Contributing Writer
German producer and Radikon label founder Jonas Saalbach invites listeners into his deep and emotive soundscapes through his Purified Records debut – Data Romance EP – including a compelling title track remix by German luminary and label regular, Lexer.
Stream / Purchase: Jonas Saalbach – ‘Data Romance’ EP
Balancing human emotion with digital precision, ‘Data Romance’ opens with a sense of restrained anticipation. Uniting gentle synth stabs and vocal fragments, Saalbach blends euphoric melodic phrases and crisp rhythmic elements, creating an intimate yet expansive mood. Leaning further into his percussive instincts, ‘Human Oscillator’ is driven by hypnotic rhythms and subtly shifting bassline patterns. Showcasing Saalbach’s refined, hardware-driven production approach the track’s layered synth work and kinetic low-end give it a more physical edge, while maintaining the emotional undercurrent that runs throughout the release.
Closing the EP, Lexer reimagines ‘Data Romance’ through his own inimitable lens. ‘Lexer’s Analog Heart Remix’ introduces fresh harmonic textures and a deeper atmosphere, offering a nuanced, emotive take that complements the original while standing firmly on its own.
Spirited emotion is the protagonist in Jonas Saalbach’s brand of electronic dance music. Deeply lifting and body moving, he has chartered releases on a variety of labels, and founded his Radikon imprint in 2018 with David Guzy. Almost one hundred releases later, some of the scene’s most in-demand acts have featured on the label. Travelling the globe for almost a decade, Jonas has performed at iconic venues including Zamna, Fusion Festival, Burning Man, as well as an awe inspiring set on a cliff in the Norwegian fjords for Cercle, which was broadcast to over 17 million viewers. His sophisticated melodic style breathes new life into unusual and distinctive sounds, transforming them into timeless dancefloor anthems.
Lexer is more than a DJ and producer – he’s a storyteller behind the decks. Born and raised in Leipzig, he crafts emotionally charged moments that extend far beyond the dancefloor, blending warm melodic and deep house into a sound that invites listeners to truly feel every beat. With three albums and a steady stream of acclaimed releases on labels such as Purified, This Never Happened, and When Stars Align, as well as through his own imprint Manus In Mano, Lexer continues to shape a deeply authentic artistic vision. On stage, his radiant presence and immersive musical storytelling dissolve the barrier between artist and audience, turning every set into a journey of freedom, connection, and joy. Refusing to conform to trends or hype, he remains driven by soul, honesty, and the power of music to move people from the inside out.
The artwork for this release, captured by Sandra Pesonen (@iamsandyra), features a waterfall cutting through dense nature, a visual metaphor for flow, connection and transmission. Just as data moves silently through unseen networks, water travels across land, shaping everything it touches before reaching the ocean.
The ocean is fed by countless streams, creeks, and waterfalls that flow from land across the world, carrying everything they touch along the way. Because we are all connected by this shared water system, it is everyone’s responsibility to keep these places clean, protected, and deeply appreciated for the life they support. This image reflects the core idea behind ‘Data Romance’: the tension and harmony between human emotion and larger systems that connect us all. A reminder that beneath technology, movement and momentum, there is always something organic, continuous and alive.
Looking to help further protect the planet? Explore Only One, the action platform for the planet, on a mission to restore ocean health and tackle the climate crisis – with the power of the people.
Jonas Saalbach
Lexer
Purified Records