PREMIERE: Blanka Barbara - Ever Closer (Original Mix) [roku]

Presenting their third release of the year, roku welcomes Blanka Barbara to the label for her debut EP. Born in Poland but now based in London, Blanka Barbara first emerged in 2020 with a series of releases via her Rabbit Records imprint. Quickly catching the attention of the progressive house and melodic techno communities, the next two years would see the classically trained pianist and composer go on to record projects for Lane 8’s This Never Happened, Ziger’s Eat My Hat Music, John OO Fleming’s Joof Aura, Mango Alley and Proton’s Particles. With 2023 projects for Juicebox Music and Balkan Connection already in the books, Blanka now adds roku to her resume with ‘Ever Closer’, alongside remixes from Danny Lloyd and Bondarev. Destined to be a highlight in Blanka’s discography, it is the melodic stylings of ‘Ever Closer’ which get the release underway. Electrically charged from the outset, its rolling rhythmic structures, striking percussion and character rich groove set the piece on a course for aural enlightenment. Dark bass stabs and haunting overlays cleverly coax across the first act, elevating momentum and mood for a finale of colourful arps and hopeful sonics. The companion piece ‘Descending Into Heaven’ finds Blanka showcasing a deeper, more emotive side of her repertoire. The London resident masterfully marries blissful sonics and balmy effects over a framework of warm fluid grooves and precise percussive arrangements. Sitting at the heart of the piece is a reflective interlude, one where hopeful melodies unite in a whirlpool of textural euphoria, perfectly suited for those magical morning moments on the dancefloor. Making his label debut with the lone interpretation of ‘Ever Closer’ is Danny Lloyd. With a career that spans the better part of two decades, Italian artist Danny Lloyd has etched his own unique place in progressive music history. Long a favourite of Hernan Cattaneo, the Tuscany resident has taken his smooth effortless sound to long standing imprints Asymmetric Recordings, MNL, Movement, P