Opening Sondela’s 2026 release calendar, Burning Bright returns with new life and renewed purpose. First introduced on Sondela Sampler, Vol.3, the track is now reimagined by Manchester-born, London-based producer Everything Is Art, joining forces with upcoming talents ISIKO, and OG of the scene; Da Africa Deep, who crafted the original earlier in 2025. This fresh rendition preserves the emotion at the heart of the record while expanding it into a deeper, more cinematic realm.

Known for his debut release ALL THE LOVE featuring WhoMadeWho, Everything Is Art approaches remixing like storytelling — finding the emotional nucleus of a track and rebuilding the world around it. Here, he amplifies Burning Bright with widescreen atmospheres for both on and off the dance floor.

Uniting the soulful essence of the original with refined, hypnotic production, this new rendition sets the tone for the year ahead: emotive, intentional, and built to move both heart and dance floor.

You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Burning Bright pt. II’ exclusively on When We Dip. Plus, Everything Is Art stopped by for a chat to discuss the new track, the ups and down of his last year, new perspectives, and more…enjoy!

WWD: ‘Burning Bright Pt. II’ feels both like a continuation and a rebirth. What does this release represent for you at this point in your life and career?

It definitely feels like the start of a new chapter in my life. This song carries a tonality that feels optimistic and positive in the right way, but it also has a deep emotional core that resonates with me personally — and hopefully with others too.

WWD: After the success of your WhoMadeWho collaboration less than a year ago, you found yourself gaining very quick momentum and basically started a life as a touring artist without a team around you. What was your life like before that track came out?

After the track dropped, my first-ever release, I pretty much went into overdrive — booking shows, planning, pushing everything forward. I was very lucky: there was a lot of interest early on, and once I played a few shows, that momentum helped me book even more.

Before that release, I spent a long time trying to build something as a DJ by throwing my own parties in London. I was trying to establish a brand, but more importantly I wanted to create a real community. I didn’t get much sleep because I spent (and still spend) most of my hours writing music.

Releasing something was always important to me, but I held off for a long time. I kept testing tracks at my parties, trying to refine them, but never fully committing to putting them out. When I first drafted the lyrics for “All The Love,” got the vocal, and wrote the chords, I felt something I hadn’t felt before — and I knew it was genuinely special.

WWD: Your past year took an unexpected turn at the end with the accident in the Caribbean. How did that experience affect your relationship with music, and did it change the way you approach creation?

I’d gone away for a seven-day break to reset, and I was planning to come back feeling fresh and ready to focus on studio time — but I had a bit of a hiccup with an ATV, and the ATV won.

I spent a lot of time in the hospital, and it gave me so much space to think about life. I couldn’t leave my bed because my hip was dislocated. I’ve never had that much time to focus on the small details we take for granted, and it made me realise how much beauty we miss when we’re always focused on some bigger picture. Ultimately, you don’t always realise that what you need is often what you already have.

I listened to so much music while I was there — from all over the world and across so many different styles. I felt a level of emotion I maybe haven’t tapped into in years, and since then my shift towards even more moving and emotional production has definitely been apparent. I’ve been writing a lot since leaving hospital, and I even tried to write while I was there. Music has always been how I channel my feelings, but now there’s just extra depth and appreciation in it.

WWD: There’s a strong emotional undercurrent in ‘Burning Bright Pt. II.’ How did this track come about?

I was scrolling through Instagram and came across a snippet of the original track. The tone of the vocal hit me deeply, and the production was beautiful. So I reached out to ISIKO and asked for the stems, because I wanted to make a version for my sets. He replied straight away and asked if I’d like to remix it. I said I might do something and then we could speak to the label.

I ended up waiting a month or two for the stems because they were on Da Africa Deep’s laptop — and honestly, he’s an enigma. A mythical creature who just churns out some of the most emotionally moving, inspirational music I’ve ever heard. He’s genuinely one of my favourites. As incredible as his production is, communication-wise it’s like waiting for a messenger pigeon to arrive.

I actually forgot about the track for a while, and then one day the stems came through. It instantly reignited that feeling, and I wrote the track in about a week. I wanted to lift it even higher and add more emotion. I wasn’t sure if I’d pull it off, but the boys loved it — and so did the label. They decided not to release it as a remix, but as a continuation, and that’s how Pt. II was born.

WWD: Is Everything Is Art more than an alias? Is it a philosophy to you?

It’s definitely more than an alias. I was waiting for the tube after a night out — early morning, empty platform. One of the ads had been removed, and the wall behind it was covered in layers of ink and marks from years of posters. The bare wall genuinely looked like an abstract painting.

I said to myself out loud, “Everything is art,” and then I stopped and thought: wait — this actually means something to me. And it would be a cool artist name too. But I really do believe in it. That’s the beauty of life and the beauty of art — neither can exist without the other. Life is a creation in itself, and everything that comes after is art. It’s all subjective.

WWD: At first glance Sondela comes across as an unexpected home for this kind of track. How come it ended up there?

I was totally surprised when they wanted it, because their sound is very Afro and my sound is more melodic. But I thought it was really cool that they wanted to showcase my sound within their movement and their community.

I also like a challenge, so the fact they vibed with the track enough to want it out there meant a lot to me.

WWD: You’ve experienced both rapid momentum and forced stillness in a short span of time. What did slowing down teach you?

It’s always good to slow down — we all need to reflect and recharge, and I do try to do that consciously from time to time. But my accident slowed me down in ways I’m still processing.

I have a new appreciation for life and everything in it. I’ve also cleared a lot from my mind that previously didn’t contribute to anything positive. Momentum is amazing, but when you’re busy you can’t truly appreciate it until you give yourself time to reflect — so slowing down can actually be a beautiful thing.

WWD:  Looking back now, do you see last year as something that disrupted your path, or something that ultimately refined it?

I had the best year of my life. I’d never really travelled before last year, and suddenly music took me to all these beautiful places — incredible architecture, amazing beaches, wonderful people, different cultures… and my favourite thing: food.

After the accident, I reflected deeply on all of it. I was stuck in a hospital in the Caribbean for two weeks and all I wanted was to be with my family and my dog. I somehow went into this intense survival mode — counting the days and just doing what was needed — and I started reframing everything as a positive.

I’m lucky to have done what I’ve done. I was given a chance to truly appreciate it, and it’s motivated me to come back better and do more. I can’t wait to be back with people again, dancing together.

WWD: As you step into this next phase of your career, what do you hope listeners feel -m or take with them – when they hear ‘Burning Bright Pt. II’  for the first time?

I genuinely think it’s the most special thing when music helps someone in a time of need. So if this track lands with even one person, and they connect with it in a way that feels healing for them, I’d be so happy.

WWD: That’s what it’s all about! Thanks for the chat 🙂

Thanks!

Release Date: January 16th, 2026. Buy Here

Everything Is ART: Instagram / SoundCloud
ISIKO: Instagram / SoundCloud
Da Africa Deep: Instagram / SoundCloud
Sondela Recordings: Instagram / SoundCloud