MAFRO releases new EP ‘Higher’

Rising electronic producer MAFRO has today released his highly-anticipated EP Higher via LG105. The prolific, North London based artist has spent the past year solidifying himself as dance music’s next major breakthrough, with a natural talent for writing crossover hits that appeal to both the headphones and the dancefloor.

Lead single ‘No Teacher’ launched last night as BBC R1’s Hottest Record which began life as a downtempo R&B track that MAFRO wrote in his first ever studio in Tottenham. Over time the track developed to what it is now, something more euphoric and powerful than its R&B beginnings as MAFRO explains: “Whilst starting the journey of writing this EP, I began to think about different vocalists I could work with to elevate the tracks. IYAMAH was the first artist I did a session with and I was super excited about it, given she’s such an incredible singer. Her voice tied in perfectly with how the track was sounding and we began to develop what you can hear today. One of the first tracks I started writing for the project has now become the focal point of the release. It’s a track about new beginnings, learning, growth and love.” On the lyrics, IYAMAH adds: “I wrote it about owning your scars, turning pain into power… lessons that make us who we are. Thicker skinned, take no shit kinda vibe!” 

Higher finds MAFRO digging deeper into his love of vocal-centric dance music, exploring an even broader range of instruments and leaning naturally towards pop songwriting and structures. It was his multicultural background that profoundly inspired this EP: growing up in North London with a Trinidadian mother and an Irish father, MAFRO’s home was filled with a blend of steel pan-infused Soca beats, and traditional Irish melodies, while his older sister introduced him to UK Garage and RnB. Accepting this diverse mix of influences wasn’t always easy. He had very different reference points to his friends and as one of the few black or mixed-race people in his circles, MAFRO often struggled to define his identity, both as an individual and as an artist. Over time, embracing this journey of self-discovery grew to become a creative advantage. Rather than viewing his heritage as a burden, he began to dig deeper into it as a source of inspiration. As the electronic music world becomes increasingly more diverse, MAFRO feels more confident than ever leaning into his individuality. Steel drums, gospel pianos, and even elements of traditional Irish music with its extended chord progressions find their way into his music. This fusion doesn’t always make sense on paper, but it’s exactly this experimentation that excites him most as a musician.

In his own words: “When people ask me about the music I create, I often respond with a smile, saying it’s ‘crossover electronic music that can’t be easily labelled.’ And you know what? That feels right to me. It embodies my journey, from feeling slightly out of place growing up to finally creating music that is authentically me.”

MAFRO’s technicolour electronic music strikes the perfect balance between club euphoria and melancholic introspection. The multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter cut his teeth co-writing and co-producing for huge global names including the tear-jerking ‘Killing Me’ with TSHA & Aluna, ‘Somebody’ with TSHA, Ellie Goulding and Gregory Porter, Diplo’s huge breakbeat anthem ‘Let You Go’ as well as working on high level composition projects for British and American Film & TV. Since then, MAFRO has stepped out as a rising star within his own right following the release of his debut EP Bloom earlier this year and is now regarded as one of the most exciting new names in electronic music: Bloom landed MAFRO on NME’s list of emerging artists for 2023 and was supported across the board at BBC R1 by Clara Amfo, Danny Howard, Jack Saunders + many more. He also covered Spotify’s UK House Music playlist for 5 consecutive weeks around the EP with further covers for Metropolis, Portal and The Loft.

So far, MAFRO has released a string of singles in the lead up to the EP, including the euphoric deep house title track ‘Higher’, ‘Bad Enough’ which landed him a premiere on Clara Amfo’s BBC R1 show back in August, ‘Love Me (feat. Eldè) and his most recent piano house cut ‘Try’. Simultaneously focusing on his live show, MAFRO has already supported SG Lewis, Jungle and Bonobo, performed at Field Day & Lost Village last summer and hosted an intimate showcase at Third Man Records in Soho last month. As an essential new addition to your record box, keep an eye out for more from MAFRO coming soon.