Kx5
Kx5 is an electronic music supergroup formed by American DJ and producer Kaskade (Ryan Raddon) and Canadian producer deadmau5 (Joel Zimmerman), blending progressive house and melodic techno elements in their collaborative output.[1][2] The project, over a decade and a half in the making following their initial 2008 collaborations on tracks like "I Remember" and "Move for Me," officially launched in 2022 with the single "Escape" featuring vocalist Hayla.[3][4] Their self-titled debut album, Kx5, released on March 17, 2023, via deadmau5's Mau5trap label and Kaskade's Arkade imprint, features 13 tracks including "Sacrifice," "Avalanche" with James French, and "Take Me High."[5][2] The duo's partnership builds on their longstanding mutual respect within the dance music scene, with Kx5 marking their first full-length joint effort after years of fan anticipation.[1] They debuted live performances at events like Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas in 2022 and followed with sets at Ultra Music Festival, Heatwave, and Beyond Wonderland in 2023.[6] The album received critical acclaim for its emotive production and vocal collaborations, culminating in a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024.[7] As of 2025, Kx5 continues to tour select festivals while both artists maintain their solo careers.[3]Background
Formation of Kx5
Kx5 is an electronic music supergroup formed by Canadian producer deadmau5, whose real name is Joel Zimmerman, and American DJ and producer Kaskade, born Ryan Raddon. The project represents a formal collaboration between two pioneers of the electronic dance music scene, blending their distinct production styles into a shared creative endeavor.[1][8] deadmau5 gained prominence in the mid-2000s through his innovative electronic productions, founding the independent label mau5trap in 2007 to release his work and support emerging artists in progressive house and progressive trance genres. mau5trap has since become a key platform for electronic music, launching careers of artists like Skrillex and REZZ. Meanwhile, Kaskade built his career starting in the late 1990s, emerging as a leading figure in house music with a focus on melodic and vocal-driven tracks; he has earned multiple Grammy nominations for his contributions to dance and electronic music. Both artists share deep roots in North American electronic scenes, with deadmau5's technical precision complementing Kaskade's emotive songwriting approach.[8][9][1] The decision to form Kx5 came in 2022, driven by mutual respect and a desire to reconnect amid the post-pandemic landscape, where both sought enjoyable, low-pressure creative outlets after years of demanding solo schedules. Their collaboration began informally in 2021 through email exchanges of track ideas during downtime, evolving into a committed project after a January 2022 meeting; this built on their longstanding friendship and shared appreciation for timeless electronic sounds unbound by trends. The name Kx5, pronounced "kay five" with a silent "x". This marked a significant step from their earlier joint efforts, serving as a precursor to a full collaborative album.[1][8] Their history of working together dates back to 2008, when they released the influential tracks "I Remember" and "Move for Me" via deadmau5's mau5trap label, tracks that helped define early progressive house and garnered lasting acclaim in the EDM community. These initial collaborations, born from file-sharing sessions, highlighted their chemistry but were limited by touring commitments at the time. The formation of Kx5 in 2022 revived this partnership on a larger scale, motivated by fans' ongoing interest and the duo's renewed energy.[1][8]Album development and announcement
The development of the Kx5 album originated during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, when Kaskade contacted deadmau5 to pursue a formal collaboration, drawing inspiration from their earlier joint track "I Remember" released in 2008.[1] Throughout 2021 and 2022, the duo conducted initial brainstorming sessions remotely, sharing track ideas and drafts via Dropbox folders to merge their progressive house and melodic influences while providing mutual feedback on compositions.[10] They supplemented these exchanges with in-person studio work, including an intensive songwriting session at deadmau5's Toronto facility in July 2022 that extended until the early morning hours.[1] A pivotal milestone arrived with the release of the lead single "Escape" (featuring Hayla) on March 11, 2022, which served as the project's public launch and achieved a peak position of No. 11 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[11] The collaboration was officially teased on social media in late February 2022 with cryptic green square profile images, building anticipation ahead of the single's debut.[12] On January 27, 2023, deadmau5 and Kaskade revealed the self-titled album Kx5 along with its release date of March 17, 2023, marking the culmination of their collaborative efforts.[13] The album was distributed through deadmau5's mau5trap label and Kaskade's Arkade imprint, combining their independent infrastructures to handle production and promotion.[10]Music and production
Musical style and influences
Kx5's self-titled debut album primarily embodies progressive house, infused with elements of melodic techno, and emotional house, creating a sound that fuses Deadmau5's signature intricate builds and atmospheric sound design with Kaskade's vocal-driven melodies and emotive arrangements. This blend results in tracks characterized by deep rolling basslines, thumping techno-style kick drums, uplifting supersaw chords, and euphoric drops, evoking a sophisticated yet accessible electronic landscape that pulses with both energy and introspection.[14][10][15] The album draws heavily from 2000s electronic music, particularly the duo's earlier collaborations like the 2008 track "I Remember," incorporating nostalgic elements such as dreamy, melancholy slowburns and haunting melodies while updating them with contemporary production techniques for a heavier, grittier edge. Influences from that era are evident in sensual, slower-paced numbers reminiscent of Kaskade's Strobelight Seduction period and Deadmau5's "You and I," emphasizing atmospheric synths and groovy rhythms that prioritize emotional resonance over aggressive experimentation. This stylistic fusion highlights the artists' complementary strengths, with Deadmau5 contributing technical depth in mastering and sound components, and Kaskade focusing on songwriting and structure to bridge electronic and pop sensibilities.[1][14][10] Spanning 10 tracks with a total runtime of 43:34, the album features guest vocalists such as Hayla, The Moth & The Flame, and Sofi Tukker, who add layers of emotional depth through yearning lyrics and diverse vocal textures. Standout stylistic shifts are apparent in high-energy anthems like "Escape," with its festival-ready euphoric drops and themes of liberation, contrasting more introspective pieces such as "Pwdr Blue," which delves into sensual, electronic nirvana with dark bass lines and emotive builds. These dynamics underscore the album's thematic core of escape, connection, and resilience, reflected in uplifting yet poignant lyrics paired with dynamic production that alternates between triumphant swells and ominous undertones.[2][14][15]Recording process
Recording sessions for the Kx5 album began in early 2022, following a strategic meeting between Kaskade and deadmau5 on January 3 in Los Angeles to formalize their collaborative project.[1] The duo conducted most work remotely, with Kaskade based in Los Angeles and deadmau5 in Toronto, exchanging files via email and other digital methods to facilitate efficiency despite their separate locations.[8] An in-person session occurred in July 2022 at deadmau5's home studio in Toronto, where the pair focused on refining tracks amid casual activities like wakesurfing.[1] The production approach emphasized iterative collaboration, with deadmau5 overseeing instrumental builds, engineering, and mastering, while Kaskade concentrated on songwriting, arrangements, vocal integrations, and overall structure.[1] This division allowed for layered synth programming and vocal processing through multiple revisions, often mashing up individual versions—such as radio edits from Kaskade and club mixes from deadmau5—to achieve cohesion.[8] The process, which spanned about six to seven months, evolved from pandemic-era downtime without an initial album plan, quickly yielding near-complete tracks shared and polished online.[16] Guest vocalists contributed remotely, with their parts recorded separately and integrated into the duo's productions for synchronization. Notable involvements included Hayla on "Escape," where her vocals were added to a track initially refined for a radio-friendly vibe; SOFI TUKKER on "Sacrifice," providing emotionally charged elements to the progressive house foundation; and Elderbrook on "When I Talk," enhancing the melodic builds.[1][16] Other features, like James French's 303 lead on "Avalanche," followed a similar streamlined remote workflow.[10] Challenges arose from balancing the artists' distinct styles and lifestyles, including differing work hours—Kaskade's sobriety contrasting deadmau5's habits—and the limitations of remote collaboration, which prevented in-room synergy until the Toronto visit.[1] These were addressed through targeted revisions and open feedback, such as deadmau5 questioning if tracks like "Escape" felt "new enough," leading to iterative adjustments.[1] The album's final mastering, handled primarily by deadmau5, was completed in late 2022 ahead of the March 2023 release.[10]Release and promotion
Singles and remixes
Kx5 released six singles ahead of their self-titled debut album, building anticipation through a series of progressive house and melodic techno tracks featuring prominent vocalists. The lead single, "Escape" featuring Hayla, was released on March 11, 2022, and peaked at No. 11 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[17][18] In November 2024, the track featured in episode 6 of season 2 of the Apple TV+ series Shrinking, propelling it to No. 1 on the Shazam U.S. Dance Chart and No. 47 on the Top 200.[19] "Take Me High" followed on September 16, 2022, delivering an uplifting instrumental build characteristic of the duo's collaborative style.[20] Subsequent releases included "Alive" featuring The Moth & The Flame on October 11, 2022; "Avalanche" featuring James French on November 11, 2022; "When I Talk" featuring Elderbrook on December 9, 2022; and "Sacrifice" featuring SOFI TUKKER on February 17, 2023.[21][22][23][24] Each single was promoted with official music videos or visualizers, enhancing their visual appeal and streaming engagement on platforms like YouTube.[25][26][27] These visuals often emphasized thematic elements of escapism and emotional intensity, aligning with the tracks' lyrical content. Remix efforts further amplified the singles' impact, particularly in club and festival environments. The "Escape (Remixes)" EP, released on July 29, 2022, featured reworks by artists including John Summit, Subtronics, and Spencer Brown, adapting the original's progressive house foundation into tech house, dubstep, and trance variants.[28] These versions gained traction in DJ sets, extending the track's play in underground and mainstream electronic scenes. In 2025, Sparrow & Barbossa delivered an additional remix of "Escape" on January 17, infusing it with deeper basslines and rhythmic percussion suited for contemporary dance floors.[29] The remix packages collectively broadened Kx5's reach beyond radio airplay into diverse subgenres of electronic music.Marketing and artwork
The marketing campaign for the Kx5 project commenced in late February 2022, when deadmau5 and Kaskade updated their social media profiles with a uniform green square image, sparking widespread fan speculation about a joint venture.[12] This subtle teaser strategy culminated in the official announcement on March 1, 2022, revealing the supergroup name and promising new music, which effectively leveraged the artists' established fanbases for immediate buzz.[30] To sustain momentum, pre-save links for singles and the forthcoming album were distributed across major streaming platforms starting in mid-2022, fostering direct fan interaction and algorithmic boosts upon release.[31] The visual artwork for the self-titled album was crafted by Rising Agency, led by creative director Omar Zia alongside team members Ash Woodrowsmith, Tom Sheehan, Louis Byrne, and Amy Hancock, extending the project's core aesthetic elements into a cohesive narrative design.[32] This included the album cover, which prominently displays the "Kx5" logo on a dark backdrop, embodying a minimalist style that aligns with the duo's fusion of electronic genres.[33] The singles, released as key promotional vehicles, similarly adopted this streamlined visual motif to reinforce brand consistency across digital assets and social media previews.[12] Kx5's rollout emphasized a digital-first approach, with the full album launching exclusively on streaming services on March 17, 2023, through Mau5trap and Arkade, allowing global accessibility and immediate chart potential.[34] Complementing this, a physical double LP edition pressed on gold vinyl became available on September 22, 2023, via Epicwin LTD & Arkade, catering to collectors and vinyl enthusiasts without specified bundling options.[35] Post-release efforts focused on extending the project's commercial footprint through official merchandise, including apparel like reflective logo t-shirts, hoodies, and bomber jackets, all bearing the signature Kx5 emblem and sold via the dedicated online store.[36] These items integrated seamlessly with live show activations, providing fans tangible connections to the album's themes while driving sustained engagement after the digital drop.[37]Track listing and credits
Track listing
Kx5 is the self-titled debut studio album by the collaborative project Kx5, consisting of electronic music producers deadmau5 and Kaskade. The standard edition features 10 tracks with a total runtime of 43:30.[38]| No. | Title | Featured artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Alive" | The Moth & the Flame | 5:08 |
| 2 | "Sacrifice" | Sofi Tukker | 4:39 |
| 3 | "Escape" | Hayla | 4:00 |
| 4 | "Bright Lights" | AR/CO | 3:23 |
| 5 | "pwdr Blu" | Brother. | 3:36 |
| 6 | "When I Talk" | Elderbrook | 3:27 |
| 7 | "Eat Sleep" | Richard Walters | 4:30 |
| 8 | "Take Me High" | 4:15 | |
| 9 | "Avalanche" | James French | 4:21 |
| 10 | "Unobsidian" | 6:11 |