2025 has marked a defining chapter for Desyfer. With UK Top 100 entries, multiple Beatport No.1s, and standout performances across Ibiza, Croatia and London, his rise has been steady rather than sudden. In this interview, Desyfer reflects on staying true to his sound, the importance of the dancefloor over charts, and how collaboration, heritage and emotional depth continue to shape his journey as he looks ahead to 2026.

HMWL: 2025 has been a huge year for you – UK Top 100 entries, multiple Beatport Top 10s and No.1s. When you look back, what made this year click in a different way?

Desyfer It felt like a quiet confirmation more than a sudden explosion. I’ve been doing the same thing for years – showing up, refining the sound, trusting the process – and in 2025 it all just connected. The charts are amazing, obviously, but the deeper feeling was knowing I didn’t have to change who I was to get there, I guess keeping true to my sound is more important for me.

HMWL: You’ve played some truly iconic spaces this year – from Ibiza to Croatia to London. How did those moments shape your mindset as an artist?

Desyfer: Each place teaches you something different. Playing Eden Ibiza is about patience and flow, Ultra Croatia is pure scale and energy, and Ministry of Sound is history – you feel it the moment you step into the booth. Those experiences ground you. They remind you that the music always comes before ego, and delivering a good set for your audience is always the goal, no matter what the venue.

HMWL: With so much chart success, how do you personally balance commercial recognition with staying true to the club experience?

Desyfer: For me, the dancefloor is the truth. Charts are a reflection, not a goal. I still judge a track by how it feels when the room is dark, the system is loud, and people have let go. If it connects there, everything else is just a bonus.

HMWL: Collaboration has played a big role in your recent releases. What’s been so special about working with Emma Konnanov?

Desyfer: Working with Emma is a joy, first and foremost. She’s a genuinely lovely person, and we naturally connect, which makes everything flow. Usually, we’ll start with a simple idea, then she’ll take it away and come back with a vocal – and that moment often sets the direction. From there, the track evolves into something more refined and polished.

What’s important is allowing that process to guide you rather than trying to control it. There’s a shared trust that lets the music lead the conversation. We don’t force ideas – we listen. Sometimes the strongest moments come from leaving space and letting things unfold naturally, and that kind of collaboration keeps the whole process honest.

HMWL: You’re kicking off 2026 with “Tidal Wave” alongside Emma, followed by a February release with Susie Ledge. What can listeners expect from these tracks?

Desyfer: “Tidal Wave” is introspective at its core, but it carries a lot of energy. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t rush – it slowly reveals itself and then really opens up. There’s a warm, driving bassline, tight drums, and these classic-leaning synth riffs that build momentum. Emma’s vocals sit right at the heart of it, lifting everything into a powerful, emotional break that creates a genuine hands-in-the-air moment. It’s definitely designed for peak-time sets while still keeping a strong melodic soul.

The track with Susie Ledge, “Higher Ground,” lives in a slightly different emotional space. It’s deeply hypnotic and more about tension and release over time. The rolling bass and evolving synth layers create this forward-moving groove, and Susie’s vocals bring a dreamy, expressive quality that transforms darkness into light. Together, they feel like different emotional chapters rather than just singles – one more expansive and uplifting, the other more atmospheric and immersive, but both rooted firmly in the club.

HMWL: In March, you’re releasing a vinyl rework of Happy Mondays – 24 Hour Party People. What does it mean to reinterpret such an iconic piece of dance culture?

Desyfer: It came about very organically through the studio we work in – Voltalab in Emma’s hometown of Rochdale – the same place where the Mondays recorded, and some of the film 24 Hour Party People was shot. Being asked to take part was genuinely special. That whole era, that sound, and that story are part of our cultural DNA.

The project itself is part of Rochdale Creates, alongside ten other acts, all reinterpreting music from that era. That makes it even more meaningful – it’s not just a single release, it’s a celebration of heritage and community, and we’re really proud to be involved.

I first saw the Mondays back in 1990 at Victoria Hall in Hanley – a small, intimate gig, but one that stayed with me. I was 18 at the time, and Sean Ryder’s swagger and presence were unlike anything else. It was one of those nights that quietly shapes you.

Because of that history, it was vital to treat the track with real respect. 24 Hour Party People carries memories and meaning for so many people, and releasing it on vinyl felt symbolic – something physical and timeless that honours the lineage of dance music rather than trying to rewrite it.

HMWL: You’re returning to Ministry of Sound again in January 2026. How does it feel stepping back into that booth at this stage of your journey?

Desyfer: It feels grounding. Ministry of Sound has a way of reminding you where this culture comes from. Coming back now, with more clarity and experience, it feels less about proving something and more about sharing where I’m at – although, in a healthy way, I still feel that need to prove myself every time I step into the booth.

As a professional DJ, delivering for the crowd is everything. There’s excitement and pride in returning, but above all there’s a real passion and focus on giving people a memorable set. I want the audience to walk away remembering who Desyfer is – that connection is what matters most to me.

HMWL: Your sound continues to evolve while staying unmistakably “Desyfer.” How would you describe that evolution going into 2026?

Desyfer: It’s become more intentional. I’m less interested in filling space and more interested in creating feeling. There’s still energy and drive, but it’s balanced with restraint – that’s where I think the deeper connection happens, when less is doing more.

I always try to bring emotion into the music, whether that comes from the sounds themselves or from the lyrics. A lot of the tracks I’m most proud of with Emma are rooted in real experiences – mine, or ours together – especially around loss, life, and my own sense of awareness. The vocals always mean something on a deeper level; they’re small glimpses into where we are as people on our own journeys, rather than just words over a track.

HMWL: Finally, as you look ahead, what are you most excited about for 2026?

Desyfer – The openness of it really excites me. I want to stay curious – musically and personally – and keep exploring without putting pressure on where things should go. If 2026 is about longevity, deeper connections, and continuing to grow without rushing it, then that feels like the right direction for me.

At the core of it all, it’s about making good music with real meaning, keeping the right people around me, and continuing to grow as a human being. Being at the forefront of my own future, while maintaining peace, good health, and strong connections with my family and friends, is just as important as anything happening in the studio or the club.

Desyfer’s latest release Tidal Wave is available here – https://www.beatport.com/release/tidal-wave/5651570