Tel Aviv duo Hard To Tell—made up of Roy & Roi—have always made dance music with emotional depth, but their upcoming debut album Hidden Traffic is something even more personal.
Set for release on July 25 via their own imprint, Vitrage Records, the LP draws from Detroit house, breakbeat, ambient, and raw analog techno to tell a story that’s been years in the making. Anchored by their lead single Can’t Stop, the project offers a wide-angle view of the duo’s influences, from Berghain euphoria to deeply introspective moods—and does so without chasing trends or overthinking their identity.
In this interview with Magnetic Magazine, the duo opens up about how they build emotional arcs in their sets, why some tracks still surprise them years later, and the powerful memories that keep them returning to the booth night after night.
Hey guys, how are you doing?
Hi! Before we answer these questions, we just wanted to say that we are really thrilled to be doing this interview with you guys! We just released our new single, “Can’t Stop” on our very own label, Vitrage Records. It’s also the first release from our upcoming album Hidden Traffic, which is set to drop on July 25.
We’ve poured so much of ourselves into this project, and we’re excited to finally start sharing it with the world!
How do you know when a track is going to stick with you—not just for a week, but long-term?
You can honestly feel it from the first few seconds the track hits your ears.
There’s something magnetic about certain sounds, something that resonates deep inside before your brain even processes it. It’s that immediate emotional pull that makes you stop what you’re doing and just listen. Sometimes it’s a chord, sometimes a rhythm, sometimes just a moment, but you just know. That instant connection is hard to explain, but it’s real, and it’s usually a sign that the track will live with you for a long time.
Over the years, we’ve learned to trust that feeling completely. It’s not about the hype or the production tricks, it’s about what lingers in your soul after the track ends.
Do you find yourself gravitating toward certain moods or emotions in music? What draws you in?
Absolutely! We’re very mood-driven both as producers and as DJs.
The kind of music we’re drawn to changes all the time depending on how we’re feeling that day. It’s one of the reasons we love this work so much. It’s fluid, and it reflects our personal emotional landscape in real time. Some days we’re after euphoric energy and big moments, and other days we lean toward darker, introspective textures. What draws us in is honesty. We gravitate toward music that feels original and fresh, no matter the style or tempo. We love that music gives us the freedom to explore all sides of ourselves and our listeners.
That’s where real connection happens.
Has a song ever reminded you so strongly of a specific time or place that you had to play it out?
Knights of the Jaguar by DJ Rolando is that track for us.
The first time we heard it again after a long while, it instantly transported us to a very specific memory and one of the best parties we’ve ever been to in our lives. We were in the middle of this wild, euphoric night at our favorite venue in the world, Berghain, and the music, the people, the atmosphere – it all just clicked. That song became a time capsule for that moment. As soon as we heard it again, we looked at each other and just knew: this has to be in our next set.
Music is so powerful like that. It holds memories, and playing a track like that is like opening a portal to the past. And often, the crowd feels that energy too.
Do you think DJs are too trend-aware right now—or is there still room for real emotional curation?
Yes, we do think there’s a little too much trend-chasing happening right now. There’s a lot of pressure to be “on brand” or “current,” especially with how fast everything moves on social media. But at the same time, we get it, there’s value in knowing what’s going on in the scene. Still, we believe that emotional curation should never take a backseat to trends. A truly unforgettable set comes from playing music that moves people, not just impresses them. When DJs take risks and dig deep emotionally, that’s when the magic happens. There’s always space for authenticity, even in the middle of the hype cycle.
How often do you go back through your crates to reconnect with music that’s fallen off your radar?
All the time! Digging through old crates is like going on a treasure hunt. You never know what you’ll rediscover. Some tracks just hit differently years later, whether because of where you are in life or how the scene has evolved. We love finding those forgotten gems that still sound fresh and finding new ways to work them into our sets. It’s also a way to bring something unexpected to the dancefloor.
Crowds always react in a special way when they hear a track they didn’t know they missed. And honestly, it reminds us of why we fell in love with this music in the first place. Revisiting old tunes keeps us grounded in our roots while still pushing forward.
When building a set, do you ever think in terms of emotional arc—or is that something that happens naturally?
We definitely think in terms of emotional arc, especially when we’re playing long sets. We host a monthly 12-hour event, and for something of that scale, it’s essential to create a narrative that evolves.
We like to think of our sets as journeys; starting from a certain mood and slowly unfolding into different territories. At the same time, we leave room for spontaneity. Sometimes the best moments happen when you stop planning and just react to the energy of the crowd. It’s a balance between intention and instinct.
But yes, at the core of it, we’re always trying to guide people through something emotional, whether they realize it or not.
What’s a track you always keep in your back pocket for you?
That would have to be PASSERI (Floor Mix) by Jakojako and Rodhad. It’s one of those tracks that just never fails. It’s hypnotic, powerful, and completely immersive. No matter where we are or what kind of set we’re playing, we know we can count on it to lock the room in.
It’s not just a track we play for the crowd, it’s one we play for us. It reminds us why we do this in the first place, and why we love losing ourselves in the music. It’s a go-to not just because it works, but because it always feels right.
Thanks and all the best—see you soon!
Roy & Roi (HTT)
The post Hard To Tell on Why Emotional Curation Still Matters in Dance Music appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.