Hot Picks: David Mayer Shares The Tracks Defining His Sound On SONARA
- Undrtone Blog
- Oct 20
- 3 min read
David Mayer has spent years building bridges between emotion and rhythm. The Berlin-based producer and SONARA co-founder blends deep grooves with global influences, a sound shaped by his multicultural background and refined through releases on labels like Objektivity, Connected Frontline, and Keinemusik. His music radiates warmth, colour, and soul while never losing its focus on the dancefloor.
Following his collaboration with Nico Stojan and vocalist Nes Mburu on ‘Luhya’, Mayer continues to elevate SONARA’s vision of music that moves both body and spirit. The track’s rolling bassline, organic percussion, and spiritual energy mark another high point for the label’s growing catalogue of emotive, melodic house.
For this edition of Hot Picks, David shares the records inspiring his sets and studio work right now. From the hypnotic beauty of Tooker’s ‘Coda’ and Bun Xapa’s irresistible bootleg of ‘Million Dollar Baby’ to Culoe De Song’s powerful ‘Guardian Tongue’, every track reflects the soulful depth and craftsmanship that define his sound.
Tooker - Coda ft. Winyo [SONARA Records]
I witnessed firsthand how this tune began as an instrumental and evolved after Winyo brought his extraordinary vocals to it. Sometimes, just when you think something is done, something new happens that makes it whole. Sitting next to Tooker as he made his final touches created a special bond I share with this tune. It was released recently as our SONARA debut, along with mine and Nico Stojan’s “Nano,” marking the beginning of a new chapter.
Tommy Richman - Million Dollar Baby (Big Bad Bunny Bootleg) [Bun Xapa]
When I heard Hyenah play this live recently, I immediately identified it as an irresistible highlight. I couldn’t help but ask for the ID. It’s a beautifully crafted edit by Bun Xapa — a couple of months old but still fresh in my crate.
Casa Mata - Calypso [Madorasindahouse]
This tune is an example of excellent craftsmanship. It animates the crowd noticeably and checks all the boxes of a contemporary record. Madorasindahouse has been an amazing partner on my journey and is behind many of my favourite releases.
Nico Stojan & David Mayer - Luhya feat. Nes Mburu [SONARA Records]
For this list, I couldn’t possibly leave this one out. The process has been a passionate journey from start to finish. We began with a cowbell loop and heavy bass drop, then reached out to Nes Mburu — who loved it. When we heard the vocals, the whole team was ecstatic. We’re thrilled to see it coming out in October 2025.
KEENE - Villa Lucre Jazz Club [Cacao Records]
Musically, this takes me back to when my passion for intricate house music began. KEENE keeps pushing boundaries like this, and I love it.
Lopezhouse, Lannakise - Scorpio Rising (Jonathan Kaspar Remix) [Kompakt]
Jonathan Kaspar is one of my absolute favourite producers, and this remix shows exactly why.
Sascha Funke - MZ (Pional Remix) [Turbo Recordings]
The original is an impressive piece of art, unmatched in its sound. When this remix came along, it hit me hard — a deep, gritty, and driving update that’s pure Pional brilliance.
Manybeat - The Gypsy Woman [Tortuga]
This one’s been resonating with me for a while. I love breaking up my sets with grooves like this — it honours the original while taking it somewhere completely new.
Merzzy, Re.You, Diana Ela - Zou Zou [Vinyl On Demand]
Checks all the boxes for a modern record that fits perfectly into my sound.
Culoe De Song - Guardian Tongue [Madorasindahouse]
My friend Harrys from Madorasindahouse shared Culoe De Song’s album “The Konspiracy Theory” with me early, and I was blown away by its raw energy. When he asked me to remix a track, I chose the outro “Guardian Tongue.” It felt adventurous, and my remix is set for release on November 7th.
David Mayer, Nico Stojan, and Nes Mburu’s ‘Luhya’ lands October 20 on SONARA Records, continuing the label’s journey into melodic, organic, and emotionally driven house music.
Mayer’s selections highlight a producer deeply rooted in feeling, connection, and authenticity. Whether through the warmth of Afro-inspired grooves or the finesse of European deep house, his focus remains on music that unites people on the floor.
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