Hot Picks: DEADLINE Shares The Records Shaping His Festival-Ready Melodic Techno Sound
- Undrtone Blog
- Jun 16
- 5 min read
Brazilian producer DEADLINE has quickly become one of the most exciting names emerging from the new wave of melodic techno. Blending cinematic emotion with huge festival scale energy, his productions have earned support from names including David Guetta, Vintage Culture and Tiësto, while performances at Tomorrowland Brasil, Ultra Brasil and Laroc Club continue pushing his profile onto a global stage.
Fresh from reworking Nathassia’s ‘Perfect Harmony’ into a darker, more expansive melodic techno weapon via ArchangelUK Recordings, DEADLINE steps into Hot Picks to share 10 records that continue shaping his DJ sets, productions and wider connection to electronic music.
David Guetta, MORTEN & Fedde Le Grand – Night In Detroit [Future Rave]
“I’ve been playing this track for over a year now, and I’m still impressed by the reaction it gets every time. The combination of those heavy, distinctive synths with the iconic ‘Put Your Hands Up For Detroit’ vocal makes it incredibly effective on the dancefloor.
It manages to feel both nostalgic and modern at the same time, which is something I really appreciate. David Guetta and MORTEN have been major influences on me as artists, and this record perfectly showcases why their collaboration works so well. It’s powerful, memorable and consistently one of the strongest moments in my sets.”
Sentinel – Like Fire [BODY HI]
“One of the reasons I picked this track is because it immediately felt unique when I first heard it. The combination of rave-inspired stabs with a modern melodic techno bassline caught my attention right away.
It felt familiar and nostalgic while still sounding fresh and forward-thinking. Even before the release, I knew this was a record I wanted in my sets as soon as possible. Since then, it has become a regular part of my shows. It creates energy without feeling predictable and always seems to connect with people on the dancefloor.”
Adam Sellouk & Zerky – Touch It [Spinnin’ Deep]
“I’m a big fan of both Adam Sellouk and Zerky, so it’s no surprise this record became one of my favourites. What I love most about ‘Touch It’ is how naturally it blends modern indie dance influences with melodic techno elements.
The groove feels effortless, the vocals are memorable and the atmosphere has a lot of personality. It’s become one of those tracks that I consistently use near the beginning of my sets because it helps establish the mood without giving away all the energy too early. Elegant, musical and extremely effective.”
Rafael Cerato & Laherte – Thunderbolt [SIMULATE]
“This track grabbed my attention because of its acid synth work and the way it develops tension throughout the arrangement. The groove is tighter and more restrained than many melodic techno records, which gives it a very distinctive character.
It’s actually a track I often play directly after ‘Touch It’ because the two records complement each other perfectly. While they share a similar energy, ‘Thunderbolt’ takes things into a darker and more hypnotic direction. I’m a huge fan of tracks that create movement without relying on huge drops, and this record does exactly that.”
ARTBAT, R3HAB, Stylo, Eli & Dani feat. NAIIM – Fight Machine [UPPERGROUND]
“ARTBAT have been one of my biggest influences for years, so I was immediately curious when this collaboration was announced. What makes ‘Fight Machine’ stand out for me is how naturally it blends different worlds of electronic music.
You can hear the melodic techno influence from ARTBAT alongside the bigger festival energy that R3HAB brings, creating a track that feels powerful without losing its identity. The vocal works perfectly and the overall production is massive. I love records that can bridge underground and mainstream influences while still feeling authentic, and this track does exactly that. It always brings a huge amount of energy to my sets.”
ICYMI:
Jebu – Consequences [REFUNE]
“This track brings back a lot of memories for me. I remember hearing Steve Angello play it regularly in his sets around 2015, at a time when I was still dreaming about becoming a DJ and performing on big stages myself.
Back then, I used to think, ‘If I ever get the chance to play those kinds of shows, I have to include this track in my sets.’ Recently, I rediscovered it and started playing it again. What’s amazing is how well it has aged. The acid-driven drop and the distinctive groove still sound relevant today, and it continues to fit naturally into my shows.”
Vintage Culture – Find A Way (Adam Sellouk Remix) [VINTAGE CULTURE]
“This is easily one of the tracks I’ve played the most since it was released. Adam Sellouk took an already strong record and transformed it into something that feels perfectly tailored for modern dancefloors.
The electro-inspired synths in the drop bring a unique character that immediately stands out, while the vocals in the breakdown create a huge emotional moment. That combination of power and emotion is something I’m constantly searching for in music. Every time I play this track, it creates a reaction. It has become one of my favourite weapons during my sets.”
Armin van Buuren & JOA – Heavy [ARMADA]
“‘Heavy’ is one of those rare records that completely transforms the energy of a room. Even though it has been played extensively since its release, it still feels incredibly powerful every time I hear it.
The combination of the melody and those huge synths creates an instant emotional connection with the crowd. It’s become one of those tracks that I always try to fit into my sets because I know it will have an impact. Few records manage to feel both massive and emotional at the same time, and that’s exactly why this one remains so special to me.”
Simon Doty & My Friend feat. Tailor – Follow Me [ANJUNADEEP]
“Simon Doty is one of those artists whose music I genuinely listen to outside of DJ sets and studio sessions. While not every one of his tracks fits naturally into my performances, I’m consistently inspired by his songwriting and melodic approach.
‘Follow Me’ is a perfect example of what makes his music so special. The melodies feel emotional without being overly dramatic, and the arrangement unfolds in a way that keeps you engaged from start to finish. It’s the kind of track I can listen to repeatedly, whether I’m driving, relaxing at home or looking for inspiration in the studio.”
Orbital – Halcyon + On + On [London Records]
“This is one of my favourite electronic tracks of all time. My connection to it goes back to childhood, when I first heard it during the ending sequence of the 1995 Mortal Kombat film.
That moment stayed with me for years and played a role in shaping my appreciation for electronic music. Recently, with the new Mortal Kombat releases bringing back those memories, I found myself listening to it frequently again. Beyond the nostalgia, though, ‘Halcyon + On + On’ is simply a masterpiece. Its atmosphere and emotion remain just as powerful today as when it was first released.”
