Ready to keep people moving while maintaining his knack for moving people, Melsen prides himself on groovy basslines, funky melodies and a sunny outlook At home on saxophone, drums and piano, the DJ/producer from Holland has already taken a grip of 2021 with three tunes full of his signature good vibes and melody. “By far the most important thing I’ve learned is that you just need to go into your studio and mess around” – quite a relaxed statement from someone whose army of A-list supporters includes Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Nicky Romero, R3hab, David Guetta, Hardwell, Alesso, Martin Garrix and Bingo Players.

Melsen’s debut 2016 single ‘Feeling’, released on Fedde Le Grand & Funkerman’s Flamingo Recordings, made impressive inroads on Beatport’s House and main charts, the iTunes USA Dance chart and DMC’s Buzz Chart. Citing Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson as his biggest influences, as well as dance music sovereign Axwell, further high profile beats in the form of ‘Alarm’ and ‘Brooklyn’ cemented Melsen’s reputation for beats easily crossing the divide between daytime listening and energy past midnight. “I’ve learned that you have to keep pushing when ideas don’t come easily. It’s annoying and tough but you have to keep creating, even when you think you don’t have the inspiration – it will come eventually”.

This will to win that has seen Melsen progress from DJing at friends’ parties to building up a back catalogue of high regard via Hexagon, Gemstone/Revealed, Enormous Chills and Protocol Recordings, as well as firing on Be Yourself offshoots Big & Dirty and artwrk. “It’s good to listen to music that lifts your spirits and gives you a positive vibe”: in 2021, the sunkissed ‘You’, and the release of joy found on ‘Alone’ and ‘Try Again’, never better illustrate Melsen’s understanding of how to balance the purposeful with the emotional.