DAJAE — Brighter Days (remixes)

Dajae – Brighter Days (Remixes) arrives on Big Love as catalogue BL170V, a 12-inch vinyl that revisits the Chicago house anthem with a fresh suite of club-ready reinterpretations. The release gathers heavyweight remixers for a disco-inflected, club-focused journey, offering DJs a palette of soulful vocal cuts and deep dub treatments that sit comfortably in both peak-time and late-night slots. Within the Big Love catalogue, BL170V follows a string of dance-floor oriented outings earlier in 2026, such as Al Kent with The Disco Love Orchestra’s “Come Back Home (Again)” (BL169V) and the “Silja Line Superstar” EP by Ari Bald & CJ Scott (BL166). The label’s recent focus on uplifting disco and house textures frames Dajae’s remix collection as a continuation of that aesthetic, while also expanding the roster of remix talent featured on the imprint. Side A opens with Harry Romero’s “House Me Up Remix”. Romero, a New Jersey stalwart, layers a nod to the iconic bassline of ESG’s 1980s track “Moody” with his own organ and synth lines, constructing a house journey that balances reverence and originality. The remix sets a bright, rhythmic tone that segues naturally into the second A-side. A2 presents DJ Spen & MicFreak’s “Vocal Remix”. Built on the original song’s arrangement, this version accentuates the soulful vocal delivery, steering the mix toward an infectious dub groove that rewards underground house enthusiasts. Its structure maintains the emotive core of the source material while injecting a dancefloor-ready momentum. Side B begins with the “Gospel Anthem Remix” by DJ Spen together with Thommy Davis & Gary Hudgins. The trio retains the familiar vocal hooks from the original dub, but enriches the texture with fresh vocal contributions from Inaya Day and Shout, delivering a soaring, gospel-inflected anthem that amplifies the track’s uplifting spirit. The fourth position, B2, is the “Hump Mix” from DJ Spen & MicFreak. This cut unfolds as an epic dub workout, extending the rhythmic foundation into a deeper, more resonant space that invites extended mixing and layering. Its weighty low end and evolving arrangement make it a potent tool for building tension in a set. Closing the record, B3 offers the “Unda DaGround” remix, also by DJ Spen & MicFreak. This version pushes the dub aesthetic further, diving into a darker, more subterranean groove that rewards patient, progressive mixing. Its stripped-back approach provides a contrasting texture to the earlier, more vocal-driven cuts, rounding out the release with a comprehensive view of contemporary house production. For Dajae’s catalogue, this collection stands out as a reinterpretation of a seminal track, showcasing how current producers can re-contextualise a classic while preserving its core emotional resonance. Within Big Love’s output, the release reinforces the label’s commitment to high-quality disco and house releases that appeal to both collectors and active DJs. From a DJ’s perspective, the record offers a versatile toolkit: the Harry Romero remix works as an uplifting opener, the DJ Spen vocal version fits smoothly into soulful set peaks, while the gospel anthem provides a celebratory lift. The two dub-heavy mixes—Hump and Unda DaGround—serve as deep-cut options for late-night or back-to-back transitions, allowing for dynamic set shaping across a range of tempos and moods. The record is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, matching the format expectations of club-oriented collectors who value tactile, analog playback. Its side-sequenced layout supports traditional mixing techniques, with each cut occupying a clear position for cueing and blending. Dajae – Brighter Days (Remixes), Big Love, catalogue BL170V, 12-inch vinyl, five tracks. Tracklist: A1. Dajae – Harry Romero House Me Up Remix A2. Dajae – DJ Spen & MicFreak Vocal Remix B1. Dajae – DJ Spen, Thommy Davis & Gary Hudgins Gospel Anthem Remix B2. Dajae – DJ Spen & MicFreak Hump Mix B3. Dajae – DJ Spen & MicFreak Unda DaGround