Some artists craft songs, and some craft worlds. Thessaloniki-based artist V.A.T. does the latter with “Press Play,” his fourth solo EP and perhaps his most ambitious to date. A producer, songwriter, and now mixer, V.A.T. emerges not only as a skilled architect of sound but also as a storyteller who knows how to blur the lines between memory and momentum, vulnerability and fire, longing and renewal. With enchanting vocals by Eljona Sinjari and final polish from sound engineer Antonis Keramidas at X Classic Studio, this August 29, 2025, release solidifies V.A.T.’s place as a rising force in electronic music, drawing inspiration from legends like Vangelis, Jean Michel Jarre, and The Prodigy while still carving out his own space.
V.A.T. opens the record with a raw self-portrait. “I know it’s been a while. Since my inner child runs wild,” he confesses in “Intro,” a line that grounds you in his world of reflection and reinvention. The track builds from steady percussion and atmospheric layers into an accelerating rhythm that mirrors his lyrics: “put your foot on the gas and fire the nitro.” The vocals, delivered with unpolished sincerity, balance between introspection and urgency, creating a sense of motion and momentum. As a starting point, “Intro” functions as more than an opening—it’s a declaration that the EP is powered by ambition and honesty.
The title track, “Press Play,” is where the record fully reveals its nostalgic heartbeat. Opening with the refrain, “Now is the time, but all I want is simply to rewind,” the song leans into the universal longing to revisit simpler, freer times. V.A.T.’s smooth, earnest vocals capture the sentiment with warmth, especially in vivid lines like, “dance on the sand, always with a Walkman in your hand.” Musically, the track blends crisp percussion, bright guitar strums, and retro-tinged synths into a polished mix that nods to analog eras while remaining fresh. It is both wistful and uplifting—a reminder of how music anchors memory.
If “Press Play” looks backward, “How Can I Forget U” bursts forward with intensity. It’s a sultry anthem steeped in cinematic storytelling: “Story starts some time ago, need to feel desired/saw you standing out my door, got my senses wired.” V.A.T. leans into a performance that’s equal parts vulnerable and bold, his delivery raw yet smooth as he cries out, “God, you made me feel alive, like a newborn baby.” Instrumentation takes on a rock-leaning edge here, with steady percussion and melodic guitar riffs creating a sensual groove. The layering of harmonies around the unforgettable hook, “HOW CAN I FORGET YOU,” makes this track one of the most addictive on the EP—a song that pulses with heat, desire, and a touch of danger.
Dark and moody, “Loosing Control” feels like a fever dream. With lyrics such as “The chase is on, a treasure hunt, my emotions running deep” and “Maybe the treasure’s just a dream, a phantom in my sight,” V.A.T. exposes the turbulence of obsession and longing. His vocals here shift between steady verses and a refrain of haunting intensity: “I am loosing control. I feel you inside me.” The production matches the mood—brooding synth swells, layered melodies, and rhythmic precision envelop the performance in cinematic tension. It’s a track that thrives in its duality: vulnerable yet commanding, hopeful yet despairing.
Closing with grandeur, “Feel the Night” is the EP’s shimmering anthem. Opening with, “It’s midnight, and the stars are bright. My heart’s racing thru the night,” the song feels like stepping into a dreamscape where hope, love, and destiny collide. The vocal delivery is tender yet powerful, particularly when he pleads, “I close my eyes, I feel the glow. I open my eyes. Where did he go?” The production is lush—ethereal synths and echoing guitar textures glide over steady percussion, giving the track a cinematic scope. By the time the chorus blooms, “Let the music guide my heart. Spin the world to make it start,” it feels less like a song and more like a glowing promise of renewal.
With “Press Play,” V.A.T. doesn’t just deliver a collection of songs—he offers an experience. It’s a project rooted in nostalgia but unafraid to explore passion, vulnerability, and reinvention. Featuring the enchanting touch of Eljona Sinjari’s vocals and infused with his lyrical sincerity, the EP feels like a turning point in his career. From the unguarded honesty of “Intro” to the cinematic sweep of “Feel the Night,” Press Play confirms V.A.T. as a bold storyteller and sonic architect, ready to push boundaries while staying grounded in emotion.
Listen to the “Press Play” on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/4buSyGstOLxJnjHxMP8WRI?si=vgkKOuGqQoaBt4-WgiOW0Q
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