Buenos Aires producer Nico Szabo and Basque DJ and producer Aske Izan have released a two-track single featuring vocalist and producer SAM SHI, out now via Anjunadeep Explorations. The double single, comprising "Aside" and "Paranoid," maps the full emotional arc of a relationship across two distinct sonic worlds, from early optimism to creeping uncertainty.
The project grew from a studio session in Brooklyn between Nico Szabo and SAM SHI, where the initial conversation was less about production and more about storytelling. "When Nico came to my studio in Brooklyn, we didn't set out to make two tracks, we set out to have an honest conversation about love," shares SAM SHI. "We talked about the whole arc of it: the excitement at the beginning, the closeness, the optimism, and then the complexity that creeps in over time. What I love is that those two emotional worlds became two separate songs. 'Aside' captured everything bright and forward-moving about that first stage, and the vocal just naturally carried that energy. It was one of those creative processes that felt genuinely alive, a lot of back and forth, letting the ideas breathe. I'm so proud of where it landed."
"Aside" represents that first stage of connection, built around SAM SHI's bright, uplifting vocal and designed to feel emotional, light, and comforting while remaining firmly rooted in the dancefloor. "Paranoid" becomes its counterpart, a darker, more hypnotic offering where the main synth line barely relaxes throughout, constantly evolving through subtle changes and pulling the listener deeper into its atmosphere.
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"'Paranoid' naturally became its counterpart," explains Nico Szabo. "While 'Aside' is more direct structurally and emotionally immediate, we wanted 'Paranoid' to feel more hypnotic and tension-driven. It tells a longer story, with a darker and more club-oriented energy, carrying that ongoing sense of emotional uncertainty and paranoia."
SAM SHI brings a distinctive perspective to the collaboration. Born in Honolulu and raised in Sweden, the Los Angeles-based artist creates music at the intersection of alternative songwriting and underground electronic culture. Her forthcoming releases mark a significant new chapter following three independently released albums and international performances. Her vocal work here demonstrates precisely why both labels came calling, threading emotional honesty through cinematic electronic production with rare naturalness.
Nico Szabo has built his reputation for deep, atmospheric records across The Soundgarden, Balance Music, onedotsixtwo, and Flown Records, earning support from Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Guy J, and Lee Burridge. Aske Izan, whose name translates to "be free" in Basque, has released on For A Memory, The Soundgarden, and Erased Tapes, with support from Hernán Cattáneo, Nick Warren, and Danny Tenaglia.
"Aside" / "Paranoid" is out now via Anjunadeep Explorations.
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