Offie Mag

Steven Julien has never been particularly interested in staying in one lane. Across his work as a producer, DJ, composer and founder of Apron Records, rhythm has always been the common thread, and now he’s turning his attention to one of its most iconic tools with his latest album, 808 PRINCE.

Set for release on 16th October, the album arrives alongside lead single '60SS', offering the first glimpse into Julien’s latest project and the alter-ego behind it.

Built around iconic drum machines, 808 PRINCE puts raw drum programming, analogue textures and heavy low-end at the centre of the record. Rather than simply recreating the sounds of the 808’s past, he uses its influence as a starting point, twisting and reshaping it through his own production style. The result is an album that feels rooted in decades of club music.

The project also brings together a strong lineup of collaborators, with James Massiah, J. Caesar, Jarren, Touch Sensitive and KIAH all contributing to the album.

The project will also come to life through the 808 PRINCE live hybrid set. Combining DJ mixing with live performance on the Roland TR-1000, Julien will be able to manipulate drum patterns, layer percussion and rework arrangements in real time. It’s a setup that blurs the line between a traditional club set and live composition, bringing the rawness of the studio directly onto the dance floor.

With 808 PRINCE, Steven Julien is taking a sound that has shaped generations of electronic music and putting his own stamp on it. Decades of club influence, hands-on production and an obsession with rhythm all come together for what looks set to be another fascinating chapter in Julien’s ever-expanding catalogue.

You can pre-order 808 PRINCE here via Apron Records.

Words by Louis Rowland