I've been waiting for this record since the summer of 2025, when Lu shared with me Collect 200's "Dream". Instant boogie, and so is the duo's debut album Everything Will Be Alright, released today.

Collect 200 is the creative child of singer/songwriter Stevie Appleton and producer Nick Henriques, who strip away individual success and merge their groove-driven energy into this project. Inspired by indie dance, hazy psychedelia, and aiming to echo the spirit of artists like Jungle, Caribou, and Tame Impala, Collect 200 does feel like a breath of fresh air.

A few hours ago, they announced the release of Everything Will Be Alright with a heartfelt message, "The idea for this project started about 3 years ago as friends writing music for other artists. We began getting together in the evenings, jamming on a sound that felt more true to us, leaning into our passions and influences with no boundaries, no pressure, no idea where it might end up." One listen to the album, and you'll feel how much fun they had making this record.

They elaborate, "Deep down, though, this is everything we ever wanted. Our own project, our own style. To countless hours in the studio, crazy highs, stumbling on a new idea, crazy lows, struggling to finish one. It’s all part of the process, and now we finally get to share it. We hope it brings you as much joy as it brought us to make."

I decide to spotlight the album's title track (and opener), "Everything Will Be Alright" - a champion of dance groove and instant prime spot on our Dance Vibes playlist. It has this 70s funk, but mixed with a slight Daft Punk energy, which I'm a huge sucker for.

posted by Ivo
3 h ago