Marking his debut on Purified Records, Jonas Saalbach steps into 2026 with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose.
Long known for his emotionally driven take on melodic house and techno and for shaping a distinct artistic world through his Radikon imprint, the German producer enters this new chapter following a period of personal transformation. Fatherhood and a move from Berlin to a quieter life in Portugal have pulled him back toward melody, atmosphere and the deeper emotional impulses that first defined his sound.
His latest EP, Data Romance, captures that shift. Built around a return to chords, storytelling and instinct, the release reflects both a reconnection with his musical foundations and an evolution shaped by years of experience as a DJ, live performer and label founder.
In conversation with The Night Bazaar, Saalbach discusses why Purified Records felt like the right home for this project, the meaning behind the EP’s title, how his creative process has changed in recent years and why he feels more comfortable and confident in his sound than he has in a long time.
Data Romance marks your debut on Purified Records. What drew you to the label at this stage in your career, and why did this EP feel like the right introduction to that world?
The last two years have been a very transformative time for me. I became a father and moved from Berlin to a calm place in Portugal. That shift naturally made me reconnect with my musical. I felt drawn back to melody and emotional depth.
Purified stands exactly for that kind of direction. The label’s focus on melodic storytelling and atmosphere felt very aligned with where I am creatively right now. Data Romance felt like the right introduction because it represents this renewed clarity in my sound.
The title Data Romance is intriguing. What’s the concept behind the name and how does it reflect the themes or emotions running through the EP?
Through everything I’ve experienced recently – and with all the noise around us in general – I realized again how much producing and creating means to me. It gives me emotional energy. It’s not just technical work, it’s something very personal.
Data Romance reflects the contrast between the digital world we live in and the emotional connection we still search for within it. It’s about finding something emotional inside a world that often feels structured and digital.
Sonically, how does this release expand on your signature blend of melodic techno and raw electronica? Were you exploring any new production approaches while creating these tracks?
In a way, I actually went back to how I used to make music years ago. I started with melodies and chords first. Naturally, the result is much more melody-driven than some of my recent releases.
Instead of focusing on high energy or functionality, I let the harmonic ideas lead the process.
Jonas Saalbach
You began your journey as a live-only performer. Does that live mindset still influence how you build tracks like the title cut, particularly in terms of arrangement and energy?
I think the fact that I’ve been producing for a long time and playing Live and DJ sets automatically influences my arrangements. They tend to be club-compatible without me overthinking it.
But I wouldn’t say it’s specifically because I started as a live performer. It’s more about experience. After many years, you develop a natural feeling for energy flow and structure.
The title track arrives with a Lexer remix. What made Lexer the right artist to reinterpret the track and what surprised you most when you first heard his version?
I’ve worked with Lexer several times before, also on my label Radikon. His releases are very organic and melodic, and I was hoping for a reinterpretation that would move in that direction – maybe even slightly towards Afro House – and clearly differentiate itself from the original.
He did that very well. His remix brings a warmer, more organic energy while keeping the emotional core intact.
You’ve released on respected labels like Bedrock, Einmusika, and your own Radikon. What distinguishes the creative space you found working with Purified Records compared to those past experiences?
When I want maximum creative freedom, I self-release. What makes releasing on other labels exciting is that they bring a different audience and a different community. You reach people who might not know your music yet.
I don’t produce specifically for a label. I create music first, and afterwards I decide whether to send demos out or release it myself. With Data Romance, Purified simply felt like the right home.
As the founder of Radikon, you curate a very distinct artistic universe. How does releasing on external labels like Purified feed back into your own label vision and A&R perspective?
I separate that. As a DJ, I play both Purified sound and Radikon sound. For example, I feel that Data Romance is better placed on Purified than it would be on Radikon.
For me, it’s about finding the right home for each release rather than trying to make everything fit into one universe.
Jonas Saalbach
You’ve moved from a small southern German town to Berlin’s global electronic scene. How does that journey continue to shape your creative output today?
I live in Portugal now, not in a big city anymore. Berlin shaped me a lot and gave me so much. I grew up there, artistically and personally.
In Berlin, I learned to let go – it’s a city of free spirits. But I also learned that a music career is hard work and that you constantly need to develop yourself. That mindset still shapes my creative output today.
With the EP arriving on February 20, how do you imagine these tracks living in your DJ sets over the coming months? Are they built more for peak-time moments, deeper storytelling or both?
Both tracks are not extreme peak-time tracks. They’re not typical opening tracks and not closing tracks either, but I can integrate them very well into my sets.
As a DJ, storytelling is extremely important to me. I don’t just want to play functional club tracks. I always work with the energy flow. Sometimes I even lower the energy intentionally, even if the crowd becomes a bit more introverted for a moment. That dynamic is what makes a set meaningful and interesting to me.
Finally, what does 2026 look like for you, both for your own productions and for Radikon as a platform for like-minded artists?
In 2026, I plan to release an EP every month – on Radikon but also on other labels. The sound will feel like a continuation of the Data Romance EP. On Radikon we release once a month as well, only with artists from our core crew. Working with friends is just so much fun.
I have a very clear vision of my music right now, and I’m very excited about the releases. I feel more comfortable with my music than I have in a long time. Everything coming out feels authentic and carries my signature.
Jonas Saalbach is out on 20th February on Beatport. Pre-order it now.
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