“TONTO” SIGNALS SOMETHING BIGGER FROM J BALVIN AND RYAN CASTRO

THEIR NEW SINGLE ALONGSIDE DJ SNAKE IS OUT NOW

There’s an electricity that follows J Balvin and Ryan Castro lately: red carpets, surprise appearances, a quiet but undeniable alignment. Fans have been asking the same question: why have they been moving in tandem? With “TONTO,” the answer begins to surface.

As a collaboration between J Balvin, Ryan Castro, and global architect DJ Snake, the track feels less like a standalone release and more like the opening scene of a larger narrative – a record that understands the past while designing its own future. J Balvin moves with measured melodic cadence, gliding between sung hooks and rhythmic phrasing, while Ryan Castro counters with a slightly grittier, street-rooted tone that adds texture without overcrowding the mix. Nothing feels forced; their chemistry feels deliberate, each verse folding naturally into the next. As the track unfolds, slightly warped synths begin to surface, a subtle yet unmistakable touch from DJ Snake that broadens the sound without disrupting its pulse.

Directed by UN JACKALOPE and produced by BROKEN MINDS, “TONTO” unfolds like a gangster musical fantasy. It opens with a stark title card: “Érase una vez en paz” (once upon a time in peace). A quiet domestic moment unfolds as Valentina Ferrer holds their son, Río, the calm subtly interrupted by a man delivering a simple message: it’s time to go. Set against the streets of New York, J Balvin and Ryan Castro move in fur trench coats with a deliberate cool, channeling 1930s noir. The video revisits iconic films through a modern cinematic prism – echoes of Pulp Fiction, the playful coexistence of humans and cartoon characters from Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and the era’s cinematic textures that inspire mood and framing reminiscent of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. There’s choreography, restraint, and theatricality, a visual conversation with Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal", with J Balvin leaning into the anti-gravity tilt as a salute to pop mythology reframed in their own style. “TONTO” feels meticulously staged without ever feeling stiff, a carefully controlled chaos that’s entirely intentional.

Which brings us back to the question: why now? Why this pairing, this aesthetic? If “TONTO” is the opening act, what story are they about to tell?

J Balvin and Ryan Castro recently premiered “TONTO” during this year’s Premio Lo Nuestro Awards, delivering one of the night’s most talked-about moments. Looking ahead, J Balvin is preparing to embark on a Mexico arena tour this spring, reinforcing his status as one of the most in-demand live performers worldwide. With a career defined by innovation and global influence, he continues to shape music trends and set the standard for contemporary urban and pop music.

Every detail in “TONTO” feels deliberate, a puzzle whose next piece is waiting to be revealed.

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JACK EMERY RETURNS TO PURIFIED RECORDS WITH ‘EVERLAST’ EP

Joining a host of stunning label contributions, including ‘Halo’, ‘When I’m With You’ and ‘Walked Too Far’, San Diego-based artist Jack Emery makes a powerful return to Purified Records with his three-track ‘Everlast’ EP.

Diving deeper into the core of his musical identity, Emery delivers a sweeping, cinematic release that seamlessly balances delicate atmospheres with soaring melodic peaks across ‘Everlast’, ‘Up & Down’ and ‘Rise.’ Delivering timeless creations that work their magic both on and off the dancefloor, he continues to refine his signature sound, rooted in emotional storytelling, immersive textures and dynamic arrangements.

Speaking about the release, Jack mentioned, "I'm so excited to showcase a more diverse side of my sound in my third EP, 'Everlast'. The 3-track EP spans both melodic elements as well as a clubbier, more energetic side to my music which I'm thrilled to share via Purified Records." – Jack Emery

Known for his signature blend of deep basses, captivating melodies, and emotional vocals, Jack Emery has emerged as a key figure in the melodic house and techno scene. Making his mark as a label mainstay on Nora En Pure’s ‘Purified Records,’ his standout performances include sets at top venues across the United States, including Mission Ballroom, Purified Miami Music Week, Purified San Diego, Belly Up Aspen, 1015 Folsom, and The Marquis Park City. Jack Emery's music has seen support from Nora En Pure, Meduza, Sultan + Shepard, Pretty Pink, and Mees Salomé. Coming off his key accomplishments in 2025, including being named #21 in Sirius XM's "Chill Worthy 30 of 2025", Jack Emery is one to watch in the coming months.

Visually echoing the emotional depth and soaring scope of the ‘Everlast’ EP, the artwork features a mesmerizing aerial photograph of an Icelandic glacier by Jan Erik Waider (@northlandscapes). As glaciers rapidly disappear, the Ice Memory Foundation works to preserve their legacy before it is lost. Through international scientific collaboration, the organization extracts and safeguards ice cores from endangered glaciers, storing them in Antarctica as a permanent archive of Earth’s climate history. By protecting these frozen records, Ice Memory preserves vital data for future research while raising awareness about the urgency of climate change and the fragile beauty of the planet’s cryosphere.

Based in Hamburg, Germany, Jan Erik Waider is a fine art photographer renowned for his abstract portrayals of northern landscapes. Focusing on water, ice and intricate natural patterns, his work reveals the beauty found in the world’s most subtle details.

Looking to help further protect the planet? Explore Only One, the action platform for the planet, on a mission to restore ocean health and tackle the climate crisis - with the power of the people.

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COSEMO SHARES DEBUT SINGLE ‘YOU KNOW WHERE TO GO’ AHEAD OF FORTHCOMING DEBUT ALBUM

CoSemo has released ‘You Know Where To Go’, the first single from the upcoming debut album 'The Other Side Of Living', out now via If It’s Good Records / Virgin Music Group.

Produced by Finnian Casey, the track leans into warm, soulful house, pairing emotive songwriting with rich, textured electronics. It features vocals from CoSemo founder Nick DeCoSemo alongside singer Kristina Train, whose delivery brings a sense of depth and intimacy to the record. The project’s wider creative direction is shaped by multidisciplinary artist Hlengiwe Sewela, who plays a key role in its sonic and visual identity.

Kristina Train, a former Blue Note signee discovered by Arif Mardin, has previously worked with artists including Herbie Hancock, Dr Dre and Eg White. Additional instrumentation on the track comes from Mercury Prize-nominated musician Ed Harcourt, who contributes Rhodes and analogue synth elements.

DeCoSemo, a former Mixmag Editor, has spent over three decades working across music and media, with releases on labels including Atlantic, Classic Music Company, Universal, Eskimo and Perfecto. His global background feeds into CoSemo’s collaborative approach, which brings together artists from across different scenes and disciplines.

The single is backed by a remix package from Blackish Muzic & Frequency Shifters, Lil’T (PillowTalk), Demsky, Mark Valsecchi and David Paglia, each offering their own take on the track’s soulful core.

‘You Know Where To Go’ offers a first glimpse into 'The Other Side Of Living', a globally collaborative project featuring over 30 artists, set to explore a spectrum of electronic and song-driven sounds.

Tracklist:

1) You Know Where To Go (Original Mix)

2) You Know Where To Go (Blackish Muzic + Frequency Shifters Remix)

3) You Know Where To Go (Lil’T PillowTalk Remix)

4) You Know Where To Go (Demsky Remix)

5) You Know Where To Go (Mark Valsecchi Remix)

6) You Know Where To Go (David Paglia Burned Out Reprise)