Electronic music innovator deadmau5 has kicked off 2026 with the release of his new single, “Science”, a collaboration with London singer-songwriter Stevie Appleton. Out now via mau5trap, the track follows his 2025 instrumental release “Ameonna” and brings vocals back into focus, blending his immersive production style with Stevie Appleton’s distinctive melodic delivery. It also acts as the follow-up to the official release of &friends and Moeaike’s retake version of deadmau5’s song “Strobe”; and Stevie Appleton’s single “Never Change”.
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Known for continually pushing the boundaries of electronic production, deadmau5 brings his signature atmospheric soundscapes to “Science”, blending intricate sonic textures with Stevie Appleton’s emotive vocal performance. The collaboration highlights Stevie Appleton’s distinctive tone and melodic sensibility, resulting in a track that stands alongside some of deadmau5’s most celebrated vocal-driven releases.
The single is presented in two formats: a concise radio edit running 3.32 minutes and an extended full-length version lasting 9.48 minutes. The longer arrangement reflects deadmau5’s established approach to production, favouring expansive compositions that unfold gradually and prioritise atmosphere and immersion. In this extended format, the production gives space for the instrumental layers and melodic themes to develop organically, creating a more cinematic listening experience. Throughout the track, textured beats and evolving synth work intertwine seamlessly with Stevie Appleton’s vocal delivery, allowing both artists’ strengths to remain firmly in focus.
As the song progresses, delicate piano chords emerge as a central element, introducing a tonal shift that adds emotional depth while subtly guiding the arrangement forward. deadmau5 builds around these moments with precision, gradually introducing rhythmic and melodic layers that expand the track’s sonic landscape before transitioning into a rich, symphonic-style instrumental drop. The energy later recedes, returning attention to Appleton’s vocals and piano-driven foundation, before drums re-enter to deliver a fuller, more layered second drop. This careful balance between restraint and intensity allows the track to ebb and flow naturally, ultimately fading out in a way that reinforces its cinematic structure and emotional resonance.
Reflecting on how the collaboration came together, deadmau5 explained simply, “Steve sent the vocal through, thought it was neat, so I made a track with it.” The remark underscores the organic nature of the partnership, where a vocal idea evolved into a fully realised production under deadmau5’s meticulous creative direction.
For Stevie Appleton, the essence of the song lies in its restraint and emotional ambiguity. He shared, “I found there ended up being a nice simplicity in ‘Science’. There was a lot more in the song before I cut it down to just four lines, each of which I feel like carry a certain feeling. Is it a dark energy, a loving one? It’s a bit of a mystery, and I wanted to keep it that way.” This intentional minimalism allows listeners to project their own interpretations onto the track, reinforcing its atmospheric depth.
Stevie Appleton also praised deadmau5’s transformative production, adding, “What deadmau5 has done with the production and the continuation of the songwriting is incredible. I’ve worked with a lot of big DJ/producers and gotten versions back of songs I’ve started on a piano, but this one was a different game. It should be a marker for the quality young producers are trying to achieve.”
The singer further highlighted the immersive nature of the full-length version, stating, “I’m excited for the world to hear what we’ve made, especially the full 9.30m length version, it takes you on a ride like a piece of cinema.” The extended runtime reflects deadmau5’s long-standing approach to storytelling through sound, allowing the track to unfold gradually and deliver a more expansive listening experience.
Born Joel Zimmerman, deadmau5 has long been regarded as one of electronic music’s most influential figures, achieving global success with tracks such as “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff” featuring Rob Swire, “Professional Griefers” featuring Gerard Way, and “I Remember” in collaboration with Kaskade, as well as the streaming success of “Escape” featuring HAYLA under the name Kx5 which is a collaboration project with Kaskade and “The Veldt” featuring Chris James.
With multiple JUNO Awards, GRAMMY nominations, and a catalogue that continues to evolve, he remains at the forefront of the genre both in the studio and on stage. Renowned for blending progressive house, electro, and cinematic sound design, he has continually pushed creative boundaries while shaping the sonic direction of modern electronic music.
London-born singer, songwriter, and producer Stevie Appleton first emerged under the name Steve Appleton, releasing solo pop material including his 2009 album “Dirty Funk” and later singles such as “Sparks”, which gained international traction and chart success in Japan. In recent years, he has established himself as a sought-after collaborator within the electronic and dance music world, lending his distinctive vocals and songwriting to tracks such as Tiësto’s “Blue” and Surf Mesa’s “First Time”, while continuing to release his own material. Known for his emotive tone and melodic sensibility, Stevie Appleton bridges the worlds of pop songwriting and electronic production, making him a natural creative partner for forward-thinking producers like deadmau5.
With “Science”, deadmau5 and Stevie Appleton deliver a collaboration that balances emotional subtlety with expansive production, offering listeners a compelling glimpse into the next phase of deadmau5’s ever-evolving musical journey.
“Science”, by deadmau5 featuring Stevie Appleton, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via mau5trap, under EpicWin, courtesy of Create Music Group.
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