The NCS vs. Monstercat showdown officially begins with “Melodic Masterpiece,” bringing together two artists whose music helped define different corners of internet-born electronic culture. On August 12, Monstercat melodic house standout Shingo Nakamura and NCS progressive house favorite Ahrix go head-to-head with new releases created to celebrate both labels’ 15th anniversaries.
Representing Monstercat, Japanese DJ and producer Shingo Nakamura revisits one of his earliest classics with a new club mix of “Thousands of Sounds.” Originally released in 2011 on his debut album Sapporo, the track receives a fresh, dancefloor-focused transformation 15 years after its original arrival.
The new version retains the melodic sensibility that has become synonymous with Nakamura, while introducing a smoother, more sun-soaked house feel designed for contemporary dancefloors. Tropical textures, polished production and flowing melodies give the classic a new life without losing the emotional character of the original.
“Thousands of Sounds” was initially released through Silk Music, years before the label became part of the Monstercat family. Nakamura has since become one of the defining artists within Monstercat Silk, helping establish the imprint’s melodic house identity. His 2021 single “Glow” was instrumental in launching Monstercat Silk, further cementing his relationship with the label and its melodic-driven sound.
For the anniversary campaign, the rework serves as a fitting look back at where Nakamura’s journey began while demonstrating how his production has evolved over the past 15 years.
On the NCS side, Dutch DJ and producer Ahrix answers with “ASTRA,” an uplifting progressive house production built around vibrant melodies and emotive violin-driven passages. The track offers a natural counterpoint to Nakamura’s atmospheric approach, leaning into the euphoric, soaring qualities that have long defined Ahrix’s sound.
Ahrix became one of NCS’ most recognizable artists through his breakout classic “Nova.” The track became a defining release within the label’s catalog and was embraced by millions of creators around the world, helping establish the connection between NCS, electronic music and the rapidly expanding YouTube creator ecosystem.
Since then, Ahrix has continued expanding his catalog and collaborating with artists including Alan Walker and K-391. His return to NCS for the 15th anniversary collection brings a familiar name back into the label’s world while introducing a new generation of listeners to his melodic progressive house style.
The two releases kick off the “Melodic Masterpiece” chapter of NCS vs. Monstercat: 15 Year Anniversary, turning a decade-plus fan debate into an official musical competition.
Founded in 2011, NCS and Monstercat became defining forces in internet music culture, introducing millions of listeners to electronic music through YouTube, gaming, creator content and online communities. As their respective catalogs grew, so did the overlap between their audiences, eventually creating the friendly rivalry that has fueled debates over which label has the stronger roster and catalog for more than a decade.
Now, 15 years after both labels emerged, NCS vs. Monstercat: 15 Year Anniversary brings those communities together rather than keeping them apart. Through a six-week campaign, artists from both catalogs will release new music inspired by shared themes before the full anniversary compilation arrives September 16.
With Shingo Nakamura and Ahrix opening the campaign, the first showdown sets the tone with two distinct approaches to melodic electronic music — one rooted in atmospheric house and the other in euphoric progressive sound.
The rivalry may have started with the fans, but for the next six weeks, NCS and Monstercat are turning the debate into music.
MONSTERCAT: WEBSITE | SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | X
NCS: WEBSITE | SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | X