After seven years Dutch hardstyle sensation KELTEK released his debut album, ‘Music Is Magic’, on November 22 through SCANTRAXX. This 12-track album is a tribute to Hardstyle, blending KELTEK’s iconic sound with high-energy collaborations. Alongside his debut album, KELTEK also welcomed twins into the world this year, adding to his own celebration of magic. With everything moving fast around him, his dedication to music ran high as he crafted an album that captures this journey, reflects on growth, and the ability of music to ground us even in busy times.
I got to ask KELTEK some more about the album in an exclusive interview:
Anna: The album is called ‘Music Is Magic’, which is a powerful title. Why did you choose this name, and how does it reflect your journey as an artist over the last seven years?
KELTEK: When we talk about “magic,” we often mean something extraordinary or unexplainable, like the goosebumps you get when a piece of music truly moves you. While magic may be fictional, music is the closest thing to real magic in my world. Over the past seven years, I’ve grown so much both personally and professionally, with music always at the heart of it all. This album embodies that magic.
Making your first album can be a big and personal experience. Finishing a track can be a huge commitment – but finishing an entire album even more. What made you feel like it was “done”?
Making your first album is incredibly personal, and it’s hard to ever feel like it’s truly “done.” At some point, though, you have to trust the story you’ve created and let it go. Time also plays a role, you can’t perfect every detail forever. Interestingly, what might feel like an imperfection to me could later be seen as something unique or even epic by others.
2024 has been a huge year for you in your personal life: becoming a father to twins. How did these big life changes affect your creative process and the themes in the album?
Becoming a father to twins has been an incredible experience, but also one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever faced. It gave me a fresh perspective and a deeper sense of purpose, even through the tough moments. This new chapter pushed me to pour even more emotion into my music, reflecting on both the struggles and the joy.
‘Never Change’ with Ran-D is a special track between two long-time friends. Can you tell us about how you worked on this track and how your friendship influenced it?
Ran-D and I go way back, and that history made this collaboration effortless and genuine. The track came from late-night studio sessions where we just vibed, sharing stories and ideas. ‘Never Change’ is really about staying true to who you are, something we’ve both learned through our careers and friendship. That authenticity is what makes this track so personal to us.
‘Final Call’ with D’Ort is your first step into Frenchcore. What made you want to try this style, and how was it different from making your usual hardstyle tracks?
I’ve always been drawn to pushing boundaries, and Frenchcore felt like an exciting challenge. It’s loud, fast, and intense—a totally different energy than my usual style. Working with D’Ort made it even better because he brought that authentic Frenchcore vibe. It was a fun way to step out of my comfort zone while staying true to my sound.
Some songs, like ‘Beautiful Day’, feel uplifting and perfect for festivals, while others, like ‘Vortex’, are darker and heavier. How different is the process of creating tracks with different energy?
The process really depends on the mood I want to capture. For uplifting tracks, I focus on melodies and harmonies that feel bright and expansive. For darker tracks, it’s more about experimenting with sound design, rhythms, and tension. Each track starts with an emotion or concept, and the process flows from there. It’s like painting with different colours.
Your ‘Music Is Magic’ showcase at Defqon.1 got an amazing response. Did that performance change anything about the album before it was finished?
Defqon.1 was incredible, it was like seeing the album come to life in real-time. The energy from the crowd gave me so much inspiration, and it actually made me go back to tweak a couple of tracks to make them even more impactful. It reinforced the idea that music really is magic when it’s shared.
Click here to watch:
You’ve been established in the hardstyle scene for many years, and now you have a debut album and a growing family. What’s next for KELTEK in 2025 and beyond?
I’m excited to keep evolving, both as an artist and a person. In 2025, I want to explore new collaborations, experiment with different melodic styles, and keep bringing energy to the stage. At the same time, I’m focused on balancing that with my family life, which is equally important. It’s about finding harmony between those worlds.
What do you hope fans feel or take away after listening to ‘Music Is Magic’, and what are you most excited about when fans listen to your new music?
I hope fans feel the emotion and passion I’ve put into every track. Whether it’s joy, nostalgia, or pure adrenaline, I want the music to resonate with them. What excites me most is hearing how the album connects with people, whether it’s a festival track or a track that helps them through a tough time. That bond between music and listener is where the real magic lives, and it’s what makes it all worth it.
Listen to the Album on Spotify:
KELTEK – Music Is Magic
1. KELTEK – Music Is Magic
2. KELTEK – Arms Wide Open
3. KELTEK – Beautiful Day
4. KELTEK – Vortex
5. KELTEK & Devin Wild – Where I Belong
6. KELTEK – Frozen
7. Ran-D & KELTEK ft. Ava Silver – Never Change
8. KELTEK & Unresolved – Cage (Feed Them The Rage)
9. KELTEK & Act Of Rage – To The Limit
10. KELTEK – Through The Night (ERABREAK Remix)
11. KELTEK – Gangsters Of The Universe (Midnight Mafia 2024 Anthem)
12. KELTEK & D’Ort – Final Call
