Slander and NGHTMRE Unleash Their Highly Anticipated Festival ID Alongside ZOHARA With New Single "Free" via Gud Vibrations

SLANDER and NGHTMRE reunite on “Free,” a long-awaited homecoming for two of bass music’s most definitive forces. Out January 30th via their own Gud Vibrations imprint, the single marks their first joint appearance on the label since 2020—an emotionally-charged return that channels both artists’ shared ethos of intensity and release. Featuring emerging singer-songwriter ZOHARA, the track captures the duality that has always defined their sound: the interplay between soaring emotion and seismic low-end weight.

Built on twinkling tones and spacious atmospherics, “Free"” opens with ZOHARA’s luminous topline, her voice tracing the contours of liberation after breaking free from a codependent relationship. Light trap percussion and delicate synths suspend her delivery in a dreamlike haze before the track plunges into a deep, resonant groove. The drop unfurls in cinematic slow motion—massive sub-bass swells, shuddering synth leads, and reverberating percussion—striking a balance between heaviness and transcendence. Every movement feels intentional, each sound carrying the emotional clarity that both SLANDER and NGHTMRE have refined over years of pushing melodic bass into new forms.

Speaking to the excitement around revealing the new single, SLANDER says, “‘Free’ is here! This record is extremely special to us and we could not be more thrilled it is out in the world. It was so exciting to work with Zohara for the first time alongside our dear friend, NGHTMRE. From the very first session, we knew this song had such a special feeling and a true, raw emotion at its core. We hope its feeling of freedom is something everyone can feel reflected within.”

Expanding on the synergy and creative flow that brought the single to fruition, NGHTMRE adds: “SLANDER and I started our careers together and they have always been my closest friends and favorite collaborators. We often get ideas going and share them with each other remotely. But this time, we decided to just get in the studio and start something completely from scratch with ZOHAHA. The raw emotion she drew from her personal life experiences to write this is instantly evident in the song. I’m really proud of how this song turned out and it has been blowing minds in our live sets!”

Diving into the deeper meaning behind its lyrics, ZOHARA explains: “This song is about so much more than heartbreak. It’s about freedom from all the baggage and pain we carry. I love this song because it’s universal message can be felt by, and mean something special to, anyone who listens to it. We wrote this song in less than two hours. It was one of those magical moments when you knew you’re a part of something big—and the guys took this production to another level. So grateful to be part of it!”

This collaboration has been one of the most anticipated IDs across the festival circuit since first surfacing during their b2b set at EDC Las Vegas. It’s since become a fixture in their sets at Lost Lands, Exchange LA, and Mission Ballroom, earning cult status among fans for its raw power and cathartic energy. “Free” continues the pair’s storied creative partnership, following “Fall Into Me” from NGHTMRE’s 2023 record ‘DRMVRSE’ and “Monster” from SLANDER’s 2022 debut album ‘Thrive’—both milestones that trace the evolution of the Gud Vibrations sound.

Their last joint release on the label, “Feeling Gud,” remains one of Gud Vibrations’ biggest successes to date, surpassing 68 million streams and earning widespread radio support from BBC Radio 1, Zeds Dead, Alison Wonderland, Gryffin, and Valentino Khan. Four years later, “Free” extends that legacy with the same precision and purpose that have always defined SLANDER and NGHTMRE’s collaborative work.

Both artists are closing out landmark tours surrounding the release, with SLANDER wrapping their ‘Voyager’ Tour and NGHTMRE concluding ‘MINDFULL’ with a shared stop at The Armory. Their upcoming festival runs span Beyond Wonderland SoCal, World DJ Festival in Seoul, Escapade, Veld, System Overload, Breakaway, Illfest, and SLANDER’s return to The Sphere, cementing their place as two of dance music’s most commanding live acts.

For ZOHARA, “Free” continues a growing catalog that bridges the emotional immediacy of pop with the atmospheric reach of electronic music. The Brooklyn-born, LA-based singer-songwriter first connected with dance audiences through her collaborations with Gryffin, including “Remember” and “WHERE ARE YOU TONIGHT,” as well as her feature on KREAM’s “Water.” Known for her crystalline tone and understated intensity, she’s become a sought-after voice within electronic music’s new wave of emotionally driven storytelling.

With “Free,” SLANDER and NGHTMRE reaffirm the strength of their creative partnership. It’s a precise, emotionally grounded release that bridges their history with the evolving sound of Gud Vibrations, underscoring why their collaborations continue to resonate across the global bass scene.

SLANDER, NGHTMRE, and ZOHARA’s new single “Free” is available on all platforms via Gud Vibrations.