Cloonee Brings a Darker Edge to Hellbent Records With ‘XTC’

Following a landmark year that saw him appear on the cover of DJ Mag, Cloonee has returned to his own imprint, Hellbent Records, with his first release of 2026, ‘XTC’. The single arrives as a focused continuation of the sound he has been refining over the past year, leaning into darker club structures and controlled tension rather than festival-scale theatrics.

‘XTC’ is built around a lead vocal from Jocelyn Enriquez, paired with clipped synth stabs and rolling late-night percussion. The production centers on pressure and restraint, allowing the groove to develop gradually rather than relying on immediate payoff. Low-end movement stays hypnotic and measured, while the drums remain locked into a steady, forward-moving pattern designed for extended mixing rather than quick drops.

The track has already been circulating quietly in Cloonee’s DJ sets, where it has stood out for its ability to shift room energy without overwhelming it. Instead of chasing obvious peaks, ‘XTC’ holds its ground through repetition and subtle evolution, making it a functional tool for long blends and late-hour programming.

A Sharper Direction for Hellbent Records

Releasing ‘XTC’ on Hellbent reinforces the label’s role as Cloonee’s primary testing ground for his most direct ideas. Since launching the imprint, he has used it as a space to explore a heavier and more club-oriented version of his sound, distinct from his wider touring profile. This latest single continues that trajectory, presenting a record that is intentionally narrow in focus and built for practical use inside DJ sets.

The structure favors tension over release, with minimal breakdowns and a steady sense of propulsion. Vocals are treated more as rhythmic anchors than as hooks, and the arrangement avoids dramatic shifts in favor of subtle adjustments in texture and energy. It is a format that suits the environments Cloonee has been targeting, particularly darker rooms and longer sessions where tracks need to hold attention without demanding it.

Positioning ‘XTC’ as his first release of the year also sets an early tone for what follows. Rather than opening 2026 with a crossover record, Cloonee has chosen a piece that emphasizes discipline and control, reinforcing the underground identity of the Hellbent catalogue. The move aligns with the label’s recent output, which has leaned toward records designed for working DJs rather than chart momentum.

With ‘XTC’, Cloonee continues to narrow his focus on how tracks function in real spaces. The result is a single that prioritizes groove, pacing, and room awareness over spectacle. As both an artist and label head, he appears to be doubling down on a sound that values consistency and long-term use over short-term impact.

Following a landmark year that saw him appear on the cover of DJ Mag, Cloonee has returned to his own imprint, Hellbent Records, with his first release of 2026, ‘XTC’. The single arrives as a focused continuation of the sound he has been refining over the past year, leaning into darker club structures and controlled tension rather than festival-scale theatrics.

‘XTC’ is built around a lead vocal from Jocelyn Enriquez, paired with clipped synth stabs and rolling late-night percussion. The production centers on pressure and restraint, allowing the groove to develop gradually rather than relying on immediate payoff. Low-end movement stays hypnotic and measured, while the drums remain locked into a steady, forward-moving pattern designed for extended mixing rather than quick drops.

The track has already been circulating quietly in Cloonee’s DJ sets, where it has stood out for its ability to shift room energy without overwhelming it. Instead of chasing obvious peaks, ‘XTC’ holds its ground through repetition and subtle evolution, making it a functional tool for long blends and late-hour programming.

A Sharper Direction for Hellbent Records

Releasing ‘XTC’ on Hellbent reinforces the label’s role as Cloonee’s primary testing ground for his most direct ideas. Since launching the imprint, he has used it as a space to explore a heavier and more club-oriented version of his sound, distinct from his wider touring profile. This latest single continues that trajectory, presenting a record that is intentionally narrow in focus and built for practical use inside DJ sets.

The structure favors tension over release, with minimal breakdowns and a steady sense of propulsion. Vocals are treated more as rhythmic anchors than as hooks, and the arrangement avoids dramatic shifts in favor of subtle adjustments in texture and energy. It is a format that suits the environments Cloonee has been targeting, particularly darker rooms and longer sessions where tracks need to hold attention without demanding it.

Positioning ‘XTC’ as his first release of the year also sets an early tone for what follows. Rather than opening 2026 with a crossover record, Cloonee has chosen a piece that emphasizes discipline and control, reinforcing the underground identity of the Hellbent catalogue. The move aligns with the label’s recent output, which has leaned toward records designed for working DJs rather than chart momentum.

With ‘XTC’, Cloonee continues to narrow his focus on how tracks function in real spaces. The result is a single that prioritizes groove, pacing, and room awareness over spectacle. As both an artist and label head, he appears to be doubling down on a sound that values consistency and long-term use over short-term impact.