Gabry Ponte and DJs From Mars return to PENTAPHONIA with the groovy new anthem ‘Retro Mirage’, this time with German singer-songwriter Damae, a nostalgic yet forward-thinking production that celebrates the enduring passion for music, past and present.
A reimagining of ‘Keep Me Hangin’ On’, most notably Kim Wilde’s iconic version, the track draws on the immense synths and driving drumbeats of ’80s production, blending them with a modern dancefloor sensibility to create a sound that is both familiar and fresh.
‘Retro Mirage’ opens with a rumbling bassline that becomes the track’s driving force, maintaining momentum as melodic motifs drift in and out and build suspense throughout the verses. Damae’s vocal takes the lead through the build-up, supported by wistful backing vocals that amplify the emotional pull of the lyric, ‘Set me free, why don’t ya, babe’.
Familiar ’80s synth stabs punctuate key structural changes, reinforcing the track’s sense of movement and creating an atmosphere built for freedom on the dance floor. And while the clue is in the name ‘Retro’, the production is firmly rooted in the present. The chorus brings a powerful modern lift, with thicker layers of melody and harmony transforming the original into something fresh, contemporary and unmistakably club-ready.
Hailing from Italy, world-renowned DJ and producer Gabry Ponte, a founding member of Eiffel 65 and Grammy-nominated artist, brings his trademark powerhouse production to the collaboration on his own PENTAPHONIA imprint, dedicated to his intuition for darker, Techno sounds.
DJs From Mars, meanwhile, inject their signature mashup mentality, taking a beloved classic and giving it a distinctly new-school edge. When the duo, who are also from Italy, aren’t in the studio working on epic mash-ups and huge collabs with the likes of Hardwell, Laidback Luke and MATTN, they’re jet-setting across continents to play the biggest parties around, from Tomorrowland Festival to jumping on stage with David Guetta at Ushuaïa, Ibiza.
Damae is an internationally acclaimed German singer, songwriter, DJ and presenter, with five million records sold worldwide and multiple Gold-selling albums. She has toured and performed across Europe, the USA, Brazil, Australia and Asia, including iconic venues such as Pacha and Space Ibiza and major events including MTV and Party in the Park. Damae also hosted Dance District on ONYX, interviewing leading artists including Tiësto, Paul van Dyk and Mousse T.
‘Retro Mirage’ by Gabry Ponte, DJs From Mars and Damae, is out early this November via PENTAPHONIA.
