Falentin’s (@falentin.dnb) “SHADOWBOXER,” which dropped on March 17 as a single from Make Your Era’s 2026 Spring Mixtape, comes at the front of a release campaign built to show where the label is right now. Founded by Vibe Chemistry, Make Your Era has made its quarterly compilation format a core part of its identity, using it to spotlight newer names while giving the wider label roster a shared framework.
This new ten-track collection, which dropped last March 27, pulls together music from Falentin, Contact Point, Wigman, DEL & GRISEO, Hamses, Magenta, JGA, and SXN JXN, with each artist bringing their own take on jump up drum and bass.
That broader setup gives Falentin’s contribution extra context.
The mixtape is designed for direct club impact, with heavy low end, sharp percussion, and fast mood and pressure shifts. It is not being framed as a one-off single drop, and that matters because the label is clearly trying to build momentum across the full run of releases rather than pin everything on one moment. “SHADOWBOXER” starts that run, so it works as an entry point into the bigger picture while also introducing Falentin’s own sound inside that wider label conversation.
In this interview, Falentin talks about discovery, taste, and the way tracks stay in rotation, and his answers fit well with the mindset behind a release like this. He is not overcomplicating the process or leaning too hard on backstory. The focus stays on feeling, replay value, and whether a record actually holds up over time.
That perspective makes sense in a genre where the first reaction matters, but long-term connection still decides what survives in a DJ’s library.
Interview With Falentin
How does context – such as label identity, artwork, or backstory – shape your relationship with a track?
I can often feel the atmosphere of a track just from the artwork or the overall visual identity around it, and I think that’s a really nice addition to the whole experience. It helps set the mood before even listening and creates certain expectations in my head.
Sometimes it can even influence how I interpret the first few seconds of the track. At the same time, I try not to rely on it too much, for me, the music itself is always the most important part. The context just completes the picture and adds an extra layer, but it should never replace the actual sound.
When you discover something through a playlist, what makes you explore the artist further?
If I really like a track to the point where I’d even buy it on Beatport, that’s usually the moment I start digging deeper into the artist. It’s a natural step for me, if something stands out that much, I want to hear more and understand their sound better. I’ll usually check their other releases, collaborations, or even sets if they’re available online. It often helps me see if that track was a one-off or part of a consistent style.
In many cases, it leads me to discover even more music that fits my taste.
Does knowing more about a record influence how long it stays in your rotation?
Not really, for me it’s purely about how much I enjoy the track. Once I’ve listened to it too many times and it loses that feeling, I naturally move on. I tend to play tracks I love on repeat until I kind of burn them out. It’s almost like I fully extract the emotion or energy they give me.
After that, I’m always looking for something new that brings a similar excitement. It’s a cycle that keeps my library fresh and constantly evolving.
How much does background inform the way you present music in a set?
To be honest, it doesn’t really have a direct influence on how I present music in a set.
My selection is mainly driven by the energy and how the tracks work together in the moment rather than the background behind them. I focus on how the crowd might react and how the flow develops. Even if a track has a strong story, it doesn’t necessarily change how I use it in a mix. What matters most is whether it fits the vibe I’m trying to create. The storytelling happens more through the progression of the set itself.
Can you recall a discovery where the surrounding story deepened your connection?
I wouldn’t say there’s a specific track that comes to mind, but I do think that when a track has a certain story or deeper meaning, it can naturally make the connection stronger over time.
Sometimes you don’t even realize it at first, but it grows on you. Knowing there’s intention behind it can add more weight to repeated listens. It can also change how you interpret certain elements in the track. Over time, that deeper layer can make the track feel more personal.
How do you balance immediate feeling with deeper understanding when selecting music?
Most of the time I go with the initial feeling, but if I sense there’s something deeper behind a track, I sometimes try to understand where that comes from.
It can add another layer to how I experience it. I might look into the artist’s background or the context of the release. That said, I don’t overanalyze everything because I don’t want to lose the raw emotional impact. It’s more about balancing instinct with curiosity. In the end, the feeling always comes first.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
