Progressive House
Hear This Prog House Gem By Marc Benjamin, Timmo Hendriks & VY.DA
Protocol veterans Marc Benjamin and Timmo Hendriks team up with Italian duo VY.DA for their new release “Hold Me Down.” Featuring singer/songwriter Alessia Labate, the track is a quintessential progressive/big-room masterpiece. “Hold Me Down” opens with Labate’s ethereal vocals and cinematic melodies that gradually swell into its uplifting, bouncy drop, which is guaranteed to make you want to teleport to your favorite festival’s main stage. Marc Benjamin previously collaborated with the likes of Laidback Luke, Benny Benassi, Fedde Le Grand, and Afrojack, while Hendriks has recently released “Something To Believe In” preceding “Hold Me Down.” VY.DA first appeared on Protocol in 2020 with “Waiting To Run,” in collaboration with Mosimann, and released earlier on HEXAGON, Revealed, STMPD RCRDS, Armada Music and Darklight Recordings. This is also not the first time when Marc and Timmo work together, as they already joined forces last year on their successful single “Be Alright.”
Founded by Nicky Romero, Protocol Recordings is one of the leading imprints for innovative house music; it boasts a roster of heavy-hitters complemented with immensely talented up-and-comers, all with a diverse range of sounds that are guaranteed to light up a dance floor. Veteran producer Marc Benjamin has a reputable taste for impeccable productions, evidenced in his successful previous collaborations with heavyweights Laidback Luke, Benny Benassi, and Yves V, and his remixes of Zedd’s worldwide hits “The Middle” and “Happy Now.” He has performed around the world, including Ultra Bali, a 5-year residency at Amsterdam’s club Escape, and released on Spinnin’ Records and Steve Angello’s Size Records, Heldeep, and more. Dutch artist Timmo Hendriks first made his debut on the label in 2018 with “In My Head,” with Lennart Schroot, followed by “Thinking About You” as part of Protocol’s “Miami 2019” EP, which has currently garnered almost 3,5M streams on Spotify. His next releases continued to show increased energy and a more mature production style, which resulted in more great collaborations such as “Into The Light” with Nicky Romero and “Keep Me Close” with Dash Berlin. Both of these talented artists continue to be regulars on the Protocol release roster, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next!
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Danish export Snavs teamed up with up-and-comer John Alto, also hailing from Denmark, for their new track “Headlights,” a dark Progressive House gem with a strong vocal element. The new single immediately captivates with suspenseful, emotive female vocals cocooned in its cinematic melodies, from which a euphonious and driving bassline blossoms and undulates.
The combination of dynamic and deep sonic production makes “Headlights” suitable for singalongs during cathartic moments or getting down on the dancefloor. Its versatility is a representation of both Snavs’s and Alto’s dynamic styles, which have ranged from Alt-Rock to heavy Bass and everything in between. “Headlights” is out now on Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Records.
“The track was inspired by the blending of two different music styles, with the heavier bass line and club rhythm, with the euphoric atmosphere with grand and epic melodies, perfect for anthems and large stages. The vocals play a massive part in the completion of the track, with some ear-catching lyrics that are great to sing along to. The song is about a relationship, metaphorically explained through driving at night.” — Snavs & John Alto
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This collaborative effort between illectronic and DJ Santi Fabian will take you on a rollercoaster of euphoric emotions. Their Progressive House banger “Testimony” boasts repetitive melodic beats coupled with sexy vocals, creating a catchy blend that’s impossible to resist.
For those who are new to illectronic’s productions, “Testimony” serves as the perfect introduction to his EDM catalog. That being said, prepare to be surprised by the sheer energy that defines his work.
Most importantly, this dance floor filler is ideal for nights at the club, workout sessions, or simply dancing wherever you are. Additionally, its pulsating rhythm will have you moving to the groove in no time.
On a side note, the creative process behind “Testimony” was a dynamic exchange of ideas and skills through SoundCloud. Therefore, these virtuosos meticulously fine-tuned every aspect of the song, ensuring that each component seamlessly harmonizes with the next.
No doubt, the Electro bassline and the incorporation of dark textures serve as the main ingredients, resulting not only in sonic perfection but also in something intriguing to the ears.
In conclusion, whether you’re a die-hard electronic music fan or just someone who loves good tunes, “Testimony” transports you to a state of intense joy, excitement, and exhilaration.
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Yves V returns to CONTROVERSIA for his 5th single on Alok’s label and the 2nd one produced with his fellow Belgian artist Sem Thomasson. Their new release – “Sound Of A Beating Heart,” is a melodic Progressive House record that has both emotive and dancefloor elements. Opening with organic melodies, the first half of the track is haunting and minimal, with soulful vocals taking center stage. Yves and Sem up the ante in the latter part, incorporating deep and rhythmic melodies with a downtempo bassline. The song’s lyrics and melody are written by Nathan Nicholson of The Boxer Rebellion band, who as a songwriter, has also written for the likes of Kygo, Gryffin, Calum Scott, Claptone, Tinlicker, KC Lights, Hayden James and more. Yves V and Sem Thomasson previously worked together on “On Top Of The World,” which was released in 2016 on Spinnin’ Records. With “Sound Of A Beating Heart” coming out in 2023, it proves that sometimes studio chemistry only gets better in time.
“We really wanted to create something that would work production-wise in both a club and for home listening. It’s a deep track that still has these light elements to it, the topline expressing something that is quite moving and relatable, yet the progressive and higher BPM beats across the second half make it something that – we hope – the partiers will love too.” — Yves V & Sem Thomasson
Yves V
Yves V has gained global recognition for his dynamic big room style with releases like “King Cobra” with Don Diablo, “Octagon,” “Direct Dizko” with Sander Van Doorn, “Madagascar” with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and “We Got That Cool” with Afrojack & Icona Pop. He has also remixed the likes of Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Ginuwine, and more. In 2022, the producer was amassing almost 4,5M monthly listeners on Spotify alone and has been supported by heavyweights such as David Guetta, Afrojack, Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, and more. His electrifying live performances have wowed crowds at some of the world’s best festivals, including Tomorrowland, Sensation, Amsterdam Dance Event, David Guetta in Concert, and Mysteryland.
Sem Thomasson
Sem Thomasson is an established name in the Belgian electronic music scene. A couple of years back, the young producer and DJ gained international attention with his stunning remix work for recognized artists like Clean Bandit, Zara Larsson, Flo Rida, Nelly Furtado, Lost Frequencies, Steve Aoki. This led to a quick rise in his DJ career with numerous appearances in the best clubs around the globe, a few international residencies under his belt, and multiple gigs on festivals. Throughout the years, he changed and developed his sound. With his residency in the club Versuz (#40 in the world), he plays house and tech house music with a recognizable feel. As a music producer, he released tracks on labels such as Axtone, Spinnin’ Records, Warner Music, Protocol Recordings, Big Beat Records, Universal Music, and Atlantic Records, just to name a few. Thomasson wrote and produced several Top 10 house tracks on the Belgian national charts and several Beatport top charting club tunes with support from numerous high-profile DJs. His new label Hot Fuss Records is charting with every release on Beatport, where Thomasson was named as a future talent to watch.