What inspired the sound and direction of the Set Me Free EP?
I was chasing a feeling, really—something bright, emotional, and euphoric but still grounded in the club. I wanted to make music that felt like a release, a kind of emotional exhale on the dancefloor. That balance between introspection and energy is what drives me creatively, and this EP just naturally leaned into that!
The title track has such a big, uplifting energy – how did that track come together?
“Set Me Free” started with the vocal. As soon as I heard it, it had this almost gospel-like energy that just lit something up in me. I built everything around that—layering synths, letting it breathe, and then just letting it rise and rise. Big emotions, but still something you could fully lose yourself to in a set.
Human After All” feels more introspective. What was your mindset when making it?
This was the first track I wrote after my trip in ibiza in 2024! I wanted to write an instrumental and was inspired by some of Chicanes older stuff at the time.
How do you decide which tracks belong together on an EP?
It’s all about emotional flow for me. These two tracks feel like they’re speaking to different sides of the same story—light and dark, euphoria and contemplation. I’m always thinking about how people will experience the EP as a whole, whether they’re listening at home or in a set. If it tells a story and feels cohesive, that’s the sweet spot.
Did you approach these two tracks differently in terms of production or writing?
Yeah, definitely. “Set Me Free” was more about capturing that big, uplifting feeling and letting it build slowly and dramatically. “Human After All” was more textural—I spent a lot of time getting different sounds to fit together, following the same chord structure. It’s a bit more delicate in terms of mood, but still powerful. Different energies, same heart.
What do these tracks say about where you’re at creatively right now?
They’re a pretty honest reflection of where I’m at. I’m drawn to that sweet spot between emotion and club energy—music that connects, but still bangs. I feel more confident in my sound now, and I’m not afraid to lean into the emotional side of things while still keeping it danceable.
Was there a specific moment in the studio where you knew this EP was finished?
Yeah—when I played them back-to-back for the first time and it just felt right and effortles. There was this flow between them that clicked. I didn’t feel the need to add or tweak anymore, and that’s usually the sign for me. If I’m vibing to it like a listener and not nitpicking as a producer, it’s done.
Do you test your tracks in live sets before releasing them, or do you trust your instincts in the studio?
Bit of both! I definitely road-test tracks where I can—it’s amazing what a crowd will tell you without saying a word. But I also trust my gut and that’s always the most impoetant thing. If something moves me in the studio, that’s usually a good sign it’ll land in the right setting too.
How do you hope listeners connect with this EP – in a club, on headphones, emotionally?
All of the above, honestly. I hope it hits people on a few levels. Whether they’re in the middle of a club night, driving home late after a McDonald’s, or just zoning out with headphones—I want these tracks to offer a little escape, always my goal!!
What does Set Me Free mean to you, personally?
It’s about release—emotionally, creatively, even spiritually in a way. Letting go of pressure, of expectation, and just making something that felt true and timeless to me. I normally play this track towards the end of my sets when typically people want to feel euphoria, so Set Me Free is a way of describing the feeling you get when that certain track hits the sweet spot at 5am!
