CAY - Another Life (2LP) [HABITAT Recordings]

Format: 2x12" in gatefold sleeve.
CAT: HBT017V

CAY unveils his most personal side in Another Life, a debut album brimming with melancholic euphoria.

This expressive and multifaceted 10-track work will arrive via Mind Against's HABITAT label in January 2026.

Cologne-born producer CAY goes beyond the dance floor with Another Life, a debut album that sets aside peak-time pressure in favor of an ambitious and artistic exploration of the self. Far from being anchored in a single genre, the record intertwines its own honest vocals with a wide range of powerful rhythms drawing from progressive, broken beat, techno, and trance.

For CAY, making music has always been a refuge, a place to calm his mind, process life's chaos, and channel personal experiences into sound. His journey began in Cologne's clubs, at illegal forest raves, and with trips to Berlin to soak up large-format techno. His search for a greater purpose, away from mental demons and the darker side of nightlife, led him to production. DJing came later, spurred by his brother turned manager, and while those experiences across Europe shaped his understanding of dance floor dynamics, he was never in a rush to release his early experiments.

Instead, CAY took the time to privately evolve into a seasoned artist with his own voice. The Mind Against label heads were so impressed upon hearing what he submitted to their demo inbox that both reached out to collaborate, and he has since released on their HABITAT label.

With Another Life, he presents music rich in layers and narrative, beyond being defined solely by impactful moments. The album is born from years of songwriting, with over 60 tracks distilled into a concise and powerful statement. "There wasn't one grand concept," says CAY, "but there was a direction. It's a big risk for me, but I wanted to present something deeper to those who enjoy club music. I want the music to say something real."

Thus, Another Life introduces CAY as a vocalist. For the first time, he sings on several tracks. The themes are personal, whether it's an important friend, a moment with his partner, or, in 'Runaway,' the idea of giving up and escaping everything. The lyrics are honest but often slightly open-ended, inviting personal interpretations rather than explaining everything directly.

Sonically, the album oscillates between optimistic grandeur and introspective reality. It's cinematic yet personal, bridging the gap between dance floor energy and vulnerable narrative. Many tracks have a broad scale, with expansive synthesizers and emotionally charged drums holding down the groove: you're going to dance, you're going to feel, perhaps both at the same time.

Another Life is the sound of a producer giving himself permission to sing, look inward, and risk audience expectations. It is intimate without being hermetic, suitable for the club without being limited to it, and a strong first chapter for an artist who has spent years building this moment of truth.