- 2023's final dance floor anthem?
- Is November too late for "song of the summer?" Either way, Theo Kottis's "Lighthouse" has been floating around DJ sets for a lot longer than its November 29th release date would tell you, and for good reason. It's one of those instantly recognisable tunes built purely to get a reaction out of the crowd. But Kottis does it differently than the other big hits this year. For one, there's no massive vocal hook to get lodged in your head, and no Overmono-style drop. Instead, "Lighthouse" just cruises, built on top of a tough but smooth Reese bassline that feels anthemic every time it resurfaces, though it always enters gracefully. The track hints at the techno scene's ongoing descent into trance and Eurodance with its snappy snares and rippling chords, but Kottis never gives in. The most remarkable thing is how the track keeps its cards relatively close to its chest, choosing subtlety over decadence. Sometimes, slow and steady really does win the race.