The Cycle by Midas 104

Creative technologist and certified spellbinder Willi Schumacher has begun opening the vault, sharing the gems that lay dormant on his hard drives during the years he retreated into the cool and shadowy realm of his studio. Still putting pen to paper and beat to grid with absolute intention, Midas 104 delivers a compact masterpiece—one that quietly but confidently reaffirms his place among the very best. After some years of silence, Midas feels liberated to experiment more, as he is no longer bound by expectations of the dance floor and a music industry.

He might deny it—his German instinct nudging him to downplay any praise—but take our word for it: he’s leveled up. The Cycle EP sees him dive deeper than the classic Midas 104 we’ve come to love. The maturity is unmistakable; the signature tricks, habits and textures are all there, but they’re sharper, more deliberate, more potent.

The title track began as a sketch in 2022 and took shape over time. The track reflects a recurring pattern Midas 104 encounters in relationships and personal phases of life—the push and pull between closeness and distance, between surrender and withdrawal. It captures that moment when something feels warm and beautiful, only to suddenly shift into uncertainty or longing again. Musically, it moves between melodic, harmonious sections and more tense, almost destructive elements, always returning and looping back. There’s a bittersweetness to it: hope and openness on one side, disappointment and vulnerability on the other. That contrast is the core of the track.

As we approach “There Iz Mo”, a collaboration with The Micronaut—known for his unapologetic elektro streak and savant-like control of electronic sound—this EP starts to show how it stretches genres and expectations without ever losing focus. Midas 104: “the track has something very light, soulful, and airy about it. It was basically a ‘getting to know each other’ track between The Micronaut and me.”

"Rayol" was named after the small town in the south of France where he had a home studio. After a sleepless night because of howling winds, Midas 104 was jamming with his studio-buddy, Fred, at 5 in the morning, looking out at the sea, observing the sun rising, recording howling winds and adding it to the song. And that’s the vibe. That was in 2021.

As any great artist knows to keep the best for last. And that’s where “Good Good” comes in. Hidden near the end, ready to pounce: the tightest house groove paired with your tightest dancing shoes. Move too fast and people will swear the floor is burning. Midas 104 brings a touch of cynicism into it and creates a kind of subtle irony beneath the soulful vibe. That ironic cheerfulness is “Good, good”, the type of answer you give when someone asks “How are you?” without genuinely meaning it.

Our thoughts on Midas’ EP? Not just good, good… Effin’ BRILLIANT

Finding ground in Ghent, a small yet creative and lively town in Belgium, Moodfamily runs a record label and booking agency.

Having emerged in 2014, it has sprouted from existing friendships and a mutual understanding and appreciation of electronic music. We represent artists pursuing their own unique sound, be it within their own tracks, visual productions or DJ-sets.

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