Rose Avenue

Paraleven Makes Next Big Label Debut on RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Rose Avenue

Paraleven Makes Next Big Label Debut on RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Rose Avenue

Rex Anderson

RÜFÜS DU SOL have built their imprint Rose Avenue around one core principle: to shine the light on artists who push the envelope of dance music’s emotive shades. Today they welcome rising talent Paraleven into their fold with a spacey single, “Lucid,” infused with the vocals of Nathan Ball.

In true Paraleven fashion, “Lucid” tugs at the heartstrings with dulcet harmonics. Subdued synths, stringed pads, and a warm bassline interlock with one another to create maximum emotional impact while serving as a complementary foundation for Nathan Ball’s breathy vocal work and touching lyrics. Underpinning it all is a distinctive percussion section, making “Lucid” equally appealing for dancefloor and at-home listening.

“Nathan was a pleasure to work with. I am a huge fan of all of his work and to have this record come to life with his vocals was a real treat for me. This song was written with an abstract “late night” feel, focusing on loneliness – and thoughts that run through one’s head in solitude. The beauty of this song lies in the back and forth of vocal focus and synth driven sections – without being heavily reliant on one or the other to drive the track. My favorite line is “If there was another place to hide from the world today, would you follow me there” – something I feel we can all relate to at one point or another.” — Paraleven

Paraleven has racked up well over a decade of production experience. As a solo act, Paraleven found his calling in the progressive house arena, where he was promptly picked up by Lane 8, signed to This Never Happened, and tapped as main support for the icon’s namesake sold out label tour. It wouldn’t be long before RÜFÜS DU SOL noticed his knack for arrangement, thus beginning what’s shaping up to be a long and fruitful relationship between the two acts.

“When Paraleven sent over the track I was immediately transported to that late night feeling, a melancholic solitude of sorts. I wanted to replicate that feeling in the lyrics and the melody, so they explore the desire to escape the monotony of everyday life with the only person you’d want to be there with you”—Nathan Bell

With arrival on Rose Avenue, Paraleven joins a robust slate of talent which includes the likes of Cassian, Township Rebellion, Colyn and Lastlings. Be sure to keep watch on the label as it prepares to unveil its ambitious latter half of 2021.

Colyn’s ‘Bridges In The Sky’ is Melodic Mastery

Colyn’s ‘Bridges In The Sky’ is Melodic Mastery

Rex Anderson

Melodic savant Colyn has been tapped once again by RÜFÜS DU SOL to forge his next introspective body of work for their now globally renowned Rose Avenue. The resulting ‘Bridges In The Sky’—a polished, double-sided composition—arrives today, serving as an idyllic opener to 2021 for the Dutch producer.

‘Bridges In The Sky’ exudes a sense of tenderness and cohesion. Its eponymous A-side features subdued, emotive analog chords that float over subtle licks of percussion. Colyn’s brother and frequent collaborator, Maurijts Colijn ties everything together, providing breathy vocals to complement the instrumentation, adding buoyancy to the finished product. “Caroussel” picks up where “Bridges In The Sky” left off, opening with a similar rhythm in its synths. Though more dynamically pronounced than its predecessor, the EP closer is softened by its piano accents and ethereal breakdown.

“‘Bridges In The Sky’ represents a hopeful look into the future. It has obviously been a really difficult year for all of us and with Bridges In The Sky I wanted to tell a story of opportunity, the story of recovery, and looking up. I am really happy with how the airy vocals and the emotional, yet uplifting synths, have come together. ‘Caroussel’ is a bit more of a deeper cut that slowly transforms from a more timid groove, towards a more melodic euphoric journey. Definitely a track that has been working well for me during the few opportunities I have had to play my music live in the last year. I think Rose Avenue is the perfect home for these two tracks, as they fit their philosophy and I love to work with their amazing team. So definitely a shout out to the boys from RÜFÜS DU SOL and the team that’s working on all things Rose Avenue.”

Colyn

With a decade of experience under his belt, Colyn is poised to take on a leading mantle in the melodic space. He enjoys constant support from an array of industry bellwethers, including Joris Voorn, Solomun, Artbat, Bedouin, Adriatique, Lane 8 and of course, Tale of Us—who fueled his break with constant play in their sets before signing him onto Afterlife for several releases. His distinctive live performances have landed him gigs at top venues spanning from São Paulo to Belgium for his first Tomorrowland set.

Colyn’s ear for forward-thinking electronic music caught the attention of RÜFÜS DU SOL in 2020, who promptly brought him into Rose Avenue family for his lauded ‘Concepts Of Love’ EP. His dedication to pushing the envelope in the melodic space that he sits in aligns with the label’s ethos, mirrored in fellow signees Township Rebellion, Cassian, and Yotto, to name a few. ‘Bridges In The Sky’ is yet another bold chapter of the collective’s ever-evolving story, setting the tone for a strong 2021.

Colyn’s ear for forward-thinking electronic music caught the attention of RÜFÜS DU SOL in 2020, who promptly brought him into Rose Avenue family for his lauded ‘Concepts Of Love’ EP. His dedication to pushing the envelope in the melodic space that he sits in aligns with the label’s ethos, mirrored in fellow signees Township Rebellion, Cassian, and Yotto, to name a few. ‘Bridges In The Sky’ is yet another bold chapter of the collective’s ever-evolving story, setting the tone for a strong 2021.