Kaskade’s new singles “DNCR” and “Imprint” tease listeners with a taste of what’s to come on his next album, Undux. Those two tracks, released Thursday, October 16, are the first of Kaskade’s tracks to be released from his upcoming album, slated to drop on December 4.
Though the tracks contrast in sound, they share themes of connection and renewal through their vulnerable lyricism and tasteful production. “DNCR” and “Imprint” highlight Kaskade’s evolution as a storyteller inspired by emotion.
Featuring a pulsing beat and euphoric vocals, “DNCR” delivers thick emotional intensity while maintaining Kaskade’s iconic, danceable sound. The track reflects how movement, specifically dance, encourages connection and inspires living in the now.
“This song taps into the power of surrender – the way connection can pull you out of your own head and into the present moment,” Kaskade said. “It’s about being moved by another person’s energy.”
Video Courtesy: MP3 Public Relations
Truthfully, the track is as addictive as some of Kaskade’s top dance hits. The beat’s ability to create movement, paired with alluring lyrics rolling off the tongue, makes the track an effortless listen.
While “DNCR” inspires free-spirited movement, “Imprint” slows down the tempo for a moving, introspective moment among listeners. With a beautiful metaphor behind the track title, “Imprint” will bring deep emotions to the surface for many.
“These lyrics come from a place of trying to make sense of a story that doesn’t unfold the way you imagined,” Kasakade said. “It’s about memory, perspective, and the marks people leave on our lives – sometimes permanent, sometimes like ink that fades.”
Photo Courtesy: MP3 Public Relations
The song begins with a beat, begging listeners to lock in on its meaningful lyrics. It’s certainly the type of song that gives listeners a moment for themselves to think, feel, and be.
Courtney Storm’s angelic, deep voice is an undeniable match for the moving story Kaskade tells with “Imprint.” While he crafts a calm, meaningful soundscape, her voice perfectly captures the tone of his narrative.
Evidently, Kaskade is no stranger to transparency regarding emotion, and these two singles showcase that. “Imprint” perfectly encapsulates the feeling of longing, matching its soft tune to lyrics written from the heart. “DNCR” explores the magic of dance and its ability to connect people of all backgrounds.
Kaskade’s forthcoming album, Undux, will be released on December 4 through his label, Arkade, and Monstercat. Listeners can presave it here.
Manic Focus, the electronic music project of John “JmaC” McCarten, is once again blurring genre lines with his latest full-length album, Other Side of Paradise. He fuses electronic, funk, soul, and hip-hop into a sound that grabs attention instantly. The album pushes his style forward while keeping the groove that fans know and love. Each track feels intentional, layering rich textures and emotional bass design that’s both raw and refined.
Manic Focus’ 10th studio album showcases his evolution as both a producer and performer. “Candy Apple” opens with lush melodies and midtempo basslines that glide effortlessly. “In The Dark” crashes in with distorted synths and sub-bass, delivering a thrilling rush. “Let Up Waves” takes a bold turn into deep progressive house, proving Manic Focus isn’t afraid to experiment. Every song stands on its own while contributing to a cohesive, adventurous story.
Beyond the studio, the 15-track LP highlights his versatility. Other Side of Paradise translates seamlessly into the live space. Collaborators elevate the project further. Phyphr, Borahm Lee, Megan Hamilton, and Marvel Years add depth and texture. Their contributions enhance the emotional range and stylistic breadth. Tracks like “River Road” and “Hey Boom Boom” blend blues-inflected riffs with electronic grooves. The result is an album that feels alive, unpredictable, and heartfelt. John shares,
“Over the past two years I’ve tried to come up with a more solid definition of the sound of Manic Focus, but I often find myself exploring more and more the enormous musical landscape before us and can’t stop experimenting with various synth elements and genres. I’ve always leaned more on the production side than the DJ side, but this album has a lot of good mix in/out points for DJs wanting to showcase the MF style. I hope you enjoy it. Much love! -John “JmaC” McCarten”
With Other Side of Paradise, Manic Focus proves he masters genre-defying electronic music. He experiments boldly while maintaining his groove. Fans can stream the album now and catch him live this fall. His high-energy sets merge improvisation and electronics, creating a living, breathing experience. With only three stops left — Lincoln, Iowa City, and Dallas — don’t miss your chance to feel every drop, rhythm shift, and melody live.
From the moment you stepped in through the gates at Lake Perris, you knew this wasn’t just another music festival — it was a living, breathing world, unfolding in front of you. Over three sunbaked days, Same Same But Different wove together adventures, artistic surprises, and pure communal bliss. What struck me most wasn’t the headliners (though they were stellar) — it was the energy, the curiosity, the countless side quests pulling you in every direction.
The World of SSBD
The festival grounds felt intentionally designed — not just for efficiency, but for discovery. You could wander down a path and suddenly find a hidden art installation shimmering in the trees, a pop-up drum circle, a yoga sound bath, or a random side stage by the water. There was always something happening. That sense of possibility — that you might stumble on a moment you didn’t even know you needed.
And the energy was infectious. People weren’t just showing up to see big names; they were showing up to explore, to dance, to interact. Conversations sprang up at art booths, in line for food, in kayaks floating in the water. Strangers became friends in a matter of minutes.
Beyond the Headliners: The Hidden Gems
Yes, the headliners — LSZEE, Zeds Dead, Dr. Fresch, and others — delivered. Big drops, poignant transitions, festival-scale spectacle. But what I’ll remember longest are the sets from artists I had no idea about before the weekend. Artists whose names were new to me, but whose sounds carried me deep into new moods. Eclectic blends of bass, world rhythms, ambient textures, glitch, and experimental. Those surprise performances kept me on my toes — sometimes I’d wander toward a stage just for curiosity, then stay for an hour, utterly hypnotized.
That diversity is one of SSBD’s greatest strengths. It doesn’t rely on the same formula — it trusts the curators, it trusts the crowd’s spirit of openness.
Floating in Sound: Lake Sessions & Nakey Island
One of the most magical things: enjoying music on the water. The lake stages offered an entirely different atmosphere. Your senses shift — the lap of water, the reflection of light on the surface, the gentle rocking — all blending with the beats. You’d drift by in a float, feel the sand between your toes, and suddenly your body is absorbing music differently.
And then there’s Nakey Island. People dancing freely, removed from the core of the festival, pure joy. It felt like a secret ceremony sometimes. The beats, the bodies, the energy were raw and generous. When the sun dipped low, the vibes there were among the festival’s deepest moments.
Side Quests & Art Everywhere
SSBD doesn’t settle for “main stage plus food trucks.” No — it thrives on side quests. “What’s behind that scrim?” “What’s happening behind that veil?” Every corner offered something unexpected:
Interactive art installations you could walk through, climb on, or trigger with motion
Workshops from flow arts to sound healing to trance yoga
Hidden pop-ups late at night
Beach parties, lakeside chill zones, secret paths
Ambient sound walks, meditation zones, mini performances in secluded pockets
These “mini-worlds” lent texture and depth to the festival. At no point did you feel pinned down; your pace, your path, your experience could wind and branch.
LSDream’s Lightcode Experience
In the midst of all the high energy, one of the most transcendent experiences came from LSDREAM’s Lightcode Sound Bath. As the day was getting started after a night full of dancing, hundreds gathered — some sitting cross-legged, others lying on the grass — to let the frequencies wash over them.
Lightcode wasn’t a “set” in the traditional sense. It was a collective exhale — an invitation to realign, breathe, and tune inward. LSDREAM guided the crowd through waves of ambient tones, cosmic hums, and crystalline synths that felt equal parts ancient and futuristic. The vibrations seemed to ripple through the air itself, mixing with the lake’s reflection and the quiet murmur of nature.
It was surreal to watch festivalgoers — many who had been headbanging hours before — now lying still, eyes closed, hands resting gently on the earth. For sixty minutes, the energy shifted from outward expression to inward connection. When it ended, the crowd rose slowly, glowing. You could feel the stillness in everyone — a shared reset before diving back into the night’s chaos.
Moments like that are what make Same Same But Different truly live up to its name.
The Collective Energy — Your Own Soundtrack
Throughout the festival, what tied everything together was people’s energy. Even during the downtimes — dusk, sunrise, transitions — you could feel chatter, laughter, hums of music somewhere, movement. Nobody sat still too long; even in rest, there was a pulse. The crowd felt participatory, not passive.
You’d catch yourself glancing upward at art pieces overhead, or sidestepping into a glowing tunnel, or being rung into a drum circle you stumbled into. That openness of space, of mind, of willingness — made the whole event richer.
Notable Highlights (Moments That Will Stay)
Watching an unexpected mid-afternoon set by a “small” artist turn into one of my favorite hours
Drifting on a float during a lake set, watching lasers and starlight blend
The whole Nakey Island sunset — dancers, waves, minimal barriers
Discovering an art piece late at night that shifted in light and shadow as you passed
The moment when a little workshop turned into a full jam session
Morning acroyoga on the lake’s edge
Final Impressions
Same Same But Different 2025, for me, was one of the top festival experiences I’ve had. The experience holds together because heart holds it together. It’s a festival that trusts participants to bring their curiosity, their energy, and their willingness to be surprised. I came with friends and left with even more.
If I had to sum it up: it felt less like “going to a festival” and more like “entering a living realm.” A world made of sound, art, water, movement, and connection. And I came out with new favorites, new stories, new friendships, and a renewed sense of what a festival can be.
Tape B is known for his hard-hitting, nostalgic flips of hip-hop staples, including remixes of TLC’s “No Scrubs,” A$AP Rocky’s “Peso” and “Goldie.” Having built a reputation for putting a fresh spin on timeless classics, he can now add Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” to the list, teaming up with Effin for a bass-driven reimagining. After months of anticipation, the track has finally arrived!
Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” is widely recognized as one of her most raw and relatable tracks, with lyrics that echo themes of heartbreak, self-destruction, and addiction. Tape B and Effin’s spin preserves that emotional vulnerability while layering in dynamic drops and sharp basslines. Serving as both a tribute and a modern, forward-thinking rework, the track perfectly balances her timeless vocals with beats ready for the dance floor.
Both Effin and Tape B were at Excision’s Lost Lands this year for the United States’ biggest bass music festivals. Friday’s attendees had the pleasure of hearing the new “Back to Black” flip, with both artists on the Prehistoric Stage during Tape B’s set. Check out a clip from the set below!
If you weren’t able to catch “Back to Black” at Lost Lands this year, don’t worry – Tape B isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Having recently announced Phase 2 of “The Soundtrack to Everything” tour, he has shows planned through December 19, with stops in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, New York, California, and more. This insane run of shows will feature support from Cool Customer, know good, MPH, Saka B2B Fly, PHRVA, STVSH, Super Future, Ashez, cozykev, and RSUN. See where Tape B is headed next in the image below, and follow his socials to stay updated on new music and show announcements!
This past weekend, John Summit brought his first-ever Experts Only Festival to New York City, taking over Randall’s Island for two days of house and techno. With more than 50,000 fans in attendance, the festival marked one of the biggest electronic events in NYC this year and gave Summit a chance to showcase his vision for a curated, fan-first experience.
Photo Courtesy: Experts Only Festival
The layout and atmosphere stood out just as much as the music. After a long hiatus from major festivals at Randall’s Island, it felt refreshing to return to the iconic setting with its skyline views and open space. The energy across the grounds was buzzing, with stages designed for both intimate grooves and massive peak-time moments.
The Co-Founders of Medium Rare shared: “With the absence of Electric Zoo, and now Brooklyn Mirage, we saw a major hole in the market for this kind of show. It’s no easy feat to produce a 50,000-person festival on an island but we’re fortunate to have done it before and have gained the trust of city officials. It’s a full circle moment for us and it’s truly incredible to see the Experts Only Fest come to life.”
Photo Courtesy: Experts Only Festival
On stage, the lineup delivered exactly what fans came for. John Summit closed both nights with high-energy sets that reminded people why he’s at the top of modern house music, with Sunday’s two-hour closer easily considered one of his best yet. Kaskade’s back-to-back with Cassian was another highlight, blending soaring melodies with club-ready beats that had the crowd locked in from start to finish.
Other standout performances came from Green Velvet b2b Layton Giordani, LP Giobbi, Kasablanca, and AYYBO, creating a diverse mix of styles, while keeping the house and techno heartbeat strong. Summit said in an interview on ABC, “…trying to find lesser known talent instead of just working with the names that everyone knows, I think it’s awesome to put the more undiscovered names on.” The featured artists on this lineup, top to bottom, did not disappoint.
In the end, Experts Only Festival made a powerful debut. It filled a major gap in New York’s dance music scene and reminded fans how special Randall’s Island can be for large-scale events. Between the uniquely curated lineup, the positive energy of the crowd, and Summit’s own headline performances, the weekend felt like the start of something much bigger: a new tradition in New York City’s festival calendar!
That’s a wrap, year 30 of Nocturnal Wonderland SoCal is in the books, and it was a memorable one. Ravers from all over the world came to Glen Helen Amphitheater for two days under the stars. Both days were filled with pyro, lasers, bass, dancing, and amazing vibes. The lineup was stacked from top to bottom, leaving you sad it’s over. Check out our recap below in case you missed it or want to relive the weekend.
Day One
Nocturnal started with a bang on day one. On the Mystic Wild stage, Waxtroda (Matroda b2b Wax Motif) had the crowd vibing and dancing. Later in the evening, this stage was closed out by the legendary Eric Prydz. He was rumored to have almost missed his set due to a leg injury; however, being the legend he is, Eric Prydz played sitting down with his injured leg.
Dawn Mountain was home to the bassheads all weekend. Day one was blessed by a rare Liquid Stranger set, followed by the bone-shattering drops of Wooli. Aurora Plains was headlined by Skream and MK, who had the whole crowd mesmerized with their visuals and music. After day one, I didn’t want to leave, but day two did not disappoint.
Day one kicked off the 30th anniversary in an amazing way, and day two kept that party going. The Mystic Wild stage hosted Seven Lions and Zedd. They not only had you in your feels but also kept you dancing and headbanging while fireworks were going off all around you. At the Dawn Mountain stage, Level Up threw down one of the heaviest sets of the weekend, while Sullivan King closed out the stage.
San Pancho had the Aurora Plains stage so packed that you could barely make it from one side of the festival to the other. AC Slater b2b Tchami brought down the house with night bass that had the crowd dancing out of the exits. No matter where you looked or went, there was amazing music and great places to vibe out.
Atmosphere
Nocturnal Wonderland at Glen Helen Amphitheater is always an amazing festival. In the canyon surrounded by mountains, there is an incredible view wherever you look. Each day, there was an stunning sunset before getting to vibe under the stars. It features various areas throughout the festival to relax, including the Rave Cave, a giant tent surrounded by lights in front of the Mystic Wild stage, and the art installations by Dawn Mountain. No matter where you went, there was great music and good vibes.
This year, each stage received some major upgrades. Mystic Wild had even more lasers than previous years, along with a slight redesign of the iconic Nocturnal Wonderland stage itself. Dawn Mountain was a totally new design this year. It had more LED screens for enhanced visuals, but here is where the pyro really shone. You could feel the fire all the way from the back of the crowd! The craziest visuals of the weekend could be found at Aurora Plains. You could stay there and look at the wild visuals for hours while dancing to house music.
Nocturnal Wonderland is a festival that ravers around the world eagerly anticipate every year. If you’re ready for next year, you’re in luck! Tickets for 2026 are currently on sale here. We look forward to seeing you under the stars next year!
For those of us who weren’t at Lost Lands, we missed one of the biggest announcements of the year: ALLEYCVT is officially dropping her new EP 9 LIVES, and it’s here today. As an electronic music producer, vocalist, and songwriter, ALLEYCVT has had an incredible year. This EP reflects her transformation and evolution as an artist.
More than just a collection of songs, this project represents the different “lives” of ALLEYCVT as she navigates her journey both personally and artistically. It explores themes of perseverance, vulnerability, and self-discovery.
Fans got a little taste of the EP back in August with the first track “SO DAMN GOOD.” This track is a perfect example of ALLEYCVT’s ability to blend emotional depth with bass-heavy, hard-hitting drops. Today, she also unveiled the tracks “ALIVE,” “OTHER SIDE,” “NOVOCAINE,” and “FALL INTO YOU.” Each track is designed as both a personal narrative and a collective experience, connecting listeners through cycles of grief, loss, and renewal.
“9 LIVES embodies everything I’ve ever wanted to be as an artist,” said ALLEYCVT. “During my journey, I had started writing my initial EP, and it just didn’t resonate with me. I made the choice to get back in the studio after tour and rediscover where I wanted to take the ALLEYCVT project.”
“With 9 LIVES,” ALLEYCVT continues, “I finally feel like it gives a taste of everything I’m into musically & has allowed me to develop my production & sound even more. I’m extremely proud of this project, and I feel like there’s something for everyone on this EP!”
ALLEYCVT is taking 9 LIVES on the road with a full schedule of shows and festivals across the globe, from California to London to Mexico. Fans can catch her on September 28 at Same Same But Different (Perris, CA), October 10 at Seven Stars Festival (Arrington, VA), November 1 at Haunted Fest (Newport, KY), November 9 at EDC Orlando (Orlando, FL), and her largest headlining show to date, SUPERSONIC BALLROOM on December 6 (Denver, CO), among many more. Stay up to date on all things ALLEYCVT, check out her socials and official website below!
The desert came alive this weekend as Goldrush: The Return to the West delivered a flawless two-day frontier rave. Fans poured into Rawhide Western Town, ready for thundering sets, immersive activations, and endless desert magic. From the pre-parties to the sunrise after-hours, Goldrush kept the dust dancing nonstop.
The lineup hit with precision, blending heavy bass, soaring melodies, and endless energy. Headliners shook Rawhide’s foundations, while support acts kept stages buzzing from open to close. Riddim rail riders collided with house shufflers, creating a wild but unified energy across the crowd. Every drop echoed across the desert, marking another historic year.
Day One
Day one of Goldrush launched with Dillon Francis bringing the nostalgia, giving the Golden Gorge stage a dynamic edge. Crankdat kept the momentum high with a mix of trap and bass that had fans bouncing nonstop. Headlined by Excision’s bone-rattling drops and stunning visuals, energy built steadily until the desert sky erupted in lasers, pyro, and bass. No matter when or where, Excision never misses.
Pioneer Peak opened with Turbo, who laid down heavy bass to spark early momentum. Steller followed with glitchy, experimental energy that kept the crowd moving. One of the sickest sets of the night, Arius, put people into a fever dream with their Prism Warp laser show. At the same time, INFEKT carried the energy forward with darker, grittier tones, driving the late-night intensity even higher.
Saturday drew even bigger crowds, with Illenium b2b Zeds Dead delivering the most talked-about set of the weekend. Illenium’s emotional melodies collided with Zeds Dead’s darker, genre-bending bass for a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Disco Lines, Major Lazer, and Showtek added bass, house, and hardstyle flair, keeping the energy diverse and nonstop. Fans pressed shoulder to shoulder at Golden Gorge, roaring through every drop.
The Dusty Disco brought the heat inside, rocking a full-on saloon vibe with swinging doors and Western décor. Fans packed the room, dancing to relentless bass as lasers and strobes bounced off wooden beams. The surprise set from the Polar Bears turned the saloon electric—it felt like a hidden desert hideout, leaving everyone buzzing long after the music ended.
Over at Pioneer Peak, Dennett mixed grooves and drops that connected with the growing crowd. DRINKURWATER kept fans guessing, blending bass with unexpected twists and hyped vocals. By then, the dust was thick and the crowd was locked in. Kompany arrived with brutal sound design, unleashing chest-rattling drops and precise visuals. Space Laces pushed things further, bending genres into a technical, high-powered set that had heads banging nonstop. Showtek closed Pioneer Peak with a hardstyle finale, shaking the ground with fast BPMs and nonstop energy.
Atmosphere
The Golden Gorge main stage stood tall with massive LED screens, delivering an intricate visual experience. Each screen pulsed with color, detail, and synchronized effects that matched every drop. The layout provided artists with a larger canvas to showcase their unique identities while maintaining an immersive energy. Fans raved about the scale, calling it one of the most dynamic festival stage designs in Arizona.
Goldrush leaned into its Wild West theme in every corner. The Rawhide Western Town facades, rustic decor, and Western-town-inspired photo ops pulled you into the frontier vibe from arrival. Interactive activations appeared in several forms: shaded lounges, games, and booths where you could take breaks and engage with festival brand partners. Tacos, pizza, burgers, and vegan options fueled the night, giving everyone plenty of energy to dance until 2 AM. While the music was of course front and center, the extras—the lounges, the hydration station, the VIP upgrades, the theming—elevated the experience. The festival didn’t just drop bass; it delivered environment, atmosphere, and comfort.
Goldrush once again proved that it’s more than just a festival—it’s an immersive journey into a different world. Every detail was designed to keep fans fully locked into the moment. By blending music with environment and community, Goldrush created a frontier where memories felt larger than life, and where the dust will linger long after the final beat dropped.
The mission objective was simple: deliver a monumental night of bass to Arizona’s desert faithful. On Saturday night, Wooli executed flawlessly at Rawhide Event Center, unleashing a relentless combination of melodic anthems and skull-rattling drops. Fans poured in as doors opened at 8:00 PM, and the desert air pulsed with anticipation. The openers wasted no time in setting the tone. Rising bass talent District 13 took the decks first, blending heavy riddim with high-voltage dubstep to get heads knocking.
Capochino did his opening run with a mix of nostalgic club edits and off-kilter drops. ProbCause took the energy in a different direction, layering hip-hop flair with gritty basslines and unexpected genre pivots. Next, The Brothers—Automhate and MAD DUBZ—brought a no-holds-barred B2B session. Their riddim-heavy attack hit like a jolt of caffeine. LEVEL UP dropped a hypnotic mix of wobbly basslines and sharp, crowd-pleasing heaters. Her seamless blends of heavy collabs and fresh IDs had the audience locked in from start to finish.
Photo Credit: Luis Colato
Wooli then took the stage, fusing emotional melodies with destructive energy—a balance that’s made him one of bass music’s most sought-after acts. Crowd roars erupted during unreleased IDs and VIPs like “Chaos Theory (VIP) [unreleased] and “Name Drop” (VIP) [unreleased] x “Shadow Land Burial” [unreleased]. The Wild West atmosphere met futuristic production as lasers split the night sky. LED walls moved in sync with Wooli’s basslines. Every drop felt like a shockwave. Each subwoofer system tuned so tightly that you could feel it in your chest.
By the end of the night, Rawhide had once again proven itself a battlefield for bass. Wooli’s mission was not only accomplished—it was a victory carved into the desert floor, remembered by every fan who lived through the bass stampede.
Arizona’s bass community proved unstoppable this past weekend as SHAQ’s Bass All-Stars Phoenix took over Rawhide Event Center. Fans packed the venue, surrounded by a stunning 360-degree stage design featuring massive screen walls that wrapped around the crowd on all sides.
The madness began with DJ FÄMM, winner of the official local DJ competition, who set the tone early with relentless bass. RZRKT b2b Celo followed, whipping the crowd into a frenzy with hard-hitting, back-to-back intensity. Jkyl & Hyde and GHENGAR took things darker, each drop igniting the floor with unfiltered chaos. Then, the screens ascended, revealing an electrifying new dimension to the production as DJ Diesel stormed the stage. He dropped wall-shaking anthems that had the entire crowd stomping in unison. Shaquille O’Neal’s larger-than-life presence matched the music’s ferocity, sealing the night with unstoppable energy.
Alison Wonderland elevated the atmosphere with her dynamic mix of heavy bass and emotional textures, striking a perfect balance to close out the night. Outside the pit, fans had plenty to fuel their journey. Vendors lined the grounds with options like Island Noodles and SHAQ’s Big Chicken, satisfying every craving. Meanwhile, the beloved Moon Lvnding booth had all the essentials—hand fans, gum, earplugs, and anything else you might have forgotten. Together, these offerings turned the festival grounds into a full-sensory experience, beyond just the music.
Relentless Beats once again showcased why Arizona stands as a hub for bass music culture. From stunning visuals to flawless sound, every detail hit perfectly. With extras like premium parking, hotel options, and VIP tables, the experience was as smooth as it was heavy. Fans showed up loud, proud, and unrelenting, proving the desert knows how to go harder than anyone. Mission accomplished.
