitions as you are hooked by each unique beat and sequence. A lover of all things Chicago House and Detroit House related, the French producer has also drawn influence from disco and pop. We asked JONDOE a few questions about his love for house music, in this exclusive interview with him.

Stream / Download: ‘Lost Your Mind’

Tell us about your earliest musical memory?

Attending my first Cypress Hill concert when I was 12 years old! I was a huge fan who was listening to all of their albums, and seeing them live was crazy. I was still a kid, so it was like a big dream come true.  

At what point in your life did you have that moment where you said to yourself “This is it. This is the type of music I want to create?”

To be honest, I didn’t have a key moment. I started listening to lots of different kinds of music when I was 8 years old, and it just stayed this way. It is like a journey that never ends as it started 30 years ago, and I continue to learn and discover every day. 

Please list some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:

The last two albums from Kaytranada and Disclosure.  

Also, the production stylings of DJ Mehdi, Armand Van Helden, DJ Premier and J Dilla.

This track is about losing yourself in the music and your love for house music. Was there a time that you lost yourself in other forms of art?

I think that any form of art is made to lose oneself in. One loses themselves while dancing, while looking at a photo, a painting, or a film… It’s so fascinating and causes such a sensation.

What key pieces of gear/software are you using to define your sound?

I use a keyboard and I like using voice sampling, reverb and delay effects. 

The congas are my favorite instrument from my drum rack. 

What inspires you outside of music? What do you turn to when the creative well runs a little low?

I’m really inspired by photography. If I was not doing music, I would be focusing more seriously on photography, but it will happen at some point for sure!  

When I need inspiration, sport is a good thing for searching and listening, and also finding new ideas.

What is your opinion on the ever spreading sub-genre vine? Are there too many? Do you think there’s perhaps a sub-genre that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?  

Indeed I find that often we always want to place genres in categories to identify and classify. Sometimes it’s useless, “it’s just music”.

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?

Without a doubt, I would say that I prefer to interact with the public although I really enjoy my time in the studio. I cherish that moment when you tell yourself that you found “the right idea” and you start to move your head along with the music. 

Your latest song is inspired by Chicago House and Detroit House and you previously mentioned that you enjoy the energy of these musical genres. What about their energy draws you in?

I’m talking about the energy they federate. I love the kick drums that characterize their music.

Sampling is often used, it’s a technique I love because it’s unlimited.  

I like the warmth and the gospel side of Chicago house, as well as the more raw and underground side of Detroit house. 

As a music artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?

If there is one thing that I would change, it would be the way we consume music these days. We tend to move on quickly from track to track, and I think it can cause some harm to emerging projects. We spend a lot of time promoting our music and once it’s out, we are already on the move for future releases. 

Any new or upcoming artists on your radar? Who shouldn’t the world sleep on?

Yes, JONDOE of course.

What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?

I am already done with a few new tracks. My goal for the end of the year is to stay more present in the music scene and to be more regular with releasing songs. There will be a few singles coming out in 2022!  

In addition to my Parisian residencies, I will also have some other amazing dates and DJ sets… Stay tuned!

One last thought to leave your fans with?

Sincerely, thank you! I would say that it is only the beginning… 

‘Lost Your Mind’ features on HOUSE_GROUND.fm

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The first in a selection of pristine forthcoming organic/electronic cuts from the Birmingham-bred, London-based outfit, ‘Change’ builds on the rising momentum cemented by last year’s ‘He’s A Fool’ EP, which saw a remix from Joe Turner and a scintillating guest mix for Magnetic Magazine, plus press and radio support from Pete Tong (BBC Radio 1), Kiss Fresh, Jaguar (BBC Introducing) FAZEmag, Stereofox and Apple Music.

Recruiting the gorgeous vocals of Jamaican-born singer/songwriter Janel Antoneshia here, you’re immediately enveloped by deep, sunlit chords and groovy downtempo percussion, gleefully underpinned by the luscious beginnings of Antoneshia’s silky smooth flows. Whether poolside, beachside or clubside, your tastes are fully catered for. Each element is effortlessly diverse and fleeting, gradually melting into a breathtaking breakdown that teases something more just over the horizon.

As all aspects of Boyoca’s cracking production begin to build, the party kicks back in, but with more energy this time. System-focused and backed up by stellar sample manipulation, ‘Change’ transforms from a chilled percussive trip into a driven house heater before your very ears; a hand-moulded summer anthem that fits just as well in the clubs as it does the festivals.

Speaking on the track, Boyoca note: “The concept for Change came about a while before the music. We wanted something that threw the rules out of the window for the genre. Starting at 90bpm and modulating to 123bpm midway through probably isn’t the wisest move (in some respects) for a dance track, but it’s definitely a statement.” The promising pairing takes these risks, and they’re all the better for it.

This new single builds on the success of last year’s ‘He’s A Fool’ EP, plus a remix for the globetrotting Morcheeba, and it’s set to be another massive year for Boyoca, the moniker of multi-instrumentalists Tim Boyce and Lewis Carr.

Just over the horizon is an appearance at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend on May 27th, which will see them appear alongside the likes of Disclosure, Eats Everything, Patrick Topping, Pete Tong, Franky Wah, Prospa, Nia Archives and many more, as Boyoca continue to excel with their encompassing “green house” sound, crafting transformative electronic music with a tangible organic nature, combining real world sounds with electronic beats and grooves.

With the launch of ‘Change’, Boyoca signal a real statement of intent for 2022, evidenced by their exciting upcoming run of club and festival shows, and their prior widespread club, radio, press and tastemaker support. As one of the scene’s most promising duos, keep your ears firmly to the ground for everything Boyoca.

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Celebrated German artist Monolink now looks to inaugurate the New Year in the same emphatic fashion with which he concluded the last, as he drops his latest musical offering Fidale (I Feel). Imparting an exquisitely-crafted topline and his trademark sonics to Aldi’s original instrumental from five years ago, Monolink’s poignant lyrics and studio expertise bring this ethereal piece of dance music into a new and exciting realm as the two Berliners deliver a luscious slice of vocal techno which enthralls from the onset.

Monolik shared on socials: “​​ out now my take on Zigan Aldi‘s ‘Fidale’ is finally seeing the light of day! here’s when I played it back at burning man 2018 (see video here).

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Luno, formerly known as Samuraii, returns to the release radar alongside Kilik with a stunning offering in the form of ‘Moonlight’. ‘Moonlight’ is a stellar track and the first of a string of releases from Luno who is gearing up for a mammoth 2022, with the first lead single ahead of his forthcoming EP showcasing what is to come from the talented producer. ‘Moonlight’ is available to listen to now across all streaming platforms via Ultra Music.

Luno delivers an expert sound display that is captivating from the first beat. A percussive heartbeat is at the core of the track keeping the momentum going with a warble bassline throughout. A fusion of euphoric synths supported by the utopian vocals result in a dreamy earmilk that leaves you yearning for more. ‘Moonlight’ has all the hallmarks of a great success, displaying his iconic sound which is set to be another crowd pleaser. The burgeoning musician’s first release under his new moniker is sure to entice a large audience in anticipation for the release of his debut EP ‘Project Luno’ next year.

“This one is for the late nights. ‘Moonlight’ came together while messing around with Kilik in the studio. It was one of the first original songs made for Luno so naturally it had to be the first single.  For me it’s about the type of love where you only meet someone at night but you can’t get enough and want more.” – Luno

“‘Moonlight’ is about taking a chance on the unknown and following your intuition.” – Kilik

ABOUT LUNO — Luno, The Stockholm-based producer formerly known as Samuraii, first gained traction when he started remixing tunes from the likes of Tove Lo, Matoma, and Astrid S, totalling over 35 million streams as a teenaged producer. A remix of Haux’s “Caves” got the producer’s sound into the ears of fans everywhere, collecting over 15 million streams and earning the tune a max rotation spot at SiriusXM Chill. Maintaining a loyal following Luno attracts over  150,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. With his Luno project he is further exploring his electronic influences, diving into house, melodic techno and electronica.

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