Leading independent electronic music label mau5trap is kicking off 2026 with a renewed focus on emerging talent through the release of We Are Friends Vol. 12: Disk 1. The 15-track compilation marks the first of two disks in the label’s long-running We Are Friends (WAF) series, which has become a cornerstone of mau5trap’s artist discovery mission. Following a strong 2025 that included releases from deadmau5, BlackGummy, Becking, Screamarts, Skellytn, and Lamorn, mau5trap enters the new year spotlighting fresh and forward-thinking projects, led by the release focus track ‘1 Of My Kind’ from The XTTC. The compilation also features previously released singles including ‘Supersonic Electronic (On Acid)’ from Ciauru and a special remix of deadmau5’s classic ‘Strobe’ by &friends and Moeaike. Serving as the compilation’s focus act, The XTTC is an anonymous collaboration between an electronic music producer/DJ and a visual artist with roots in comics and large-scale concert visuals. The project is built around the fantasy narrative of three masked vigilantes — X, Ruby Knives, and Lil C — who exist to disrupt power structures and inject chaos into systems of control, all soundtracked by driving electro, seductive vocals, and dark-room energy. Rather than functioning as a virtual band, The XTTC uses alter-egos as a form of creative resistance, choosing anonymity as a statement against identity-driven algorithms and visibility culture. The project allows its creators to step outside authorship and ego, creating space for rebellion, contradiction, and freedom — an ethos encapsulated in their rallying cry: ‘Dance and Destroy.’ Italian producer Ciauru leads the compilation’s charge with the club-oriented ‘Supersonic Electronic (On Acid),’ a high-energy cut driven by tribal rhythms and sharp electro textures. The only remix on Disk 1 sees rising artists &friends and Moeaike deliver a fresh retake of deadmau5’s iconic ‘Strobe.’ &friends continues to build global momentum following breakout singles like ‘Temptation’ with Bipolar Sunshine and ‘Jackie B,‘ while Italian duo Moeaike gained widespread attention in 2024 with their hit ‘Mala Fama.’ Their inclusion places them alongside a prestigious list of official ‘Strobe’ remixers, including Layton Giordani, Dimension, and Lane 8. Beyond the headline tracks, WAF12 introduces listeners to a diverse roster of emerging talent, including Avis Vox, Hreez, ELAC, Me & You, Penultimate, and more — reinforcing mau5trap’s long-standing commitment to cultivating the next generation of electronic music artists. We Are Friends Vol. 12: Disk 1 Now streaming on all platforms.mau5trap Unveils New Talent on We Are Friends Vol. 12: Disk 1
We Are Friends Vol. 12: Disk 1 – Tracklist
Spotlight on The XTTC
Remixing a Classic and Championing New Voices