Contributing Writer
Brooklyn’s Kozlow closes out 2025 with New York Blues, the fourth release on his fast-rising label ANTHR FCKNG PARTY. Blending house swing with the moody, late-night pulse of the city, the track digs deeper into the roots and raw energy that shaped both the artist and the DIY party-turned-label. Today, we sit down with Kozlow to explore the story behind New York Blues and what this final drop of the year signals for AFP’s evolution.
‘New York Blues’ closes out the year for ANTHR FCKNG PARTY — what made this the right track to sign off 2025 with?
Hey Music Is 4 Lovers! Been scoping you guys out for a long time, so it’s super cool to get a chance to chat. Honestly, I don’t think there was any deep intention behind this being the last track of the year. It just ended up that way. But if we want to give it some poetic meaning, we can say New York gets sad in the winter, and the release kind of reflects that seasonal mood. How’s that?
This release digs into your Brooklyn roots. What parts of the city or your upbringing are woven directly into the track?
I once heard someone describe New York like this: when it’s good, it’s incredible and brings people together. When it’s bad, it can be brutally lonely. After 13 years of living here, I’ve definitely lived both sides of that. There’s nothing quite like feeling sad in New York City for no reason at all. That vibe is baked into the track.
AFP has evolved from a DIY pop-up into a fully formed label. What’s been the biggest shift for you during that transition?
It’s funny how your perspective changes depending on the role you’re in. When I was hitting up venues as a DJ, trying to get booked, that felt one way. When I started throwing parties and DJs were asking me to play, that flipped things. Turning the party into a label was another shift Now DJs are sending me their unreleased music, and suddenly I’m the one deciding what fits the label. “With great power comes great responsibility,” as they say. We didn’t get any outside-artist releases out in 2025, but we’re kicking off 2026 strong. On January 10, we’re dropping our first VA with a bunch of incredible New York producers.
Your first three releases caught the attention of some heavyweight names. How has that support shaped your momentum this year?
It’s definitely cool to see artists you admire support the records. I don’t know that it changes everything instantly, but it’s validating and inspiring. Sometimes I’ll call my dad like, “Hey, insert-name-here played my track,” and he’s like, “I have no idea who that is,” and I’m like, “Alright man, thanks.” Momentum is real, though. It feels like we’re moving in the direction I want: release good music, stay in the studio, play good shows, keep the focus. My high school lacrosse coach would say, “Stay humble and stay hungry,” so I’ll steal that.
The label’s identity is gritty, unfiltered, and dancefloor-first – how do you keep that energy front and center as AFP grows?
Totally. And as the brand grows, you get more control over the narrative. When you’re a small party and you say “no lineup, no phones,” sometimes the party suffers because you don’t have the weight yet to enforce those things. Same with photos. But as AFP gets bigger and the presence grows, we can really lean into that ethos without compromising the vibe That part actually motivates me a lot.
With ‘New York Blues’ closing the year, what kind of evolution or surprises can we expect from you and the label in 2026?
I cannot wait to drop this VA and show everyone the artwork. Beyond that, I hope we can take AFP on the road in a meaningful way and bring the party to other cities. We’ll see what unfolds.
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