Manchester’s AJ Christou established himself long ago but is now deep into the next phase of his career as a DJ and producer. More skilled, more mature and freer to create ‘the music he wants’, the UK talent says he’s making the ‘best beats of his life’ as he launches his new label V-House Sound. “If the drums ain’t right, I’m scrapping it,” he says of this new era, mixing crisp early noughties tech house and the irresistible swing of New York with his own percussive flair and wigging basslines.

An extension of his Valour Clothing brand, worn by international DJs like The Martinez Brothers, the project sees music and fashion go hand in hand as he launches the label as a natural next step. No longer caught chasing labels and main room plays, the first releases feature a mix of contemporary stars such as Amal Nemer and legends like Chicago great Robert Owens and US scratch star A-TRAK, with the first release seeing him link up with singer-songwriter Aaron Pfeiffer for ‘Skin’.