Hey there, fellow beat chasers! If you're anything like me, you've been scrolling through your feeds lately, hunting for that next track that hits different—one that blends those dreamy melodic house vibes with a progressive house edge that builds like a sunset over Bristol's harborside. Well, buckle up because I've just discovered Heartbeat by Hessian featuring the silky vocals of Courtney Storm, and it's the kind of fresh drop that's reigniting my love for electronic music's intricate layers. Dropped just days ago on November 14, 2025, as part of Hessian's debut EP One Last Touch on the legendary Colorize (Enhanced) label, this one's a slow-burner that explodes into pure euphoria. In a year where melodic house and progressive house are dominating playlists from Spotify's Melodic Techno & Progressive House to underground mixes, Heartbeat feels like the perfect soundtrack for late-night drives or festival warm-ups. Trust me, if you're into artists like Lane 8 or Yotto, this is your new obsession.
Let's rewind a bit and talk about the man behind the magic: Hessian, aka Matthew de Souza. Hailing from London but firmly planted in Bristol's vibrant electronic scene, Matthew's journey is the stuff of indie producer dreams. He kicked things off studying music production at the Academy of Contemporary Music, then dove headfirst into scoring for TV and film—think those atmospheric underscores that make your heart race during a thriller's climax. But Hessian wasn't content with just background vibes; he evolved into a full-fledged electronic wizard, weaving organic elements like subtle field recordings and natural percussion with synthetic synths that shimmer like city lights on water. His sound? It's all about that delicate dance between the raw and the polished, creating compositions that feel alive and immersive. And when he tops it with a vocal like Courtney's? Chef's kiss. This Bristol producer is out here proving that the UK's electronic underbelly is still pumping out gold, especially as progressive house trends lean harder into emotional, melody-driven narratives in 2025.
Now, onto the star of the show: Heartbeat itself. Clocking in at around the sweet spot for club play, this track opens with a gentle, pulsating bassline that mimics the title—think a steady thrum that syncs right up with your own rhythm. Hessian's production shines in those progressive house build-ups: arpeggiated synths layer in slowly, creating this atmospheric tension that's pure ear candy, before Courtney Storm's vocals drop like a velvet anchor. Her voice, with that emotive, breathy delivery honed from her South African roots and London polish, carries lyrics about connection and fleeting moments that hit universal. "Feel the rush, in the dark we ignite," she croons, and damn if it doesn't make you want to close your eyes and let the melody carry you. The drop? Explosive yet controlled—melodic house grooves with a progressive twist, intricate sound design that nods to trance influences without going full cheese. It's got that intricate balance Hessian is known for: organic warmth in the pads contrasting sharp, synthetic stabs, all wrapped in a production so crisp you'd swear it was mixed in a floating studio over the Avon Gorge.
Courtney Storm, for the uninitiated, is no stranger to this world either. This London-based powerhouse—born in South Africa and now a go-to collaborator in the melodic house circuit—brings her songwriter-producer chops to the table. She's been lighting up tracks with labels like Monstercat, blending chill-out vibes with deeper electronic pulses, and her feature here feels like fate. Their chemistry elevates Heartbeat from solid EP filler to standout single, especially in an EP packed with collabs like those with LAR and Farves. It's a reminder of how the progressive house scene is thriving on these cross-pollinations, pulling in vocalists who add soul to the synths. And let's be real, in 2025, with melodic house searches spiking on platforms like Beatport and YouTube mixes racking up millions of views for "progressive house melodic techno," tracks like this are the ones bridging club floors to festival mainstages.
What I love most about Heartbeat is how it captures that electronic music sweet spot—accessible enough for a casual listen on your commute, but layered deep for the headphones-at-3-AM crowd. Hessian's background in film scoring peeks through in the cinematic swells, making it feel like the score to your own personal love story (or heartbreak anthem, depending on the day). If you're building a playlist around new progressive house releases, slot this right after something like PRAANA's collabs—Courtney's been killing it there too. It's got that shareable energy: the kind of track you blast on Instagram Stories with a sunset filter, captioning it "When the beat matches your vibe."
Alright, confession time—I'm already looping this on repeat, and it's got me daydreaming about Hessian's next move. Will he tour the EP? Drop a remix pack? Only time will tell, but if One Last Touch is any indication, Bristol's got a rising star who's here to stay. What about you? Does Heartbeat get your pulse racing, or are you team "needs more techno edge"? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I live for these chats. And hey, if you're an up-and-coming producer eyeing your own melodic house breakthrough, don't sleep on getting your tracks out there wide. Platforms like Spotify and Beatport are waiting, and DistroKid makes it a breeze to upload unlimited releases while keeping 100% of your royalties. Plus, snag a sweet 7% off your first year with this link: https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/2058328. It's how artists like Hessian are hitting the big leagues without the hassle—go make some noise!
There you have it, folks—a deep dive into the progressive house pulse that's beating strong right now. Stream Heartbeat ft. Courtney Storm today, and let's keep the electronic love alive. Until next time, keep those speakers thumping.