#39 Top Releases in Progressive House

We welcome another year of music and creativity delivering a sensational EP by young sensation Facundo Leiarz. Even if hes at the very early stage of his career, the Córdoba native has already impressed with releases on Renaissance, All Day I Dream, and Mango Alley. Following his appearance on Showcrates 15, this EP marks his first full release on the label and with high profile fans such as Hernán and Lee Burridge among his ranks, Facundo Leiarz has plenty of motivation and skills to be a guy to watch in the next years. Opening the EP with Humans Being Humans we are suitably introduced to Leiarz accomplished sound. Building slowly, the track takes shape organically, adding tension and pose, before dropping into a piano-centric encore. Next up, the subtle tribal grunt of Lets Turn Up takes it up notch or two. Aimed squarely at the pre-peak floors, this is Facundo in heads down and dance mood. Chunky drums, hypnotic rhythms and melodics whip up a storm. Finally, Tempting Things calms things off. Rubbery bass, sparse percussion and disco melodics take the finalé off on a wonderful, unexpected tangent.

Facundo Leiarz

#45 Top Releases in Progressive House

Four Candles and Kabi (AR) team up on the Sofa Surfing EP. UK based Four Candles has risen the ranks in a short time with stand-out releases for Bedrock, Balance Music, Selador, and his own Keep Thinking imprint. A DJ at heart, his sets ooze emotion and melody, making him the go-to DJ of choice. Equally, Kabi (AR) has made his mark with gusto. Releases for everyone from Soundteller to Anjunadeep show his diversity. This is an exciting pairing that thrives on creative, emotion-led storytelling. Opening with Sofa Surfing, we are invited into their deep, vibey world with rubbery bass and expansive pads. Evolving over time, the melodic layers ebb and flow, creating a rich sonic tapestry of warmth and inclusion. On the flipside, Need U begins in a similar fashion: vibey bass, warm synth stabs and sparse percussion. With storytelling at its heart, the melodics soar midway. A sensational partnership in the making for sure.

Four Candles, Kabi (AR)

#55 Top Releases in Electronica

Cass and Baunder drop some serious heat with fresh remixes of Danny Tenaglia x Cass & Slides iconic Fever Rising. Originally crafted by the legendary Danny Tenaglia and released on Cass and Lee Burridges FIRE Recordings back in 2001, Fever Rising stood tall as one of the defining tracks of progressive houses golden era. A dance floor weapon supported by heavyweights like Sasha, John Digweed, and Tenaglia himself, its tough drums and dark sonics perfectly embodied the underground spirit that ruled the clubs of that time. First up, the ever-reliable Baunder injects his trademark silky grooves into this classic, updating the drums without losing that tribal essence. Playful melodics weave around the hypnotic vocal, creating a timeless blend of energy and emotion. Next, Cass Cutbush steps in with two fresh versions. His 4by4 mix channels the raw drive of early-2000s prog, with subtle shifts and an epic main break that pays homage to the scene he helped shape. On the breakbeat version, Cass explores a more emotional side wistful, hopeful, and beautifully melancholic.

Danny Tenaglia, Cass & Slide, Cass (UK)