Hey there, fellow vibe-chasers! Can you feel that? Even as October rolls in with its crisp edges, the pull of summer anthems is stronger than ever—especially down under where the Australian sun is gearing up to crank the heat. If you're anything like me, you're craving tracks that whisk you away to sun-soaked beaches, tribal drums echoing under palm trees, and that irresistible groove that makes you move without a second thought. Enter High Above, the latest drop from Australian producer ZUSO featuring the silky tones of Cleopold. This isn't just a song; it's a full-body invitation to dance like the world's your private festival. In a year where afro house has skyrocketed to become the fourth most-searched genre on Beatport—jumping from 23rd last year—ZUSO is serving up exactly what we need: pure, unfiltered summer magic wrapped in deep, soulful rhythms.
Let's break it down, shall we? ZUSO, the brainchild of Gabriel Cuenca, is all about crafting that invigorating atmospheric-house sound that's got serious echoes of Rufus Du Sol's emotive builds, Lane 8's crisp production, and Tourist's dreamy layers. High Above lands squarely in the tribal afro house lane, with a splash of tropical house warmth and alternative dance edge that keeps things fresh and unpredictable. Picture this: pulsating percussion that draws from African electronic roots, layered over a light, textural chord progression that Cleopold himself calls out as the perfect canvas for elevation. It's been simmering for over a year, evolving through countless versions and sample tweaks, until it locked into this effortless flow. The result? A track that captures the vibrant essence of summer—think golden hour drives along the coast, windows down, bass thumping like a heartbeat.
What really elevates High Above is the seamless collab vibe between ZUSO and Cleopold. Gabriel's been holding onto this idea, waiting for the right spark, and boom—Cleopold, the Melbourne-born, LA-based artist, steps in and transforms it. "His vocal just took the track to another level," ZUSO shares, and you can hear that chemistry pop. Cleopold chimes in too: "I had fun singing on Zuso's beat and whipping up an arrangement with him on the phone. The track came together seamlessly... Seems like a no-brainer to release this tune with Zuso in the lead up to Australian summer." Dropped via Sweat It Out and Love Clvb, it's timed perfectly for that seasonal shift, blending deep afro house grooves with melodic house flair that's dominating playlists right now.
Speaking of which, 2025 is the year for afro house to keep climbing. We're seeing it everywhere—from Ibiza's sunset beach parties where soulful rhythms ruled Shazam's top 10 dance tracks, to genre-blending experiments mixing afro beats with lo-fi and deep house edges. Tracks like this are fueling the fire, with tribal house beats and summer afro house mixes blowing up on Spotify and YouTube. It's no wonder; in a world that's been glued to screens, these sounds pull us back to something primal and joyful. ZUSO's take feels right at home in this wave, offering organic percussion and vibrant melodies that scream "new music 2025" without trying too hard. If you're building your deep afro house playlist, slot this in next to KEINEMUSIK or Black Coffee vibes—it's got that same infectious pull.
Gabriel's journey as ZUSO is a cool one too. Hailing from Australia, he's been honing this atmospheric-house niche, drawing from those influences to create something uniquely his. Teaming up with Cleopold adds that cross-continental flavor—Melbourne grit meets LA polish—and it's paying off big time. This isn't some rushed release; it's a labor of love that's been refined to perfection, making it stand out in a sea of quick flips.
So, what's your move? Crank up High Above on repeat and let it transport you—whether you're prepping for an Aussie beach bash or just need a mid-autumn escape. Drop a comment below: Does this hit your tribal afro house sweet spot, or are you team tropical house all the way? What's your go-to track for instant summer feels? Hit play, share it with your crew, and let's keep the conversation grooving.
If you're an up-and-coming artist itching to unleash your own sound on the world, platforms like this make it easier than ever. DistroKid is my go-to for indie creators—super straightforward for getting your tracks on Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond, plus you keep way more of those royalties. And hey, snag a sweet 7% off your membership with this link: https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/2058328. It's the smart play for reaching ears like yours and building that buzz. Who's ready to drop their next banger?
There you have it—ZUSO and Cleopold reminding us that great music doesn't wait for perfect timing; it just is. Until next time, keep those playlists spicy.
