Acclaimed electronic powerhouse Ben Nicky and rising star Hix unveiled their collaborative and euphoric hit, ‘Sober’, featuring the outstanding vocalist Tori Smith, on April 11th under the renowned Armada record label, which has the illustrious legend himself, Armin van Buuren, as its founder. ‘Sober’ definitely captivates listeners with its blend of trance and dance-pop, combined with high-tempo production and a memorable vocal hook.
The track thoughtfully explores the emotional complexities of intimacy and heartbreak, examining the protective mechanisms we create in response to vulnerability. By delving into themes of connection and detachment, it captures the contrast between fleeting encounters and sobering realities, symbolized through evocative imagery of dawn departures. Click ‘Play’ on the Spotify link below to stream ‘Sober’ from Ben Nicky, Hix, and Tori Smith, a track that hooks in listeners instantly to vibrant tempos that enhance dream-like emotions that occur through moments that anyone has encountered in their unique lives.
Ben Nicky follows up on success from his most latest bangers
Following the impressive success of ‘Dirty Rave’ and an official remix of Armin van Buuren’s iconic anthem, ‘Destination’, released earlier this year, Ben Nicky has solidified his brands, “Xtreme” and “Emotional Havoc”, as standout names in the dance music scene. “Xtreme” represent his hardstyle side while “Emotional Havoc” shows off his unique trance musical style. These brands consistently attract large audiences at iconic venues worldwide. Currently touring for 2025, Ben is on track to headline major festivals, including EDC Las Vegas, Creamfields, and Mysteryland, further establishing his status as one of the most sought-after DJs in the industry.
Ben Nicky’s innovative approach has made him a genre-defining pioneer within electronic music. He has garnered praise from industry leaders like Diplo and Armin van Buuren while amassing over 100 million streams across hits such as ‘Heater’ and ‘Where Would We Be’. His groundbreaking performances have transformed the landscape of electronic music, including his remarkable achievement of being the first DJ to sell out Wembley Arena as a solo act in 2023. Notably, he is the only artist who presents multi-genre sets on major festival stages like Tomorrowland and Ultra Miami. Through his dynamic brands, “Xtreme” and “Emotional Havoc”, along with a strong social media presence, Ben fosters a global community that celebrates his innovative approach to electronic music.
Hix continues to move upward in his already-illuminating career
Belfast-based DJ and producer Hix has also made a significant impact in the electronic music scene. The rising star has received recognition as one of the most in-demand DJs on the island of Ireland, particularly for his exhilarating club sets. Following his record deal with Warner Records, he launched his career with the debut single, ‘Hold You’, in March 2022, receiving praise from both critics and fans. This was followed by his second single, ‘Oh No You Didn’t’, a collaboration with the respected Kelli-Leigh. With two Grammy nominations, two UK number-one singles, and three UK top 10 singles to her credit, Kelli-Leigh’s partnership with Hix underscores the upward trajectory of his burgeoning career.
As Hix continues to release new music, his work is increasingly recognized on prominent radio stations across the UK and Ireland, including BBC Radio, Capital, Capital Dance, KISS, Hits Radio, Cool FM, RTÉ 2FM, Today FM, iRadio, Spin 1038, and others. This broad radio support solidifies his influence and growing reputation within the electronic music landscape.
Hix describes the production process of ‘Sober’ alongside Ben Nicky and Tori Smith and how it brought out so much joy
‘Sober’ is the definition of an emotional banger for me. The euphoric production paired with Tori’s stunning vocal gives me goosebumps every time. I’ve been a fan and supporter of Ben’s music for years, so getting to finally work together on this track has been an absolute joy.”