Ever feel like you’re drowning in a sea of endless content while searching for something that actually makes you feel content? Toronto’s electronic maestro MKSTN (pronounced em-kay-es-tee-en) gets it, and his new single “Adorn” is the perfect sonic escape for those moments of introspection. Dropped as the lead single for his upcoming album CONTENT (out May 15, 2025), “Adorn” is a ghostly, genre-bending gem that fuses analog drum and bass with chillwave and dream pop vibes. If you’re into Beach House’s moody melodies or Tame Impala’s lush production, this track will pull you in and keep you floating in its existential undertow. Let’s unpack why “Adorn” is the kind of song you’ll want to share with your late-night playlist crew.
A Sonic and Thematic Journey
“Adorn” hits you with a rhythmic pulse that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. MKSTN teamed up with collaborators Chino De Villa (Jessie Reyez) and Braden Sauder (Luna Li) to record drums straight to tape, giving the track a warm, analog grit. Those beats are then chopped and layered with soaring synths, omnichord, and MKSTN’s own plaintive vocals, creating a sound that’s equal parts club banger and bedroom confessional. The quiet, haunting question—“Do you have the right stuff?”—lingers like a whisper in your subconscious, setting the tone for the album’s deeper exploration of connection in our media-saturated world.
The track’s visualizer (check it out here) amplifies its moody, contemplative vibe. With its mix of scanned and re-recorded imagery, it’s a perfect companion to the song’s theme of questioning how we consume and create in the digital age. It’s the kind of visual you’d loop on your TV during a chill hangout, letting its textures spark conversations about art and existence.
CONTENT, MKSTN’s forthcoming album, builds on this duality—contentment versus content overload. Where his 2022 debut Desires explored love and connection, this record digs into how we navigate our digital surroundings. Expect a lush, nostalgic soundscape that channels M83’s cinematic sweep and Washed Out’s lo-fi haze, all tied together by MKSTN’s newly prominent vocals. For the first time, he’s stepping up as the lead singer across the entire album, and his ghostly, introspective delivery adds a raw intimacy that hits hard.
Meet MKSTN: From Dancefloors to Dreamscapes
MKSTN’s journey to this point is as eclectic as his sound. Starting as a professional street dancer in Toronto, he choreographed to obscure trip-hop and electronic tracks, always feeling like a bit of an outsider. A pivotal injury shifted his focus from dance to music production, and he poured his savings into a keyboard and DJ gear. That leap changed everything. Now, he’s crafting music that bridges analog and digital, club and bedroom, with a fluidity that’s earned him nods from Majestic Casual and features in campaigns like Haven x NIKE ACG.
For CONTENT, MKSTN tapped a stellar local crew, including Elliott Muscat (Will Smith), Genelle Cruz (Post Malone), and Madeleine Kay and Brendan Thomas (Strings From Paris). The result is a record that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant, tackling themes of space, time, and existentialism with a chillwave lens. His background in dance still shines through in the rhythmic precision of “Adorn,” which pulses with a beat you can feel in your bones, whether you’re swaying in a club or zoning out at home.
Why “Adorn” Matters in Today’s Music Scene
In an era where electronic music is often polished to a fault, “Adorn” stands out for its raw, analog heart. The track arrives at a time when indietronica and chillwave are seeing a resurgence, with artists like Toro y Moi and Washed Out inspiring a new wave of producers to blend retro and modern sounds. MKSTN’s ability to weave existential questions into danceable beats feels especially timely as we grapple with the noise of social media and streaming platforms. His mixed-media approach—scanning, filming, and re-recording for both music and visuals—mirrors the chaotic yet creative potential of our digital age.
Get Your Music Out There with DistroKid
If “Adorn” has you inspired to share your own music, MKSTN’s journey is proof that independent artists can make waves with the right tools. Platforms like DistroKid make it easy to get your tracks on Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond, letting you focus on creating rather than gatekeeping. Ready to take the plunge? Sign up with this DistroKid link for a 7% discount on your membership. It’s a small step that could lead to big things, just like MKSTN’s pivot from dancer to producer.
Let’s Talk About It
“Adorn” is more than a song—it’s a vibe, a question, and a glimpse into an album that promises to be one of 2025’s most thought-provoking releases. What do you think of MKSTN’s sound? Are you feeling the chillwave revival, or is there another genre you’re vibing with right now? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep the conversation going. Don’t forget to share this post with your music-loving friends—MKSTN’s CONTENT is a world worth diving into.
