Various Artists – Strangers IV [Or Two Strangers]

The latest release from Antrim’s Or Two Strangers finds the label presenting the fourth installment of its ‘Strangers’ series. Conceptualized in 2019 and carefully curated by label boss Antrim, the ‘Strangers’ series is one of the progressive genre’s most anticipated EP compilations. With three edition’s running across 2019-2021, the noteworthy releases saw outstanding contributions from Andrés Moris, Antrim, Claudio Cornejo, Greenage, Ivan Aliaga, Jesuan M, Juan Sapia, Nicolas Rada, Kamilo Sanclemente and more, while support and play from Nick Warren and Hernan Cattaneo followed. Now, continuing the series as 2023 approaches it’s final quarter, label boss Antrim has once again curated the fourth edition which features new music from (in order of appearance): Antrim, Fran Garay, Agustin Pietrocola, Melodiam (AR), Rocío Portillo & Facucio, Alan Schultz and Nicolas Viana.

Or Two Strangers boss Antrim gets the collection underway with ‘Gamble’. Continuing to build on his success, the Cordoba resident ended 2022 looking back on what was another banner year. Choosey in his projects across the twelve-month stretch, Antrim delivered some of the year's most memorable releases, beginning with the Abi Ferraresi vocal led piece ‘Seek the Sun’. Released courtesy of Or Two Strangers it set the course for his latest vehicle via Hernan Cattaneo’s Sudbeat Music entitled ‘Stax’, before delivering one of the year's most exciting cover productions ‘You’re Not Alone’ featuring Paula OS. 2023 has seen Antrim enjoy similar success, with the release of ‘Rescue’ and ‘Risk’ coming courtesy of Warung Recordings and Or Two Strangers respectively, and in turn highlighting the year. Now, following a well-received debut on Paul Thomas’ UV with ‘Hide and Seek’, Antrim returns to his comfortable home of Or two Strangers with the epic sounds of ‘Gamble’.

Making his label debut with the second selection is Fran Garay. As one of Argentina’s emerging talents, Villa Mercedes resident Fran Garay caught the attention of progressive house fans in 2020 on the strength of early productions for 3rd Avenue and Droid9 South America. Fast forward three years and Fran lays claim to an impressive resume, with recent projects for Droid9, Forensic Records and Mango Alley being the most notable. Continuing on this upwards trajectory, Fran now makes his Or Two Strangers debut with the peak-time flavoured ‘Machine’.

Selection three welcomes Agustin Pietrocola to the label with his latest studio creation ‘Density’. With a career that now spans the better part of a decade, Argentinian artist Agustin Pietrocola has carved out his own unique place in the world of progressive house. With a sound aimed squarely at dancefloor, the Tandil resident has showcased his music via established imprints in Deepwibe Underground, Juicebox Music, Mango Alley, Movement Recordings and Univack, while genres tastemakers have been steadfast with support. Now, adding Or Two Strangers to his resume, Agustin debuts on the label with the powerful sounds of ‘Density’.

Hailing from Argentina and also making their label debut is Melodiam (AR). Based in the talent rich region of Cordoba, the Melodiam duo are at the beginning of their creative partnership. Armed with a progressive sound which balances hypnotic rhythms and emotive melodies, Melodiam have three releases to their credit since first emerging in July of this year, with an EP for Serbian powerhouse Balkan Connection sitting as the highlight. Continining to build on their creative synergy, Melodiam now makes their Or Two Strangers debut with the meditative sounds of ‘Flying Sequences’.

The collection’s second collaboration finds Rocío Portillo and Facucio combining their extensive forces for the first time. Hailing from Argentina, both Rocio and Facucio have enjoyed measurable success across their respective careers, showcasing their music via Droid9, Sudbeat, The Soundgarden and Transensations, while Rocio remains one of her country’s most notable DJ’s, sharing the stage with Hernán Cattaneo, Guy J, Guy Mantzur, Danny Howells and more. Now, joining forces for the first time, Rocio and Facucio masterfully synthesize their talents into one progressive minded vision that is ‘Aconcagua’.

Selection six finds Alan Schultz returning to the label following his ‘Desert Kid’ EP from 2021. Hailing from Buenos Aires, Alan first came to the attention of the progressive house community with a gorgeous remake of Rhye’s ‘Sinful’. Played by Hernan Cattaneo on his famed SunsetStream Eclipse Edition, it quickly established Alan as a new name to watch going forward. The next calendar year would see Alan further emerge with releases via 3rd Avenue, Freegrant Music and Nick Warren’s The Soundgarden. Now, presenting his first offering of 2023, Alan returns to Or Two Strangers with the groovy sounds of ‘Fluent’.

Rounding out the collection is Nicolas Viana who returns to the label following his recently released ‘Ballad Attack’ EP. Based in Tucuman, the Argentinean artist first emerged two years ago and has enjoyed a meteoric ascent in the world of progressive and organic house. On the strength of a contribution to One Of A Kind’s ‘Melody Masters Exclusive’ collection, Nicolas would go on to record projects for tried and tested organic imprints such as Amulanga, Flug Lab, Nordic Voyage, Peace Symphonies and more, further establishing himself as a top talent to follow. Now, following an EP for Fernando Ferreyra’s Dreamers imprint, Nicolas makes a welcome return to Or Two Strangers with ‘Dreamscape’ to close out the release on an uplifting note.

Buy: https://rb.gy/eftgy

Release Date: 29-09-2023

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