New from Cassian: “SOS” is a Hypnotic Track on Experts Only

There’s something cinematic about the way Cassian moves through music—each release feels like a scene in a much larger story. With his latest single “SOS,” the Australian producer opens a darker, sharper chapter, trading in the soaring melodies he’s known for in favor of something more primal. It’s a debut release on John Summit’s Experts Only label, and it lands with the kind of authority that suggests Cassian isn’t just visiting the techno underground—he’s here to claim a corner of it.

Cassian’s roots are in melodic house, and that DNA isn’t erased on “SOS”—it’s just mutated. The track throbs with a layered, brooding bassline, propelled by precise percussive details that feel surgically engineered. There’s an operatic vocal line, ghostly and dramatic, that echoes through the production like a lost transmission. It’s haunting, but also defiant—this isn’t a plea for help; it’s a rallying cry.

What makes this release even more compelling is the context. Cassian isn’t a newcomer testing deep waters; he’s a seasoned architect of sound. He’s fresh off a stint as Music Director for Anyma’s “End of Genesys” residency at the Las Vegas Sphere, where he was responsible for sculpting the show’s entire audio experience. Now, with Tomorrowland’s Mainstage on the horizon, “SOS“ feels like a message in a bottle sent just before a major leap.

The track also arrives with Cassian’s signature wit intact. In a wry aside, he explained that the inspiration came after someone told him he looked like the moai statues of Easter Island—an offbeat origin story that somehow fits the track’s mystical undertones. The mythology writes itself: a DJ travels to Easter Island, hears the statues sing, becomes possessed, and drops a techno banger. Stranger things have launched careers.

More than just a strong release, “SOS” is a statement of intent. It’s Cassian operating with total control, not just as a producer but as a storyteller, tapping into techno’s cinematic possibilities without falling into cliché. It’s music that belongs both on the dancefloor and in your headphones at 3 a.m.—meditative, menacing, and meticulously crafted.

As John Summit continues to shape Experts Only into a label with both clout and curation, having Cassian as part of the roster feels like a savvy move. This isn’t just a release; it’s a creative alliance that could help define the next wave of melodic techno. And if “SOS“ is any indication, Cassian’s signal is loud, clear, and absolutely worth tuning into.