Following the unfortunate passing of the iconic Berlin-based DJ and producer Nico Stojan last July 2026, the electronic music ecosystem receives his first posthumous work. Titled 'Wake Up', the piece was officially released on September 25th via SONARA Records, the record label focused on deep sounds that Stojan himself co-founded. This release is a high-caliber collaborative work involving German talent David Mayer, multi-instrumentalist Tooker, and the unmistakable vocals of JAW, internationally recognized for being the charismatic vocalist of the French group dOP.
The news of Stojan's passing, confirmed on July 26, 2026, shocked the global clubbing community. As a former resident of the legendary club Bar 25 and co-founder of Ouïe Records alongside Acid Pauli, Stojan was a fundamental architect of the Berlin organic sound for over three decades. His sets, which fused his early roots in hip-hop, jazz, and soul with contemporary deep house, shaped the free-spirited identity of the German capital. Now, 'Wake Up' arrives as a direct celebration of that musical philosophy.
The evolution of 'Wake Up': From Berlin clubs to the world
The story behind the production of 'Wake Up' reflects a meticulous and prolonged creative process. Originally conceived under the working title 'Trek', the track was sketched out in Berlin studios by Stojan and his initial collaborators. According to official reports from the label, the original demo held enough energy and groove to be rotated on dancefloors for a couple of years. Despite its effectiveness in a live setting, the structure never felt completely finished to its creators, who constantly revisited it looking for the unifying element.
The technical turning point occurred when the project reached the hands of David Mayer. The producer, raised between Germany, Spain, and Norway, and known for his releases on renowned platforms such as Keinemusik, Objektivity, and Connected Frontline, contributed his characteristic muscular four-on-the-floor approach. Mayer's perspective managed to coalesce the rhythmic elements, while Tooker added his vast experience in live percussion, a hallmark he had already demonstrated on labels like Crosstown Rebels and Sol Selectas. Finally, the incorporation of JAW provided the definitive vocal narrative to close the circle.
In terms of synthesis and harmonic structure, 'Wake Up' sits at a tempo of 120 BPM in the key of E minor. The result is a hypnotic and patient deep house cut. It is characterized by warm basslines, flexible percussion, and shimmering synthesizers that unfold progressively, avoiding strident climaxes in favor of a subtle and elegant tension.
Wake Up is a patient and hypnotic groove that reveals its layers over time, where JAW's vocals move with a human quality, reflecting Nico's emotional style.
— SONARA Records
The posthumous impact and the preservation of an organic sound
The release of this single is not an isolated event within the industry's agenda, but the first step of a structured long-term tribute. The management of SONARA Records has confirmed that 'Wake Up' is the first of multiple unreleased tracks by Nico Stojan that will see the light of day in the coming months. This initiative seeks to ensure that the artist's extensive archive of unfinished productions receives the proper mixing and mastering treatment to reach the public with the quality its creator demanded.
With the release of this material, distributed globally on streaming platforms and specialized digital stores, the electronic scene ensures that the sonic legacy of one of its pillars continues to vibrate. Stojan's work always prioritized feeling over peak-time intensity, an ethos that is perfectly encapsulated in the grooves of this new cut.
- Release date: September 25, 2026.
- Record label: SONARA Records (Catalog: SON012).
- Artists involved: David Mayer, Nico Stojan, Tooker feat. JAW.
- Available formats: Original Mix (4:02) and Extended Mix (6:28).
- Main genres: Deep House, Melodic House.
