AALIYAH ESPRIT CAPTURES RAVE EUPHORIA ON NEW SINGLE “MY EX-STACY”

Manchester based singer-songwriter Aaliyah Esprit continues to carve out a distinctive space on the UK drum and bass scene with new single, “My Ex-Stacy,”.

Stepping outside of the box, "My Ex-Stacy” sees Aaliyah pushing genre boundaries with a bold fusion of drum & bass, trance-inspired production, and nostalgic rave influences. Produced by Channell of The North Quarter and reworked by producer Bypassmusic, the track is packed with euphoric synths, energetic drops, and chaotic late-night energy, which tells a fun and inventive story about a toxic ex-girlfriend and the addictive cycle of partying, escapism, and chasing highs.

Aaliyah first gained recognition following the independent release of her ‘Exchanging Energies’ EP, a project rooted in R&B, soul, and jazz influences that established her early presence as an emerging UK artist. She later became part of the prestigious Future Bubblers programme, founded by Gilles Peterson and Brownswood Recordings, supporting forward-thinking UK talent and helping shape her evolving artistic direction.

Although now recognised within drum and bass circles, an underlying R&B sensibility has always remained at the core of Aaliyah’s sound, from her melodic songwriting to her vocal arrangements and emotional delivery. “My Ex-Stacy” reflects that crossover instinct, using drum and bass as a vehicle to explore more electronic and rave-inspired elements while still staying rooted in soulful songwriting.

Her journey into drum and bass was catalysed after meeting Lenzman through mutual connections including DRS, with early writing sessions quickly evolving into a pivotal creative partnership that played a key role in launching her career within the genre. Through working closely with Lenzman and The North Quarter, Aaliyah began contributing vocals and songwriting across the scene, including collaborations with artists such as Zero T and C.I.A Records.

Since then, she has built an expanding catalogue solo R&B single “Hate To Be You” and collaborations such as “Bleeding Out,” with Zero T on Soulvent Records, “Something Got Me,” with Zero T on The North Quarter and “Hustlin,” with Lally via Hospital Records. Alongside her releases, Aaliyah has performed across key UK stages including We Out Here, Bluedot Festival and The Great Escape, as well live venue Omeara, building a reputation across both festival and underground live circuits. 

In recent years, Aaliyah has focused heavily on songwriting and artistic development, attending writing camps in Bali and Italy with Arcadia while collaborating closely with producers and musicians across multiple genres. During this time, she also began developing her own production skills, deepening her understanding of arrangement and studio work.

Now, having spent time immersed in both drum and bass and electronic music, Aaliyah returns with a focused solo drum and bass project led by “My Ex-Stacy,” ahead of a new wave of R&B material arriving later this year. “My Ex-Stacy” marks the exciting beginning of her next chapter as a solo artist in her own right.

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CORREN CAVINI ENCAPSULATES THE WONDER OF SOUTH AFRICA IN ‘LION’S HEAD’

Dutch label mainstay Corren Cavini returns to Purified Records with 'Lion's Head' — a single that started with a place. After his appearance at Purified South Africa last year, and his first trip to the Mother Continent,  the landscapes and energy of the country remained with him. Built on classical foundations and stripped back to what matters, the track unfolds gradually – his way of capturing what he saw and felt there, in sonic form.

Speaking about the release, Corren Cavini mentioned,

“In March last year, I visited and played in South Africa for the first time. It was one of my first international tours, and my first time on the Mother Continent. It was a beyond special experience! I stayed in Cape Town for a few days and Nora En Pure wanted to show me why it was “the most beautiful place in the world”, as she said. The sun set as we climbed up Lion’s Head, and I was absolutely blown away. The 360 view of the capes, Table Mountain, and the sun setting over the ocean. Seeing whales come up for air in the far distance. Every aspect of that moment has stayed with me.

Very shortly after, I started trying to capture that feeling, that memory, into sound. It took a very long time to find what it needed to sound like. Now, more than a year and many versions of ‘Lion’s Head’ later, I am so happy I finally did.”

Following his previous release ‘Hopes & Fears’ on Purified Records, Corren continues to impress with his evolving artistry and emotional depth. Taking his sound to audiences around the world, he has recently performed across North America, including his debut at Miami Music Week, and is set to return this summer for Purified New York in Central Park. After delivering a captivating set at Purified London last year, Corren will also return for this year’s edition at The Cause. With each performance and release, he continues to push creative boundaries, reaching new heights and cementing his place as one of the most exciting rising talents in melodic electronic music.

The artwork features Lion's Head in all its grandeur, captured by Tobias Reich — the iconic peak above Cape Town where the landscape that inspired this record begins. Reflecting the importance of protecting such landscapes, Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, @wessa_sa works to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainability through environmental education, community programs, and conservation initiatives across the country.

If you’d like to support projects helping to protect our planet and oceans, explore @onlyone.

Connect with:

 Corren Cavini | Purified Records | Only One

SUNORA TEAM UP WITH KAPIR ON NEW SINGLE SUNSET TO SUNRISE

Out now via SUNCTURE, the new single marks Sunora’s second official release on their recently formed imprint, following the success of their Echoes of Light EP with FunkT!de in April

Following the critically acclaimed launch of their new label SUNCTURE earlier this year, rising electronic duo Sunora return with their latest single Sunset to Sunrise, a dynamic collaboration with newly introduced SUNCTURE resident artist Kapir.

Blending emotive indie dance energy with melodic house textures, Sunset to Sunrise continues to define the sonic identity Sunora are building through SUNCTURE; groove-led, atmospheric electronic music designed for both open-air moments and late-night dancefloors. Built around hypnotic rhythms, warm synth work and an expansive sense of movement, the track captures the feeling of transition and escapism that has quickly become central to the duo’s evolving sound.

The release also marks an important introduction for Kapir, a fresh new project joining the SUNCTURE roster. While still in its early stages, the project is already beginning to generate attention internally within the label camp, with Sunora positioning Kapir as a key part of SUNCTURE’s long-term creative direction.

Adding to the anticipation around the release, globally renowned DJ and All Day I Dream founder Lee Burridge has been supporting Sunset to Sunrise in his sets for close to a year, with live recordings of the track circulating from recent performances and helping build early momentum ahead of its official release.

Sunset to Sunrise follows a strong opening run for SUNCTURE. The label debuted on April 24 with Echoes of Light, Sunora’s collaborative three-track EP alongside FunkT!de, establishing the imprint’s warm, melodic and emotionally driven aesthetic. SUNCTURE’s second release arrived on May 22 with FunkT!de’s Hold It Right There, further expanding the label’s developing catalogue and musical identity.

Since launching earlier this year, Sunora — the collaborative project of Chertkovski and Alar — have continued to build momentum across the indie dance and melodic house space. Combining deep studio craftsmanship with organic groove, vintage-inspired synth textures and fluid vocal elements, the duo have already earned support from BBC Radio 1 and key tastemakers across the global electronic scene. Their recent collaboration with Lee Burridge, Bianco Montana, released via All Day I Dream in March 2026, further cemented their arrival as one of the genre’s most promising emerging acts.

Sunora is the collaborative project of Chertkovski and Alar, and the creative force behind SUNCTURE — an independent label and platform dedicated to forward-thinking electronic music. Blending indie dance, melodic house and organic influences, the duo has carved out a distinctive sound rooted in groove, emotion and timeless songwriting.

Since launching the project, Sunora has been featured across more than 50 international media outlets, including Beatportal, Mixmag Brasil and Tanzgemeinschaft, while earning support from BBC Radio 1, Ibiza Global Radio and over 60 radio stations worldwide. Their music has achieved multiple Beatport Indie Dance chart entries, including a Top 10 placement with “Bianco Montana”, their collaboration with Lee Burridge on All Day I Dream, and has been championed by artists such as Adriatique, Jamie Jones, Roger Sanchez, Vintage Culture, Damian Lazarus, Chris Lake and Nic Fanciulli. Recent unreleased material has also found support from tastemakers including Pete Tong and Franky Wah.

Drawing on years of experience across the international electronic music scene, Chertkovski and Alar create music that balances dancefloor energy with emotional depth, combining warm analogue textures, immersive melodies and refined production. Through both Sunora and SUNCTURE, they continue to build a musical world where atmosphere, connection and lasting artistry take precedence over passing trends.