Juan Sapia - Aura / Forest Song

Clubsonica Records opens the summer season by welcoming Juan Sapia back to the label for a new EP. Hailing from the progressive house hotbed of Argentina, Juan Sapia has enjoyed a steady rise since first emerging in 2017. As a favourite of progressive music tastemakers Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren, the Buenos Aires resident has compiled an impressive resume, landing releases on top tier imprints such as EDGE, Mango Alley, Or Two Strangers, Sudbeat Music, and The Soundgarden. Clubsonica has also been a primary landing spot for Juan, with his label debut coming in 2021 with 'Masana | Embrace', a well-received joint project with Sri Lankan artist Hasith. The following year would see the Argentine make a triumphant return to the label with a solo artist showcase entitled 'Holy Grail | Space Turtle'. Now, following an EP for Argentina's pad records to begin the year, Juan makes a welcome return to the label with 'Aura | Forest Song', alongside remixes from Paul Deep and Leo Guerrero.

As the progressive grooves and swaying rhythms of opener 'Aura' unfold, it's clear that Juan's craft must be taken to heart. Renowned for his trance-inspired melodies, the Buenos Aires resident opts for a deeper approach here, working placid pads over dulcet grooves and dusty percussive arrangements. Building patiently across the first movement, its creamy tones and heartfelt harmonies marry beautifully during a transcendent break, before layers of wind-swept sonics cue a gorgeous drop and glowing finale. Beneath the calming waves of 'Aura' lies a tastefully melodic production entitled 'Forest Song'. Evoking a confident club energy from the start, Juan's colourful sonics, emotionally resonant hooks and nostalgic melodies blanket a tight yet groovy framework. With an infectious energy that could win over even the most discerning of fans, it's a journey that becomes unabashedly epic at its peak, as melodies unite in a whirlpool of textural bliss, making for a sure fire dance floor weapon.

Returning to the label for the lone interpretation of 'Aura' is Paul Deep. With a career that spans the better part of a decade, the Argentinean artist has compiled an impressive resume along the way, landing releases via All Day I Dream, Tale and Tone, The Soundgarden and Sudbeat. World class DJs Lee Burridge, Guy J, Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Warren have all been steadfast supporters of Paul's sound, which often sits in the creative space between progressive and organic house. Having been an integral part in Clubsonica's formative years, Paul provided two singles and a remix across 2016-2018, before returning in 2022 with a monstrous remix of 'Perfect Love' by Lio Q and Nicolas Leonelli. With his year being highlighted by an EP for Dmitry Molosh's Proportion imprint, Paul now makes a welcome return to Clubsonica with a stellar rendition of 'Aura'. Focusing on a slightly darker monochrome, the Buenos Aires resident goes deep and techy for what results in a heady nine-minute journey. Rebounding rhythms and deep chugging basslines set the course for snatches of flickering percussion and growling stabs. Looking to bring a greater emotional response, the main break shifts the narrative through heartfelt chord changes and trance-inducing melodies, before a wave of white noise perfectly sets up a stripped back drop and meditative finale.

The release concludes with Leo Guerrero making his label debut with the lone interpretation of 'Forest Song'. Hailing from Colombia, Leo Guerrero is perhaps best known for being one half of the trance duo Smokers Area, a project which ran for the better part of decade, before eventually disbanding in 2018. New inspirations led Leo to progressive music where he restarted his production journey under his own name, while finding a home on Antrim's Strangers Beats and D-Nox's Sprout. Continuing on this explorative path, the Medellin resident now adds Clubsonica to his resume with a powerful take on 'Forest Song'. Beginning with a buoyant kick and galloping groove, the Colombian artist channels the melodic energy of the original through panoramic synths and percolating arps, before a deconstructed take on the main musical theme emerges across the break, perfectly setting up a thrilling peak-time finale. A gorgeous interpretation from Leo, which rounds out a must have return to Clubsonica for Juan Sapia, an artist who continues to stand out in Argentina's progressive house landscape.