Chicago’s rising talent Azzecca has officially unveiled her latest production, the sultry and compelling ‘Ego Death.’ Released via REALM Records, the track has already made a significant impact, surpassing 10,000 Spotify streams within its first 24 hours. This success follows a string of high-profile releases on labels like Higher Ground and Another Rhythm, cementing her status as a formidable force in the electronic scene.
Reflecting on the creative process, Azzecca—born Allie DeCastris—describes ‘Ego Death’ as her favorite project to date. The track was born from a vocal sample that set the tone for the entire composition. ‘I’ve always been fascinated by the power of psychedelics and the idea of “Ego Death,”’ she explains. ‘I believe there’s a similar feeling you can achieve on the dancefloor when the world sort-of opens up to you and you’re able to connect with yourself and others in new, less egocentric ways. I personally love the juxtaposition between euphoria and darkness in music and I think ‘Ego Death’ encapsulates that vibe well.’
The Dancefloor Experience
When asked about the ideal setting for the track, Azzecca notes its versatility. ‘It doesn’t really fall into one specific genre, so it’s an easy song to place in a set. It’s big enough to go off at peak time, but it’s also funky enough to get the dancefloor moving a bit earlier. An ideal setting to drop the song would be when you have a crowd that’s down to close their eyes and get a bit lost.’
Her recent touring schedule has taken her to iconic venues, including Printworks and fabric in London. Comparing the international crowds, she observes, ‘I think there’s a pretty distinct difference between UK crowds and US crowds in that you can be a bit more experimental in the UK. There are so many sounds that I love that originated in the UK that are just now starting to gain recognition and momentum in the US.’
Production Philosophy
Discussing her workflow, Azzecca reveals that her tracks often begin with a bassline, a lead, or a vocal sample. ‘I really like to use funky arps in my songs, so sometimes I’ll just play with making arps and basslines for hours until I land on some combination that feels right,’ she says. She also recently tackled her first remix for TIBASKO’s ‘Still Rushing,’ a project she found rewarding due to the strength of the original elements. ‘I wanted to change the production to a 4×4 that would fit a bit more seamlessly into my sets, and I wanted to make the track a bit darker and heavier than my previous releases.’
As she continues her tour, including upcoming appearances in New York and Miami, Azzecca remains focused on pushing her sound forward. ‘Ego Death’ is available now on all major streaming platforms.
