There’s no denying that MADVILLA is in a purple patch. Following the success of his “Locked In EP” on Garrett David’s Global Swing – a record that’s already edging into modern classic territory – and the “6AM EP“, the ninth release on his own Hot Wings Trax, the Californian-born, London-based producer returns with “I Said Dance!”, a four-tracker that bridges funk-drenched house, West Coast groove and UKG swagger with his trademark laid-back cool.
Landing as the tenth release on Hot Wings Trax, “I Said Dance!” pushes further into MADVILLA’s singular vision of dance music – refined yet cheeky, classic yet future-proofed. Sitting right in the heart of this offering is “And Chill… (Happy Pill Mix)”, a track that manages to distill everything that makes the producer’s output so addictive.
Opening with a nod to EPMD’s iconic “You gots to chill” vocal – flipped with a grin and softened into a mellow mantra – the track drifts effortlessly into a warm, grooving low-end, that signature MADVILLA bassline that refuses to pick sides between House and Tech House, instead occupying a sweet spot entirely its own. There’s bounce, but no brashness. There’s funk, but it’s featherlight.
A jazzy yet deep synth line creeps in, giving the tune its melodic heart – smooth, slightly melancholic, yet fully committed to the mood. From there, “And Chill… (Happy Pill Mix)” builds not in intensity but in richness, layering subtle pads, twinkling textures, and enough swing in the percussion to keep the heads nodding and the bodies moving. Deep, but not dour. Jazzy, but never self-indulgent.
Like much of MADVILLA’s best work, it’s a track that seems to radiate from the center of the dancefloor, best heard at that golden hour between night and morning when grins widen and time loosens its grip. “And Chill… (Happy Pill Mix)” isn’t just a vibe – it’s a statement of intent from an artist fully in his stride, shaping his own corner of the underground with unshakable ease.
With his “I Said Dance!” EP, MADVILLA continues to prove he doesn’t just make tracks for the moment – he makes records that linger.
Words by Holger Breuer
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