Yulia Niko - Body Language Vol. 26

For those who follow the ever-shifting contours of underground electronic music, few names resonate with as much assured vision as Yulia Niko. Having methodically teased the soundscape of her forthcoming compilation over the past months, she now unveils ‘Body Language Vol. 26’, a record that stands as both a statement of intent and an act of refined curation. Out now via Get Physical Music, the compilation maps an evolving terrain where emotion, texture and rhythm converge with an elegant restraint rarely achieved in club music today.

Launched in 2005 by Berlin-based label Get Physical Music, the Body Language series has become one of dance music's most essential and enduring mix compilation series. Each edition serves as a curated journey, blending exclusive tracks and remixes that push the boundaries of house and techno. With contributions from luminaries like Booka Shade, WhoMadeWho and andhim, the series has consistently showcased a commitment to innovation and musical depth, influencing both DJs and listeners worldwide. Now, with Vol. 26, Yulia Niko continues this tradition, offering a fresh perspective while honoring the series' rich legacy.

The project unfolds over eleven tracks, as she unveils a deftly balanced selection that plays like a nuanced narrative. It moves from the effervescent, sun-warmed piano house of ‘So In Love With You’, through to the nocturnal depths of ‘Bad Habit’ – a reverent yet freshly dark reimagination of Jenny Burton’s ’85 anthem, co-produced with Alfonso Muchacho – before arriving at the skeletal, hypnotic minimalism of ‘Just Just’; a deft reworking of a Rework classic.

Central to the compilation’s identity is the never-before-heard ‘Takina’, a collaboration with Alexey Union and Kinky Sound that crystallizes the collection’s ethos. Here, the trio build a layered soundscape that is at once muscular and atmospheric, weaving taut grooves with shimmering melodic detail and careful injections of ethnic instrumentation that add an organic, textured edge. ‘Takina’ is a moment of clarity - a track where the dancefloor’s kinetic energy is distilled through a lens of emotional depth and technical sophistication. It is a track that doesn’t shout but commands attention, embodying the subtle power that runs throughout the compilation.

Elsewhere, the album serves as a showcase for Yulia’s dexterity as both producer and remixer, taking on material from the likes of Helsloot, Calussa & Malone and Chelonis R. Jones, reshaping them with a meticulous ear and an intimate understanding of space and tension. Each piece is threaded together by Yulia’s unmistakable touch: a sensibility that privileges emotional resonance and groove over bombast, crafting music that feels timeless yet vividly of the moment.

Based across Berlin and Ibiza, Yulia Niko has established herself as a vital voice in modern house and techno. Her productions and DJ sets are defined by a rare combination of technical precision, musicality and a deep respect for dancefloor functionality. She moves effortlessly between the big-room moments of festivals like Coachella and the intimate atmospherics of underground clubs, and this duality is felt deeply in Body Language Vol. 26.

This compilation is more than a collection of tracks - it is a curated listening experience, a reflection of an artist and curator in full command of her craft. It charts a course for electronic music that privileges subtlety and emotion as much as rhythm and drive. For listeners seeking a sophisticated, deeply felt journey through contemporary underground dance music, Body Language Vol. 26 offers a masterclass in balance, depth, and musical integrity.