How London Shaped Janika Tenn’s Sound And Why New Single ‘Mystified’ Marks A Defining Moment
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Moving from Estonia to London didn’t just change Janika Tenn’s surroundings. It changed everything about how she approached music.
Her new single ‘Mystified’, released 26th February 2026 via Tenn Tonik, captures that evolution with precision. Built around Penny F’s restrained vocal and a clean, flowing groove, the track avoids obvious peaks in favour of emotional control. It reflects the core philosophy that has shaped Tenn’s rise through releases on Nervous Records, Armada, Stress Records, and D4 D4NCE, as well as collaborations with house pioneer Todd Terry.
That shift began the moment she relocated to London.
“When I was in Estonia, I was mostly DJing and playing drum and bass, so I didn’t do much production yet. Moving to London is where I really learned how to make house music and explore different grooves. I also experimented with different styles and production techniques while I was here, and I’ve learned a lot from resources like YouTube. I’m always learning, and I know this is still not the best of me. I have a long way to go.”
London’s influence shows in the clarity of her productions. Where early tracks relied on density, her current work prioritises restraint.
“In my early production, it was all about adding more and more to the records, piling layers on to make everything feel big. Over time, I realised that clarity comes from leaving space. Now I focus on what each element actually needs to do and remove anything that doesn’t serve the track.”
That mindset defines ‘Mystified’. Instead of chasing peak-time impact, Tenn built the track around movement and emotional pacing.
“I wanted the track to feel natural and flowing rather than forced. Not every record needs to be a big drop, peak time track. I play a lot of bar and lounge gigs, and even in full night sets, these are the records I can use to take people on a journey. Holding back allows the groove, chords, and vocals to breathe.”
The vocal itself became the centrepiece through her collaboration with Penny F, which developed organically after the pair connected in Ibiza.
“We connected in Ibiza and it just clicked. I had a basic instrumental, and when we started working together, it quickly became a full collaboration, not just vocals, but shaping the whole track, including the instrumental. Penny has great ideas and brought lyrics and her unique tone, which added warmth, intimacy, and smoothness that floats over the heavier parts of the track.”
That attention to cohesion reflects lessons Tenn absorbed while working with Todd Terry, whose influence reshaped her understanding of structure.
“Working with Todd was a masterclass in groove and timing, but what I learned most from him is about vocals and musical cohesion. He always emphasises that the track needs to be in the right key and that everything has to work together. That lesson has stuck with me.”
Despite building momentum through major labels, Tenn maintains a consistent creative process that remains detached from external pressure.
“The music always comes first. Labels are just homes for the work. I let the track find its voice naturally, then match it with the right label. I don’t force anything to fit an expectation. The sound leads, not the label.”
That independence has been essential in London’s competitive environment, where trends move fast and identity can easily become diluted.
“London’s scene is more intense and competitive than ever, but I definitely don’t like chasing trends. I focus on what excites me musically. That might be vocal-led house, layered grooves, or experimenting with textures. By staying true to my instincts and developing my own sound, I’ve found a space that feels authentic rather than reactive.”
Her connection to the dancefloor remains the final test. Not through spectacle, but through subtle, human reaction.
“I watch for how people move naturally to the groove, even in small ways. A nod of the head, a sway, leaning into the rhythm, or how many of them are smiling tells me the track is connecting on a deeper level. It’s more about how it makes people feel than flashy moments.”
With ‘Mystified’, Tenn enters a phase centred on songwriting and deeper collaboration, while maintaining the balance between emotional weight and club function that defines her sound.
“The next phase is about vocal collaborations and proper songs. I want to explore tracks that combine groove, mood, and emotion, while keeping the house foundation.”
For an artist shaped by movement between cities, scenes, and sonic identities, ‘Mystified’ feels less like a departure and more like a point of alignment. It reflects the clarity Tenn found in London, and signals a producer now fully in control of her voice.
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