EDM Music
Firestarters: A Virtual Festival To Get The Nation Talking This March!
Firestarters is an exciting and innovative virtual festival designed to ignite a million conversations and raise money for leading mental health charity Rethink Mental Illness and the youth support charity UK Youth.
Firestarters will bring together expert insight from over 500 industry leading professionals, this free virtual gathering will help people learn more about – and develop – their passions, goals and interests at a time when we are all disconnected and lacking in human interactions. It all takes place on video conversation platform URfeed and kicks off over four weeks in March by addressing Wellbeing & Fitness, Music & Entertainment, Lifestyle & Culture, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
Insight at these unique events comes from professionals with years of experience including Anthony Rose founder of Seedlegals, Jon Salmon from Byte Entertainment, Chef Andrew Clarke, Sky Fitness Presenter Marvin Ambrosius, Manchester United Women’s Footballer Jess Sigsworth, Dan J Lee who is GM at NoCopyrightSounds, Hope Virgo, Dump The Scale campaigner, author of Stand Tall Little Girl and eating disorder mental health campaigner, Jenni Cochrane CEO & Co-Founder of mental health and wellbeing non-profit Getahead, Julie Weir – Label Head at Music For Nations, Sony Music, musicians Laura Fowes & Ben Santiago, Mike Kill, CEO of Night Time Industries Association, Rob Stephenson, Founder of InsideOut Leaderboard and CEO of Formscore, Consultant Dietitian and Nutritionist Ro Huntriss, Robbie Murch from Facebook’s Identification of Music group, Emma Marshall, a Holistic Health Consultant, Chevy Rough, the Wellbeing and Performance Coach, DJ Pete Gooding, Scott Morrison, Founder at The Boom, Liam Norval, Founder at Posh Cockney and Co-Founder of Hospitality Titans, Pete Warden – Hospitality Director, LXA / Co- Founder Hospitality Titans, Mint Club resident Bobby O’Donnell, Data Transmission’s Grahame Farmer, Alex Jukes from Jukebox PR, Music Journalist Sean Griffiths, DJ Mag Tech Editor Declan McGlynn, Dazed’s Charlotte Cliffers, Tristan Hunt from Association of Electronic Music, Futurebound Owner’s & founders of Viper Records and many more to be announced over the next week.
Feeling isolated and lonely is a stress factor that poses a health risk comparable to smoking, alcoholism, or obesity. This is where Firestarters steps in. Humans are inherently social animals, who suffer when cut off from communities and the subtle sources of happiness they bring. Firestarters‘ aim is to connect strangers and ignite conversation fueled by shared passion, interests, and goals to bring about a positive change.
Expect to hear from experts picking through topics like “the future of live events” to “kick-starting a business”. There will be opportunities to put your questions and opinions to the experts as well as discuss the events of the day with other people tuning in. There will also be select spaces for group mentoring sessions with some of the experts that will be speaking during the Firestarters event.
URfeed is a video conversation platform that provides a place for groups of people to connect for ‘face to face’ conversation and its unique video messaging system lets people take part in multiple group conversations, without the need to have everyone online at the same time. People can drop in, watch what others are saying and ask questions or say their piece when it’s convenient for them.
Gareth Ingham, URfeed CEO, says, “URfeed is on a mission to bring people together around their passions, interests and goals… enabling people to grow a knowledge network. We are excited that URfeed will help people come together and talk to new people ‘face to face’ in a bid to beat loneliness and it’s great we are able to support these two charities.”
Many of the fundraising channels that charities rely on have been taken away. As such, every video posted in “Firestarters” will carry a donate button so viewers can donate directly from the app to UK Youth and Rethink Mental Illness.
Everyone can get involved with this free virtual event. Simply sign up free here to discover talks and discussions that match your passions, interests and goals. What’s more, if you have a great idea, you can submit a talk, discussion, or interview that you would like to be scheduled at Firestarters by registering online, and of course you can start an impromptu conversation any time.
Visits the official website here.

EDM Music
Unheard Music unveils its second release, ‘Your Retreat’, from Malandra Jr. & pizzaaftersex
Unheard Music is back with its second release, ‘Your Retreat’, a collaborative house anthem from Malandra Jr. and pizzaaftersex.
Unheard Music continues its journey of artistic freedom and underground expression with its second label release. Italian producer Malandra Jr. joins forces with Unheard label head pizzaaftersex to present ‘Your Retreat’, a track that captures the label’s commitment to music that is uncompromising, experimental, and charged with underground energy.
Carefully crafted around a rolling house groove and uplifting melodies, ‘Your Retreat’ is designed to connect with listeners and energise dancefloors from intimate club rooms to open-air festival sessions. Musumeci and Kirik expand the release with remixes that bring distinct perspectives, with Musumeci adding his signature Italo Indie Dance touch and Kirik injecting raw drive and club-focused intensity, creating a versatile package for DJs across a variety of different styles and settings.
Beyond the release, ‘Your Retreat’ reflects the ethos of Unheard Music. Launched by Far&High, pizzaaftersex, and Mona Chrome last year, the label was born from the belief that dance music should be more than trends, algorithms, or safe formulas. Unheard Music provides a platform for artists to experiment freely, break boundaries, and be heard in ways that feel raw, honest, and true to their vision.
pizzaaftersex comments:
“For me, this is a very special piece of work. The release turned out to be dual – there is an incredibly strong mood that Malandra brought into the track, there are amazing remixes by Musumeci & Kirik, and there is also my original vision of the track, which dissolved within the interpretations of other artists. It is an incredible experience to live through this process, to accept it, and to fall in love with what it became. This is an extremely positive experience, and I hope everyone will be able to feel all the shades of our new release on Unheard Music.”
Pizzaaftersex is a new name on the electronic scene, with a background as a producer and sound designer. Having achieved success in cinematic music, including a soundtrack credit for a world-renowned international gaming project, he now turns his focus to club and dance music, a space close to him both as a DJ and as a producer.
Malandra Jr. comments:
“This project was born between Italy and Dubai. It comes from deep mutual respect and from a fresh, sparkling melody that immediately pushed me to create something that could make it even lighter and more enjoyable to listen to. At first, I thought of something indie but then house music showed up. I hear summer in it, good vibes. A driving loop that releases into drops full of groove. Don’t look for overthinking here, this is about holding a glass in your hand and enjoying life.”
Malandra Jr. comes from a family steeped in music and art. Raised listening to his father’s saxophone and exploring technology from an early age, he began composing on an Atari and working with DAWs like Cubase before mastering classical piano and studying clarinet at the Academy of Teatro alla Scala. His early electronic releases, including ‘Conquest’ on Cocoon Recordings, captured the attention of DJs and promoters, leading to subsequent releases on labels such as Dfloor, Stil Vor Talent, and R&S. Over the years, Malandra Jr. has performed at major festivals and clubs worldwide, from Tomorrowland to Watergate, delivering DJ sets that are varied, rhythmic, and immersive, blending light and darkness while captivating audiences across the globe.
Unheard Music is planning activities beyond recorded output, with events, podcasts, video mixes, and off-site sessions in unique locations, all curated to form part of the vision to connect people through sound and offer music as culture rather than an algorithm. ‘Your Retreat’ is a clear statement of the label’s philosophy, showcasing the creativity and freedom at the heart of Unheard Music, while reaffirming its commitment to supporting underground expression and artistic exploration.
EDM Music
STBAN Leans Into Hope With New Single ‘Esperanza’ On FLAMENCA Records
FLAMENCA Records boss STBAN continues his surge into 2026 with his latest single, the stand-alone flamenco house groover ‘Esperanza’. A traditional Spanish word for “hope”, “esperanza” symbolizes optimism, faith and aspiration for a better future.
It’s fitting, with the world’s energy as it is, that STBAN releases the track alongside an official video that feels both cathartic and hopeful. ‘Esperanza’s’ video follows the journey of its protagonists from heartbreak and loneliness, through radical self acceptance, towards healing and ultimately, through closure of the emotional cycle, a new chapter.
Musically, ‘Esperanza’ continues the label’s push to bring Flamenco House to a global audience. Undulating synth and percussion sections combine to create a relentless rhythm that bubbles under the evocative topline. Beautifully Hispanic, it manages to be both ethereal and club ready at the same time, STBAN’s composition weaving hypnotically across pulsing 4×4 tempo, a driving sense of movement that pulls the listener to the heart of the dance floor.]
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Editorial
New EDM Friday Feb 13: GORDO x Reinier Zonneveld, Skrillex & More
New EDM Friday Feb 13 is back and its stacked with electronic music by GORDO x Reinier Zonneveld, Skrillex, John Summit, Fred again.., and more.
Festival season hasn’t kicked off but February is officially heating up with all this new music. This week we see a mysterious ID finally revealed, a legendary London-meets-Punjab collaboration, and a deep dive into the seductive sounds of Stockholm and Chicago. Here is your essential guide to this week’s New EDM Friday.
GORDO x Reinier Zonneveld – Loco Loco
Talking about the “summer track of 2026” in February might sound a little loco, but not when a track like this detonates. ‘Loco Loco’ is a high-voltage hybrid where GORDO’s house grooves meet Reinier Zonneveld’s relentless techno drive. The track’s origin is as wild as its sound; it began as a mysterious ID GORDO found in his inbox and played to viral crowd reactions before anyone knew it was sent by Reinier himself. Laced with an 80s synth-pop vibe and shifting between Spanish and English vocals, this anthem is already a favorite for artists like Meduza and Vintage Culture.
Ahadadream, Skrillex & Raf Saperra – Bass Dhol
London-based artist Ahadadream delivers the culmination of his percussive journey with ‘Bass Dhol’, featuring global icon Skrillex and Raf Saperra. The track fuses the unmistakable power of Punjabi dhol rhythms with driving, propulsive electronic beats. Drawing from his Pakistani roots and the London underground energy, Ahadadream creates a party-fueled soundscape that is currently driving South Asian culture to the forefront of the UK scene.
John Summit & LAVINIA – SHADOWS
Acclaimed producer John Summit returns with ‘SHADOWS’, the seductive second single from his highly anticipated album, ‘CTRL ESCAPE’ album arriving April 15. Featuring striking vocals from LAVINIA, the track pairs tech-house flourishes with layered synths to create a sense of intimate mystery. As Summit prepares for his landmark [UNVRS] Ibiza residency and a closing set at Ultra Miami, ‘SHADOWS’ showcases the communal euphoria and genre-blurring depth that defines his new era.
GRiZ & Levity – Pop Off
One of the most requested IDs in bass music has finally arrived. ‘Pop Off’ is the result of Chicago-bred trio Levity linking up with funk-bass powerhouse GRiZ. The track has been a staple of Levity’s live sets, famously soundtracking their 360° laser ship production. Fusing hip-hop energy, funk-fueled beats, and face-melting bass, the collab officially debuted live during a surprise appearance by GRiZ at Levity‘s sold-out Wintrust Arena show.
Kasbo – All This Time
Marking a refined evolution of his signature sound, Swedish producer Kasbo returns with ‘All This Time’ via Lane 8’s This Never Happened. Unfolding with patience and restraint, the track favors introspective feeling over force. Reconnecting with his roots in Stockholm, Kasbo delivers a quietly powerful record designed for late-night drives and emotional clarity, marking a more candid and personal chapter in his prolific career.
Virtual Riot & Blanke ft. Dia Frampton – Best of Me
Two of bass music’s most forward-thinking producers, Virtual Riot and Blanke, unite on ‘Best of Me’, a luminous, emotionally driven new single featuring acclaimed vocalist Dia Frampton. Marking a melodic departure from their heavier catalogues, the track finds both artists stepping outside rigid BPM frameworks in favor of warmth, restraint, and songwriting-led expression.
Honorable mentions:
Adam Beyer, GENESI & Aya Anne – DNA
Alexander Popov, Alexander Komarov – Chambala
Armin van Buuren & Maddix ft. Caroline Roxy – Mouth Go Lala
AVIRA, Dan Soleil – Born Again
Benny Benassi & Fideles – Just Like That
Blasterjaxx – Bubbling Nation
Burak Yeter x Luca Testa – Otherside (ft. Roundrobin)
BUNT. – What If You Fly (Sweet Disposition)
CASSIMM, LEFTI – The Message
Catz ‘n Dogz, Aaron Veal – Out Of Control
Dannic – Rock The Rhythm
David Puentez x Malou – Talking Hands
Devault – Zero
Don Diablo x Bipolar Sunshine – More Than A Friend
Excision, Subtronics – A.F.B.1.
FOVOS – Move That $hit
Franky Wah – Light Years
Fred again.. – Lights Burn Dimmer
Imanbek – Pull Me In
John Newman – Love Me Again (Arcando Remix)
Lilly Palmer x Space 92 – Vicious Chords
Marten Horger – Worth The Wait
Max Styler – One More (ft. Ad-Apt)
Nicky Romero & SMACK – Funky Bitz
NOME. – Don’t Give Up
NURKO, Valerie Broussard – The Longest Night
Plastik Funk x Esox – Stay Low
POLTERGST – Pretty Face
R3SPAWN, BFOUR – Logical Song
Regard x Carston – Higher Love
Riot Ten & SAYMYNAME – GTFU (ft. XAE)
Sigma, Original Sin, Jamakabi, Sweetie Irie – SOUNDBOY
Tujamo x DJs From Mars x Chester Young – 3AM
Tweekacore – Free
Vion Konger & Skytech – Zoom
Virtual Riot & Blanke – Best of Me (feat. Dia Frampton)
Vluarr – ON THE MOVE
Wooli, Cyclops – Jazz Cabbage
YouNotUs x Dennis Lloyd – Diamonds
Zatox – Atlantis
ZHU – BURN
Listen to all of these tracks and more here.
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