With one of his most fruitful years to date, 2021 saw Brazilian’s biggest artist ALOK not only retain but strengthen his stance in the industry, surpassing over 20 million monthly listeners and also rising up the DJ Mag Top 100 DJ’s Poll to #4. Following on from some of the biggest and noteworthy collaborations with artists including John Legend and remixes for names including Ed Sheeran, he now links up with global sensation Au/Ra to usher in the new year on ‘Side Effect’!
Still just 19-years-old, Au/Ra has already earned a global following which has resulted in over a billion streams to date and 7.5 monthly listeners at Spotify. ALOK is the latest high-profile collaboration from the alt-pop artist, having achieved the UK Top 25 and Top 10 Billboard Dance hit ‘i miss you' with Jax Jones; another huge chart hit with Camelphat on ‘Panic Room'; and 500 million streams for the Alan Walker collab ‘Darkside'. The Germany/Antiguan talent, who has also collaborated with Don Diablo and Cheat Codes, is building up for a huge 2022 as ‘Side Effect' follows her recent single ‘plz don't waste my youth’.
Now, joining together for ‘Side Effect’, ALOK and Au/Ra combine their wealth of talents to present a prosperous and club-ready banger to the masses. As ALOK’s production creeps into the introduction with strokes of progressive-leaning synth that merge with mutating house beats, AU/RA’s vocal evolves from the breathy to a snarling, attention-demanding tone of delivery, smooth yet perfectly complimenting the ensuing deep and melodic studio sound. “It’s a side effect of love to want it all…” builds-up the topline, matter-of-factly you may not first notice, as something we can all relate to, it’s an affecting ethos that is elevated through melodic electronica and in taking an in-depth exploration through electro that meets deep house, proves its perfect for the dancefloor and the perfect antidote to the Winter months, kicking off 2022 with a bang!
The new single will also be available in 360 Reality Audio, immersive music experience utilizing Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound technology. Individual sounds such as vocals, chorus, piano, guitar, bass and even sounds of the live audience can be placed in a 360 spherical sound field, giving artists and creators a new way to express their creativity. Listeners can be immersed in a field of sound exactly as intended by artists and creators.
The spatial audio technology promises to make ALOK’s signature melodies and evocative beats more immersive than ever before. ‘Side Effect’ will be the first in a line of releases, to be followed by a compilation of CONTROVERSIA favouriteswhich can be experienced on Amazon Music Unlimited, Deezer and TIDAL. This brand new 360 Reality Audio content can be enjoyed on any headphones. For the ultimate listening experience, fans using the Sony | Headphones Connect app with 360 Reality Audio Certified Headphones (such the Sony’s WH-1000XM4) can enjoy a custom immersive musical field based on an analysis of the hearing characteristics of user’s ears. Optimization of sound field by using Sony | Headphones Connect app is not available with Amazon Music Unlimited.
Speaking on the release, ALOK said: “To work with such a bright, young talent such as Au/Ra on this track was so much fun, she really brought a tone to the track that fits the production perfectly and with a fresh energy. I’m excited for everyone to hear ‘Side Effect’ and kick-off 2022 with a bang!”
Speaking on the release Au/Ra said: “So excited to be collaborating with Alok. He’s such a well-respected DJ, especially in Brazil – I’m so excited for our fanbases to hear the track! This song is about the hurt that can come along with being vulnerable in love. Taking chances with your feelings can go both ways, but it’s somehow always worth the risk.”