MIKEYY ENCOMPASSES CATHARTIC, REASSURING ENERGY ON MELODIC-MINDED FOUR-TRACK 'BREATHE' EP ON NIGHTMODE

New Zealand-based Mikeyy is a dynamic dance music producer who has been blending his signature vocals with emotion-fueled electronic music, which culminates into an uplifting and moving sound. Continuing his hot-handed run with NIGHTMODE comes the awe-stricking four-track EP ‘breathe’. The project builds on the momentum of the lead single “lift” and the title track “breathe.” The former has been a runaway success landing in the ‘Top 20 Hot NZ Singles Chart’ at #14, and drawing support from tastemaker radio in said region, George FM. The project also features two new tracks that build upon the immersive sonic universe while showcasing the range of the buzzing artist’s immense talents. 

Setting the stage comes the melancholic yet deceptively uplifting, “breathe,” a melodic house track meant to offer the world a shoulder to lean on. It bolsters his soft, breathy vocals and smooth falsetto, whose lyrics are the only sign pointing towards a suffocating anguish. The somber subject matter is contrasted by the radiant stutter synth leads, shimmering atmospherics, lofty melodic stabs, and shuffling groove, which hopes to guide tortured souls into the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s an intricate web of passion and pain intertwined in a catchy yet touching bop. 

“‘breathe’ was written in a time when I was going through a rough patch mentally. I built the chords in the breakdown to feel like I was almost giving myself a hug, and the lyrics reflect on the feeling you get when you have that pit in your stomach and feel trapped in it. The drop is high energy and features uplifting synths to help uplift both the listener and myself while I was making it.”–Mikeyy  

Illustrating Mikeyy’s shapeshifting style comes “lift,” a vibrant entry into the stutter house realm. On it, he weaves motivational lyrics through dynamic orchestral flourishes, lofty piano melodies, and warm synth textures. Mikeyy’s own topline vocals drive the track’s poignant message of resilience and self-love, complemented by the playful sounds of children’s laughter and soaring builds that explode into energetic drops. The result is a motivational burst of sound, designed to inspire listeners in virtually every scenario imaginable. 

“‘lift’ encapsulates the prettiness combined with the high energy of the ‘breathe’ EP. To anyone listening at home, on the dancefloor or at a big festival: I hope it moves you. You are always never alone.”  

“heal” is a turning point in the hero’s journey, both emotionally and aesthecally. Melodic plucks bounce over energetic drums in the introduction, creating an off-kilter uncertainty that is matched by the vocals. Mikeyy pours out his emotions, reflecting on his growth and the realization of time starting to heal the pains of the past. The mental breakthrough is backed by rising production that grows with his sense of confidence before exploding into a colorful cathartic release. The drops are an ecstatic eruption of energetic drum & bass sounds replete with stuttered vocal chops. It’s a powerful reminder that the sun will eventually shine and there’s beauty on the other side of the darkness.  

“‘heal’ encapsulates the light, raw feeling of the ‘breathe’ EP in drum & bass form. With a stutter house-influenced vocal chop in the drop, it’s wholesome but high energy as always.” 

Serving as a fitting finale, “Changes” is an immersive work of art that takes listeners on a heartfelt adventure. Meditative spoken word vocals guide you to a centred and reassured mental state. Hopeful piano notes drive the track forward while pensive keys, reverberating bass, and gripping strings are intertwined. “Let it all workout” is repeated through the track, acting as a motivational mantra to keep moving forward. The nearly six-minute epic navigates the highs and lows felt across the entire project, conjuring memories of dark days while interspersing a sense of reserved optimism that flourishes in the final uplifting crescendo to close things out. 

“‘changes’ is unfiltered and ends the ‘breathe’ EP with letting out all the undesired feelings of the tough time that the EP accounts. It’s mirrored with a positive tagline: ‘Let it all workout’ and hopeful pianos that build into the ultimate crescendo at the end with a big synth 4x4 drop to let out all the emotion.” 

Mikeyy’s ‘breathe’ EP is truly a breath of fresh air, showcasing his deep, emotional soul, expressive vocals, and dynamic production. 

Mikey is a 22-year-old artist blending emotional, high-energy dance music with his unique vocal style and production. Known for his genre-spanning, house-driven DJ sets, Mikey’s performances bring a vibrant, wholesome dance experience. His latest single, "Breathe," signed to LA-based label Nightmode Records, reached #14 on the Hot Singles Chart, joining a catalog with artists like Knock2 and Isoxo. He's collaborated with top New Zealand acts like Lee Mvtthews on “Promises” and is a frequent on George FM. With a résumé that includes major festivals like Rhythm and Vines, soundsplash etc and support slots for international acts like Chase and Status and Issey Cross, 2025 promises to be a big year, with the release of his full "Breathe" EP imminent on Los Angeles label NIGHTMODE.

SAKA ISSUES RAZOR-SHARP REMIX PACKAGE OF EXPERIMENTAL DUBSTEP SINGLE "SHAOLIN" WITH TAKES FROM INTEGRATE AND MINDSET ON GUD VIBRATIONS

The Hong Kong phenom releases the official remix pack for his previous single on NGHTMRE and SLANDER’s Gud Vibrations imprint, featuring fresh takes from Integrate, Mindset and his own VIP.

Saka returns to NGHTMRE and SLANDER’s Gud Vibrations with his latest offering arriving in the shape of the ‘Shaolin (Remixes),’ an electrified evolution of his 2022 single that trades calculated tension for pure, unrelenting force. The Hong Kong-raised, US-based low-end innovator sharpens the edges of his original, forging a precision-engineered sonic weapon built for maximum impact. 

This VIP mix amplifies “Shaolin” into a full-throttle assault, replacing its open, atmospheric space with a relentless barrage of razor-edged synths, piercing dub sirens, and clashing sword samples. The pacing intensifies, morphing the track into a high-speed collision of blistering sound design and airtight rhythmic execution. With the original surpassing 730,000 streams and earning co-signs from Skrillex, Four Tet, and Of The Trees, this rework makes it clear: “Shaolin” still has unfinished business. 

Summing up his release with sage insight, Saka puts it simply: “rip dubplate culture.”

Joining Saka on the remix package are underground bass disruptors Integrate and Mindset, each delivering their own seismic interpretation. Integrate—comprising VCTRE and Black Carl!—craft a heavier, more menacing version, weaving intricate sound design with their signature freeform bass aesthetic. Mindset, known for his dynamic take on halftime and experimental bass, adds his own deep, unrelenting spin. 

Sharing their excitement around being involved with the remix packs and label, Integrate says, “We are really stoked to be working with a label like Gud Vibrations. They always show love for underground artists like ourselves.”

Mindset adds another layer of hype by touching on his appreciation for the original and its creator: “Getting to remix ‘Shaolin' is an absolute honor. Eric [Saka] and I have been friends for years and being able to work with him on such a cool project is a little surreal. This track was a challenge for sure given it's already so good, but I think I did it some justice, so I'm happy about that!

The release arrives as Saka wraps up his ‘Moonfall Tour’ and immediately transitions into the ‘Saka x Fly’ Tour, hitting key US venues like Vivid Music Hall, Summit Music Hall, The Loft at Skyway Theater, Wonderlove, and The Point. 

With “Shaolin (VIP)” and its official remix pack releasing on Gud Vibrations, Saka reasserts his position at the vanguard of experimental bass music: pushing the envelope with a release that is as calculated as it is chaotic.

MACHAKI is a new emerging force in the bass community. First known for his viral remixes of songs that have received support from top DJs such as Excision, Deorro, San Holo, & Steve Aoki he provides festival ready music that doesn't end with just remixes. He blends dubstep and trap music with melodic elements and catchy vocals in his growing original discography that brings his listeners through a journey. With his headline and festival appearances increasing, we are excited to watch his growth in 2025.

Any preconceived notion of who Integrate is should be left at the door. VCTRE and Black Carl! may be two separate entities, but once integrated, they become one force that transcends any form of the word “genre.” There is not one without the other; join the movement.

Exploring the depths of analog synthesis, Tim Walker has crafted a distinct and ever-evolving presence in the underground bass scene. Blending the rawness of modular sounds with the swagger of modern hip-hop, his project, Mindset, delivers an unparalleled auditory experience. Mindset’s iconic tracks, such as “Everyone Sounds Like” and “Trenched,” are already making waves as he hits the road with Of The Trees. If you’re not familiar yet, you will be soon.

SURREAL PARK BRAZIL ANNOUNCES TWO DAY CARNIVAL SPECIAL

Raresh, Octave One, Ellen Allien and more to headline

The summer season at Surreal was simply unforgettable! With sharp and diverse curation, the world's largest club welcomed icons of the global electronic scene such as Carl Cox, ANNA, Mita Gami, Lee Burridge, Giorgia Angiuli, Neelix, Astrix, and Maceo Plex. 

Also, the club brought to life the new Mainstage called Ritual, marking a new chapter with a fresh decor concept, an entirely new tent, and a sensory experience never before seen in Brazil. Across Surreal Park's five stages, over 30,000 people from various parts of the world experienced nights of pure magic in December and January, solidifying the club as a true epicenter of global electronic music.

Surreal Carnival 2025

At the heart of Carnival, on March 1 and 3, Surreal Park will offer a plural programming.

March 1: A sonic journey focused on Tech House, gathering heavyweights such as CJ Jeff, a master in creating infectious atmospheres; Franky Rizardo, a global scene phenomenon and a regular at the world's biggest festivals; Illusionize, one of the genre's biggest stars in Latin America; Vanjee, a DJ and producer with over three decades of history; along with Ratier with his extensive musical experience and the Laguna Sound Department collective, promising a sequence of hypnotic and danceable grooves.

March 3: An epic night for Techno and Minimal fans, bringing names that have marked generations. On the Bells stage, the legend Ellen Allien, a pioneer of Berlin Techno, will bring her raw and futuristic energy, while the American duo Octave One, an absolute reference in Detroit Techno, will deliver an explosive live set, combining intense beats and engaging analog synths. To complete this powerful lineup, Gusta-vo will bring his hypnotic and potent sound signature. On the Nomad stage, more conceptual sounds come to life with Raresh, the Romanian minimal wizard, accompanied by Brazilian talents Aninha, Botanic Soundsystem, and Gartzzea.

Surreal: The Future of Electronic Music in Latin America

In addition to impeccable curation, 2025 will mark a new chapter in the history of Surreal Park. The club, already impressive for its size and structure, will inaugurate a new stage in an unprecedented project in Latin America: a dance floor inside the fuselage of a Boeing 727-200, an experience that will unite innovation, design, and musical immersion like never before.

Ratier's audacity and tireless dedication to electronic music culture for 29 years have made Surreal more than just a club – they have transformed it into a movement. A place where art, technology, and nature merge to create unforgettable experiences. For those seeking to live the true essence of electronic music, there is no more unmissable destination.