SHKOON SHARES ‘TIRED WAY’, A STIRRING INTRODUCTION TO THEIR DEBUT ALBUM ‘TRACES’

The German-Syrian duo introduces their debut album ‘TRACES’ with its first single, out now via MDLBEAST Records.

German-Syrian duo Shkoon continues to tap into the greatness of musical storytelling with ‘Tired Way’, their latest single and the first taste of their forthcoming debut album ‘TRACES’. Rather than bursting through the door with inundated energy, the new release leans into something far more compelling, channeling nuanced production and emotional cues into a tale that fuses two worlds: the weight of trying to find your place in life and the quiet drama of the dancefloor. Brought to life with lyrics from the Syrian coast–based poet Hussein Hamza, 'Tired Way' is the first chapter in Shkoon's full-length story.

'Tired Way' works because Shkoon use restraint as a narrative tool. A central piano motif lingers, setting the stage for Ameen’s vocal to act as the track’s emotional hinge. The lyrics circle around a certain feeling that most people know intimately: walking a path that feels familiar but is no longer comforting, dwelling on the uncertainty of where to go next. What makes this chapter even more resonant is its origin: the track is based on a poem by Syrian writer Hussein Hamza, who—like Ameen—comes from Syria’s coastal region. Ameen spent much of his youth there, studying, growing up, and eventually being imprisoned as a political activist opposing the regime. This place, and this poem, are part of his story.

The poem reflects the emotional fatigue of not knowing where to go next — the heaviness of always moving forward — while also remembering the lightness of childhood and how easily it’s lost. Its final line, “Let us remain young,” becomes a quiet call to hold onto that innocence, to protect what gives us hope and softness in hard times. ‘Tired Way’ carries that memory forward.

Sonically, 'Tired Way' carries the calm confidence of an act that doesn’t just know the story they’re trying to tell, but has lived it. Harmonies drift in and out with a quiet persistence, creating a mix that feels alive while still affording the listener room to breathe. It's clear that Shkoon lets their heritage shape their craft, with faint echoes of Middle Eastern folk intermingling with elements of organic house.

Yet even with a sound that feels fully realized, 'Tired Way' only scratches the surface. In March, the duo promises to dive even deeper into their shared story with ‘TRACES’, marking their most revealing body of work so far.'

Tired Way' is out now via MDLBEAST Records, with the full album landing March 2026.

Tour Dates:
27.11.2025 – Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg (DE) – SOLD OUT
06.12.2025 – The Sarnıç Restaurant, Istanbul (TR)*
11.12.2025 – Galaxy Hall, Erbil (IQ)02.01.2026 – Soma Bay, Hurghada (EG)
11.01.2026 – Zabeel Park, Dubai (AE)*
29.01.2026 – Bitterzoet, Amsterdam (NL)05.02.2026 – Atelier Café, Cluj (RO)
06.02.2026 – Control Club, Bucharest (RO)
21.03.2026 – KOKO, London (GB)16.04.2026 – Sala Upload, Barcelona (ES)
17.04.2026 – Café Berlín, Madrid (ES)
22.04.2026 – Flucc, Vienna (AT)
23.04.2026 – Rote Fabrik, Zürich (CH)
08.05.2026 – CBE, Cologne (DE)
13.05.2026 – Festsaal Kreuzberg, Berlin (DE)
19.05.2026 – Elipamanoke, Leipzig (DE)
22.05.2026 – C12, Brussels (BE)
29.05.2026 – Moriska Paviljongen, Malmö (SE)
06.06.2026 – Odin, Aayoun El Siman (LB)

*Thorben solo live set

More cities to be announced: Paris, Cairo, Doha, Jeddah, Muscat, Frankfurt, Munich.

SKATMAN DROPS HIS 'SELECTED BANGERS' LP ON DJ HELL'S DEEJAY GIGOLO IMPRINT

Berlin-based but globally-minded artist Skatman makes his debut on DJ Hell's iconic International Deejay Gigolo Records with Selected Bangers LP.

Conceived as a showcase of the most impactful tracks he produced over the past year, the album delivers exactly what its title promises: straight, no-compromise dancefloor bangers.

Navigating styles from peak-time house energy on Turn Up The Heat to old-school rave in Choose Your Destiny, through Italo disco and acid on Runaway Railway, and finally Baile Funk on Assim, Skatman channels chaos into precision-built club fire.

Selected Bangers LP will be released digital on November 21st and vinyl on December 12, 2025, in both vinyl and digital formats via International Deejay Gigolo Records.

ALEX WANN AND NOTRE DAME TEAM UP ON MESMERIZING ANTHEM: ‘THE CITY (FEAT. CARTEBLANCHE)’

The track lands hot on the heels of the pair’s co-headline tour across North America

Acclaimed DJ and producer Alex Wann has teamed up with rising artist Notre Dame for their first-ever collaboration, ‘The City,’ out now via Armada Music. The release follows closely on the heels of the pair’s North American co-headline tour, including a standout performance at 99 Scott in Brooklyn, New York City.

Blending Alex Wann’s signature Afro-house rhythms with Notre Dame's melodic textures, ‘The City’ delivers an evocative soundscape enriched by a powerful vocal from carteblanche, who delivers the emotive refrain: “I fell in love with the city.” Already a highlight in sets across the globe, the track is primed to become a standout dancefloor anthem.

Alex Wann says: "Jeremie (Notre Dame) and I have known each other for over ten years — friends from the same hometown. 'The City' came together naturally. The vocal immediately caught our attention: inspiring, emotional, and perfectly matching the energy we wanted to create."

Notre Dame added: “‘The City’ is a track born from our shared story, two kids who grew up in Paris and started this journey together. It’s a tribute to those nights that shaped us, to the city that raised us, and to everything that made us dream bigger."

Alex Wann has continued on an impressive upwards trajectory in 2025, building on his recognition as Dancing Astronaut’s Artists To Watch. With over 3.6 million monthly listeners, he continues to captivate audiences worldwide, highlighted by his rework of Route 94 and Jess Glynne’s ‘My Love,’ which has surpassed 72,000,000 streams and earned praise from When We Dip for his “talent for reimagining classic tracks with a fresh, modern twist.”

Notre Dame has quickly established himself as one of electronic music’s brightest new talents. In the past months he launched his own label, Paranormal, dropped ‘Give It To Me 2025,’ a collaboration with Adriatique, Nelly Furtado, and Timbaland on Interscope, while continuing to tour globally and deliver high-profile remixes for Lenny Kravitz, Bedouin, Röyksopp, and BLOND:ISH.

‘The City’ is out now via Armada Music.

With a fearless touch and instinct for what dance floors crave, Alex Wann bridges Parisian underground roots with global appeal. Breaking through in 2023 with his moody rework of Kelis’ 'Milkshake,' championed by Keinemusik, Diplo, Pete Tong, and David Guetta, he’s since become a staple on stages like Tomorrowland, Cercle Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, and EDC Las Vegas.

Releasing on Defected Records and remixing acts like Blond:ish, Adriatique, and Swedish House Mafia, Wann’s sound blends groove, emotion, and storytelling. Drawing inspiration from the cities and fans he encounters, he channels melody, rhythm, and melancholy into every track.

Now a global force, Alex Wann continues to evolve beyond viral fame — an artist defined by vision, energy, and enduring impact.

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Notre Dame is a Parisian DJ, producer, and musician whose cinematic and emotionally charged sound has made him one of electronic music’s most exciting new names. His breakout track “Yumi” on Solomun’s Diynamic label became a global hit, earning Pete Tong’s Essential New Tune and support from artists like Adriatique, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Keinemusik. Since then, Notre Dame has released on Innervisions, Cercle, Human By Default, and Kitsuné, and delivered acclaimed remixes for Lenny Kravitz, Röyksopp, and RY X. In 2025, he launched his label Paranormal and collaborated with Adriatique, Nelly Furtado, and Timbaland on “Give It To Me 2025” for Interscope. With performances at Pacha Ibiza, Space Miami, and Womb Tokyo, Notre Dame continues to craft immersive, uplifting sets that fuse emotion and euphoria.

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