Korolova

From:Ukraine

DJ style:“Melodic techno, progressive house.”

Best known for:“‘Be Strong’, ‘Shining’, ‘Heal My Mind’.”

This year saw Ukrainian DJ and producer Korolova launch her label Captive Soul. To mark the occasion she threw parties in London, New York, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Kyiv, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. The label and emerging party brand is connected to her radio show of the same name, which is broadcast in over 30 countries on major stations around the world. On the label Korolova has teamed up with emerging artists like Tyoz and MotherEarth on ‘Nightshapes’ and Ross Quin on ‘Say’. She also put out the collaborative EP ‘Reactive’ with the Italian duo Monophase.

Outside her own label, Korolova’s music appeared on the 2024 compilation for EDC Mexico. She also released the EP ‘Shining’ with German DJ and producer Ekko via Tomorrowland Records. Her touring schedule has been equally fast-paced, she performed 93 times across 41 countries. Highlights include a headline show at London’s KOKO and White Isle dance institution Hï Ibiza. She also had dates in India alongside making appearances at festivals such as Eastern Electrics and Tomorrowland. She tells DJ Mag she’s working on “over 20 new tracks” and she’s looking forward to releasing them soon.

Fave tune of 2024?

“Rüfüs Du Sol ‘Innerbroom (Pacs remix)’.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2024?

Most Popular

Faustix

From:Denmark

DJ style: “Big techno.”

Best known for: “Collaboration with Diplo, Faustix, Imanos and Kai called ‘Revolution’.”

Everything about 2024 was big and bold for Faustix. The Danish dance music lifer found a new sound over the course of the past year, where ropey and dramatic arpeggios dart in and out of brash techno kicks and every drop feels like barreling down a dopamine rollercoaster. Each release seemed to push the envelope further and further — from the soaring emotions of ‘Lead Me To Love You’ with vocalist Mougleta to ‘All My Friends Are Hot’, whose cheeky vocal flip (“All my friends are hot and only listen to techno”) was the perfect summer festival anthem. Add to that a teased remix of Belgian Stromae ‘Alors on danse’ and it’s clear that 2024 was, without a doubt, the year Faustix found a whole new groove.

While he’s certainly been busy in the studio, Faustix has also played everywhere — from 13,000 person raves in the middle of Copenhagen to gigs on the Faroe Islands. Faustix, in other words, hasn’t taken his foot off the gas for even a second. And, with each gig and release, he is testament to how much people still love pumping, hard-edged techno.

Fave tune of 2024?

“Dash Berlin ‘Till The Sky Falls Down’, it’s an all-time classic and still gets me