The new single reimagines Toni Rios’ iconic 2018 release ‘Closer To You’ ft Niveska, bringing a celebrated classic into a new era.
AXEPT reaches a major milestone with its 50th release as legendary Spanish duo Chus & Ceballos join forces with Toni Rios and Niveska to reinterpret the iconic ‘Closer to You’, a landmark record that first captured dance floors in 2018.
For one of Spain’s most influential electronic music duos, the release arrives at a particularly significant moment. Following their highly anticipated reunion and the release of ‘Somos Uno’, Chus & Ceballos continue a new chapter that reconnects with their musical roots while looking firmly towards the future.
Originally released by Toni Rios featuring Niveska in 2018 on BluFin Records, ‘Closer to You’ has become a defining record within the deeper, more emotive side of the house spectrum. This new interpretation sees Chus & Ceballos bring an unmistakable melodic house energy to the track, combining hypnotic grooves, organic percussion and deep, atmospheric textures with the emotional character that made the original so enduring.
For Chus & Ceballos, reworking ‘Closer to You’ is another opportunity to explore the connection between heritage and evolution: a philosophy that has been central to their work throughout a career spanning almost three decades. Renowned for pioneering the Iberican Sound, the Spanish duo have consistently drawn on rhythm, percussion and musicality to create records that connect across cultures and generations.
The release carries particular significance for AXEPT, marking the 50th release on the label since its launch by Berlin-based DJ and producer Yulia Niko in 2024. Created with the intention of honouring dance music’s cultural heritage while fostering unity and compassion through music, AXEPT has quickly established itself as a home for artists who share a forward-thinking, emotionally driven approach to electronic music.
Across its catalogue, the label has welcomed an international roster that includes Yet More, Santiago Garcia, Fur Coat, MANTi, Cameron Jack, Wally Lopez, Alexey Union, Ivan Masa and Yulia Niko herself, to name a few. Now, for its landmark 50th release, AXEPT turns to two generations of dance music heritage, bringing together the legacy of Toni Rios’ original ‘Closer to You’ with the contemporary perspective of Chus & Ceballos.
The collaboration arrives at a pivotal point in the story of Chus & Ceballos. After a five-year hiatus that began during the pandemic, the duo reunited in 2026 for their highly anticipated Reunion Tour, returning to dance floors across the world and reaffirming the enduring demand for their signature sound. Their recent single ‘Somos Uno’ marked the beginning of this new creative chapter, embracing themes of unity, identity and connection while expanding the Iberican Sound into a contemporary global landscape. ‘Closer to You’ continues that journey, but with a different kind of energy; one rooted in nostalgia, emotion and the timeless power of a great dance record.
Chus & Ceballos, Toni Rios – Closer to You ft. Niveska is out now via AXEPT.
