Images Courtesy Of Nickon Faith Press
Nickon Faith has been moving steadily through the left-field corners of electronic music, and his new ‘Synthesis’ EP on Manual Smiles lands as another clear step forward. The project follows the momentum he started with last year’s ‘Digital Moss’ release on the same imprint, a record that earned support from HAAi, Jen Cardini, John Digweed, and a long list of selectors who gravitate toward dense rhythmic patterns and detailed production work. The new EP arrives 12th December 2025, shaped by influences that range from spaced-out rock to atmospheric game scores, with the title track having evolved over a three year period.
Manual Smiles has become a fitting home for artists who take acid and psychedelic ideas into their own lane, and Nickon fits that profile with precision. ‘Synthesis’ sits alongside work from Azo, Treasure Island, Kitsta, and Kajsa Villius as another release that pushes into experimental territory while keeping enough structure for the dance floor. The label’s identity has grown quickly, supported by names like Roman Flügel, Carista, Kiara Scuro, and Spray, which adds helpful context for how this EP will be received once it lands.
To mark the release, we caught up with Nickon to talk about something at the center of his process right now: digging. Not digging as a nostalgic idea, but the active, everyday process of finding new material, staying curious, avoiding algorithm fatigue, and building taste through real discovery. His answers cut through the usual talking points and give a clear look at how he thinks about music selection in 2025. The full feature continues below.
How do you make sure your digging process as a DJ doesn’t get too dependent on algorithms and recommendations?
I think just keeping your general interest in music alive and remembering why you love music in the first place.
I have days where I kind of trawl through a label or artists catalogues I like, or listen to a lot of DJ sets and it keeps things fresh while helping discover new music. I love talking about music and analysing as well, so lots of after parties I’ve been to have ended up with me and a friend sharing music we like!
I think sharing music with like minds is a powerful way to find new artists, special songs and keep your passion alive and find more rabbit holes of tunes to dig into.
Do you still believe in the value of the hunt when everything’s so accessible online?
I actually do overall like the fact that great tunes are really accessible to find, there is a lot inherent value in this.
But also definitely a lot of value in the hunt as well. I think usually tracks you hunted for say more about you as an artist than the tracks that are handed to you, and can maybe show a more authentic side to your tastes and perception of music and sonic story telling so to speak. But also if you fell in love with a track that the algorithm gave you that’s pretty much equally as valid in my opinion.
What’s a track you found completely outside of digital systems, maybe through a person, a moment, or a record store?
Recently I spent a month living in Berlin, I saw some amazing artists out clubbing. A particular moment for me was going to see Space Cadets (Adam Pits and Lisene) at OXI.
The set was magic and I had hyped the night to all my friends before, so a lot of my friends came through to see Space Cadets with me. The closing track they played was “Tunnelvisions” by I:Cube. I think it was one of the nicest and floatiest closings I’ve ever heard and I’ve been obsessed with the track since. It was a really special moment. I talked to Lisene, who sent me the track ID, which I’m pretty grateful for! And started listening to more I:Cube tracks as well, great discovery.
Have you ever noticed how different it feels to play a track you hunted for versus one that was served to you?
I think there is definitely a certain kind of feeling when you find a track that feels really special through digging, and you listen to it over and over and fantasise about playing it in a set one day.
And then one day, the right moment happens, and you play the track, and people are really loving it! Feels very personal like you’re sharing something you really love that you have a real connection to that almost now feels like a part of who you are.
Do you think new DJs are losing something by skipping the process of real digging?
I think if you genuinely don’t dig and all your finds are completely algo, then yes absolutely.
There is a lot of joy in finding gems from the deepest recesses that really speak to you. It’s just a whole avenue of discovery you are blocking yourself off from by not digging.
Where do you still find value in physical digging, in record shops, thrift stores, or flea markets?
I quite like a gander in a record shop from time to time.
I haven’t really built much of a collection yet, but it’s a nice way to browse and find some cool gems and make note of artists for future reference. It’s something I want to get into more though. There were a lot of pop up music events in Germany that had record stalls on the side as well which I thought was really nice.
I haven’t seen that kind of thing much in the UK though.
What’s your favorite way to stumble on something completely unexpected?
Definitely during a club set where a tune is played that just blows your mind. I had this with the track Gloson by Dorisburg and it completely floored me. I had many moments like this at Dekmantel festival. Just the craziest music in the most perfect moments coupled with the best sound system and generally quite lovely crowd.
Obviously I don’t always find the ID, but ones I do usually end up being staples in my daily listening.
The post Nickon Faith Explains How Digging Shapes His New ‘Synthesis’ Release appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.