#1 Feat. New Releases in Overall

An artist with a powerful story to tell, Hrag Mikkel has been at the forefront of underground dance music since 2017. Now returning to Proton Music for a debut original EP, "Cosmic Bliss / Silver Night" continues that adventure. Born and raised in Lebanon under a raft of challenging circumstances, Hrag Mikkel's voice has resonated loudly through his inspiring sound and sonic mastery. A regular on the likes of Pipe & Pochet, Kindisch and Armen Miran's Hoomidaas, Hrag made a memorable mark on Proton Music with a glorious reworking of Nōpi's "Liquid Week" with fellow countryman Pambouk in April 2021. Now providing the label with two original tracks, "Cosmic Bliss" is a wonderfully imagined work that combines organic and synthesised melodies in sublime symbiosis. An effortless groove provides subtle urgency as glassy keys and counterpoint motifs collide gently against each other to create a palette of brilliant sonic colours. Rippling through a beatless break, melodic elements pick up the pace once more in the second half with poise and grace. "Silver Night" carries the same percussive liquidity as its counterpart with familiar elements continuing the narrative groove. Immaculately placed riffs cascade around each other in a delightful call and response as delayed synths and smooth keys create the perfect juxtaposition. Waxing and waning with ease, the various sonic elements create a typically rich aural tapestry that effortlessly showcases the Hrag Mikkel sound. Jamie Stevens has been creating standout dance music productions for over two decades, both as part of the award-winning Infusion band and in solo guise. A veteran of such esteemed imprints as Bedrock, Lost & Found, Selador and Sudbeat Music, the Australian has been a regular on Proton Music since late 2019 with a quartet of exquisite remixes. Reworking Rudy, Petar Dundov, Magitman, and James Monro (the latter in April 2023), Jamie returns to Proton Music with a fifth remix. Reimagining "Cosmic Bliss", a powerful rhythmic force immediately comes to the fore with superb jungle sounds reminiscent of Future Sound of London forming an atmospheric backdrop. Taking familiar motifs from the original, his skill is to rework them into an evocative 9-minute extravaganza that fires off in new directions, not least in a spine-tingling bass progression and meandering pads. Hitting its stride with a storming breakbeat pattern in the second half, the combination of melodic prowess and dancefloor force illustrates a supreme talent still at the top of his game. The final remix sees Pablo Maneiro make his Proton Music debut through his Mayro production soubriquet. Author of over 150 production credits, the Argentinean star quickly found his place through his effortless merging of genres which led to a 2018 debut on Renesanz. Since then, music signed to the likes of Mango Alley, Perspectives Digital and Miss Monique's Siona Records has seen Mayro making sizeable headlines supported but Eelke Kleijn, Armen Miran and Cid Inc. A clutch of releases on Particles was punctuated by the impressive "Crazy Thoughts" EP in mid-2022 as Mayro now makes his Proton Music debut. Reworking "Cosmic Bliss", a driving beat and ticking off-beat percussion provides a club-friendly framework from which familiar melodic phrases make their presence felt. Adding an array of additional production material in the shape of new motifs and shimmering effects, Hrag Mikkel's track is taken in a dramatic new direction, not least via a rasping, razor-edged bassline groove that powers the remix forwards. Pulsating waves of pads and stereo-panned effects add to the vibrancy in the second half to create a dynamic and visceral offering. Two original tracks plus stunning remixes from Jamie Stevens and Mayro find Hrag Mikkel in a state of sonic "Cosmic Bliss". Directed by Jay Epoch Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Ben Mautner Text by James Warren

Hrag Mikkel

#2 Feat. New Releases in Progressive House

In August 2024, Toronto-based duo Beije delivered a magical musical triptych in the shape of Ardere. As Proton Music returns to the EP, a pair of remixes from Brazilian and Sri Lankan talents now reimagines two of those tracks. A powerful force in South American Progressive and Organic House, Vinicius Souza has created a sizeable following through his RIGOONI moniker. Starting his production journey in 2018, the Brazilian star quickly found his way onto a host of noteworthy modern imprints that include the likes of Hicky & Kalos Plaisirs Sonores Records, Roger Martinezs HIGHER STATES and Nick Warrens The Soundgarden. Add to that a mentoring programme on his own Amesch imprint, a Beatport Organic House #1 spot and runner-up in a Sonic Academy Remix Contest, and it is not hard to see why RIGOONI is such a highly regarded figure in modern dance music. A trio of remixes for Proton Music have seen reworkings of Savvas, Trilucid and Dabeat in 2022 and 2023, as the São Paulo-based artist now returns for a fourth outing. Taking on the delightful Lumina, the RIGOONI remix drives easily forward courtesy of a compelling beat and light percussive touch. Evolving gently, elements from the original gradually come to the fore, accompanied by a developing palette of additional production material that always remains sensitive to the aural characteristics of Beijes work. Hitting its heights, post-breakdown, a gated synth sequence adds interest and dancefloor character, following the melodic patterns that made Lumina such a powerful original piece. A prolific and exciting talent, NOIYSE PROJECT, has quickly gone about ripping up the rulebook in search of a unique and defining Progressive House sound. Some 300 production credits later, and the Sri Lankan artist has seen his music become a staple of numerous well-established imprints. Thus, Mango Alley, UV Noir, Balkan Connection and AMITABHA have all played host to his well-defined sound, featuring heavily in their release schedules. Furthermore, his own Till The Sunrise imprint has been a regular home for a host of original music since late 2021. A pair of original tracks in Myth in Manaus and Naymaria both found their way onto Particles in 2019, as NOIYSE PROJECT now makes his Proton Music debut with a captivating rhythmic powerhouse. Taking the tribal drive of Impetus, the remix further extends the groove with a series of pitched effects and thumping kick. Evolving steadily, the melodic elements so central to the original gradually make their presence felt in an immaculately programmed dancefloor shell. Hypnotic and mesmeric in execution, the track takes on a whole new direction as NOIYSE PROJECT keeps the energy and vibrancy high throughout. Directed by Jay Epoch Mastered by Cid Inc. Design by Ben Mautner Text by James Warren

Beije