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Clubsonica Records rounds out a successful year by welcoming CHRSTPHR to the label for his debut EP. Based in Hungary, Kristof Szabados aka CHRSTPHR first emerged in 2018 with a release via Spiral Music. Noted for his club-effective tech-house sound, it was a cover of Brainbug’s classic ‘Nightmare’ in 2021 which officially made the Hungarian an artist to watch.
The next two calendar years would prove impactful for CHRSTPHR, as he signed on to long-standing tech-house imprints Cr2 Records, Farris Wheel Recordings and Panterre-Musique, all outlets where his dancefloor minded approach flourished. Now, following a well-received debut for Coronita Records, CHRSTPHR makes his Clubsonica debut with ‘Anomaly | Miss You’, alongside remixes from Kostya Outta and Deviu.
Looking to showcase a more melodic side of his repertoire, CHRSTPHR aims squarely at the dance floor with lead selection ‘Anomaly’. The Hungarian artist masterfully marries astral sonics and emotive vocals with punchy kick drums and rolling grooves. An array of melodic hooks and orbiting effects steal the air across the first act, adding texture and depth leading into the heart of the journey. Coming to full fruition across the main break, it’s a clever coax of ghostly vocals and poignant chord changes which creates a hopeful vibe, building anticipation with each successive pass, before giving way to mature drop and effects-laden finale. The companion piece ‘Miss You’ lands with a deeper, more ethereal approach.
Enticing from the start, its punchy grooves, haunted vocal samples and evolving soundscapes marry perfectly for mid-set moments. Pushing the narrative further, a transcendent break sits at the heart of the journey, flowing through soulful guitar motifs and warm bass swells, before a marching drop sets the course for a melancholic conclusion. Making his label debut with the first interpretation of ‘Anomaly’ is Kostya Outta. Born and raised in Belarus but now based in Poland, Kostya Outta first emerged just over a decade ago. On the success of early tracks such as ‘High Flyers’ and ‘Silence’, Kostya’s groovy melodic sound was born, making him a new breed of progressive house producers to watch going forward. A continued evolution in sound across the last three years has seen the Belarusian artist rise into one of the genre’s most in demand talents. World-class DJs Eelke Kleijn, Guy J, Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, among others, have been steadfast supporters along the way. At the same time, releases via Afterglow, Deepwibe Underground, and Mango Alley have been discography highlights.
Now, following an impressive debut for Cid Inc’s Replug Records, Kostya adds Clubsonica to his resume with a huge rendition of ‘Anomaly’. Bringing a progressive state of mind, Kostya carefully balances the emotion of the original with his own melodic groove-centric sound. Re-processed vocals and vibrant melodies steal the air atop punchy beats, chunky grooves and acid-like stabs, for what results in the ultimate dance floor bomb. Returning to the label for the second and final interpretation of ‘Anomaly’ is Deviu’. Based in Pasto, the Colombian artist began his journey into electronic music production in 2014 under a variety of alias’, before eventually settling on Deviu in 2020. Created as an outlet to explore the realms of deep, progressive and organic house, Deviu would go on to secure releases via respected brands in Nick Warren’s The Soundgarden, Nora En Pure’s Purified and Berlin powerhouse Steyoyoke, where his far-reaching sound immediately found footing.
Clubsonica has also been a comfortable home for the Colombian, with his debut coming last year with a remix of ‘Zulu’ by JFR, a project that would lead to his ‘Two Worlds’ EP later that same year. Now, rounding out 2023 on a strong note, Deviu returns to Clubsonica with a spirited take on ‘Anomaly’. While maintaining the elusive spirit of the original, Deviu aims squarely at a peak-hour dancefloor with a sweeping sonic experience all his own. It is an exhilarating journey where spirited vocals, trance-inducing melodies, and emotional overlays surface from their energy-inducing architecture, resulting in a version that is sure to send people home with a smile.
Release date: December 21st, 2023.