Sporty O is back with “Spirit Higher,” a new single that marks the first release from his upcoming EP The P.L.U.R. Project, arriving in the spring.

Designed to uplift and energize, “Spirit Higher” blends emotive melodies with driving dance floor rhythms, channeling the core values of peace, love, unity, and respect. The track sets the creative direction for The P.L.U.R. Project, an EP centered around connection, positivity, and the shared experience of dance music.

With this release, Sporty O leans into a more intentional and message driven sound, pairing feel good energy with polished production built for both festivals and personal listening. “Spirit Higher” serves as an opening statement for the project, signaling a body of work focused on elevating listeners and bringing people together.

“Spirit Higher” is out now on all major streaming platforms.

'LISTEN: Sporty O Returns With “Spirit Higher,” Kicking Off His New EP The P.L.U.R. Project

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SHDWCSTRS sits somewhere between hip hop and electronic music, pulling from both without fully landing in either world. His sound leans heavily on 808s, dark synths, and atmosphere, with tracks that feel more like late-night moods than polished club records. There is a rawness to his music that feels rooted in real life rather than aesthetics. The tracks are heavy, sometimes chaotic, and intentionally a bit unresolved. Instead of chasing big drops or clean moments, the rising artist lets tension hang, which gives the music its weight and keeps it feeling honest.

That approach comes through clearly on “ALT/GEN,” a project that blends hip hop attitude with infectious dance music energy. It feels built for after-hours listening, tapping into late nights, loud thoughts, and emotional release without forcing a formula or trend. Rather than trying to fit neatly into a lane, SHDWCSTRS is focused on building something personal and consistent. His music is about turning chaos into rhythm and letting feeling lead the way. If it connects, it connects, and that’s clearly the point. Hear what we mean by streaming his new project below and be sure to turn your speakers up for this one.

SHDWCSTRS – ALT/GEN | Stream

'LISTEN: SHDWCSTRS Blurs the Line Between Hip Hop and Electronic Music on new “ALT/GEN” Project

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John Hayes’ new album Closer is the sound of forward motion forged in a moment of forced stillness. Long known for his piano driven and ambient work, the Denver based producer makes a decisive leap into immersive electronic territory with a record that feels both deeply personal and quietly powerful.

Written largely during recovery from a serious ski injury that left Hayes unable to walk for months, Closer channels an unspoken tension between restlessness and restraint. That internal push shows up in the music through warm, driving rhythms, patient builds, and emotional release that never feels rushed or overstated. Rather than chasing peak moments, Hayes lets each track unfold naturally, trusting atmosphere and momentum to do the heavy lifting.

Singles like “Closer” and “For Now” introduced this new direction with grace, while “Whatever It Takes” and the recent “Slow Break” highlight the album’s emotional range. The latter in particular feels like a pause rather than a drop, a moment of reflection that reinforces the album’s core theme of balance. On “All the Memories,” his collaboration with il:lo, Hayes finds a perfect counterpart, blending melodic warmth with subtle propulsion in a way that feels effortless and lived in.

Across the album, Hayes draws from a lineage of artists who blur the line between home listening and club experience. You can hear echoes of Jon Hopkins, Four Tet, Bicep, and Overmono, not as imitation but as shared philosophy. This is electronic music that works just as well in headphones as it does in a room full of people, built on emotion first and energy second.

What makes Closer resonate most is its restraint. Hayes resists overproduction, allowing space, silence, and texture to shape the listening experience. The confidence here is quiet but undeniable, signaling an artist who knows exactly where he is and where he wants to go next.

Closer doesn’t demand attention. It earns it. And in doing so, John Hayes delivers his most complete and compelling statement to date.

'LISTEN: John Hayes Finds Motion in Stillness on His New Album ‘Closer’

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Daijo has been steadily establishing himself as one of Canada’s more distinctive electronic artists, leaning into melodic techno and house without overpolishing or chasing trends. His productions are restrained, intentional, and built to unfold over time, focusing just as much on atmosphere and pacing as they do on rhythm. Born to an Iranian refugee mother, raised in Hamburg, and now based in Vancouver, Daijo brings a naturally global perspective to his music without forcing it. That background shows up in the way his tracks balance tension and release, often carrying a subtle emotional weight that feels lived in rather than dramatized.

That same approach translates clearly in his live shows – Daijo has sold out headline dates across North America, moving comfortably between small rooms and festival stages. His sets favor long arcs and careful sequencing, pulling listeners in gradually instead of relying on constant peaks. A defining moment in his recent run came with “Goodbye,” released on Revealed Recordings. The track marked a more personal step forward, centered on themes of love, loss, and acceptance. “Goodbye is about realizing that letting go is sometimes the only way forward,” Daijo explains, a sentiment that comes through in the track’s measured build and emotional clarity.

With a growing catalog and plans for a full length album in the future, Daijo continues to position himself as an artist focused on longevity rather than hype, building a body of work that feels cohesive, honest, and durable. Hear what we mean by streaming some of his hits below via Spotify and be sure to catch an upcoming tour date in a city near you.

'Artist Spotlight: Daijo Continues to Carve His Own Lane in Melodic Techno and House

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In just its fourth year, Proper NYE is beginning to cement itself as a premier West Coast music festival. For two days, Petco Park, which is graciously loaned out by San Diego and the Padres, is home base for Proper, where thousands descend for an incredibly stacked two days of music.

The festival and lineup curated is carefully curated by the FNGRS CRSSD crew to bring in not only some of the best names in dance music but also to do it in a way so the entire festival feels like one living, breathing event as opposed to a bunch of standalone concerts all shoehorned into one stadium. Think of it as an artist putting together a tracklist for an album and the album flowing together perfectly. The energy has to slowly grow throughout the day in a way that will culminate in a crescendo of your choosing.

But let’s talk about a huge elephant in the room, which is one of the things that made Proper shine this year and propelled it to what might be a yearly tradition

The 2024-2025 rendition of the festival was stacked with a lineup that had fans salivating, but was also littered with logistical issues. It was only the third year of the festival, so I filed it under “growing pains” but moments like this are make-or-break situations for fledgling festivals. Going to a music festival with an incredible lineup, but the first thing you do when you get home is complain about the logistics is an absolute killer.

“If you build it they will come” can only take you so far if the people who come had a terrible experience and then are posting about it. 

Within just a couple of hours of being there, you can tell that Proper not only listened to the feedback from last year’s festival but improved on almost every facet of it.

Remember, mistakes are only bad if you don’t learn from them.

Proper boasted reduced capacity – and one could feel the difference immediately. Entering from any of the four entrances was an absolute breeze, and with added traffic routes for people walking from stage to stage, it helped reduce the number of bottlenecks where it not only felt packed last year, but at times, unsafe. Perhaps the most infamous photos from last year came from festival go-ers when they tried to get on the field at 4 pm and could not make it on even while being that early. Luckily all of the changes Proper put in place made this a thing of the past.

I’ve never been happier to support a festival that not only takes accountability for their prior mistakes but uses them as a learning opportunity to improve the festival for the next year. This is how the best festivals continue to thrive.

In a world of maximizing profits by any means necessary, seeing Proper take these steps to “Slow down to speed up” was such a breath of fresh air – and one that many festivals should take note of.

Proper chooses to have their festival take place on December 31st and January 1st. So while most people rest and recover on New Year’s Day, the people of Proper dance.

Proper’s 4 stages were spread out throughout the grounds, with the de facto ‘main stage’ being placed right on the baseball field where the San Diego Padres play, giving the main stage a ‘massive feel.’

The 1-2 punch of Tinlicker, followed by It’s Murph was an absolute delight as they both showed their prowess across a handful of different sub-genres under the very rare San Diego rain. But rain did not stop the Proper crowd from dancing or smiling. We donned our ponchos while Tinlicker took us on a journey, and boogied our butts off while It’s Murph’s future hose started to set the tone for the next few hours.

The highlight of Dec. 31 came from Gorgon City’s absolutely massive DJ set at Proper’s Lot stage. For 90 minutes, they played the crowd like their personal puppets in the best way possible. The duo was tucked away in a tent due to the rain but that didn’t stop them from connecting with the crowd and feeling their energy through every transition and drop as they picked songs on the fly to take the crowd into 2026.

Proper has historically been very house forward – and different sub genres that fall under that umbrella – but they did for the most part stick to that four on the floor vibe. This year they expanded, if even just a bit, by booking none other than the legendary Chase & Status to an absolutely massive main stage Drum and Bass set. I was a bit worried going into their set – would straying from Proper ‘tradition’ be welcomed? And after being on the floor for the entirety of that set, I can safely say it was not only welcomed, but I think everyone agreed that a bit of straying from the norm of the lineup was SUCH a breath of fresh air – complete with being out of breath from Chase & Status’ signature drum and bass BPM. Like a palate cleanser during a 9-course meal. The switch-up was completely necessary. 

But Proper had to go out with a bang – and that they did. Proper closed out the night with two legendary sets. Skrillex b2b Four Tet, followed by an extremely rare DJ set from French powerhouse Justice. The only bad part about it is that 2026 may have peaked less than 24 hours into the year

If you haven’t had a chance to listen to what might end up as a legendary Skrillex and Four Tet set everyones favorite Youtuber DerekD2 uploaded the entire set. My absolute favorite thing of a modern day Skrillex set is that there is no way of knowing what you are going to get but if you are on OG Skrillex fan than you could not have asked for anything. He played through timeless tunes such as “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,” “Where Are U Now,” and a rinsing out of “Kill Everybody” that had me feeling like the critic in Ratatouille when he tastes the food. Skrillex even made sure to shout out Chris Lake who was originally slated to go b2b with Four Tet but due to visa issues, a quick adjustment needed to be made to the lineup.

And as the lights dimmed and we said goodbye to Four Tet & Skrillex, Justice reminded everyone why they are icons by opening with “Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns and Roses – a perfect introduction to an hour-long dance party built for saying goodbye to Proper 2026. Their set included some notable Justice classics along with some very welcome peeks into what they are listening to including Gesaffelstein, Mr. Oizo, and Boys Noize. My favorite moment of the festival came from an unexpected drop of “Voulez-Vous” from the legendary ABBA. If you looked in any direction during this moment you would have been met with the same thing – everyone singing together at the top of their lungs.

Thank you Proper. See you next year!

'Proper NYE Delivers A Proper Entrance to 2026

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GMO SONIC is set to return to Makuhari Messe on January 17-18 for its biggest edition yet. Perfectly timed for January travelers, the two-day festival continues to cement itself as one of Japan’s premier electronic music events, pairing global headliners with world-class indoor production. Day one brings a stacked, genre-blending lineup featuring Marshmello, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders, and GloRilla, setting the tone with a mix of electronic, pop, hip hop, and distinctly Japanese performance art. Day two leans deeper into dance music as Swedish House Mafia headline alongside Meduza³, Tiësto as a special guest, and Dom Dolla, delivering everything from melodic anthems to club-driven energy.

Known for its ambitious production, GMO SONIC once again transforms multiple indoor stages with immersive LED visuals and pristine sound, creating a polished festival experience that rivals major events worldwide. The inclusion of Japanese acts alongside international stars makes the festival a unique snapshot of Japan’s evolving electronic scene, all within easy reach of Tokyo. Now in its fourth year, GMO SONIC builds on momentum from past editions that featured Skrillex, Martin Garrix, and Zedd. With a stacked lineup and refined production, GMO SONIC 2026 is shaping up to be a must-attend weekend for electronic music fans in Japan and beyond. Be sure to purchase tickets below to the anticipated festival while you still can.

Purchase tickets here. 

Connect with GMO SONIC: Facebook | Instagram | X |YouTube | Website | LINE | TikTok

'GMO SONIC 2026 Announces Massive Lineup for Biggest Edition Yet at Makuhari Messe

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Hard dance duo The Saints, formed by Jules van de Sant and Rick de Deken, continue to establish themselves as one of the fastest-rising acts in the genre. Built around their concept of Holy Madness, the project merges both artists’ contrasting identities into a sound and performance style that feels intense, emotional, and immediately engaging. Over the past year, the duo has taken major steps across Europe. Their appearance at the Defqon.1 Gathering introduced them to one of the scene’s most dedicated crowds, followed by the debut of their live show at Rebirth. Performances at Intents Mainstage and Supremacy further expanded their reach, placing The Saints in front of large-scale festival audiences.

Beyond festivals, the duo has built strong momentum in clubs, selling out multiple headline shows in Germany and delivering a high-energy set at Fabrik Madrid. Tracks like “OG Raver” have become staples in their sets, while an official remix for Sub Zero Project marked another key milestone in their growing catalog. Looking ahead, The Saints are preparing a new live show and several collaborations set for 2025, including a follow-up with The Purge titled Maria / I Like It Loud. With a busy summer tour ahead and growing anticipation around unreleased material, the duo appears to be entering a defining new chapter. Be sure to stay on the lookout for their continued rise in 2026 and be sure to stream some of their hits below via Spotify.

Connect with The Saints:  Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | SoundCloud | TikTok

'The Saints Continue Their Rapid Rise in Hard Dance

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As Winter looms across most of the country and many of us prepare to hibernate for a few months (or in some cases already digging ourselves out of the snow) we start looking for things to look forward to. It’s our own midwest survival method. So as music festival lineups for the summer start to show up, we close our eyes and pretend we are soaking up the sun at one of our favorite festivals instead of making sure we have enough long underwear to make it through the winter.

Electric Forest is doing their part by unveiling the initial lineup for the 2026 edition of the festival and it’s packed with heavy hitters and some returning forest veterans.

Michigan native GRiZ will be making his highly anticipated return to Electric Forest after completing his hiatus with two scheduled sets (And if I was a betting man I would bet that he does at least one more somewhere). He joins Illenium and Excision at the top of the lineup, everyone bringing their own style of Bass to the forest.

As you make your way through the lineup more and more highlights start appearing to round out the eclectic lineup. Names like Passion Pit, Swimming Paul, Wilkinson, and the legendary KASKADE. What a fantastic set of four names to show the variety that Electric Forest tries to bring year after year.

Forest is much more than just a festival to so many people. It’s a second home. It’s a release. It’s a truly safe space for self expression for anyone that welcomes it into their lives. Every single year I have attended I am reminded of why I love this music festival, and I think you will too, if you give it the chance.

Check out the full lineup below

**Ticket Info**

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'Electric Forest Announces 2026 Lineup ft. GRiZ ILLENIUM, ISOxo, and More

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Denver bass music trio Hostage Situation has been on a relentless campaign since dropping their sophomore album ‘Hostile Frequencies’ back in October. Fresh off a successful Phase 1 tour that saw them destroy stages at DANCEFESTOPIA, WAKAAN, and venues across North America, the group is doubling down with Phase 2, adding 20+ new dates that stretch all the way through March 2026. They’ve also just released the “Burn For You” remix package, featuring 15 artists including DirtySnatcha, HEKLER, and FRAXURE putting their own spin on the album’s lead single. 

We caught up with Hostage Situation to talk about curating remixes, maintaining tour energy over seven months on the road, and what it takes to truly take crowds hostage night after night.

Run The Trap: You just dropped the “Burn For You” remix package with 15 different artists putting their spin on the track. What made you choose “Burn For You” as the track to get the remix treatment, and how did you curate this specific lineup of remixers?

Hostage Situation: “Burn For You” was the first single off the album that we released and has gotten such an overwhelming amount of love that we wanted to bring in artists that we’ve looked up to for a long time and give remixes that we’ve heard through the grapevine on SoundCloud and official release.

Run The Trap: The remix pack shows “Burn For You” reimagined across multiple bass music subgenres. When you hear these different interpretations of your work, does it change how you think about the original or influence where you might take your sound next?

Hostage Situation: I love hearing our tracks remixed because obviously the original is what we would’ve done, so being able to hear so many different takes on the same track is really cool and exciting to listen to and get inspiration for tracks moving forward.

Run The Trap: Phase 2 of the ‘Hostile Frequencies’ Tour adds 20+ new dates running through March 2026. You’ve already hit DANCEFESTOPIA and other major festivals during Phase 1. What did you learn from those festival performances that you’re applying to Phase 2?

Hostage Situation: I think the biggest thing we learned from part one is the reality of creating a statement piece experience like Hostile Frequencies, and part two is a continuation of that original idea of having very versatile sets and bringing an energy that you won’t forget.

Run The Trap: Looking at the Phase 2 routing, you’re hitting a mix of intimate club venues and festival appearances like Lights All Night in Dallas. How does your approach to the show and set structure change between a 300 capacity club and a massive festival stage?

Hostage Situation: As far as Hostile Frequencies goes, it doesn’t change a huge amount actually. It’s really fun to be able to play very low-key tracks at big festival stages because it’s something that you don’t really get in the mainstream, and there’s a certain element of surprise to some of these underground tracks that is second to none.

Run The Trap: You’re bringing the tour to markets like Brooklyn, Tampa, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale that weren’t on Phase 1. What goes into deciding which cities get added for Phase 2, and are there specific venues on this leg you’ve been wanting to play?

Hostage Situation: Something that all of us have had to learn through the years since starting the group is the difficulty of tour routing and working with promoters to strategically hit markets at the correct time. Most of these cities we have played before and are super stoked to come back being able to bring Hostile Frequencies to those venues.

Run The Trap: By the time this tour cycle wraps in March 2026, you’ll have been on the road for over seven months supporting ‘Hostile Frequencies’. How do you keep each show feeling fresh and maintain the energy to “take crowds hostage” night after night?

Hostage Situation: We are always finding new doubles, new songs, and even making new songs while we’re on the road, and being able to see live crowd reaction every week is such a perfect test to see what’s working, what can be improved on, and how to make this the best experience for fans.

Run The Trap: You’ve got artists like Big Blok, Brondo, and Decadon supporting on various dates. How important is it to you to use these headline slots to bring up artists in your community, and what’s your strategy for building the right lineup for each market?

Hostage Situation: Obviously ticket history and correct routing are a big part of how we decide the lineups, but at the end of the day this is a culmination of artists that we’ve looked up to and artists that have helped Hostage become what it is today, and it’s a really fulfilling full-circle moment being able to put on these shows with these artists.

Connect with Hostage Situation: Instagram | Spotify | SoundCloud

'INTERVIEW: Hostage Situation catch up from the road on the Hostile Frequencies Tour, and “Burn For You” Remixes

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Vancouver’s music scene is gearing up for one of its biggest nights in recent memory. On Saturday, December 20th, 2025, MashBit makes his long-awaited Canada debut at Harbour Theatre, bringing a wave of high-emotion, high-impact energy that fans have been waiting for. From his breakout collaboration with ILLENIUM on “Refugee” to remixes for Gryffin and Seven Lions, MashBit has carved out a lane built on soothing melodies and eclectic sound design. With his hit single “Light” crossing 10 million streams on Spotify alone and his live sets becoming known for a mix of euphoric builds, house signatures and melodic bass, his arrival in Vancouver feels overdue.

To turn things up even further, Dirty Audio joins the lineup with the heavy, unfiltered chaos he’s known for across the trap and bass world. A staple of the genre and a longtime crowd killer, his collaborations with Rickyxsan, Zeds Dead, have supported his reputation for extreme energy and zero-filler performances. 

Rounding things out, Vancouver’s own NXSTY brings the hometown fire, delivering the dark, razor-sharp trap sound that’s earned him global recognition and a loyal local following.

All three artists are set to perform in a 360° setup that transforms Harbour Theatre into a full experience.

Limited tickets available now here.

'MashBit Unveils Canada Debut Show At Harbour Theatre With Dirty Audio & NXSTY

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