Obscura, the latest 5-track release from Denver producer and multi-instrumentalist Philia, is out now on Ex Medias. Built on rumbling basslines and melodic tension, the project dives into contrast: heavy and hypnotic, cinematic yet club-ready. Each track feels like a step deeper into a lucid dream, full of atmosphere and movement. “It’s emotional, weird, and heavy in all the right places — like a dance party in the middle of a lucid dream,” Philia shares.
The record captures what makes Philia stand out. Behind the moniker is Dan Giffin, an artist who thrives on unpredictability. His live sets merge DJing with live instrumentation and spontaneous crowd sampling, creating performances that blur the line between producer and audience. That same spark flows through Obscura, where textures and drops land with the same immediacy as a moment on stage.
Giffin’s work extends well beyond the booth. He’s performed at festivals like Electric Forest and shared bills with Tiësto, Slushii, Daily Bread, Maddy O’Neal, Marvel Years, and Balkan Bump. In the studio, he’s collaborated with platinum and Grammy-winning artists including Mac Miller and Machine Gun Kelly. As one of only 350 Ableton Certified Trainers worldwide and host of the Ableton Music Producer Podcast, he’s also shaped the path for thousands of producers globally.
With Obscura, Philia cements his vision: music as a bridge between light and dark, energy and reflection, artist and crowd. It’s more than a release — it’s an invitation to step inside and stay a while.