Various Artists – AFTERGLOW VA001 [Afterglow]

Afterglow Records opens the month of March by presenting the first installment of their Various Artists Sampler series. Looking to showcase the very best in progressive and melodic house, the German imprint has carefully curated three tracks from some of the scene's most established artists in Black 8 and Paul Lennar to up and coming Sri Lankan and Colombian talents Disto (SL) and BassQ.

Getting the collection underway is Paul Lennar and BassQ who make their label debut. Hailing from Colombia, Paul Lennar has been a recognized figure in his country's electronic music culture for well over a decade. With a discography that features releases via Movement Recordings, Perfecto, UV and more, the Bogota resident often finds a great balance between progressive, melodic and organic house; a sound that has seen him earn the praise of world class DJs such as Hernan Cattaneo. Now paired with fellow up and coming Colombian talent BassQ, the duo make an impressive debut on Afterglow with 'Deep In The Dark'. The duo expound their progressive vision here, forecasting key-changing basslines and crystalline melodies across the piece, while ultra-sonic effects and glowing pads provide an emotive canopy that remains club-effective throughout.

Selection two is provided by Black 8 who returns to the label for his fourth appearance. Based in Cairo, the Egyptian artist has been a mainstay of the electronic music underground for the better part of two decades. Beloved for his detailed progressive house creations, the Black 8 sonic aesthetic stretches far beyond the confines of this genre, as evidenced by a broad spectrum of support from Danny Tenaglia, Dubfire, Hernan Cattaneo, John Digweed, Nick Warren, Nicole Moudaber, Sasha and Solomun, amongst others. Long standing imprints in Balance Music, The Soundgarden and Sudbeat have been primary homes across the last decade, as he continues to maneuver himself through the trend-driven confines of electronic music. Afterglow has also been a home for Black 8, with the mystical sounds of 'Dancing By The Seas' effectively relaunching the label in 2021, all the way up to last year's 'Lunar' EP. Continuing to build on that creative partnership with the label, Black 8 provides the release's second selection 'Snowfall'. Showcasing a deeper side of his repertoire, Black 8 sets the mood with muted kick drums, effervescent percussion and a wave of emotive chord stabs that ultimately fuel the journey. Carrying a smooth yet confident energy across the first act, it's the main break which results in the most goosebump worthy moments, as modulation rises and falls, stealing the air in the process, before eventually giving way to a suitably understated drop and mature no frills finale.

Rounding out the release is label debutante Disto (SL) who arrives following releases via Comet Records, Droid9, Meanwhile and Transensations. With a sound that's rooted in the nostalgic realms of progressive house, the Colombo resident is also an accomplished DJ, playing a groovy melodic style that is uniquely his own. Talking a huge step in his production career as 2025 takes shape, Disto (SL) now adds Afterglow to his resume with 'Endless Symphony'. The Sri Lankan artist masterfully marries astral sonics and charming atmospheres with punchy kick drums and rolling grooves. Coming to full fruition across the main break, it's a clever coax of ghostly refrains and subversive melodies which creates a hopeful vibe, building anticipation with each successive pass, before giving way to a finale that is both charming and hypnotic. A fitting conclusion to the first installment of Afterglow's Various Artists EP series, which should find it's way into a broad range of DJ sets across the spring season. Highly recommended.

Buy: https://tinyurl.com/35ecejt2

Release Date:07-03-2025

Release Promo: http://releasepromo.com

🎹 Spotify: http://bit.ly/ProgAstroSpotify
► YouTube: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautSubscribe
► Soundcloud: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautSC
► Website: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautWEB
► Facebook: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautFB
► Twitter: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautTW
► Instagram: http://bit.ly/ProgressiveAstronautIG