The musical success of the English producer is now entirely focused on continuous development and the vision of this musical chapter; before you go is the latest release
For some time now, Gareth Emery has been building an innovative and captivating musical universe under his alias LSR/CITY: many artists attempt to launch side projects that depart from their original sound, often adopting a new name or experimenting with styles that critics receive with mixed reactions.
Gareth began his career in the world of trance, collaborating with some of the genre’s most prominent vocalists and producers. However, his musical philosophy has always revolved around an incessant use of keyboards and synthesizers, a style long shared with fellow producer Ashley Wallbridge: together, they released several tracks and even created the parody project CVNT5, a tongue-in-cheek jab at the excesses of the EDM scene of that era.
It was on the stylistic and conceptual level that the Southampton-born DJ, born in 1980, decided to elevate his musical vision: by the time he had already released trance anthems like Concrete Angel (with Christina Novelli, 2012), U (with Bo Bruce, 2014), and Saving Light (with STANDERWICK and HALIENE, 2017), all crowned Tune of the Year on A State of Trance, Emery felt the urge to evolve even further.
The birth of LSR/CITY stemmed from his Laserface shows and their natural progression: as Emery himself explained: ‘Laserface was much imitated and copied, and nobody stays hot forever without putting in the work. In short: it was time for a successor.’ At a moment when visual spectacle was becoming dominant in other areas of electronic music, he set out to create a project where sound and visuals could exist in perfect synergy.
This vision fully took shape over the past three years, thanks in part to his ongoing collaboration with Annabel, a young English vocalist with a uniquely striking tone whose voice has become a defining element of the project’s sound. The stylistic genesis of LSR/CITY came from a desire for a freer, less constrained creative space, a goal fully realized with the album CYBERPUNK (2025): though difficult to categorize within a single genre, the record stands out for its strong and cohesive sonic identity.
Tracks like house in the streetlight (2023) and without u (2024), both featuring Annabel (the latest single is come home which was released on October 10th), highlight Emery’s ability to blend trance, progressive, and synthpop, crafting productions with a universal appeal. These songs have earned recognition not only within Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance playlists but far beyond the traditional trance scene.
Emery’s pursuit of creative freedom is also evident in his reimagining of iconic classics, most notably his rendition of Madonna’s Like a Prayer (1989), which remains one of his most-streamed tracks to date.
The visual experience is an essential part of the LSR/CITY concept: a synthwave/retrowave aesthetic inspired by 1980s and 1990s science fiction and pop culture, brought to life through spectacular light and laser choreography. Emery often steps away from the DJ booth to perform live instruments, including his signature keytar, offering audiences a truly multisensory experience that leaves a lasting impression.
With before you go, released last Friday on Create Music Group, Gareth Emery continues to fuse trance, progressive, and melodic EDM, cementing LSR/CITY as one of the most fascinating and visionary projects in today’s electronic music scene: a project that now sees him consistently taking over stages and playlists worldwide, including a highly anticipated performance at Dreamstate SoCal on November 21, alongside other legendary artists.
You can follow the developments of his tour and news through his website and social media channels.