Wake Up’ is the first release from SONARA after label artist & cofounder Nico Stojan’s sad passing this summer and will be the first of many of his unreleased tracks to arrive in his honour. Stojan was a Berlin-born DJ and producer and a key part of the house scene with a deep, emotional style built on groove and long-form storytelling, as well as a former Bar25 resident who co-founded Ouïe Records with Acid Pauli. David Mayer is a boundary-defying producer whose funked-up four-on-the-floor sound has landed on Connected Frontline, Objektivity, and Keinemusik, while co-founder Tooker is the multi-instrumentalist and former KMLN member who brings live percussion to his releases on Crosstown Rebels and Sol Selectas. JAW is best known as the characterful vocalist of French group dOP, and has long had a distinctive voice in the underground.
‘Wake Up’ is a track that lived a long life on dance floors before it was ever finished and began as ‘Trek,’ first created in Berlin by Stojan and collaborators. Even in its early form, it had enough energy to play for a couple of years, but it never felt fully finished. They kept returning to it, trying different ideas, yet nothing quite unlocked what it needed until a turning point came when they shared it with Mayer, whose input finally pulled the track together. From there, it grew into the version released now, with JAW’s vocals giving it its final shape.
The finished ‘Wake Up’ is a patient, hypnotic groove that reveals its layers over time. Supple drums and warm bass keep things rolling while shimmering synths drift through the mix, and JAW’s vocals move through it all with a lived-in, human quality. It’s quietly intense rather than showy and is another superb sound from this essential label.
David Mayer, Nico Stojan, Tooker feat. JAW’s ‘Wake Up’ comes on Sonara Records on 25th September 2026.
Tracklist
1. David Mayer, Nico Stojan, Tooker feat. JAW – Wake Up (Original Mix)
2. David Mayer, Nico Stojan, Tooker feat. JAW – Wake Up (Extended Mix)