Chico Rose (NL) Dials Into Pure Groove on ‘Beep Beep’ EP with Baggi for Hottrax
- Apr 23
- 4 min read
There’s a certain type of record that doesn’t try too hard. It just lands, locks in, and does exactly what it needs to do. Chico Rose and Baggi’s ‘Beep Beep’ EP sits firmly in that space. Built during a session in Ibiza and now landing on Hottrax, it feels like a direct reflection of environment, instinct and timing rather than overthought studio craft. Buy/Stream it here: https://orcd.co/hxt161s.
For Chico, that starting point matters more than anything. “Ibiza always brings a certain kind of energy,” he explains. “Everything feels a bit more direct, more focused on the dancefloor. ‘Beep Beep’ started from a really simple, almost playful idea in the studio. It was one of those moments where you’re not overthinking, just building something that instantly makes people move.”
That sense of immediacy runs through the record. The groove came together quickly, and rather than layering endlessly, the focus shifted to protecting that original feeling. “From there it was about keeping that raw, infectious feeling intact,” he says. It’s a mindset that speaks to experience. Knowing when something works is one thing. Knowing when to stop is another.
“That’s always the challenge,” he continues. “If a loop already works and keeps your attention without needing extra layers, that’s usually the sign. I test it by stepping away and coming back. If it still hits the same, it’s done. Overcomplicating often kills the energy, especially in club music.”
Working alongside Baggi introduced a different angle on that process. Not a complete shift, but enough to refine the approach. “He’s very detail-focused when it comes to groove, and that pushed me to strip things back even more,” Chico says. “It became less about adding and more about choosing the right elements.” The result is a record that feels tight without feeling empty. Every sound has a purpose.
Even with that minimal approach, the dancefloor is never far from the conversation. “Ibiza clubs, open-air settings, and DJs who know how to work a groove were in the back of my mind,” he explains. “Labels like Hottrax naturally lean toward tracks that DJs can really play with, so it had to have that functional, driving quality.” It’s not about chasing a specific name or moment. It’s about understanding how a track behaves when it’s dropped into a set.
That awareness carries into the structure of the EP itself. While ‘Beep Beep’ is direct and immediate, ‘Take A Little Trip’ offers a different kind of space. “That contrast was more intentional,” he says. “I wanted the EP to show another side as well, something a bit more musical and housey. It keeps the project balanced and gives DJs different moments to work with.” It’s a subtle shift, but one that adds depth without losing focus.
There’s also a clear thread back to ‘POM’, the track that helped define Chico’s wider reach. Not in sound, but in philosophy. “After POM, I became more confident in keeping things simple,” he admits. “That track proved that you don’t need to overproduce to make something effective. Now I trust my instincts more and focus on energy first. Sometimes you just need a really good percussion sound to make it work.”
That instinct-led approach is what makes Hottrax a natural fit. The label has always sat in that space between underground functionality and wider accessibility, and this EP leans straight into it. “Hottrax has a very clear identity,” he says. “Groove-driven, DJ-friendly, slightly underground while still accessible. ‘Beep Beep’ and ‘Take A Little Trip’ fit perfectly into that space. It’s built for the club but still has personality.”
Outside of the studio, running his own Story Starters imprint has added another layer to Chico's thinking about music. Not just as an individual release, but as part of a wider ecosystem. “You start thinking not just as an artist but as someone shaping a sound and platform,” he explains. “It pushes me to be more selective and intentional with my own releases.” That broader view tends to sharpen decisions rather than complicate them.
The balance between evolution and familiarity is something he’s conscious of, but not something he forces. “The foundation always has to be groove and energy,” he says. “That’s what connects with people. From there, I experiment with textures, sounds, and small details. Evolution doesn’t have to mean changing everything. Sometimes it’s subtle.”
That idea circles back to what he feels is often missing right now. Not innovation, not ambition, but restraint. “I think simplicity is sometimes overlooked,” he says. “There’s a tendency to overproduce, while some of the most effective tracks are the ones that do less but do it perfectly. Groove and feel will always win over complexity on the dancefloor.”
It’s a simple statement, but one that underpins the entire EP. No unnecessary layers. No forced moments. Just two producers, in the right place at the right time, trusting the groove and letting it do the work.
Chico Rose (NL)
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