INTERVIEW: NOCUI drops new EP ‘CLUB EXIT’

Based in Berlin, NOCUI is a producer and artist reshaping the emotional sphere of electronic music. A classically trained pianist turned sonic sculptor, he stands at the crossroads where reflective songwriting, textured production and club-focused rhythms collide. Known for his immersive, emotionally compelling sound, NOCUI’s work explores the spaces between self and other, inviting listeners to look beyond the layers of their inner worlds and meet each other on common ground.

While based in electronic frameworks, his music refuses to be boxed into any one particular genre or style. With a focus on thoughtful lyricism and vocal-led storytelling, NOCUI’s musical output offers something personal, philosophical and frequently spiritual. It’s an offering that feels equal parts dancefloor and meditation room, an effort not just to move bodies, but to open hearts and minds.

His acclaimed debut LP Italian Robot, which landed in November last year, marked a bold conceptual step forward, examining the tension between humanity and digital life. Its thematic and sonic ambition earned praise from listeners and tastemakers alike, including recognition from BBC 6 Music.

Now, NOCUI returns with CLUB EXIT, a new EP that further expands his search for meaning in the noise. Across three tracks, he sketches a journey through disillusionment, revelation and hope, threading together cinematic textures, heavy rhythmic energies and emotionally potent vocals. The opening title track sets the mood with the grooving snap of the beat and pulsing bass textures, crafting a catchy pop-focused electronic jam that builds with shimming instrumental flutters and the bouncy stab of chords capped by smooth vocal leads. The production balances minimalism with intensity, resulting in an infectious outing that’s danceable and engaging from start to finish.

With “House of Cards,” the mood darkens with NOCUI fusing a razor-sharp electronic fabric with hypnotic Eastern motifs and a pulsing reggaeton rhythm. With the downtempo patter of muted percussion, the intense timbre of processed vocals and zapping synth elements, it’s a gripping soundscape that rolls with slick rhythmic energy and moody arrangement, serving up an engrossing slice of his fiercely original sound and production panache. Thematically, it zeroes in on the pressures of perfectionism and identity in our digital age, framing how the carefully constructed personas we build can quickly become fragile illusions.

The EP closes with “High Hopes,” a tonal shift that still carries the emotional impact of the previous tracks but trades brooding aesthetic for a more breezy vibe. Stitching together elements of pop, R&B and deep house, it glows with understated beauty as warm synths and soulful vocals capture a moment of desire and the bittersweet taste of possibility. It’s a laid back dance pop outing that flows with the shuffling hop of drums, intricate instrumental flickers and alluring vocal performance to offer a superb finale to NOCUI’s sensational new EP.

With CLUB EXIT, NOCUI continues to chart an uncompromising course that’s as poignant as it is sonically exciting. You can buy or stream NOCUI’s CLUB EXIT EP via this link. With a new collaborative EP with Charlie Vaux on the horizon, due out June 6th, NOCUI’s musical adventure shows no signs of slowing. We caught up with NOCUI to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new EP CLUB EXIT and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with NOCUI below.

Hey NOCUI, how’s things?

Everything’s going very well! Working on my liveset these days, and I’m super excited about it.

Firstly, what’s your earliest memory of making music and when did you know it was something you wanted to pursue?

I think it’s too early to even remember hahaha. I started playing the piano at 3ish, and used to listen to classical music going to bed as a kid. My parents bought me classical music CDs for kids and I remember listening to them so often, still have some of those.

Who are the artists that have shaped your sound over the years, and who’s been inspiring you lately?

I don’t really have a straight answer to this… I usually fall in love with specific songs rather than artists overall, and my interest changes from one day to the next. This is also true for the music I make, it changes constantly as my listening habits do.

What else feeds your creativity or influences the mood and direction of your work?

I think the main driving force behind my projects is curiosity. All of my ideas are always the result of genuine curiosity in sound design, melody, etc… I spend a lot of time experimenting and then eventually stumble upon something that becomes a project.

Last year you released your debut album, Italian Robot, what did that mean to you and were there any other standout moments?

I consider that album more of a closing chapter than a debut. It represents a one-off sound aesthetic, the climax of a period in my life centered around strictly artificial music. That phase came to an end with the discovery and acceptance of my voice and a desire to be vulnerable, more human, in a sense, and more in touch with my human experience on this beautiful planet.

What do you love about the Berlin music scene?

The incredible diversity it offers! When people think of Berlin they always think only of the electronic music scene, but there is so much more that this city has to offer in a multitude of genres and venues.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Open air venue by the water!

How has your own style and sound evolved since you first started making music?

I feel like I’ve come full circle – took the long road only to return to where I began. What I mean is, I started out spontaneous, then went through a phase of ‘professionalising’, and now I’ve shed all that baggage. I just do what feels right, but with the added skills I picked up along the way.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

I don’t really have one. Sorry! The only thing I dream about is making great music, so any artist I can collaborate with in order to create that special moment is my ‘dream artist’.

Your new EP, CLUB EXIT, dropped earlier this month – can you tell us a little bit about how you approached it, and how did the process differ from the album?

CLUB EXIT is the first project that fully embraces my voice and vulnerability. Honestly, this feels more like a debut than my album. It feels like the beginning of a sound that is entirely my own and one that can carry my human stories to others, so we can keep each other company, right here, right now.

What message did you want to get across with this release, and what do you hope listeners take away from your music?

The message is simple: hold on to your integrity and sense of responsibility to live a loving life. Embrace accountability, and grow toward the light with roots that draw strength from your past.

Which artists have you had on repeat recently?

I listened quite a bit to Saya Gray this week!

You have a collaborative project coming next month, what can you tell us about it?

I’m really excited about this one! It’s a collaboration with my dear friend Charlie Vaux, an incredibly talented, multi-disciplinary artist. For this project, I composed the music while Charlie shared their powerful story of fluidity and transition. I simply served as a channel, translating their journey into sound and aiming to amplify the message of self-acceptance through an impactful musical arrangement. I think it turned out well… but now it’s up to the listener to decide!

If you could curate your dream festival, who would be your three headliners – and where would it take place?

This week I can tell you that Saya Gray, JMSN, and Charlotte Day Wilson would be my pick! Maybe next week someone else haha.

What advice would you give to emerging artists who are just starting to find their voice?

Experiment a lot! There’s absolutely no right or wrong, follow your instinct with courage and discipline. You never know what’s good until you pursue your vision. What everyone thinks is just a half formed opinion that means nothing at all. This is true also for people you look up to. They actually don’t know what they’re talking about. No one knows. Your instinct has thousands of years of evolutionary experience, a random person might have a bunch of years. Who are you gonna follow?

Lastly, what else is on the horizon for 2025?

The first steps of what feels like a real debut album…

Listen to Club Exit below