Earlier this month, American record producer and DJ Baauer dropped one of the best dance records of the year. The artist has spent the last six years since his last album, crafting his most personal work to date. Executive produced by Hudson Mohawke, the album also features other collaborators including, Aluna, KUČKA, Brazy and Betsy, alongside piano from Eli Teplin and additional production from Parisi. We spoke to Baauer about creating the euphoric world of U and what else he's been listening to:

We love your new album. How do you feel now that it’s out in the world?

Very Very happy! The best part has been getting messages from people about how the album has made them feel happy. That shows me that the album is working!

Did you have a clear intention when you began to make U?

My last album Planets Mad came right as covid was kicking off, and it was pretty aggressive, moody, eerie, dark. So my intention for U was to do the very opposite, fill it with love, joy and over the top happiness. I wanted to make love songs.

You worked with a few collaborators on this project, primarily Hudson. Why was he the right person to work with on U? What did you learn from him through the making of the record?

He’s someone I've admired musically from the very beginning. To me he has a really timeless taste. His stuff all sounds classic. That's why I wanted his ear and his taste on the record. I wanted to make this record feel classic. While I was working with Hudmo I learned to always be bold and not to be afraid of making big moves even in the late stages of a project. When it comes time to finish a record I'm usually very measured and precious with things.. He isn't afraid to just take a chainsaw to a track and make it insane even in the final stages.

Where did you make most of the album? Is environment important to you when making music?

Most of the ideas started at my home studio in Brooklyn. I started most of the ideas while live streaming as well! I also worked on it in London with the Parisi brothers, and then finished in LA with HudMo. Yea environment is important to me while making music, it really informs the music I make. It's awesome to travel to different places and create. I need to do it more! But I'm also kind of a home body, so I end up doing most stuff here in Brooklyn.

Obviously this album is perfect for a dance floor and especially for summer. What was inspiring you when you were making the music?

I was thinking about the perfect dance pop records. Like Calvin Harris. I wanted to make that kind of perfectly cheesy (in a good way) banger. And I wanted to keep the whole thing as happy and joyful as possible.

Where is the ultimate dance floor or club or setting that you’d love to hear a track off the album?

It's gotta be outdoors, under a blue sky. This whole project is all about sun and light. And maybe it's muddy too… for those classic UK festival vibes. A little bit of grit.

Is there a song you are really proud of yourself for finishing and releasing on this project?

Nothings Ever Real ft. Betsy… I actually already released the track a couple years ago! But then I wrote another version with the PARISI brothers, and I loved it so much. So I thought.. What the hell, release it again! I like that kind of approach, because I'm always second guessing like “ahh why didnt I release that other verison??” I think it's cool to release multiple versions of a track, the song almost becomes a living, evolving thing.

What has been the most rewarding part of making U?

Releasing music that sounds different than what I have made before, and having people receive it with open arms. I was kinda nervous to put this album out because there wasn't much bass heavy trap stuff on there, I thought people would dismiss it. But on the contrary, I'm surprised at just how down people are for something different. It's awesome and it means a lot to me.

Which other artists have you been listening to? Who is exciting you right now?

There are so many insanely talented artists out there it's kinda daunting. This dude just DM’d yesterday saying he liked the album and I checked out his music and he’s SICK. His name is Different. Cool name lol.

What’s next?

Im working on a couple projects that involve the ‘talking about music’ part of my career: an interview series and a travel show. Very stoked to release those. And of course more music always!

Listen to the album HERE.

@baauer