mmotd

The first season of Create Define Release's Pathways program closes with 'mmotd', a four-track late night odyssey from singer and producer NIIX – complete with a remix by Florentino.

Raised on a musical diet that's half Kate Bush, half Gatecrasher Anthems CDs, NIIX's music blends a natural pop sensibility with the sort of dancefloor-focused production that could only come… well, from someone who spends a lot of time in clubs, put it that way. A trained pianist who's equally inspired by the gauzy modern pop of ML Buch, Ripswirl and Ydegirl as she is the boundary-pushing electronics of Murlo, Sinjin Hawke, Club Romantico and Surusinghe, NIIX's music sits right in the pocket between the club and the concert hall. Or in other words, she can play 'Ride on Time' on the piano.

NIIX self-released her debut EP 'I' in 2021, and most recently released a two-track single 'ocean' / 'at bay' on Safe Space Records, which was supported by Jaguar on BBC Radio 1 Introducing. Live, she's supported Leon Vynehall, Max Cooper and Jenny Hval, and DJed at Gottwood, We Out Here, Boomtown and Audio Farm. She originally cut her teeth in Manchester where she participated in CDR's events in the city as both an attendee and a host, but is now based in South London, where she's a resident DJ at Keep Hush, Subtle Radio and Sister Midnight.

Exploring the three Ls – love, lust and loss – this EP goes big on romance and nostalgic feelings, but is just as effective in the context of a late night alone as it is in the middle of a dancefloor when the light hits just right: a late night cigarette out the bedroom window from one angle; the corner of a packed smoking area from the other. Or in NIIX's words, "Just as easily consumed alone and feeling reflective, or sweating it out with your pals. Fluid, fun, emotive, unexpected. Just as life should be."

"I wanted to capture the nostalgic feelings of love, lust and loss as I have always done through my songwriting, but now through the medium of dance music. However, these topics are approached in a less serious way - 'ghosted', for example, is a breaksy number literally about being ghosted. 'mmotd' (meet me on the dance floor) is euphoric and light, to match the concept of finding your crush in the dance. 'like a fool' is the most serious and less club-focussed tune on the EP, and is about falling for the wrong person. Then you have 'la cantina', which is based on a makeshift club me and my mates made on a camping trip lol."

Closing out the EP, we have Club Romantico capitan Florentino's remix of 'ghosted'. Forget everything we said previously about lonely smoking areas, this one's for the front left speaker crew.