AXEPT’s seventh release of 2025 marks the debut of rising Swedish melodic house star OLING on Yulia Niko’s powerhouse label. His exhilarating and energetic single, ‘Ded,’ perfectly captures his signature style.
Infused with techy grooves and anchored by a voice recording from his phone, ‘Ded’ is a fusion of influences from across the dance music spectrum. More than just a track, it reflects OLING’s journey over the past year—moving from the serene landscapes of Rättvik to the fast-paced rhythm of Stockholm has added layers of dynamism and edge to his music. The result is a euphoric, uplifting track designed to spark a visceral reaction, drawing listeners onto the dancefloor, whether at a club or a festival.
OLING’s recent releases on Vivrant and ICONYC have earned support from Sasha, Patrice Bäumel, John Digweed, Hernán Cattáneo, Lane 8, and Jeremy Olander. His music has also received extensive radio support from Swedish National Radio P3 and secured notable editorial playlist placements on Spotify and Apple Music, including Open Air, Electronic Rising, and New Music Dance Friday. With momentum building, OLING is widely regarded as one of the most exciting up-and-coming producers in the progressive and melodic house scene.
Yulia Niko says: “We’re thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking release from Sweden, arriving on Axept Recordings—a fresh wave of music that seamlessly blends captivating melodies, techy grooves, and vibrant energy. This unique sound isn’t just another trend; it represents the future of underground music. With melodies that draw listeners in and linger long after the music stops, this track is designed to create an infectious vibe, igniting dance floors and keeping the energy alive.”
You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Ded’ exclusively on When We Dip and check out our exclusive interview with OLING. Enjoy!
WWD: Let’s start with the title — ‘Ded.’ There’s a personal story behind it, involving a simple phone call. Can you walk us through that moment and how it sparked the track?
Yeah, exactly. Sometimes inspiration hits when you least expect it. In the case of ‘Ded,’ it all started with a simple phone call to a close friend on my way home one day in April last year. During the call, we kept repeating the phrase “De e de” — a Swedish expression that roughly means “It is what it is.”
Right after we hung up, I quickly recorded a voice memo with my own vocals, layering in a basic rhythm and a rough bassline — not with a specific idea in mind, but just to capture the moment. A few days later in the studio, I listened back and realized those original vocals still held something special, so I ended up using them in the final version of the track.
WWD: ‘Ded’ blends your signature emotional and melodic style with a more minimal, driving energy. Was that shift intentional, or did it happen organically in the studio?
I’d say it happened pretty organically this time. For me, it all comes down to the vibe I’m in when I’m in the studio. Of course, there are times when I sit down with the intention of creating something big and banging – or super emotional – but honestly, those sessions rarely turn into something I’m truly happy with. It’s hard to create something that lives up to the vision you have in your head.
My best tracks usually come from just messing around and letting the process guide me, without overthinking it. That was definitely the case with ‘Ded’. I’m really happy with how it turned out – it feels like a euphoric, uplifting track that gets under your skin and pulls you onto the dancefloor, whether you’re in a club or at a festival.
WWD: You recorded your own vocals on this track. What made you decide to add your voice, and how does that change the way you connect with the track?
Haha, I’m not entirely sure to be honest. I see the vocal more as an effect than a traditional vocal, so I guess it just came down to how well it blended with the other elements in the track. It had the right texture and energy, and it just felt right.
WWD: Releasing on Axept, Yulia Niko’s label, is a big move. How did that connection come about, and why did it feel like the right home for ‘Ded?’
Yulia and I first connected after she shared a video of her playing ‘Ded’ at X in Dubai on her Instagram back in November last year. She was genuinely excited about the track and told me more about her vision for Axept. That sparked something in me – it felt like a label and a team I wanted to be part of. I’ve been a fan of Yulia for a while, and what she’s building with Axept is impressive, so kicking things off with ‘Ded’ feels like a natural step. We’ll see where it leads and what the future holds.
WWD: Your music has had strong support from major names like Sasha, Digweed, Lane 8, and Jeremy Olander. What kind of impact does that recognition have on your creative process?
That’s an interesting question. For me, it makes a big impact. It feels like a kind of validation – that what I’m doing resonates with artists and curators I’ve looked up to for a long time. It definitely gives me a confidence boost, but more importantly, it motivates me to stay true to my own sound. I try not to let the recognition influence my creative process too much, though. I think the key is to keep creating from an honest, genuine place. And if that connects with people – whether it’s fans or legends in the scene – that’s just a beautiful bonus.
WWD: From the club to the sunrise set—’Ded’ feels versatile. Where do you imagine this track being played, and what kind of energy do you hope it brings to the dance floor?
Hmm, I can actually see ‘Ded’ working in a bunch of different settings. But one thing I know for sure — it’s not a closing track, at least not in my sets. It has that peak-time club energy, but it also hits just right in a mid-day open-air set. I think it all comes down to timing. Whenever you want to shift gears or inject a new wave of energy, ‘Ded’ is the one to reach for — it’s definitely a track that leaves its mark.
WWD: This release seems to mark a new chapter for you. What’s next for OLING, and can we expect more music that leans into this deeper, more driving direction?
I wouldn’t call it a new chapter, but ‘Ded’ definitely marks the beginning of a new side of me – a more distinct and driving sound, tailored for the bigger playgrounds. I’ve been playing more open-to-close sets lately, especially at my own Roots parties, and I absolutely love it. Those nights can stretch from four to nine hours, so keeping the energy flowing throughout is key.
I’ll always have a soft spot for emotional tracks with evolving melodies, but I’ve realized I also need music in my sets that carries the kind of momentum ‘Ded’ has. There’s a lot of great music out there, of course, but there’s something special about delivering an extended set made entirely from your own productions. I’m really happy with how ‘Ded’ turned out – the process was such a vibe – and I hope to keep exploring this direction every now and then to shake things up.
WWD: Amazing! Thanks for the chat 🙂
Release Date: April 11th, 2025. Buy Here
OLING: Instagram // SoundCloud
AXEPT: Instagram // SoundCloud