#21 Feat. New Releases in Progressive House

Nikko.Z's Dopamine White opens the spring season by welcoming Nikola Jovanovic to the label for his debut EP. Hailing from Serbia, Nikola Jovanovic has emerged from his country's progressive house scene with a sound that showcases driving rhythms and melodic hooks. 2023 proved to be a breakout year for the Belgrade resident, with a creative swell of releases landing on BCSA, Deep Down Music and Future Avenue, and in turn earning support from some of the genre's tastemakers, most notably Nick Warren. Now, continuing what has been a prolific start to the new year, Nikola adds Dopamine White to his resume with 'Deception', alongside a remix from Influence (IN). Taking cues from the nostalgic sounds of the genre, Nikola crafts a groovy journey into the darker depths of progressive house with 'Deception'. With a mysterious and deeply compelling architecture built around around chunky basslines, buzzing sonics and catch synth hooks, it's a series of peaks and valleys which ultimately makes for such a memorable dancefloor experience, one where an emotive break cleverly coaxes delicate melodies and glowing atmospheres for a groove-centric finale. The companion piece 'Elemental' finds Nikola delivering another quirky progressive excursion that's nicely suited for those uplifting club moments. Squelchy synth lines and ghostly vocal gates combined with a smooth rolling framework and nicely manicured percussion provide a path into an atmospheric break. Here, Nikola builds anticipation through further synth mutations, nicely set against an airy backdrop of radiant textures, before perfectly segueing into a hip-swinging conclusion. The lone interpretation of 'Deception' is provided by Influence (IN) who makes his label debut. Based in India, Influence (IN) first emerged in 2021 with his 'Lost Path' EP. Coming courtesy of Kash Trivedi's Lohit Deep, it was an auspicious debut for the newcomer, one which showcased his affinity for deep organic grooves and cross-cultural themes. Projects for BCSA, Future Avenue, Magic Room and more landed with much praise across the next two years, making the Indian artist yet another rising talent to watch. 2023 proved to be the most impactful year in the evolution of Influence's sound however, recording projects for Droid9, Juicebox Music and John OO Fleming's JOOF Aura. Now, presenting his first remix of 2024, Influence (IN) debuts on Dopamine White with a huge rendition of 'Deception'. With a creative approach, Influence (IN) remodels the track into a thunderous slice of progressive house. Bound together by a hypno-architecture, it's a blend of muscular beats, shapeshifting effects, panning vocal fragments and hopeful overlays which ultimately carries this cruising journey, one where Influence (IN) unlocks a refined part of his studio repertoire. Words by www.releasepromo.com

Nikola Jovanovic