After wrapping up his electrifying Dance Dance Revival tour and rallying Bunnings to host an epic warehouse party, Australian DJ and producer What So Not (Chris Emerson) is back with a new offering: the Motions EP. Described by Emerson as “a love letter to dance music,” this four-track collection is a journey through the emotional landscapes of electronic music, blending elements of house, pop, and experimental sounds.

A Global Collaboration

Motions isn’t just a product of Emerson’s solo effort; it’s the result of an international collaboration, featuring artists from France, the Netherlands, the US, and Australia. Among the standout tracks is “Lights Go Out,” a top 40 Shazam hit featuring Benson and Lucy Lucy. The EP also introduces “Realise,” a fresh single with French producer Habstrakt and LA-based noir-pop singer Maiah Manser.

In reflecting on the creative process, Emerson likened the tracks to flowers blooming in different seasons, each grown from the same garden. “What is the sound of this feeling? This texture? How do you reflect audibly what it’s like to walk barefoot in the grass on a foggy autumn morning?” Emerson muses, emphasizing the introspective and sensory-driven approach that shaped the EP.

Standout Collaborations

The lead single “Realise” is a testament to What So Not’s ability to blend genres and styles. Teaming up with Habstrakt, known for his hard-hitting bass house, and Maiah Manser, whose operatic voice adds an ethereal touch, the track is both captivating and haunting. Emerson recalls being captivated by Manser’s voice, saying, “As soon as I heard her voice, I knew I had to work with her.”

Another highlight of the EP is “Tower In The Woods,” which features MNDR, a frequent collaborator who first gained recognition with Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. Their chemistry in the studio is evident, with Emerson noting how their sessions were like “being on a DMT trip,” full of philosophical and psychological exploration.

A Cinematic Experience

Each track on Motions is accompanied by a cinematic visualizer, crafted by Emerson himself. These visual elements aren’t just music videos—they’re extensions of the sensory experiences that inspired the tracks. “I have a place I go to in my mind for each song I make,” Emerson explains, describing how these visuals help him return to the same stream of consciousness to complete his work.

A Busy Schedule Ahead

What So Not’s release of Motions comes just before a busy period of live performances. He’s set to headline triple j’s One Night Stand alongside G Flip and Ruel, with a special appearance at the Bunnings Warehouse party alongside Peking Duk. But before all that, Emerson will be taking the stage at Burning Man in Nevada, bringing his unique sound to one of the world’s most iconic festivals.

Until then, fans can dive into the Motions EP, a collection that Emerson describes as “a trajectory of love—passion, longing, deciphering, acceptance, trust, separation, and ever after.”

Motions EP Tracklist:

What So Not & Benson – Lights Go Out feat. Lucy Lucy
What So Not – Tower In The Woods feat. MNDR
What So Not & IMANDU – Slow Motion feat. MNDR
What So Not & Habstrakt – Realise feat. Maiah Manser
With Motions, What So Not continues to push the boundaries of electronic music, offering listeners a deeply personal and sonically rich experience.