Layton Giordani / Bart Skils Deadly - Valentine [Drumcode]

Two Drumcode mainstays, Layton Giordani and Bart Skils, join forces on Deadly Valentine, a hypnotic yet dark techno thriller. Skils is world-renowned for his relentless, chart-topping techno. The Dutch producer's last release on Beyer’s label was the Sakura EP (2024), which included collaborations with SUDO and Drunken Kong. Giordani, also a frequent chart-topper, leads an exciting hybrid sound that blends melodic house, progressive, and indie dance influences with techno. His most recent DC appearance was a rework of Tiga and Audion's iconic Let’s Go Dancing, in addition to the energetic and ethereal single Freaks At Night last June.

Both have a history of playing B2B at major events like Drumcode, Loveland, and Awakenings. This is their first standalone collaborative single (their Midnight Magic was part of Layton's Drumcode album in 2020). "I was listening to Spotify and went down an indie dance rabbit hole," says Layton. "I stumbled upon this track, was immediately hooked, and knew Bart was the ideal person to collaborate with on this record." "Layton sent me the vocal idea, and I turned it into an arrangement with a constantly evolving groove," adds Bart. "Then the track was updated several times and mixed with a new vocal for its release."

Deadly Valentine: complex and constant percussion with an insistent techno beat that brings a dark and reflective nuance to the high, sweet voice. The vocal performance is fast, with echoes, often doubled or harmonized with itself, singing, in French and English, seemingly romantic wedding ceremony lyrics. It can be played as a proposal, as an ironic reason not to propose... or simply to dance.