MATTER

This is where we go deeper. MATTER is our home for the topics that have weight and the stories that defy explanation. We feature thought-provoking opinion pieces on the state of the industry, crucial discussions about sustainability and artist well-being, and deep dives into the cultural shifts shaping nightlife. And for the moments that leave you wondering—the groundbreaking technology, the viral phenomena, and the truly unbelievable stories from the fringes of the scene—this is their home, too. If it’s a conversation that needs to be had or a story that demands to be seen, you’ll find it here.

136 posts
DJ performing at music festival with equipment in grayscale image. DJ performing at music festival with equipment in grayscale image.

Comfort Kills Creativity: Why the Art of DJing is About Risk

In an age defined by algorithmic predictability, the true art of DJing lies not in playing the hits, but in the high-stakes gamble of breaking new tracks. By manipulating psychology and sound physics, selectors like Ben UFO and Floating Points are fighting to keep the dancefloor a space for discovery rather than mere confirmation.
DJ performing for crowd in nightclub, warm orange lighting. DJ performing for crowd in nightclub, warm orange lighting.

How Algorithms and “Sameness Fatigue” Are Hollowing Out Electronic Music

While the electronic music industry boasts record revenues in 2025, a crisis of “sameness fatigue” driven by algorithmic curation and risk-averse booking is hollowing out the culture’s creative core. From the functional sludge of “Spotify-core” to the pre-recorded spectacles of the main stage, the underground is now revolting with faster, rawer, and more human sounds like Amapiano and Hard Techno.