Eight Emerging Artists On Our Radar: April 2024

This April, Melbourne/Naarm-based producer Juno Mamba released his single “Together,” following January’s widely celebrated “undrcut.” The artist’s star has risen steadily over the last five years thanks to his 2019 debut single “Flicker” on Soothsayer. Since then, he’s become a house-head favourite, with releases on Anjunadeep, Astralwerks, and Rose Avenue. Now, he counts RÜFÜS DÜ SOL, Tchami, Bob Moses and Lane 8 as fans, and his 2022 global hit “Us” has topped over 2.5 million streams. In his most recent drive of music, Juno's 2024 tracks tell the story of his experiences being treated as an outsider growing up as a Filipino immigrant in rural Australia. The result is an emotive, nostalgic, rave-ready music made for fans of Four Tet, Bonobo and Lane 8.

Producer-DJ-songwriter SONIKKU has teamed up with LA-based pop sensation Gia Woods to create their single “Runaway”. The release follows SONIKKU’s remix of Gia’s “Heartbreak Radio,” and is the third single from SONIKKU’s upcoming LP Whirlwind of Malevolence on Bella Union. The album showcases the artist’s kaleidoscopic music taste and draws influence from electronica, hip hop, Euro pop and trance-electronica, all tied together with London’s queer underground energy. For this album, the artist teamed up with underground royalty BAYLI, DETO BLACK, Partiboi69 and Miss Madeline to create a project that will cement SONIKKU’s name as a pioneer of pop-electronica.

On April 5th Natascha Polké released Into You, her second EP via [PIAS] Électronique. The lead single “Poison of Choice” is a mellow, low-tempo production, with indie-folk vocals mixed with deep house tropes. Born in Switzerland, the live performer and musician cut her teeth in Zurich’s techno underground, before relocating to London for several years where she held down a residency at the Roundhouse. She released her 2021 debut EP Stars Wrapped in Skin on Definition:Music which left a lasting mark on the global electronica scene, and since then she’s performed at Hive, Terrazzza and Motion Beach Festival. Her follow-up release “Trojan Love” was picked for the cover of Spotify’s next-to-break-through playlist, and now her music has racked up millions of plays and her shows are selling out across Europe.

French-Jamaican DJ, producer and label head Hardt Antoine has spent the last four years progressing the sound of dance music as we know it. He seamlessly blends house, soul, ‘80s pop and indie disco to create high-energy, club-ready bangers designed to make dance floor memories. His latest EP, My Love, is no exception, with three percussion-heavy tracks that showcase the artists’ rich heritage and love of movement. His music's been welcomed on the global stage with open arms, with releases on huge labels including Innervisions, Correspondant, TAU, and Kompakt — which will release his forthcoming I Will EP on May 10th. His 2023 single “I Need Someone” became one of the most coveted tracks of the summer, before it found its way onto Innervision’s Secret Weapons compilation. Currently based in London, the artist runs independent event and record label Reculture and co-runs the Anemos Dance imprint.

Following a killer Boiler Room debut at DGTL last month, Dutch producer/DJ BELLA just released her debut EP Note to Self on Sally C’s Big Saldo’s Chunkers label. Already well-loved on the Amsterdam club circuit with regular gigs at local venues De School and LOFI, she’s also graced the stages of Awakenings, Lowlands and HE.SHE.THEY events. Over the last few years, BELLA’s become known for her uplifting house sets, with a knack for progressing new sounds while always paying homage to its roots. BELLA’s music is a fusion of 90s house, acid, electro, rhythmic melodies and progressive house, and her innovative approach to blending genres comes to life in Note to Self, with three fresh, bouncy tracks that embody ‘90s house energy while looking firmly to the future.

When it comes to partying, London-based duo Make A Dance has tunnel vision. Benjamin Peter Lewis and Josh Ludlow launched the project, label and party concept with a simple mission: to celebrate the dance. They release '80s-influenced house and disco, with the aim of transporting audiences to an era where freedom and hedonism prevailed. Their recent EP El U Vee is a great example, with four tracks that take elements of those bygone disco days and transform them into productions that are both nostalgic and future-facing. Make A Dance also run a record label (M.A.D Records) and event series, with releases from Man Power, Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno, Rakim, Under, M.C. Jack and more. And with every track, release, and event, they champion their love for the dance every step of the way.

After a quick succession of releases over the last year, Tre Reynolds continues his upward trajectory with his latest release “Uwezo”on DOSMUNDOS Records. It’s a tech-house bombshell, with rhythmic percussion and irresistible drops designed to get festival crowds grooving. With previous releases on Archie Hamilton's MicroHertz, Mason Collective’s Whippin’ and Deeperfect, the young producer’s made a name for himself with a minimal, stripped back sound that blends every element together to create maximum vibes. His relentless work ethic has caught the attention and support of some of the biggest names in the industry, including The Martinez Brothers, Michael Bibi, Jamie Jones, Marco Carola, Nic Fanciulli, Joseph Capriati, Dom Dolla and John Summit. Just make sure you don’t miss his irresistible vibes at a festival near you this summer.

Australian producer Mabel has been making waves over the last seven years with her bouncy techno tracks full to the brim with personality. Since 2017, the Melbourne-based artist has carved out a unique sound that celebrates the after-hours side of dance music culture. In February, she released her Pleasure Phoenix EP, a five-track project that refuses to take itself too seriously. Spanning tweaked-out techno, stripped back electro and psy-prog, it’s one of the artist’s most rambunctious releases to date. She followed it up with a recent remix of “Dance Enchantress” by Luxe, adding her squeaky, bass-heavy twist to one of the tech house tracks of the year. Her latest release is a bouncy Clubland treat titled "Fancy Shmancy" on TELETECH's new Hyper, Vol. 1 compilation. Full of colour, boldness and confidence, Mabel’s productions are fast becoming global dance floor staples.