CLOSE PROXIMITY Channel ’90s Euphoria Into ‘House Of Hades’ EP
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London duo CLOSE PROXIMITY haven’t taken long to define themselves. In just over a year, they’ve built a catalogue that feels cohesive, confident and rooted in a clear idea of what they want their music to do. Their latest release, the ‘House Of Hades’ EP on Belters4U, pushes that identity further, with lead single ‘Open Up Your Mind’ capturing the full scope of their sound in one track. Buy/Stream it here: https://snd.click/OUYMCPB4U
The project may feel new, but the foundation goes back much further. “We met over six years ago and instantly knew we had similar artistic sensibilities and taste,” they explain. “The most important thing is trust, and we trust one another’s instincts fully.” That sense of trust is what allows their sound to move so fluidly. It pulls from ’90s house and progressive, but also carries the lift of trance and flashes of Italo, never settling into one lane for too long.
“Fundamentally, we are music lovers who are obsessed with each of those sub-genres,” they say. “We try to combine harmony and melody with high energy and sit somewhere between all of that.” That blend sits at the core of ‘Open Up Your Mind’, a track that feels less like a reference point and more like a convergence. Driving rhythms, euphoric synths and vocal hooks all work together to create that moment where the dancefloor tips into something more immersive.
Interestingly, that feeling wasn’t pulled from one specific memory. “It’s more a multitude of experiences and about how we’re feeling in the moment,” they explain. “We don’t usually lean on one specific club memory.” That instinctive approach runs through their process. Rather than chasing a moment, they focus on capturing a feeling that can translate across different spaces, whether that’s a packed room or a festival crowd.
Moments like Job Jobse dropping their track at Pitch Music & Arts still land, but they don’t define the direction. “Seeing one of the best tastemakers play our music was incredible,” they say. “We make music with the dancefloor in mind, so it’s special to see it resonate like that.” It’s validation, not a pivot point.
That clarity extends to how they choose where their music lives. Despite releasing across a wide range of labels, the criteria stays consistent. “We look for labels that push the style of music we love and who champion underground culture,” they explain. “It’s always about putting the music first.” That’s why Belters4U feels like such a natural home. The relationship goes beyond the release itself, rooted in a shared ethos. “Good music, no egos, building a genuine community. That’s exactly what we believe in.”
That sense of community feeds directly into ‘House Of Hades’. The EP isn’t just a collection of tracks; it’s an attempt to create a unified world. “This is our first attempt at creating a world within one EP,” they say. “It’s an amalgamation of lots of different sounds, but it’s a tribute to the artists and styles we love.” There’s variety across the record, but it never feels disjointed. Each track shifts the mood slightly while still sitting within the same emotional space.
Bringing in Pablo Bozzi for a remix only strengthens that identity. His interpretation strips things back and leans into a darker, more direct energy. “He brought a fresh perspective and a deeper, more stripped-back version of the track,” they say. “It still feels connected but clearly has his own touch.”
That balance between euphoria and control is something they’ve been refining across their releases. Their music often sits in that late-night space where energy is high, but the groove remains grounded. “We almost always follow instinct,” they explain. “Creating harmony and melody and infusing that with energy.” It’s a simple approach, but one that allows the music to stay honest.
Their experiences on the road feed into that instinct without dictating it. Closing the Strand stage at Sisyphos in Berlin stands out as a defining moment, not because it changed their sound, but because it reinforced it. “These events live long in the memory and definitely inspire what we make,” they say.
Back in London, that influence continues to build. The city’s history and current energy both play a role in shaping their perspective. “Being in London, you can’t help but feel the presence of so much musical history,” they explain. “Underground and rave culture is deeply embedded within us.” It’s that connection between past and present that gives their music its sense of weight.
With ‘House Of Hades’, CLOSE PROXIMITY aren’t trying to reinvent anything. They’re bringing everything they’ve been building into sharper focus. “In terms of defining our sound, it’s definitely this record,” they say. It feels less like a turning point and more like a confirmation. A clear statement of intent, and a strong indicator of where they’re heading next.
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