Blog · 111 stories
Stories & guides
Scene stories, top 10s, guides and label news.
Gimme A Kiss: Kleinefrigo and JUCY team up on OBSCUUR
Kleinefrigo and JUCY, two Belgian producers, release the three-track Gimme A Kiss on OBSCUUR Records on 5 December 2025. Here is what is on…
From bedroom to booth: a realistic path for new hard house producers
A practical route for new hard house producers: build a small toolkit, finish tracks, test them in clubs, learn from released music and send…
OBSCUUR session #3: ANNASNEL
OBSCUUR session #3 with ANNASNEL: a 58-minute DJ set recorded in Amsterdam, part of the weekly OBSCUUR sessions on YouTube.
Saxon on OBSCUUR Records: Korg Addiction and Safe Machine
Saxon is a hard house and speed garage producer from the Sunshine Coast, now in Newcastle. Here is what he has released on OBSCUUR Records,…
Why Vinyl Still Matters for Fast Dance Music
Why vinyl still has a place in hard house, trance, bounce and garage: the format, the DJ booth, the record bag and the way a pressed record…
New on OBSCUUR in 2025: the debut releases
Eight debut releases from OBSCUUR Records in 2025, ranked by popularity on Deezer: singles from Vespera, Baron Von Trax and Jim Jonathan,…
Rave Prescription EP by Four To Eight
Four To Eight's Rave Prescription EP lands on OBSCUUR on 23 January 2026: Grind It and Funky Pills, each with an extended mix.
The Return of the Rave Flyer: Design Trends in Club Culture
Why printed and flyer-style artwork is back in club culture, the design trends behind it, and what makes a rave flyer work in 2026.
Trans-AM on OBSCUUR Records: Get The Vibe and Don't U Feel It
An artist spotlight on Trans-AM and their two OBSCUUR Records singles: Don't U Feel It with Nedir Nadir, and Get The Vibe with two…
Edits, bootlegs and remixes: what is allowed and what gets you a takedown
A plain guide to the difference between an edit, a bootleg and an official remix, who has to give permission, and what usually triggers a…
The 10 artists with the most releases on OBSCUUR
The ten artists with the most releases on OBSCUUR Records, from Alfa Cornae and Various Artists on four to Shugz on two, with first year and…
Believe by Vince Alphen: new single on OBSCUUR Records
Vince Alphen's single Believe is out on OBSCUUR Records on 6 March 2026, with Sofie In Morocco and Where Did You Go alongside it.
Release radar: how we pick a release day and why it is always Friday
How OBSCUUR Records chooses a release day, why new music lands on Friday, and what that means for DJs, producers and ravers.
Top 9 OBSCUUR releases of 2021
The nine most-streamed OBSCUUR Records releases of 2021, ranked by Deezer popularity: four albums, four EPs and one single, with full track…
OBSCUUR Session #5: BRITNEY SPEED in Amsterdam
OBSCUUR session #5 puts BRITNEY SPEED behind the decks in Amsterdam for a full one-hour DJ set, live on the OBSCUUR YouTube channel.
Saul High on OBSCUUR Records: Run Tha Streetz and Music Feel Ya Soul
Artist spotlight on Saul High: two releases on OBSCUUR Records, from the trance-leaning Music Feel Ya Soul to the three-track Run Tha…
How to Build a DJ Set That Tells a Story at High Tempo
A practical guide to shaping a fast DJ set with a clear arc: opening, build, peak and release, with ideas for sequencing, key, energy and…
Top 10 OBSCUUR releases of 2022
The ten most-streamed OBSCUUR Records releases of 2022, ranked on Deezer, from Dj Cinéma Quartier Latin's Portrait to David Asko's CONFLICT.
Perzik delivers Shoot For The Stars EP on OBSCUUR
Shoot For The Stars is a six-track EP by Perzik, out on OBSCUUR Records since 13 March 2026. Tracklist, running times and extended versions.
What Is a Hoover Sound and Why Is It Everywhere Again?
A short guide to the hoover sound: where the name comes from, the synth behind it, how it shaped rave and hard dance, and why producers keep…
Top 9 OBSCUUR releases of 2023
The nine most-streamed OBSCUUR Records releases of 2023, ranked by popularity on Deezer, from RAUMM and Ritchie Carter to Falhaber and CTSD.
OBSCUUR session #6: GMOZ behind the decks
OBSCUUR session #6 features GMOZ, recorded in Amsterdam: a 55-minute DJ set from our weekly YouTube series.
Social Machine on OBSCUUR Records: Fantasy and GIVE IT 2 YA
An artist spotlight on Social Machine and their two 2026 singles for OBSCUUR Records, GIVE IT 2 YA and Fantasy, with dates, tracks and…
The anatomy of a hard house track: kick, bass, hoover and the drop
How a hard house track is built: the kick, the offbeat bass, the hoover lead and the drop. A practical guide for ravers, DJs and producers.
Top 10 OBSCUUR releases of 2024
The ten most popular OBSCUUR releases of 2024 on Deezer, from Kara Okay at number one to Dubs at number ten, with track titles and links to…
Trancecore x OBSCUUR at ADE 2026: Amsterdam, 24 October
Trancecore x OBSCUUR lands at Amsterdam Dance Event 2026 on Saturday 24 October, 23:00 until 07:00. Lineup, genres and where to find…
Nedir Nadir & Trans-AM Bring 90s House Euphoria to OBSCUUR with Don't U Feel It
Nedir Nadir and Trans-AM release Don't U Feel It on OBSCUUR Records on 20 March 2026: a 6:14 dance single with 90s house DNA and a hard…
Amsterdam vs Berlin: two cities, two ways of going out
How a night out differs between Amsterdam and Berlin, from timing and venues to the sets you hear, and what a label working in both cities…
Top 10 OBSCUUR releases of 2025
The ten most-streamed OBSCUUR releases of 2025, ranked by Deezer popularity: albums, EPs and singles from Vespera, Baron Von Trax, Shugz,…
OBSCUUR session #7: CYBERSEX live from Amsterdam
OBSCUUR session #7 is a 52-minute DJ set from CYBERSEX, recorded in Amsterdam and released on 17 September 2026 on our YouTube channel.
Three Faces of Eve on OBSCUUR Records: Electro from Canada
Three Faces of Eve has released an EP, an album and a three-track single on OBSCUUR Records since 2021. Here is the full run, in order.
Amsterdam Dance Event Survival Guide for First-Timers
A practical guide to your first Amsterdam Dance Event: how the week works, how to plan your days, what to pack, and how to meet people in…
Top 10 OBSCUUR releases of 2026
The ten most-streamed OBSCUUR releases of 2026, ranked by popularity on Deezer, from Jordan George and Symmetrik to Saxon, KAM and DJ…
OBSCUUR at ADE 2026: Friday by Night, a look back
A look back at OBSCUUR at ADE 2026 on Friday 23 October at Toekomstmuziek, Amsterdam: the line-up, the upstairs room and the hard house,…
Yas – Daddy Dub: new single on OBSCUUR Records
Daddy Dub is the new single from Yas, out on OBSCUUR Records on 27 March 2026. One track, 4:14, dance.
How to prepare a demo submission that gets heard
A practical guide to preparing a demo for a dance label: which tracks to send, how to format files, how to write the message and how to…
The 10 most-played OBSCUUR releases since 2020
A ranked list of the 10 most-played OBSCUUR releases since 2020, from a Eurotrance compilation to singles and EPs by Vespera, RAUMM, Jordan…
OBSCUUR session #8: ANOUQUE
OBSCUUR session #8 puts ANOUQUE behind the decks in Amsterdam for a 59-minute DJ set, released on 24 September 2026 on our YouTube channel.
Social Machine – GIVE IT 2 YA: new single on OBSCUUR Records
GIVE IT 2 YA is the new single from Social Machine on OBSCUUR Records, released 10 April 2026. One track, 5:36, following Fantasy.
STRATAH on OBSCUUR Records: Lose Control, For My Own and You Got Me
An artist spotlight on STRATAH: three singles on OBSCUUR Records, from Lose Control to the Didier collaboration You Got Me, with dates and…
How to Get Your Track Signed: What Labels Listen For in the First 30 Seconds
What A&Rs and label teams listen for in the opening 30 seconds of a demo, and how to prepare your track before you send it to a dance label.
JMIC's WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR EP: four tracks of hard house and trance on OBSCUUR
JMIC makes their OBSCUUR debut with the four-track EP WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR, out 17 April 2026. Hard house drive meets trance-leaning emotion.
What a Record Label Actually Does for an Artist in 2026
A plain guide to what a record label does for an artist in 2026: release strategy, distribution, A&R, marketing and the practical work…
OBSCUUR session #9: YOUNG LOLO live from Amsterdam
OBSCUUR session #9 features YOUNG LOLO in a 56-minute DJ set recorded in Amsterdam. Watch it on our YouTube channel.
Average – UNDERGROUND: new single on OBSCUUR
UNDERGROUND is a 3:49 single by Average, released on OBSCUUR on 24 April 2026. It is filed under alternative, indie rock and dance.
Didier on OBSCUUR Records: three singles in 2025
A guide to Didier's releases on OBSCUUR Records: For My Own, Lifeline and You Got Me, plus the collaborations with STRATAH and Konings.
Speed garage, UK garage and 2-step: a quick field guide
A short guide to speed garage, UK garage and 2-step: where they came from, how the drums differ, and how to tell them apart on a dancefloor.
Ascension: DJ FREEKFUNK and Bo Bensdorp on OBSCUUR
Ascension is a three-track release by DJ FREEKFUNK and Bo Bensdorp on OBSCUUR Records, out 5 June 2026. Tracklist, running times and genres.
How to DJ at 150 BPM without the floor falling apart
A practical guide to mixing at 150 BPM: phrase timing, beatmatching, bass swaps and pacing a set so the floor stays with you.
OBSCUUR session #10: EVA CHARLEY live from Amsterdam
OBSCUUR session #10 features EVA CHARLEY: a 52-minute DJ set recorded in Amsterdam for our weekly YouTube series, published 8 October 2026.
SIMO: Without You EP out on OBSCUUR
Without You is a four-track EP by SIMO, released on OBSCUUR Records on 28 August 2026. Tracklist, running times and release page.
Various Artists on OBSCUUR Records: Four Compilations, 2022 to 2025
A guide to the Various Artists releases on OBSCUUR Records: Certified Summer Heat, It's A Eurotrance Album, FIRE SERIES Vol. 2 and Peace is…
Why trance never really left: the genre's three big waves
Trance has come back in three big waves since the early 1990s. Here is how each one worked, and why the genre keeps finding new dancefloors.
KAM – ACE-HIGH EP on OBSCUUR Records
ACE-HIGH is a four-track EP from KAM, out on OBSCUUR Records on 4 September 2026. Tracklist, running times and where to find the release…
Hardgroove explained: the techno sub-genre that refuses to sit still
What hardgroove is, how it differs from peak-time and industrial techno, what to listen for in the drums, and how DJs and producers can work…
OBSCUUR session #11 with EDO
EDO plays OBSCUUR session #11, a 54-minute DJ set recorded in Amsterdam for the weekly OBSCUUR sessions on YouTube.
Social Machine returns to OBSCUUR with Fantasy
Fantasy is the new single from Social Machine on OBSCUUR Records, out 11 September 2026, with the tracks Fantasy XTC and Sport Funk.
Alfa Cornae on OBSCUUR Records: four electro singles
A guide to Alfa Cornae's four electro singles on OBSCUUR Records, from Sono Come Te in September 2024 to Alfa Thruster in August 2025.
A beginner's guide to UK hard house: the labels, the clubs, the sound
New to UK hard house? A plain guide to where it came from, the clubs and labels that built it, what defines the sound, and where to start…
DREAMING by Tmi: new single on OBSCUUR Records
DREAMING is the new single from Tmi on OBSCUUR Records, out 18 September 2026, with WHAT ONCE WAS and IF YOU NEED ME on the release.
Hard house vs hard techno: how to hear the difference
Hard house and hard techno share a tempo range and a packed dance floor. Here is how to tell them apart by bassline, kick, melody and mood.
Symmetrik and Liam Wilson: Stay In Love
Stay In Love, a trance single by Symmetrik and Liam Wilson, is out on OBSCUUR Records. Release date, running time and where to find it.
Jason Hogg returns with "Waiting So Long" on OBSCUUR
Jason Hogg's single "Waiting So Long" lands on OBSCUUR Records on 16 October 2026, with "Can't Play Around" on the flip. Electro, techno and…
What is bounce music? The sound, the BPM and where it came from
A plain guide to bounce music: the bassline-led sound, the typical tempo range, its roots in northern England and how it differs from New…
hackett - Thin Air
Trance was the first sound that mattered to HACKETT. More than a decade later, he's making a record that runs both directions at once — back…
Why is dance music getting faster? The BPM arms race, explained.
Dance music is getting faster for three reasons: a generation raised on sped-up edits now hears 140 BPM as normal, post-pandemic crowds came…
Melbourne is the new Manchester. Here's why the next wave of hard house is Australian.
There's a label in Melbourne called Spinreal that keeps ending up on our release schedule. This month it's SATNAV & Beau James's joint…
Why Dutch Producers Keep Moving to Berlin (And What It Says About Our Scene)
Amsterdam creates world-class electronic talent — but Berlin keeps stealing it. Here's why the Amsterdam-Berlin pipeline runs deeper than…
Your Track in the Club: A Realistic Guide to Getting Your Music Played by DJs
Learn the realistic strategies DJs use to discover new music. Discover how record labels, promo platforms, and relationships get your tracks…
Two Cities, One Beat: How Berlin and Amsterdam Forged the Sound of European Techno
In the late 1980s, as the Cold War was breathing its last, two cities—Berlin and Amsterdam—became the twin epicenters of a cultural…
It’s A London Thing: Why UK Garage & Speed Garage Are Taking Over Dancefloors Again
From its pirate radio origins to its 2026 TikTok revival, we break down the history, sound, and resurgence of UK Garage and Speed Garage.…
The End of the Afterparty? Why Gen Z Is Trading Late Nights for Healthy Habits (And What It Means for Club Culture)
Fewer people are going out, and more are embracing wellness. We researched the data behind the “soft clubbing” and sober curious movements…
The End of Promo Chaos: How We Finally Started Making Data-Driven Decisions at OBSCUUR
For years, our music promotion was a black hole of scattered emails and zero data. We were flying blind. This is the story of how we changed…
The Dancefloor Paradox: Why 50% of Clubbers Say Phones Are Ruining Nightlife (And Why They Can't Put Them Down)
Half of clubbers say phones are ruining the dancefloor. Yet 55% can't stop using them. We explore the psychology of presence, the death of…
OBSCUUR Returns to Amsterdam for a Night of Trance & Hard House
Following a sold-out ADE event, OBSCUUR is back in Amsterdam on February 6th, 2026, for a night of trance and hard house at Toekomstmuziek.…
OBSCUUR 2025: year in review
Thank you for being with us this year. 2025 was about music first and always. We released more than fifty records from over twenty…
OBSCUUR Saturday at ADE 2025
After a almost sold-out Friday, OBSCUUR returns to Toekomstmuziek on Saturday, October 25, for the second night of our ADE 2025 takeover.…
Introducing the Ultimate Techno Producer Bundle 2025
OBSCUUR's Ultimate Techno Producer Bundle 2025 - sample packs, Ableton chains & masterclasses from producers supported by Carl Cox, Adam…
OBSCUUR Friday at ADE 2025
After two sold-out editions, OBSCUUR returns to Toekomstmuziek for another night during Amsterdam Dance Event. This year we're doing things…
The Launch of Masterclasses & Sample Packs
Learn music production with OBSCUUR masterclasses covering UK garage, hard house, trance & techno. Plus original sample packs you cannot…
OBSCUUR Returns to Paris
OBSCUUR returns to Paris with headliners Caiva Live, The Muffin Man & Joe Lewandowski at Le Nexus on September 19th. Tickets €11.99 - don't…
Underground Fury at ADE 2025
OBSCUUR brings hard house, trance, and hard techno to Amsterdam Dance Event 2025 with two explosive nights at Toekomstmuziek, October 24-25.
Trance Music: From 90s Euphoria to 2025's Epic Revival
Discover everything about trance music - from 90s German origins to 2025's massive comeback. Complete guide to legendary artists, production…
The Complete Guide to Hard House
Discover everything about hard house music - from 90s UK rave origins to 2025's biggest festivals. Complete guide to artists, production…
Certified Summer Heat
The wait is over – Certified Summer Heat is here in full force. All 16 tracks from the compilation are now live across all major streaming…
Fresh Energy to the Frontline
Discover the latest OBSCUUR releases from Jim Jonathan, WATTO, Mirage & BAVR, and mrgnstrn — raw underground energy from the next wave of…
OBSCUUR Has a New Logo
We’ve been using the same logo since the early days of OBSCUUR, back when our focus was mainly on heavy, industrial-leaning techno. That…
The Playlist Fueling Hard House
Hard house, trance, eurodance, no genres are moving faster right now. What used to sit at the edge of the club scene is now storming back…
NEXUS Paris Takeover on 19.07
OBSCUUR débarque à Paris le 19 juillet au Nexus avec DJ Sonnenbrand, Human Error, Yenkov et plus. 8h de techno brute. Prends ta place via…
What Is Mastering?
In the world of electronic music, especially in high-energy genres like hard techno, hard groove, and trance, quality control is…
Ghost Producers and the Myth of DIY
Ghost producers are more common in underground techno than many admit. This post explores the pressure, the ethics, and the truth behind the…
Fresh Fire on OBSCUUR
The last few weeks have been wild. We dropped three records that hit hard in their own ways, built for festivals, clubs, basements,…
The Edits Era
Discover why DJs in 2025 are playing custom edits, flips, and bootlegs instead of originals. Here's how the edits era is reshaping…
How Underground Labels Build Fanbases
Underground labels are skipping the Spotify chase and building fanbases on SoundCloud, Bandcamp, email lists, and closed groups. Here’s why…
TikTok Is Boosting Electronic Music
Explore how TikTok is fueling a global rise in electronic music, reshaping the underground scene and boosting genres like trance, hard…
What Are Techno Masterclasses?
Level up your techno production with our masterclasses—learn from industry pro's, gain real skills, and create tracks that stand out in the…
How AI is Transforming Music
Discover how AI is reshaping music production, DJing, and sound design in 2025. Explore tools, trends, and the future of electronic music.
Why Everyone’s Playing 150 BPM Again
Discover why 150 BPM is dominating clubs worldwide. Explore the rise of high-speed techno, trance, and rave sounds redefining underground…
The Return of Trance
Trance is back—faster, rawer, and emotional. Discover how euphoric sounds are reshaping the underground rave scene in 2025.
Trance, Hardgroove, Hard House & More: Breaking Down the Sounds Shaping the Underground
Discover the differences between hardgroove, trance, hard house, and more. A breakdown of the underground sounds shaping today’s club and…
Essential Sample Packs & Ableton Chains for Hard Techno, Trance & Eurodance
Get high-quality hard techno, trance, and eurodance sample packs & Ableton chains. Build club-ready tracks with pounding kicks, rolling…
OBSCUUR’s Spotify Playlists Are Taking Over – Here’s What’s Next
OBSCUUR's Spotify playlists have seen massive growth, with multiple lists now surpassing 10K followers. In 2025, we're pushing even further…
Master the Art of Music Production with Our Exclusive Masterclasses
Level up your music production with OBSCUUR’s masterclasses. Learn from top artists, refine your workflow, and master underground electronic…
OBSCUUR x DIVISION: 360° Experience at Lokschuppen Berlin
OBSCUUR x DIVISION returns to Berlin on March 14 for a 360° club experience at Lokschuppen. Hard groove, trance & techno all night. Get your…
2025 Release Schedule Unveiled
As we dive into 2025, OBSCUUR Records is kicking off the year with a packed release schedule, showcasing some of the most exciting talent in…
A 30 tracks free-to-download album?
🎄 LFG, IT'S A EUROTRANCE CHRISTMAS! 🎄 We’re wrapping up the year with the ultimate holiday gift: a 30-track Eurotrance album featuring…
7 questions with... ARMAN JOHN!
Can you tell us about your journey in music? How did you get started, and what led you to where you are today? I started producing over 8…
Huge success at ADE
Thank you to everyone who joined us last Friday (18/10) at Amsterdam Dance Event for GROOVE SELECTORS! Your energy made the night…
7 questions with... CAIVA!
Can you tell us about your journey in music? How did you get started, and what led you to where you are today?Music has always been a part…
The creative force behind our visual identity
For the past two years, modjo studios has been the visionary powerhouse behind all the design work at OBSCUUR. From stunning cover artwork…
7 questions with… Amazingblaze!
Can you tell us about your journey in music? How did you get started, and what led you to where you are today? I started when I was only 13…