Fernando Tonello and Phelipe Lamanna — better known as Tough Art — have established themselves as one of Brazil’s most exciting house exports, turning heads well beyond their home country in just a few short years. With major club and festival appearances across Brazil, releases on a growing roster of respected labels and a regular presence in the Beatport charts, the duo have steadily built a reputation for sleek, forward-thinking house music. Their track ‘Collors’, a collaboration with FractaLL, even found its way into a Dior commercial. Now, Tough Art return to Repopulate Mars for the first time since 2020 with their three-track ‘Walk Away’ EP.
Title cut ‘Walk Away’ opens up with a distinctly mischievous edge. Smouldering spoken-word vocals weave through nimble synth notes, while a stripped-to-the-bone tech groove gathers weight around deep bass. ‘Sandcode’ pushes further into futuristic territory, with lithe synths threading through the mix as cascading melodies rain down over sleek percussion. Closing the EP, ‘Kiss Me’ sees Tough Art link up with São Paulo producer Rapham for a taut, muscular cut driven by a restless, hiccupping rhythm. Stark, grainy synths give the production its bite, while a sultry vocal adds a final layer of tension, bringing the EP to a suitably seductive close.
Tough Art’s ‘Walk Away’ EP drops via Repopulate Mars on 2nd October 2026.
Tracklist:
1. Tough Art – Walk Away
2. Tough Art – Sandcode
3. Tough Art & Rapham – Kiss Me
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