ENRAI: "It's about finding your own style, staying patient and trusting the process"
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
ENRAI is a London-based DJ and producer with a sound shaped by years spent in the city's underground scene. His approach brings together deep grooves, melodic elements and cinematic atmospheres, always putting the dancefloor first while leaving space for emotion and musical storytelling. Whether behind the decks or in the studio, he focuses on creating music that feels honest, energetic and timeless rather than following trends.
"Reach" marks a new chapter in your journey—what was the core idea that guided its creation?
For me Reach is about always striving for something more. Whether that's becoming a better producer, playing bigger stages or just growing as a person, I think we're all constantly reaching for the next step. Like a lot of artists, I'm balancing music around a full-time career, so every release represents a huge amount of time, sacrifice and persistence behind the scenes, that no one sees. The last few years have had plenty of highs but also moments where progress has felt slow, and this track reflects that mindset of keeping going regardless. I wanted the music to feel uplifting and powerful, but still emotional at the same time.
Your music is often described as cinematic and immersive. How do you build that emotional depth in your tracks?
I've always loved music that makes you feel something, not just dance or move. When I'm writing, I'm usually thinking about the atmosphere first. I spend a lot of time on the breakdowns, melodies and the small details because they're what give a track its personality. If someone listens to one of my records and gets goosebumps before the drop, that's probably the biggest compliment I could ask for.
Your sound blends deep low-end pressure with melodic tension—where does that balance between energy and introspection come from?
I think it comes from the music I've listened to over the years and the experiences I've had. I've always loved powerful grooves that hit on a big sound system, but I'm equally drawn to emotional melodies that stay with you afterwards. I'm always trying to find that balance where the track works in a club but also tells a story. That's the kind of music I enjoy playing, and it's the kind of music I naturally want to create.
London has a very active underground scene—how has it influenced your style and artistic identity?
Moving to London definitely changed everything for me. Coming from a small island such as Jersey, I suddenly had access to some of the best clubs and artists in the world almost every weekend. Being around that environment really pushed me to improve, both as a DJ and a producer. It also made me realise that standing out isn't about copying what's popular at any given time. It's about finding your own style, staying patient and trusting the process.
Your DJ sets focus heavily on emotional impact as well as energy. How do you approach building a full musical journey for the dancefloor?
I always want my sets to feel like they're taking people somewhere. I love building tension, creating moments and then giving the crowd that release at the right time. Every set is different because every crowd is different, but my goal is always the same, to leave people remembering how the music made them feel, not just which tracks I played. Those are always the sets that have stayed with me, so that's what I try to create for others.
"Reach" was released on Exx Boundless—what drew you to the label, and what does this release represent for you?
I'm really grateful to Exx Boundless for believing in the record. Being part of the wider Exx family, which includes Exx Musik, made it even more special because it's a label group I've followed for a while that is doing incredibly well in the charts. From the beginning it felt like they genuinely connected with the music rather than trying to shape it into something else. Every release has helped shape who ENRAI is becoming, and Reach feels like the clearest reflection of my sound so far.
Your productions show strong attention to detail and arrangement. What does your studio process look like from the first idea to the final master?
Most tracks start with a melody, a vocal or an emotion rather than a drum loop. Once I've found something that inspires me, I build everything else around it. I spend a lot of time refining the arrangement because I think that's where the story of the track really comes together. I'm also not afraid to step away from a project for a few days. Fresh ears have saved more tracks than I can count, and I've learned that sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference.
You often mention a more defined and mature sonic direction—how do you feel your sound has evolved over the past few years?
When I first started producing, I think I was naturally influenced by the artists I looked up to. That's part of learning. Over time though, I've become much more confident in making music that feels like me. I'm less worried about following trends and more focused on creating records I'd genuinely want to play myself. I still feel like I'm learning every day, but I definitely have a much clearer idea of who I want ENRAI to be.
You’ve received support from established artists worldwide—how important is that recognition in your development as an artist?
It's a great feeling because it's reassurance that you're moving in the right direction. When artists you respect play your music, it gives you confidence to keep pushing. At the same time, I know it's only one part of the journey. There are so many talented producers out there, so I try to stay focused on improving with every track rather than chasing recognition. For me, longevity is built on consistency, not one moment of success.
Looking ahead, what new directions or experiments are you most excited to explore in your music?
I want to keep developing the emotional side of my music while making my sound even more recognisable. I'm experimenting with different textures, stronger melodies and ways of making tracks feel bigger without making them busier. I'm still at the beginning of this journey and I don't take that for granted. Every release, every DJ set and every opportunity teaches me something. If people hear an ENRAI record in a few years and instantly know it's mine, then I'll feel like I've achieved something really special.
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