Omar+ has experienced a remarkable year. The DJ, vocalist, and producer has risen through the charts and collaborated with some of the most esteemed names in electronic music. His debut EP, ‘Open Your Eyes,’ represents both a personal achievement and a bold declaration of intent. Featuring three shining, club-ready tracks, he presents a sound that melds deep house elements with R&B warmth and captivating vocal hooks, a style that has quickly become his trademark.
“I wanted to release solo material because most of my previous work was collaborations,” he explains. “I needed to demonstrate that I can stand on my own. That I can produce. That I have my unique vibe.”
Following a surge of viral attention and several high-profile performances, ‘Open Your Eyes’ marks a new phase for Omar+, confidently situated at the crossroads of underground energy and pop appeal. The EP comes after the breakout success of ‘Back It Up’ with Josh Baker, a track that surged into the UK Singles Chart and became a festival favorite almost instantly. “It was a transformative experience,” he reflects. “Collaborating with Josh was monumental for me. He’s one of my favorite producers and a significant DJ in the current scene. The opportunity to work with him and the way the track resonated is still astonishing to me.”
While ‘Back It Up’ opened the doors for him, ‘Open Your Eyes’ is where Omar+ fully asserts his artistic vision. The EP draws inspiration from nights spent clubbing in New York and Miami, as well as countless evenings at home in London. Each track embodies the sounds and atmospheres that influenced him over the past year. “I created some of the best memories of my life during those trips,” he shares. “I was going out every night, experiencing incredible music, and wanted to capture that essence. It’s a fusion of all those vibes, expressed in my own way.”
Sonically, the EP features sharp percussion and smooth melodies, leaning more directly into club sounds than some of his earlier works. The closing track, ‘Me+U’, combines R&B vocals from the classic Cassie song with a lively deep house beat. This is a style Omar+ navigates effortlessly. “R&B and house blend together so seamlessly,” he states. “That track is straightforward, there isn’t much to it, but that’s intentional. The vocal fits so naturally with the beat.”
One of the most thrilling aspects of Omar+’s ascent is his reintegration of songwriting and vocals in a genre that often emphasizes pure rhythm. “There’s something exciting about incorporating your own vocals into club music,” he says. “Writing original lyrics and crafting melodies opens up a whole new realm.”
His selection of collaborators also demonstrates his flexibility. Whether working with well-known figures like Josh Baker or more underground artists like bullet tooth, Omar+ follows his instincts. “If I believe you’re a good producer and create great music, that’s what matters,” he explains. “With Bullet, he’s incredibly quick in the studio. He immediately understands the vibe.”
On stage, the energy is palpable. “When I play ‘Back It Up’ and hear people singing along — it’s the most incredible feeling,” he says. “It still amazes me. I’m just thankful.” Now, with a residency at Rinse FM and more new music on the horizon, Omar+ shows no signs of taking a break. “I don’t want to slow down,” he declares. “I’m in a unique position where people are listening, so I want to keep contributing. More underground tracks, more prominent vocal songs, just nurturing the scene in every way possible.”
The dance music landscape may be saturated, but it ultimately comes down to quality. And at this moment, Omar+ is delivering at a level that surpasses many.
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Take a look at a specially curated playlist featuring some of Omar+'s favorite songs below:
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Words: Joe Hale
Director: Andres Branco
DoP: Blue Laybourne
Producer: Tristan Gibbs
1st AC: Billy Gadd
Producer: Jackson Payne
Gaffer: Ken Liew
1st AD: Harley Ruby Cameron-Furze
Spark: Ben Alder
3rd AD: Jack Mason
Sound Recordist: Danny Hilton
3rd AD: Aran Llewelyn Harris
Photographer: Fraser Thorne
HMU Artist: Hannah Shaikh
Photo Assistant: Jake Milsum
MUA: Antonia Yiltay
Production Designer: Yousif Al-Karaghoul
Stylist: Frankie Noller
Art Assistant: Ellis Tudor
Stylists Assistant: Lacie Gittins
Art Assistant: Matt England
Stylists Assistant: Alana Newton
Art Assistant: Noah Grosset
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Omar+ has experienced a remarkable year. The DJ, vocalist, and producer has risen through the ranks and collaborated with some of the most esteemed figures in electronic music.