For those unfamiliar with the project, ALPHA 9 isn’t just a side alias — it’s a concept record built around a storyline. The character is a genetically engineered, AI-powered government asset who returns to Earth to find the planet on the brink of collapse, discovering along the way that he might be the one person (or thing) capable of saving it. Each single moves that story forward, and ‘Warning Lights’ picks up right where the last chapter left off.

Musically, the track leans into progressive trance with a cinematic streak. Celestial arpeggios, organ-laced builds, and thunderous synth sequences stack on top of each other as the track progresses, turning an atmospheric intro into something closer to a full-blown planetary emergency by the time it peaks. It’s less a straightforward club track than a scene-setter, which tracks given the project’s whole framing around suspense and stakes.

‘Warning Lights’ follows two earlier chapters in the series, ‘Dark Matter’ and ‘Ascend,’ both of which picked up coverage from outlets across the trance press and radio support from names like Armin van Buuren, Andrew Rayel, Markus Schulz, AVIRA, DIM3NSION, JES and Farius. That kind of pickup says something about where ALPHA 9 sits within the current trance conversation — it’s being treated less like a novelty side project and more like a legitimate through-line in ARTY’s catalog.

Dreamstate is also leaning into the storytelling angle beyond just the audio. The label plans to roll out custom A9 journal entries tied to the release, giving fans more background on the character’s mission, along with a standalone ALPHA 9 DJ mix built around the project’s wider cosmic trance sound.

On the live side, ALPHA 9 has performances lined up at Dreamstate SoCal and EDC Thailand, continuing to bring the narrative out of the studio and onto festival stages.

Dreamstate Records launched in 2017 as an extension of the Dreamstate festival brand, which Insomniac built in 2015 to cover the full spectrum of trance and progressive sounds. The label’s catalog includes releases from Vini Vici, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Judge Jules, Jordan Suckley, Roger Shah, and Key4050, among others.

Stream ‘Warning Lights’ now on your platform of choice, and keep an eye out for the next chapter in the ALPHA 9 story.

The post ALPHA 9 Returns to Dreamstate Records With ‘Warning Lights’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ALPHA 9 (@alpha9music)

Released via Dreamstate USA it arrives on the back of the lead single ‘Dark Matter‘ from July, earning radio plays from Armin van Buuren, Markus Schulz, Andrew Rayel and AVIRA. Each single will be accompanied by a field note: a journal-style entry log chronicling the hero’s journey backstory. Alpha 9 has an upcoming set at EDC Thailand, and a soon to be announced tour including a stop at Dreamstate SoCal. He first played the new track during his EDC Las Vegas set back in May.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ALPHA 9 (@alpha9music)

As Arty continues his journey into trance he still releases singles under his other alias ‘Arty’.

You can now stream the new single here.

The post AlPHA 9 Releases Euphoric New Single ‘Ascend’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

‘Dark Matter’ is an instrumental cosmic trance track, marking the return of the highly classified Russian, a bio-AI superhuman on a mission to uncover the secrets of the universe. Playing out like a transmission from a sci-fi thriller, the record hurtles through the abyss as twinkling keys, ambient cinematics, and hyper-layered synth leads skyrocket through the mix as the last hope for humanity.

Alpha 9 is sharing journal entries with every track, a diary shedding light on the story and meaning behind its creation. The project was reprised in 2017, after a seven-year hiatus, leading to its debut album ‘New Horizons in 2023, featuring Fractures, Scorz, Jonathan Mendelsohn, Brandon Vendetta, Running Touch, with standout singles ‘Calling’ and‘Down to Love,’ which amassed 1.8M and 1M streams, respectively.

The post ALPHA 9 Channels The Cosmos With Dreamstate Debut, ‘Dark Matter’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

Yes, baby. After a long while of waiting, one of the pillars of the Anjunabeats sound, ilan Bluestone, is back on the label with yet another album, this time, titled Ignite. This long-play is his third project of the kind, and it’s being released on the same place the previous two cancall home: Anjuna.

For over a decade, ilan has been a firm fixture in the Dance and Trance music scene, even being the creator of the subgenre “Tronce“, which would become the direction Progressive Trance would adopt circa 2012-2015 thanks largely to his input. As a key artist on the Anjunabeats label, his early ‘Anthem Test’ Instagram livestreams became a standard practice and a fuel for close interaction between him and his following.

His albums offer the clearest look into his current state of mind as an artist. His 2018 album Scars was a love letter to the inspirations that had shaped his early musical journey. 2021’s Impulse embraced the high-energy club side of life after Lockdown (during which time he engaged even more, livestreaming often and even joining the wave of producers on Clubhouse (if you remember that app)).

Ignite

Ignite then, follows this thread of personal stories through albums, and this time, it tells the story of an artist rediscovering his creative passion after experiencing burnout in 2023. “Touring Impulse after the pandemic was amazing. But by November 2023, I’d played 70 shows in just over a year. The constant travel took its toll, and I had to come off the road to recharge by being in the studio again, explore new sounds, and work with fresh collaborators”, ilan Bluestone shares.

Through no less than 15 tracks, ilan shows the world what he’s capable of in a wide variety of genres, spanning 80s Synthwave, cinematic ballads, melodic Progressive House, New Age electronica, and his unmistakable Trance sound. At the same time, he brings both old friends and new talent to the spotlight throughout the project: Jasper Blunk, Giuseppe De Luca, ALPHA 9, H.E.A.R.T.S., Diandra Faye, EL Waves, Gid Sedgwick, Maor Levi, Jonny Bluestone, Pieter T, FiL Straughan, Ellen Smith, Ollie Wride, and Natalie Shay.

“There are darker moments on there, but ultimately ‘Ignite’ is about the emotions and experiences that spark us into life. Writing these records felt like a weight coming off my shoulders, and I’m hoping they inspire others to tackle and overcome their challenges in life.”

-ilan Bluestone

Writer’s Picks

Two tracks are my absolute favourites: ‘Mewo Fie‘ and ‘Move All Night‘. The first I already reviewed last week, and I insist, it’s got that introspective journey vibe, that intimate Afro House vibe (true Afro, not cheese Afro, mind you), and I love hearing EL Waves’ strong vocals. The second, good God, it’s just fabulous. Giuseppe even delivers some Italian vocals during the chorus of this amazing funky track, something straight from Heaven. The track ends with a volume fade out, in true Italodisco style. It’s funny that my two top tracks in the album are anything but Trance, but they carry the exact same feels, so I’m not surprised.

Other tracks that really caught my eye were ‘Pause & Breathe‘, a song that feels so early 2000s, ISOS-styled, I love it. The main pluck melody also reminds me of that golden Tiësto remix of ‘Silence’, so yeah, nostalgia adds to it. And also, ‘Paradise‘ is out of this world. That’s one of the purest pieces of Trance I’ve heard this year, everything from the piano to the plucks to the pads to the vocal delivery, everything is so powerful and pure.

ilan Bluestone — Ignite Tracklist

1. 40 with Jasper Blunk
2. Tethered To The Flame with Giuseppe De Luca
3. Paradise with ALPHA 9 featuring H.E.A.R.T.S.
4. Pause & Breathe featuring Diandra Faye
5. Africana with EL Waves
6. Slow Down with Gid Sedgwick
7. Ignite with Maor Levi and Giuseppe De Luca
8. This Town with Giuseppe De Luca
9. Mewo Fie with Jonny Bluestone, EL Waves and Pieter T
10. Heaven Needed You More featuring FiL Straughan
11. The Waves featuring Ellen Smith
12. Move All Night (Italodisco) with Giuseppe De Luca
13. Last Man Standing featuring Ollie Wride
14. Safe & Sound featuring Natalie Shay
15. Turiya with Giuseppe De Luca

Final Thoughts

When an artist of the calibre of ilan Bluestone puts out something so personal, I can’t do anything other than listen and try to grasp his message in full. I appreciate the bravery to put out things that mean so much to the creators, I think it’s a trend that will end up healing the music industry in a way. Thank you ilan, for being so open. And thank you for 15 years of incredible music. Looking forward to the next.

Listen to ilan Bluestone‘s brand-new album Ignite by hitting the ‘Play‘ button on the Spotify player below. Also, click here to support the release on your platform of choice. Be sure to follow our page to stay up to date on the latest news and views regarding our beloved Dance music industry.

The post ilan Bluestone Releases Personal Third Artist Album, Ignite, On Anjunabeats appeared first on EDMTunes.

Following the release of the album’s title track in July, this collaboration signals a thrilling new chapter for Bluestone, who returns to the music scene revitalized and brimming with inspiration. This groundbreaking release also marks a significant partnership with ALPHA 9, the progressive alias of the esteemed Russian producer ARTY. Although both artists have made extraordinary contributions to the Anjunabeats catalog in their own right, ‘Paradise’ represents their first collaborative effort, blending lush melodies with soaring arrangements that fans are sure to treasure.

‘Paradise’ represents another wonderful musical milestone of the career of ilan Bluestone

Over the past decade, ilan Bluestone has established himself as one of Anjunabeats’ most celebrated artists, known for emotionally charged, melodic productions and electrifying live performances at iconic venues like Madison Square Garden and festivals such as Creamfields and EDC. His previous albums, Scars (2018) and Impulse (2021), reflect his personal growth and creative evolution, marking significant milestones in his journey. With Ignite, Bluestone pushes the boundaries of his artistry, presenting his most eclectic work to date. The album features 15 tracks that fuse 80s synthwave, cinematic ballads, melodic house, and the uplifting trance that has consistently characterized his sound.

In addition to collaborating with longtime partners like Giuseppe De Luca, Maor Levi, and EL Waves, Ignite introduces fresh talents, including H.E.A.R.T.S., whose mesmerizing vocals on “Paradise” elevate the track to the status of an instant classic. ‘Paradise’ is available now, with the full album, Ignite, debuting on August 22. Don’t miss the chance to pre-order the vinyl through the Anjuna Music Store. Join ilan on tour this summer and fall across North America and Europe. For complete tour details and to secure your tickets, visit the ‘Tour’ page of his official website.

The post Ilan Bluestone, Alpha 9, H.E.A.R.T.S. Team Up on ‘Paradise’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

‘In My Head’

The song starts off with warm pads and Jay Sorrow’s brilliant vocal. Then, it launches into a stomping club sound, as the Club Mix of ‘In My Head’ sees ARTY deliver a strong adaptation of his recent release. Full of energy, drive and attitude, this version is all about cracking dance floors and making crowds go mental. The beat is as fun as it is refreshing, the simple yet deep lyrics are extremely relatable, and the groove is expected from ARTY as the star he is.

ARTY

Famed DJ/producer and EDM heavyweight ARTY continues to surprise the dance community. With an XS Las Vegas residency, a pedigree of performances at Ultra, Electric Daisy Carnival, Tomorrowland, Ushuaïa, Amnesia Ibiza and Creamfields. Moreover, he has immensely popular remixes for Skrillex, Axwell /\ Ingrosso, Armin van Buuren, Halsey, and many more.

He has established himself as one of the music industry’s most consistent and sought-after artists. Known for fusing his trademark Big Room anthems with Downtempo Electronica, he routinely showcases his gift for translating club-focused sounds to the Pop or radio format. This resulted in continued success on U.S. Dance Radio with tracks such as ‘Sunrise’ (2018), and ‘Take Your Time’ (2021). After hitting #1 on U.S. Dance Radio with his single ‘Save Me Tonight’, ARTY decided he wanted to transport fans back to the 2012 glory days of Progressive House.

ARTY is geared up to release some of his greatest work to date. When he’s not producing music or touring, he spends his downtime obsessing over Formula 1 racing. Or he dominates League of Legends and FIFA. Or he likes to sink into single-player narratives. He is also a fan of the Real Madrid and AC Milan soccer franchises, and the Washington Capitals hockey team.

The post Get Lost In the Sauce With ARTY’s Latest, ‘In My Head’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

Artem later looked inward and found renewed purpose as ALPHA 9, the alias under which he’s explored his true musical identity in recent years. Focusing on the progressive trance that he fell in love with as a teenager, some of Artem’s standout moments as ALPHA 9 include ‘Before The Dawn’, ‘Stellar’, ‘Skin’, and his faithful update of Above & Beyond, and Zoë Johnston’s evergreen classic ‘Good For Me’. ALPHA 9’s explosive sets have graced Steel Yard, Dreamstate, Electric Daisy Carnival, Tomorrowland, Ushuaïa, Amnesia Ibiza, and Creamfields. Most recently, he thrilled 20,000 fans at Above & Beyond’s sold-out Group Therapy 500 celebrations in Los Angeles.

‘New Horizons’ is the culmination of the ALPHA 9 story to date, and an enticing look at where the project is heading next. “This is ALPHA 9’s signature, instantly recognizable sound, but it’s also future-facing and explores new horizons,” Artem says. “It’s called ‘New Horizons’ because it’s the journey from the first steps of ALPHA 9 to maturity.” Artem feels this is the most honest, raw, and energizing music he’s ever created. “This is a new chapter,” Artem says. “I’m very confident in the direction I’m taking this project. This new album is a journey from the beginning of ALPHA 9’s artistry to now.”

Stream  ‘New Horizons’ here

“ALPHA 9 is my roots,” Artem says. “And when we decided to revive the project, we knew we wanted to take it to Anjunabeats.” He celebrates the release of ‘New Horizons’ with an extensive tour across North America in January – March 2023, with tickets on sale now. 

ALPHA 9’s ‘New Horizons’ is out now on Anjunabeats.

For more information on ALPHA 9 including his upcoming tour dates click here

The post ALPHA 9 releases his debut album ‘New Horizons’ appeared first on EDMTunes.

The first single off  the forthcoming album came out on October 7th. ‘Calling’ is a collaboration between ALPHA 9 and Brazilian DJ and producer Scorz, featuring vocals from multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter Tom Bailey. The track sits somewhere between melancholic and uplifting, exploring the intersection between progressive trance and pop electronica. Bailey’s clean vocals paired with ALPHA 9 and Scorz’s deft songwriting skills creates a production that has already proven to enthral crowds at peak time on a packed out dance floor.

Scorz is a long-time friend of Armada music. With over 380k monthly listeners on Spotify, his melodic, upbeat tracks push musical boundaries and transcend genres. Armin van Buuren’s a fan – he made Scorz’s debut track ‘Come To Life’ his Track of the Year in 2020 – and Tiësto, Hardwell, Nicky Romero, Vintage Culture, Robin Schulz, and many more artists have supported Scorz’s productions during their sets. This is the Brazilian artist’s first time collaborating with ALPHA 9, however with ‘Calling’ it’s clear the pair’s synergy is palpable. 

Musically speaking, there’s not much Tom Bailey can’t do. He’s a multi-instrumentalist producer, writer and performer, and a graduate of the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. Some might recognise him from his You Tube channel – he’s the founder and creator of Tom Bailey Backing Tracks which offers backing tracks to aspiring writers, singers and jammers. Bailey’s credited on dozens of songs across multiple genres, totalling over 80 million Spotify streams and seemingly the same amount of fans. 

The collaborative element of ‘Calling’ is representative of ‘New Horizons’ itself. All three artists have different musical backgrounds, which brings fresh energy and perspective to the writing process; a theme that chimes throughout the album. 

“This is a new chapter. I’m very confident in the direction I’m taking this project. This new album is a journey through the beginning of ALPHA 9’s artistry to now.”

— ALPHA 9

‘Calling’ with Scorz feat. Tom Bailey is out now on Anjunabeats.

‘New Horizons’ is out on Anjunabeats on January 13, 2023

The post ALPHA 9 Announces Debut Album ‘New Horizons’ at ABGT500. appeared first on EDMTunes.

We can easily recall the day we first listened to Jason Ross‘ debut album, 1000 Faces. It feels like it was just a few weeks ago. The impact it made for his career, Seven Lions’ Ophelia Records, and the electronic industry was magnificent. He has built his brand from nooks of Minneapolis to now all over the world. In fact, even at festivals Jason is not performing at, his merchandise can be seen scattered throughout the crowds (shoutout to the group with the flag at Heatwave Music Festival in Chicago!) He’s come an exceptionally long way since bursting into the scene in 2014 along with Anjunabeats and Above & Beyond. And now, he has released his second full album, Atlas.

The word “atlas” is no stranger to Jason’s world. Back in 2015, with the help of Wrechiski, he released “Atlas” on Anjuna. It was immediately played on the stages of ABGT and by all other colleagues near and far. His fan base is even named The Atlas along with his radio show. Clearly, the word means a lot to him.

It was then in 2017 that he joined forces with Jeff Montalvo (Seven Lions) at the Gorge for Group Therapy 250 and the rest is history. Fast forward a couple of years, a pandemic, a few outstanding collaborations, EPs, and singles, we are graced with a brand new, 10 track, album.

Breakdown

There’s a lot to unpack with this amazing piece. Firstly, there are some very friendly names on a few of the tracks. MitiS and Jason worked magnificently together on “Take You Home” with Dia Frampton’s phenomenal voice (she contributes to another track, “Stay” as well). The single already has a half a million plays on Spotify! Also, “Hate This Kind of Love” with HOLT really is a major hit. Specifically, it hits home lyrically:

So tired of these emotions
Keepin’ me up at night
Just wish you could come over
But I know that I’m the reason
To why you hurt so much
So I guess it’s only fair that
I miss the ordinary things
The feelin’ of your skin
The way you held me
The scar on your shoulder
I’m really good at buildin’ walls
When someone gets too close
But I never wanted to lose you

Additionally, a woman who is no stranger to all music lovers, RUNN lends her notable voice to ‘More than Life’. Anything she touches is beautiful. It flows naturally from her sultry lyrics in the verses to an upbeat toe-tapping chorus. Keeping the girl power flowing on the album is Haliene. She completely belts out, like usual, “Burning Sky” which gets the energy going. This one will easily be played in Jason and Haliene’s sets.

Finally, other notable tracks are “Too Young for Forever” and “Ghost Town”! “Ghost Town” gives Jonathan Mendelsohn vibes with his smooth voice that goes perfectly with the melodic dubstep breakdown.

Tour

Please take a listen to the entire album. It’s truly something special. Then, take a look at his upcoming tour dates! Make sure to peep those supporting acts – Gem & Tauri, Au5, Alpha 9, Genix, Elevven, and more. Damn, everyone wants come along and have a piece of the action!

Also, doesn’t hurt to remind you that Porter Robinson dropped Jason’s refreshing take on Arty and Mat Zo’s “Rebound” at EDC Las Vegas this year. That’s pretty f*cking remarkable and iconic.

Okay, enough words – now enjoy!

The post Jason Ross Stuns with Sophomore Album Atlas on Ophelia Records appeared first on EDMTunes.

Firstly, Anjunabeats Worldwide 10 consists of 21 tracks with five original Fatum productions. Collaborations include the likes of Jaytech, Mars Atlas, LYCA and re:boot. In addition, journey through the past, present, and future sound of the label. What’s more, mainstays like Mat Zo, Genix, Grum, ALPHA 9, and Sunny Lax also appear. Want to know new artists? Check out Naz and Alex Sonata & TheRio debuting the label compilation.

Now, Bruce Karlsson’s electro-tinged grooves shine through in ‘Bait & Switch‘ featuring Jaytech. This track is my favorite of the bunch. It’s powerful with a moving melody and will light up any dance floor and crowd. To get a feel for its influence, check out early 2010 jams, ‘Bloom, ‘Pistol Whip’, and ‘Thundercat’ by Norin & Rad. Daniel Davis lends his hand as intricate melody maker. Together as a duo, they have a reputable repertoire of music that is well-known and received today.

Next, ‘Light & Shade‘ boast the underground in a supersonic techno trance form. Continuing the compilation, they include reworks of ‘Whiteroom’ by Andy Moor and Adam White. Plus, enjoy the sounds of Myon, Judah, Rodg, Luccio and Tinlicker.

Lastly, check out the tracklist and tour dates here. The tour celebrates this album launch, after a three year hiatus. For a preview, listen to two of their original tracks from Anjunabeats Worldwide 10 below.

Fatum’s Anjunabeats Worldwide 10 | Buy/Stream

The post Fatum’s Anjunabeats Worldwide 10 appeared first on EDMTunes.