HASKELL goes into 2026 with momentum built with consistency rather than hype. A run of releases across labels including Toolroom, Nervous Records, Myth Of NYX and IN/Rotation has established him as a front runner in the house music scene, reinforced by a standout collaboration with Mark Knight and Gene Farris and a busy schedule across the UK and Europe.

That focus carries into ‘Ice’, his first release on Strangelove, and a track that neatly captures where his sound is heading. Funkier in tone but rooted in groove and restraint, it arrives as a confident step forward, aligning naturally with the label’s evolving direction while keeping HASKELL firmly in control of his own. We had the pleasure of speaking with HASKELL about this single, his mind creatively, and more.

After the releases and shows you’ve had recently, what’s been on your mind creatively?

For me, it’s always about making more music and continually refining the sound I want to be known for. Of course, I keep one eye on what’s happening in the wider scene and what’s resonating globally, but I’m very conscious of staying firm in my own lane. I think that balance is crucial — being aware without being reactive. Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate a sound that feels authentic and consistent, rather than chasing trends that don’t quite fit.

When you’re starting a new track now, what usually sets the direction early before you’ve built much around it?

Everything begins with the drums. I’m very groove-led, and building a solid drum foundation is the most important part of getting the process moving for me. Once that’s locked, the vocal hook becomes absolutely vital — where it sits, how it evolves, and how it drives the energy of the track. Referencing is a big part of that stage too; understanding how similar ideas work in other records really helps shape where your own track is heading.

After releasing on labels like Toolroom and Nervous, what do you listen for to make sure a track still reflects your own decisions and not outside expectations?

One of the trickiest parts of releasing music is the moment where personal taste meets label opinion. You can absolutely love a track, and an A&R might not — and then you’re faced with the challenge of whether to adapt it or stand your ground. That’s a constant internal battle: do you believe in the track more than you believe in getting it signed? For me, I always come back to the same principle — I make music I genuinely like and want to play. If I’m excited to play it out, that’s the most important measure.

Working closely with Mark Knight and Gene Farris puts you in a very direct creative space, so how did these collaborative sessions influence the decisions you make when you work alone?

Collaboration really is the spice of life. Working with people like Mark Knight and Gene Farris has been hugely valuable, but the same applies to any collaborative process. You have to listen, take feedback, and remain open-minded — while also being clear that the song is in the right place before you even begin. Bouncing ideas off more experienced producers has made the whole process far more enjoyable, but even when you’re working solo, you’re constantly sharpening your skills.

With Ice as your first release on Strangelove, what made this track feel like the right way to introduce your sound via this label?

I think Strangelove is really having a moment, and Ice felt like the perfect fit. It’s probably a funkier record than I’d released before, but that’s exactly what excited me about it. I’d been watching what the label was doing, liked the direction they were heading in, and wanted to be part of that journey. Thankfully, they loved the track too, so it all aligned very naturally.

While finishing Ice, which part of the track took the longest to work on before you felt that it was finally ready to be released?

With Ice, using the vocal properly was absolutely key. We went back and tweaked it multiple times, really focusing on when it should drop in, when it should pull out, and how to maintain interest throughout the arrangement. At the same time, it was important to let the funky bassline and the drums have their own moments — not everything needs to shout at once.

Before focusing fully on music, you spent years competing at international level in rugby, so how does that background still influence how you structure your time and focus now?

I try to be ruthlessly organised. I’m always seeking feedback from people I genuinely respect, and I’m very analytical about both success and failure. If something doesn’t work, I compartmentalise it, break it down, and learn from it rather than dwelling emotionally. That mindset has been essential.

As you move further into 2026 with more releases already lined up, which parts of your sound still feel open and in progress for you?

My sound is something I’m constantly working on. I’ve collaborated with different engineers over time, and each partnership brings slightly different results, which I find fascinating. Right now, I’m particularly interested in exploring the American scene and the sound they’re playing over there. It feels like a natural next step, and I’ve already got records lined up that lean into that direction.

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Every artist is shaped by the records that stay with them. For Sterling Angel those influences run deep. In this interview, he breaks down the ten tracks that left a strong imprint on his sound and how they helped shape the project into what it is today.

Orbital – Lush 3-2

Simply put, this is the first Techno song I have ever heard. I was about 16 and came across this alien sound on a local college radio station. I just instantly gravitated to it.

Bjork – Venus as a Boy

Once again, I discovered this on the radio. I did come across Bjork’s voice before via her former band The Sugarcubes, but had never found out who it was. Her voice absolutely captivated me. I still didn’t know her face, but I was so in love with her voice. Bjork would go on to be my favorite artist of all time.

Sinead O’Connor – Thank you for Hearing Me

One of the most beautiful and touching songs I ever heard. I remember blasting this song on my headphones and just getting lost in the sound. It is such a deeply emotional song. And what a voice!

Fluke – Atom Bomb

While being familiar with Fluke’s work through their remixes of Bjork, this was the first time I was exposed to their solo work. I came across it on a late-night MTV show called AMP – a program aimed at the Electronic music and rave crowd. I went on to buy their album Risotto, which is still one of my favorites. A truly underrated act that I consider to be one of the best Electronic acts periods.

Enigma – Age of Loneliness

I forgot where I heard this track for the first time. Actually, I think it was in the background on some scene of MTV’s THE REAL WORLD and I somehow tracked it down. I was familiar with Enigma of course, through their worldwide hit Sadeness, but this was an evolution. The album that this was from, The Cross of Changes, is beyond stunning. Music from God himself.

Future Sound of London – Papua New Guinea

Still their best song to date. I found this track on a Trance compilation called Logic Trance II. I believe I picked the CD up on just a whim. This track and a few others stood out. Consistent with my tastes, it is another song that does what Electronic music does best – take you to another world.

Amorphous Androgynous – Liquid Insects

This is a side project of FSOL (Future Sound of London). When I first heard this song, I knew it was special. It is one of the most alien songs I have ever come across. They were and still are ahead of our time. Complete otherworldly immersion.

Lamb – Gorecki

Yet another one discovered by chance. I was going through CDS that had arrived at my college’s radio station. It’s crazy that I would come across a track so brilliant from an unknown artist. The lyrics, the swelling ambience, the raw voice. Stunning.

Bjork – One Day (Endorphin Mix)

During the promotion of her first album, Bjork had some of the absolute best remixes. She always knew how to find the most innovative and appropriate artists to help expand on her original ideas. Remixes were quite impressive from all of these unknown acts. This remix stood out to me as the most epic soundscapes for her voice to pierce through with incredible emotional resonance. So many songs by her are incredible, her influence on me cannot be overstated.

Lustral – Everytime (Nalin & Kane Remix)

Walking in a music store in London, I heard this over the speakers. I knew I had to find out what it was. It was off of a compilation CD called EUPHORIA. It was in 1999 and during a time when I was coming across a further evolution of what Trance was at the time. The EUPHORIA series was a massive inspiration to me. The raw emotion and rumbling bassline. The minimal but uplifting ambient synth. Timeless.

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For Renzo Zong, music has always been more than sound, it’s memory, ritual, and movement woven into rhythm. The Peruvian DJ and producer has carved out a distinctive space in global electronic music by fusing traditional influences with modern, immersive production. As we enter 2026, we invited Renzo to reflect on the Top 10 Songs of 2025; selections that reveal not only his taste, but the deeper storytelling threads shaping his artistic journey.

1. Renzo Zong – Cariño Bonito

This track represents a very personal moment in my journey — a balance between emotional warmth and dancefloor energy.

2. Maz, JOSEPH (CH) & A.M.R (DE)

A hypnotic and elegant record that shows how minimal elements, when done right, can create deep emotional impact. I love how tension and groove coexist so naturally here.

3. Arodes & Collé – I Wanna Go (Extended Mix)

This track that captures freedom and momentum. It’s powerful without being aggressive, and it always works as a bridge between introspective moments and peak-time energy on the dance floor.

4. STUK (LT) – Get Down

Raw, direct and groove-focused.

5. Demzabeatz – Maita Maita (MentMusik)

A beautiful example of how organic textures and electronic production can coexist. It has a ritualistic feel that connects deeply with movement and atmosphere.

6. La Santa, Blueheist – Malik (Music)


Dark, driving and mysterious. This one really stands out for its low-end power and hypnotic progression.

7. Renzo Zong – Pia Pia

Inspired by Afro and Peruvian rhythms, this track reflects my interest in blending ancestral sounds with contemporary club culture. It’s all about groove and identity.

8. ARYMÉ & Antdot – Romance

Emotional and melodic without losing its club edge. It’s the kind of track that creates a strong connection between the DJ and the audience.

9. Meera (NO) – No Title Yet

Deep, introspective and timeless. Meera’s music always feels spiritual to me, and this track is a perfect example of subtle storytelling through sound.

10. DJ Stokie & Eemoh – Masithokoze

Pure energy and soul. This track connects house music with vocal tradition in a way that feels both celebratory and powerful — impossible to ignore on the dance floor.

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