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Deadmau5 Drops 'Quezacotl,' His First Solo Track In Two Years

The Canadian electronic music legend debuted the seven-minute opus during his ‘retro5pective: 25 years of deadmau5’ shows in New York and L.A. earlier this year, and has now released it in full as the lead single from his upcoming some ep, out July 19.

deadmau5 performing at the Hollywood Bowl April 27, 2024

deadmau5 performing at the Hollywood Bowl April 27, 2024

Leah Sems

Canadian dance-floor hitmaker deadmau5 has dropped his first solo track in two years.

The acclaimed producer has been busy celebrating his 25-year career of late, with sold-out retrospective shows in New York and L.A this spring. In June, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Week Hall of Fame, accompanied by a fireside chat with Billboard Canada's Richard Trapunski that saw him reflecting on his trajectory.


Now, he's looking ahead to the future, with the seven-minute opus "Quezacotl" coming as the lead single off a new EP. The mesmerizing track begins with bright, piercing synths that gather in intensity before cutting away to a sharp drop, making way for hypnotic pulsing bass and sharp kick drum that guide the song forward.

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deadmau5 debuted the track live at his retrospective shows and has been performing it at summer dates, prepping fans for the official release. He has a series of upcoming dates this month, taking him from Surrey, B.C., to India and Spain, leading up to the July 19 release of the three-track some ep, arriving on his label mau5trap.

In his conversation at Canadian Music Week, the musician described the relationship between his work in the studio and his live set, emphasizing a desire to create continuity between them. "What takes me all day in the studio for 15 minutes on stage, I want to make it cohesive enough for someone to make that connection and see what [I'm] trying to do," he explained.

"Quezacotl" is the first solo deadmau5 release since 2022's "XYZ," and emphasizes that even as the artist is reflecting on an already-prolific career, there's still plenty more in store.

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Phil Lesh of The Grateful Dead poses backstage at Robertson Gym on Feb. 27, 1977 at U.C Santa Barbara.
Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images

Phil Lesh of The Grateful Dead poses backstage at Robertson Gym on Feb. 27, 1977 at U.C Santa Barbara.

Rock

Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead Bassist, Dead at 84

"Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love," a statement announcing his death reads.

Phil Lesh, founding member and longtime bassist for legendary rock outfit the Grateful Dead, died on Friday (Oct. 25). He was 84 years old.

The news was announced on social media, with a statement that read, “Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, passed peacefully this morning. He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We request that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time.” No cause of death was given at the time of publication.

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