Hey there, fellow beat chasers! Picture this: You're laid up after a gnarly ski accident, legs out of commission for months, no club nights, no late-night studio sessions—just you, your thoughts, and a burning itch to create something that pulses with life you can't quite live right now. That's the raw spark behind John Hayes' latest techno-prog house gem, "Whatever It Takes." In a year where progressive house is staging a full-on renaissance—think those euphoric, emotion-soaked builds that feel straight out of 2014 but with 2025's crisp production edge—this track lands like a lifeline. If you're hunting for new techno music that doesn't just thump but tugs at your soul, buckle up. John's dropping a banger that's as club-ready as it is headphones-deep.
Let's dive into the sonic wizardry first because, damn, this track is a masterclass in balancing grit and grace. Clocking in with those relentless techno kicks that could rattle your subwoofers from Minneapolis to Berlin, "Whatever It Takes" weaves in progressive house's signature rolling basslines and trance-like swells that build to pure catharsis. It's got that hard-hitting edge—pulsing synth stabs and layered percussion that scream "dancefloor destroyer"—but underneath? Layers of emotional depth that echo John's influences like Four Tet's intricate textures, Bicep's euphoric grooves, and Jon Hopkins' atmospheric tension. You feel the pull: sonically exciting drops that make your body move, wrapped in melodies that whisper about resilience and release. It's the kind of EDM trance hybrid that's perfect for those late-night drives or warehouse raves, proving once again why electronic music in 2025 is all about that home-to-club versatility.
And speaking of John Hayes, this guy's story is the stuff of indie electronic dreams. Hailing from the vibrant Minneapolis scene—yep, the same city that's birthed icons like Prince—John's a multi-instrumentalist and producer who's been honing his craft since ditching those stuffy classical piano lessons as a kid. Self-taught and unapologetic, he dove headfirst into composing his own sound, blending piano's organic warmth with electronic's boundless possibilities. His debut album By The Woods dropped in 2018 via New York label Sonder House, earning buzz from tastemakers and landing him on radars like KEXP and BBC Radio. Fast-forward through collabs with Elskavon and Jacob Pavek, a sophomore stunner The Last Best Place in 2020, and gigs as the resident pianist at MSP Airport (talk about soundtracking souls in transit), and you've got an artist who's as grounded as he is innovative.
But here's the heart of it: This track, part of a fresh album batch, was born from that brutal ski injury back in the day. Confined and craving tempo he couldn't chase IRL, John channeled frustration into uptempo fire—subconscious therapy set to 128 BPM. It's no wonder "Whatever It Takes" resonates so hard in today's landscape. Progressive house is booming again, with emerging artists pushing boundaries on emotion and musicality, fueled by streaming algorithms that reward those feel-good, shareable moments. Trance elements are sneaking into techno sets everywhere, creating euphoric breakdowns that blend raw energy with vulnerability—exactly what John nails here. In a world still shaking off post-pandemic vibes, tracks like this remind us why we fell for electronic dance music in the first place: it's escape, it's connection, it's whatever it takes to keep the beat alive.
If John's sound has you nodding along, hit play and let it wash over you. What's your take—does this capture that perfect techno-prog house sweet spot, or are you craving more trance-infused heat? Drop your thoughts in the comments; I live for these chats. And hey, if you're an artist grinding in the studio, dreaming of getting your tracks out to the world, don't sleep on smart distribution. DistroKid makes it dead simple to push your music to Spotify, Apple, and beyond—keeping 100% of your royalties while you focus on the art. Plus, snag a sweet 7% off your first year with this link: https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/2058328. It's the hack every indie producer needs to level up.
There you have it—John Hayes proving that even from the sidelines, you can drop a banger that moves mountains. Keep an eye on this Minneapolis maestro; 2025's looking electric.
