The name may be new to you, but the artist won’t be. Recording for the first time under his own name, Massimo Di Lena is the upstart Napolitan talent better known as Massi DL. Since 2006, he’s been turning heads with tight, spring-loaded funk for Frankie, Trapez, Soma and his own Wordless label, a collaboration with Lucio Aquilina; more recently he’s been traveling semi-incognito as one-half of Horacio, alongside Dario di Pace, and pursuing a deeper, housier direction. Now he’s come up with two absolutely devastating cuts—plus two slam-bang digital exclusives— confirming his arrival as a major talent. There’s no shortage of ’90s-inspired house going around at the moment, but seldom does it hit like “Gypsytown” does. Featuring headlong, skipping snares and white-hot hi-hats, it grabs you by the collar from the get-go, but it never sacrifices nuance for force. Between the walking bass line, wordless vocal shots and a lush, evolving fourbar refrain, there’s something almost sweet about it—a dizzy, carefree quality, like the head-rush of new love. With pulse-raising 909 snares, perky organ counterpoints, and even a hint of two-step in the swing and the burbly bass, “Gypsytown” models itself after ’90s U.K. house as much as it does Chicago or New York, and it’s a worthy addition to a long, evolving tradition. “Raw Track (Shout Mix)” couldn’t have a more perfect title: this is house music stripped back to its essence, with every part—chunky drum-machine beats, a squiggly Rhodes melody, chest-thumping bass and an infectious, celebratory whoop—calculated for maximum impact. Except here’s the thing: it doesn’t sound the least bit calculated, just lithe, limber and imbued with an almost elemental energy.

2000 and One: “Phat groove house music, will play. ”

Akufen: “Solid house cuts! ”

Anthony Collins (Vakant): “Raw Track for me. Good job Massi !! ”

Brothers Vibe: “Tight EP! Feelin' the Raw Track, tight beats - SUPER! ”

D'Julz (Circus Company): “Great ep ! Super funky beats. Untold Story and 9991 Highway are my fav here. ”

De:Bug Magazin: “Wer bei diesem Titel erwartet, dass hier die Latinbügel bestiegen werden, der dürfte überrascht sein, wenn der Titeltrack erst mal ein dicht schiebend funkiger Housetrack mit Soulthema in den flatternden Vocalsphären ist und alles in der deepen Orgel von Klassik summt, bis die Melodien immer dreister aus den Synths blubbern und sich der Track selber auf der Bühne feiert wie einen Rockstar aus dem Mothership. Killer. Die Rückseite hört das Gras wachsen, schleicht sich an, macht aber dann auch keinen Hehl draus, dass die Synths hier alles beherrschen dürfen und mitten im schnippischen fast angescratchten Groove der Funk durch notorisches Beharren auf der Killersequenz entstehen muss. Eine der direktesten Cadenzaplatten seit langem.”

DJ Sneak: “Really great house feeling here. will play out like mad. ”

dubfire: “Been following Massi DL's work for ages. Love the old school vibe of this! ”

Felipe Venegas: “Supa nice release, !!!! Gypsytown is powerfull, both track, play it for sure Raw track is a great dancefloor tool cadenza ever is potent. ”

Francisco Allendes: “Loving the whole release, excellent sound! ”

Gavin Herlihy: “Massimo's take on house is definitely the sound of now. My favourites here are 'Raw Track' and 'THe Untold Story' Thanks.. ”

Jamie Jones: “Great EP, every track has something! will be playing all probaby. But especially like Gypsy Town and Untold Story. ”

Kabale Und Liebe: “Cool ep! nice house stompers. loving all tracks. 9991 and Raw Track are my favs. Ful support! ”

lauhaus: “Really amazing release by massimo. love all tracks, but raw track is my favourite. full support and in my next chart”

Laurent Garnier: “Ohhh yes , these tracks swings a lot Full support from me.”

Lee Van Dowski: “I play all the tracks!!!!! great release. ”

Matthias Tanzmann: “Fantastic release! I can't really say which of the tracks is my favourite. will probably play them all. thanks for that! ”

Mendo: “Great EP !!! Big support for the Raw Track (Shout mix) & The Untold Story. I play both for sure ”

Michel Cleis: “Massi drives!! Full big support!!! ”

Oleg Poliakov: “DOPE !!!! will play and chart ! thxx ”

Pete Tong: “Love this sound RAW TRACK is the one for me. ”

Ralp Lawson: “Wow nice new direction, for label. It sounds like 1996 is here again ! ”

Robert Dietz: “Hot shit in here. love the whole package... Ruff, rugged and raw! ”

Tedd Patterson: “Pretty cool ep. 2 tracks that Im gonna try out are Raw and Untold Story. I like the oldschool vibe on these.”

Tiefschwarz: “nice! like all tracks - raw track is my favorite.. merci beaucoup ”