While we work on our year-end highlights, we wanted to hear directly from artists about how 2025 has been for them, and what they’re looking forward to in 2026.
Discover their answers in our Questionnaire, alongside their Best of 2025 tracks, albums, and mixes. The first artist to respond is Carlos Nilmmns, with many more to come, stay tuned.
What’s one thing you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
Firstly thanks for reaching me, Its always a pleasure to keep in touch with Dubiks.
Nearly 25 years of making music has taught me that no matter how long you’ve been doing this, there’s always room to grow, improve, and explore. This year reminded me how exciting it is to keep evolving and pushing my ideas into new styles. I treat what I do as an art, so pushing my compositions into different styles in key. I also found real joy in supporting and mentoring younger artists, giving back a little of what others once gave me. I remember how tough it was when I was starting, so helping others now feels important.
How has your creative process evolved over the past year?
I’ve been diving back into the gear I dreamed about as a kid, classic 90s racks and hardware. I’ve finally been able to acquire some of my favourites. I used to spend hours in Sound Control in Glasgow going through the sounds on every keyboard and machine. Bringing those pieces into my studio has sparked new ideas and pushed my sound into fresh spaces. But honestly, great gear isn’t everything, my first breakthrough record was made on a cheap sampler that didn’t sync properly, recorded straight into a MiniDisc!
Who or what inspired your work the most in 2025?
People with honesty, passion, and integrity. Laurent Garnier, Keter Darker, Martin youANDme, DJ Deep, and Jules (Voltaire) especially. It’s rare in this industry to be surrounded by people who genuinely support each other without ego or agenda. Cod3 QR and Ornaments feel like real families, everyone loves the music and lifts each other up. That energy meant a lot to me this year.
What’s something you accomplished this year that the “you from last year” wouldn’t believe?
That I’d focus so deeply into jazzier side of deep house. People know me for deeper sounds, but this year I felt completely at home in that space. It feels like I’ve found my true lane, following what feels right without worrying about trends, hype, or expectations. Hopefully creating something timeless.
Is there something you hoped to accomplish in 2025 but didn’t, and are now aiming for in 2026?
I’d love to play more live. I showcased my live set in Maastricht this year and was honestly ready but a bit nervous, Laurent and Mirko had just finished incredible sets before me. But taking the vibe in a different direction and feeling the crowd react the way they did gave me a huge confidence boost. It showed me that the live show has real potential, so I’m aiming to do much more of that in 2026. Nothing beats playing the music you create to an audience who totally gets it.
What’s one goal, big or small, you’re setting for yourself as an artist in 2026?
I have releases lined up for January, April, July, and December, plus a few solo projects that labels are interested in signing. After those, my main goal is to focus on a new LP. I’ve got so much music sitting on the hard drive, I think it’s time to shape it into something meaningful.
What are you most excited to explore creatively in 2026?
I want to keep developing my jazz-influenced deep house sound, pushing it further, making it richer, and hopefully working with more live musicians. France has so many insanely talented jazz players. Even though it can be expensive, I’d love to collaborate more and bring that human, expressive touch deeper into my music.
Is there a new medium, project, or direction you’re planning to dive into next year?
2026 is already pretty packed, but after that I’m looking toward creating a full LP in 2027. Everything for next year is pretty much planned so I can take my time. One LP will be more of a listening experience. Ornaments is interested in doing one, and I already have a lot of material ready. I’m excited to take on something bigger and more cohesive.
Your Message for Fans & Music Lovers
Thank you for supporting real artists and real music. Thank you for listening, sharing, dancing, and believing in what we do. Behind every track are countless hours in bedrooms and studios, and knowing that people connect with that work means everything. I appreciate every single one of you.
Happy Holidays folks!!!!
CARLOS NILMMNS Top 20 – Best of 2025
(In no particular order — I never choose favourites!)
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- Deetron – Double – Running Back
- Aubrey – Rift Zone – Skylax France
- Tony Touch & Even Everett – No Wonder (Yoruba Soul Mix) – Funk Box Records
- Laurent Garnier – Back Where I Belong (Solaris Mix) – Cod3 QR
- Mirko Loco – Mind Your Step – Cod3 QR
- DJ Deep – Cable Guy – Gettraum
- Carlos Nilmmns – Moon Dance – Cod3 QR
- Carlos Nilmmns – Riviera – Cod3 QR
- Lesterr – Verloren (Isolée Mix) – Ornaments
- Gerd – Gentle Intensity – 4Lux Black
- Tiger Stripes – All Night Long – Rekids
- G – Work – Running Back
- DJ Nature – Dirty Games – Nature Boy Holland
- Domenic Cappello – Galactic Praise – Cyphon
- Ron Trent / Chez Damier – Morning Factory (Atjazz Extended Mix) – Recording
- Millstart – Interstellar Feelings – Axis US
- Ian Pooley – Higgledy Piggledy! – Pooled Music Germany
- Los Hermanos – Hey You – Rawax Motor City Edition
- Francis Overcast – I Ain’t (Kenny Dope Remix) – Kay-Dee US
- Anthony “Shake” Shakir – Arise (Rolando Remix) – Syncrophone
Carlos Nilmmns Album of The Year 2025?
Voltaire’s album “Echoes”
About CARLOS NILMMNS (BIO)
“UK producer and DJ Ross McMillan is Carlos Nilmmns, whose name has become synonymous with an eclectic but often deep and sensual sound influenced by the traditions of Chicago and Detroit. In the past, he’s released on some of the best-of-breed labels in the world including Circus Company, Cocoon, Ornaments, KMS, Planet E, and Dopewax.” — 5 Magazine USA
Carlos Nilmmns has released music on a diverse range of respected labels, including Ornaments Music (Berlin), Cod3 QR (Laurent Garnier’s label), Planet E Communications (Carl Craig’s label), Circus Company (Paris), TRAX Records (under Sony), Cocoon Recordings (Sven Väth’s label), Dopewax (Kenny Dope’s label), SKYLAX Records (in partnership with Virgin/Universal Music France), KMS Records (Kevin Saunderson’s label), and Character (Deetron’s label).
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