Hey there, fellow groove hunters! Imagine this: You're fresh off a sun-soaked weekend at Stagecoach Festival, head buzzing with country twang and festival energy, and suddenly a sassy crow crashes your backyard jam session in Venice, CA. Sounds like the plot of a quirky indie flick, right? Well, that's exactly how Brooklyn's own Kozlow cooked up his latest drop, "Cowboy Killers" – a tech house 2025 standout that's got me replaying that funky bassline on loop. Released just last week on October 3 via his AFP label, this track is the kind of playful, cinematic house cut that sneaks up on you, blending four-on-the-floor drive with cheeky vocals and those unexpected guitar licks that scream "Wild West meets warehouse rave." If you're into deep house grooves with a progressive house twist, buckle up – this one's got that raw, creative spark lighting up the October Beatport tech house charts.
Let's rewind a bit on Kozlow, because this guy's story is as layered as his productions. Born Grant Kozlow Gardner, he's a classically trained violinist who's traded concert halls for underground chaos. Starting out releasing tracks under the "doux" moniker with co-producer David Friedlander back in 2020, Kozlow hit his stride solo, channeling club-ready sounds from deep house to tech house, with detours into disco and lounge. Picture this: He's shared stages with heavyweights like Carl Cox, Green Velvet, Cedric Gervais, and Alesso, and warmed up for the likes of Diplo, John Summit, and SG Lewis. His production credits? Collabs with Scott Storch, FunkFlex, King Von, and even Burna Boy. And don't get me started on his monthly NYC residencies at spots like Outer Heaven and Gospel – where he weaves live violin into left-field house sets that keep the crowd hypnotized. It's that violin flair, folks, that sets him apart in the sea of tech house bangers, adding a melodic edge that's straight fire for progressive house lovers.
Now, onto the meat of "Cowboy Killers" – because damn, this track captures that post-festival haze in the best way. Sparked by Kozlow's Stagecoach vibes a few years back, he wondered how to mash country-western themes with modern indie dance production. Fast-forward to that Venice backyard sesh, and boom: The crow's caws become this quirky percussive element, twangy guitars riff like they're straight out of a spaghetti western, and that groovy bassline locks in with relentless four-on-the-floor energy. Top it off with some silly, cheeky vocals that tie the whole chaotic bundle together, and you've got a deep house-leaning tech house gem that's equal parts fun and filmic. As Kozlow puts it himself: "It was the bird, the guitar, the groove. And of course, a silly vocal to tie it all together." It's got that underground debut feel from his earlier "Untitled" single, but dialed up with AFP's signature visual punch – cover art and posters by NYC film photographer Abi Polinsky, who's the label's creative director. Talk about art that hits as hard as the drop.
And timing? Spot on. With tech house mixes dominating October 2025 playlists – think fresh drops from Chris Lake and Dom Dolla shaking up the scene – Kozlow's sliding in at the perfect moment. Plus, progressive house is having a full-on renaissance this year, feeling like a throwback to 2014's golden era but with 2025's festival-ready polish. Emerging artists are keeping it fresh by fusing genres just like this, and "Cowboy Killers" nails that vibe, bridging indie house creativity with deep tech elements that could easily soundtrack a late-night AFP party. Remember, AFP started as a no-lineup, no-phones DIY bash in NYC, pulling in over 10,000 ravers in 2025 alone before evolving into a label that's all about community, chaos, and unfiltered energy. Kozlow's at the helm, and it's paying off – catch him this month at Marquee NYC with Fisher on Oct 4, or the AFP x Gost Town Venice AfterBurn on the 5th. Halloween party's coming Nov 1 at White Lodge, too. If you're in NYC, don't sleep on his Outer Heaven set the 8th.
Look, in a world where house music's exploding with AI tweaks and ghost production trends, it's refreshing to hear something this hands-on and heartfelt. "Cowboy Killers" reminds us why we fell for tech house in the first place: That infectious rhythm that pulls you in, layer by layer, until you're lost in the groove. Whether you're spinning it at home or plotting your next festival fit, this one's a keeper for your deep house playlist.
If you're an artist hustling to get your tracks out there like Kozlow, independent labels like AFP make it real, but distribution is key to hitting those big platforms. That's where DistroKid comes in clutch – super simple for uploading to Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond, so you keep more of your earnings without the hassle. Newbies get 7% off your first year with this link: https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/2058328. Trust me, it's a game-changer for building that buzz.
What about you? Does "Cowboy Killers" have you craving more genre-bending house, or got a favorite tech house twist that's got you hooked? Drop your thoughts in the comments – let's chat! And if you're digging this, share it with your crew. Who's ready to crow about the next big drop?
