Monday Choon: AVNT - Echo

Another track we’re featuring from the brilliant Anjunabeats Volume 17 is “Echo” by AVNT, an artist bringing a fresh and exciting energy to the Anjunabeats sound. The track blends progressive and melodic elements with an uplifting, atmospheric feel, creating something that feels familiar to fans of the genre while still offering its own identity. There’s a real sense of movement throughout the production, with the melodic layers and driving rhythm giving it that perfect balance between emotion and dancefloor energy. AVNT is definitely an artist worth keeping an eye on, and “Echo” is a great example of why this new generation of producers is helping push the genre forward.

Monday Choon: Nicky Romero & FORS - Follow You

Nicky Romero’s latest release, “Follow You” with FORS, feels like a track that is quintessentially Romero, yet still manages to carve out an identity of its own. The production carries the familiar polished, melodic sound that has become synonymous with his work, while the emotive vocals from FORS add a deeper, more personal dimension to the track. There is a romantic quality woven throughout “Follow You”, giving it an almost nostalgic sense of longing and devotion. For me personally, it feels very much in line with some of Romero’s previous work, but with a freshness that makes it stand out rather than simply revisiting familiar territory.

Monday Choon: Ronski Speed - Nuru Mpya

 

Today's featured track was debuted at Anjunabeats Volume 17 live set about a month ago and I've been itching for it to be released since! German DJ Ronski Speed who has been on the trance music seen since 1997 has knocked this one out the park, Nuru Mpya is probably for me, one of the best songs to be created in 2026. The levels, the beats, the build up and the drops and how they all sync with the vocals is just electrifying and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I heard it for the first. He official released the track last week Wednesday and I've been listening to it nonstop since. 

Monday Choon: Martin Garrix & U2 - Fireflies

 

Martin Garrix's "Fireflies" with U2 is a collaboration that feels both natural and refreshing, blending Garrix's cinematic electronic production with U2's unmistakable stadium-rock identity. Bono's soaring vocals and The Edge's signature guitar work are perfectly complemented by Garrix's polished, atmospheric sound, creating a track that is both emotionally uplifting and festival-ready. Rather than competing for the spotlight, the two artists build on each other's strengths, resulting in a powerful anthem that showcases the remarkable synergy between one of dance music's biggest producers and one of rock's most iconic bands.

Monday Choon: Tiësto, Caleb Arredondo - Echo Sax Finale

 

Tiësto's latest release, "Echo Sax Finale," sees the Dutch dance music legend collaborate with saxophonist Caleb Arredondo, transforming the viral melody from Arredondo's Echo Sax series into a powerful, cinematic trance anthem. Rather than relying on vocals, the track tells its story through soaring synths, emotive saxophone melodies and euphoric drops, creating a nostalgic yet modern soundscape. More importantly, Echo Sax Finale perfectly captures Tiësto's long-awaited return to his trance roots, blending the uplifting emotion and energy that made him the "King of Trance" with contemporary festival production, reminding longtime fans why his early music remains so influential today.

Monday Choon: Adam Ten - I Never Knew

 

This week we changing it up on the blog and opting for some house music over the trance and techno stuff, with a reworked classic from the 1980's by Stephanie Mills "I never knew" by Defected DJ Adam Ten. Adam Ten's "I Never Knew" is a nostalgic house anthem that perfectly blends a classic '90s vocal hook with his signature rolling grooves and modern club production. Released on Defected Records, the track delivers infectious energy, deep basslines and a feel-good vibe that makes it equally at home on a festival stage or a late-night dancefloor. It's one of those tracks that effortlessly bridges old-school house nostalgia with a fresh, contemporary sound.

Monday Choon: HUGEL - Movin' To The Sun

 

In the current age of social media it is hard to ignore the trends, and kudos to apps like TikTok who do wonders for artists that we don't really know of because when a trend goes viral with a track, best believe everyone in the world will know you and your song. HUGEL however isn't an unknown artist but has had several of his tracks go viral on TikTok and what seems to happen is that people will then use the same tracks on their IG videos, I like to call this a cross pollination of trends. HUGEL's latest offering "Movin' to the Sun" is all over my TikTok feeds and some dubbing it the song of the summer, I still think Axwell's track which we featured last week has it beat but that is not for me to decided. Movin' to the Sun is still a banging track, the vocals and the drop sync so well you can't help but vibe to it. 

Monday Choon: Axwell ft. Bonn - Whatever Turns You On

 

Axwell's latest release, "Whatever Turns You On" featuring Bonn, is everything you'd expect from the Swedish icon. It blends his signature melodic progressive house sound with that unmistakable Swedish House Mafia energy, delivering a track that's both euphoric and emotionally charged. It's easily become my favourite song of the moment and has been on repeat all weekend since dropping on Friday. Judging by the traction it's already gaining on TikTok, this one looks set to be one of the standout dance anthems of the year.

Monday Choon: Darren Tate - A Child Of The Times

 

British producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Darren Tate returns to Anjunabeats with his latest single, A Child Of The Times, following its debut on Anjunabeats Volume 25. Known for a career spanning multiple successful aliases, twelve UK Top 40 singles and over 20 film scores, Tate continues to push the boundaries of trance music. The track carries a powerful message of optimism for future generations, inspired by trance music's ability to unite and uplift listeners. Featuring vocal elements influenced by African and Eastern spiritual chants, Tate explains that the song is designed to create a shared sense of connection, positivity and emotional release. A Child Of The Times is available now on Anjunabeats.

Monday Choon: XIRA - Feel (J Ribbon Remix)

 

The unmistakable voice of XIRA encapsulated me when I first heard her on 3LAU's hit track "Tokyo", she returns to the blog with a track of her own titled "Feel" and its everything that you'd expect and more. The track has been remixed by J Ribbon and is featured on the Anjunabeats Volume 17. A song that hits your heart right away, a feel good track with a catchy beat and chorus and one that will have you press repeat over and over again. 

Monday Choon: Grum & Amba Shepherd - Slow Motion

 

Scottish producer Grum returns to Above & Beyond’s Anjunabeats imprint, alongside legendary singer/songwriter Amba Shepherd for their new collaboration ‘Slow Motion’.

A prolific progressive house producer and longtime Anjuna roster act, Grum releases his first song on the label in over four years. First joining the label in 2015 with his ‘Trine EP’ Grum quickly grew to a respected name in the scene.  He shared stages around the world with Above & Beyond as one of their frequent direct support acts and his music  has routinely been supported by; Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, CamelPhat, MK & more.

 ‘Slow Motion’ is Grum’s hyped return, teased by Above & Beyond at their recent shows in South America as well as the trio’s upcoming shows at EDC Las Vegas, their Australian tour and on further dates through North America.  Grum has also road tested the track himself over 2025 and early 2026 at his show across the United States. 

Monday Choon: Alok & Khalid - Dive Into Me

New music this week from Brazlian DJ Alok who teams up with vocal sensation Khalid for his latest track "Dive Into Me". the instrumental track has been out for some time now and been played by many artists during their sets but the addition of Khalid's vocals has been a game changer to the song and makes it feel complete. 

Monday Choon: KREAM - Paradigm

 

The Norwegian DJ duo return to our blog with their latest single "Paradigm", their music is certainly unique and their Liquid Lab podcasts are always filled with high energy melodic trance sounds which have big drops and high bass lines. It's probably why so many take a liking to their music as not many keep to the style they bring. Paradigm is more of the same with a few twists. 

Monday Choon: John Summit - SHADOWS (feat. LAVINIA)

 

With Ultra South Africa around corner, we got one of the headliner acts, John Summit this week with one of his latest tracks, "Shadows". The track has been out for 3 weeks now but fans of the man would have heard him drop it in sets for the last month and half now. It's another high energy, fast paced electronic track that has the vocals spot on by Lavinia. The man can do wrong when it comes to his music ability and to cement his name in the trace music folklore, he has just been confirmed to play a face-to-face set with Armin van Buuren at ASOT Poland in June this year. 

Monday Choon: Oliver Heldens - Lady

 

There's certain songs that must never be remixed or recreated out of pure respect for the original artist, and I firmly believe that if you are going to attempt to remake it, it must keep the originality of the song that make it great and not tarnish it's sound. Oliver Helden's is no stranger to house music and he in his own right have created some masterful songs in his career, so when I saw he released his own remake of the cult classic "Lady" by French DJ Modjo. I feared to listen to it, not that I doubt Oliver's talent but for so many the song meant so much and it was one of those that was an instant classic when it came up, but listen to it I did and you know what, Oliver, take a bow. It is exceptional, he pays homage to the original but adds his own unique sound to it which elevates the song to modern standards. If you loved the original, you definitely going to love this one too. 

Monday Choon: Tiesto - Beautiful Places

 

Beautiful Places is the second single released from Tiesto after his return to trance music, his first release "Bring Me to Life" was extremely well received from the fan base and gained many other fans thanks to it. His show at the Pyramids of Giza was incredible and this song featured so well with the amazing background of the world wonders. The song features the vocals of Brieanna Grace who add's so much character to the already great song. It has so many different levels and elements to the track that only Tiesto could bring together and make it work so well. It's one of my favourite tracks of the moment and I'm many others feel the same way. 

Monday Choon: John Newman - Love Me Again (Again)

 

This one is for all those FIFA fanboys, as we know the legendary Football game by Electronic Arts has had some stellar playlists over the years featuring great artists with tracks that become cult classics. FIFA 14 introduced us to the voice of John Newman with his track "Love Me Again" fast forward 12 years and John has decided to re-release the track as "Love Me Again (Again), bringing a fresh new beat and sound to the track, giving it a progressive house vibe and bass line with an energetic piano play stealing the show on this one. Turn up the volume and let nostalgia take over. 

Monday Choon: John Grand - Feel The Love

 

Feel The Love opens with warm chords and uplifting momentum, balancing radiant melodies with a sense of forward motion designed for both club floors and open-air moments. Hear You Calling follows with a deeper, more melodic touch, pairing John Grand’s and Daijan’s refined production. With regular DJ support from Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Ferry Corsten, Andrew Rayel and Tritonal, John Grand continues to cement his place within the global progressive landscape, delivering a release built for peak-time sets and melodic journeys alike.

Ultra SA 2026 - Artist Line Up

Big news for all ultranauts dropped yesterday with Ultra SA giving us the full artist line-up for this years event taking place on the 25th of April in Johannesburg and the 26th of April in Cape Town. Unlike previous years where we had a phased artist announcement, this year they decided to just drop the entire line-up which in my opinion is better rather than playing the waiting game to see if your fav's are coming. 

The international mainstage headliners did not disappoint with sets from Afrojack playing back-to-back with R3hab, Axwell, DJ Snake whom all have played in the country before but making his debut and being the main headline act is John Summit. We're a big fan of what John has been doing and we can guarantee you he will be bringing that energy to the SA crowds come April. 

Resistance stage is back with Dennis Ferrer and SA's very on Shimza who's been creating "fire" on dance floors across the world headling that. Loads of support artists for the event is made up with some of the best local acts, such as Dean Fuel, Aidin Caye, Liquideep, Timo ODV, DJ Kent, Baby Whitz and many more. Tickets are still availabe at www.ultrasouthafrica.com 

Monday Choon: EBENEZER - Arena

 

Estiva teams up with Ruben De Ronde to form EBENEZER, whom have been bringing out some unique trace sounds of recent. Their latest release caught my ears as it's a style you don't hear that often of recent, the big arena tracks with deep notes, fast synths and that echoing ship horn that just instantly takes you to those massive warehouse type raves with lazers, glow sticks and raving.