CUROL REIMAGINES MONOLINK’S “BEACON”

The Brazilian Afro House artist delivers a rhythm driven reinterpretation from The Beauty Of It All remix series on Embassy One

Following the release of Monolink’s acclaimed third studio album The Beauty Of It All in 2025, Berlin based label Embassy One continues its remix series with a new interpretation of “Beacon” from Brazilian artist Curol. Building on recent reworks from Yamagucci and Maxi Meraki, the series highlights a range of perspectives on the album’s material, with each artist bringing their own sonic identity to Monolink’s deeply personal compositions. One of the album’s most emotionally resonant moments, “Beacon” now receives a bold reworking from Curol that expands its reach while remaining true to its core.

Curol’s remix reshapes “Beacon” through a playful Afro House lens, introducing a deeper rhythmic focus while preserving the emotional warmth at the heart of the original. Anchored by driving percussion, rich low-end movement and subtle melodic flourishes, her version brings a grounded intensity that feels expansive and immersive, drawing listeners into a more hypnotic, groove-led space.

Known for blending Brazilian percussion with striking rhythms and dance focused energy, Curol approaches the remix with clarity and intention. The result is a version that feels rooted, organic and expressive, balancing forward momentum with the reflective tone that defines Monolink’s songwriting, while opening the track to new contexts and settings.

Curol is one of the most influential voices in Brazilian Afro House, recognised for breaking barriers and paving the way for greater female representation in electronic music. Her career has taken her to some of the world’s most renowned stages, including Rock in Rio, Tomorrowland, Lollapalooza, Universo Paralello, DGTL, and Ushuaïa, alongside major international showcases at Europe, Africa and America.

In recent years, Curol has reached significant global milestones, including performances at Amsterdam Dance Event, and her participation in the Paris Olympics. She is a recipient of the WME Award for Best DJ and has been featured on 1001Tracklists’ The Future of Dance list for four consecutive years. Her releases have reached number one positions on both Beatport and Traxsource, and she made history as the first Brazilian woman to release on All Day I Dream with her remix of Dimitri Nakov’s “Nocturne”.

“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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Jack Emery | Purified Records | Only One