Unless you’re one of the lucky few NYU students who live directly on campus, chances are you have a bit of a commute. Some might be a few blocks away while others make the trip from Brooklyn or Queens, but regardless of travel time we all need a something to listen to as we walk, bike, or subway to campus. Personally, electric pop and dance music is the way I start my morning. Mostly because the beats are powerful enough to drown out the construction going on down the street from my apartment, but also because the 30 or so minutes when I’m walking to campus or on the subway going to my internship is the time I take to get mentally ready for the day. And as cheesy as it sounds, I need every last bit of positivity entering my body via dance beat.

One electronic artist that’s recently been popping up on playlists is dance music newcomer Prince Fox. Fox, whose real name is Sam Lassner, showed up on the scene in 2015 when he decided to switch his focus from singer songwriter to dance music producer. Fox started off with successful remixes of artists like Cazzette and SNBRN and grew until he released his first single “Wait Until Tomorrow” last year.

Via AudioSF.com

One of the most unique aspects of Fox’s artistic technique is that instead of coming building his songs on a structure reliant on builds and drops, a standard in the EDM world, Fox uses traditional songwriting structure to construct his music. His songs have the natural progression one would expect from a pop song rather than just a frenzy of growing beats leading to a drop.

Fox attributes this to the marriage of two worlds. His first love of songwriting, and the EDM style he recently decided was the right vehicle for his music. Unlike others who grow into their musical tastes gradually, Fox can point to a single moment he knew electronic music was right for him. On a trip to the electronic music festival Electric Zoo, Fox realized that he could expand his musical horizons, not only to include the writing he was already doing, but to add producing, recording, and mixing to his repertoire to become a fully rounded artist.

Via YourEDM.com

Fox’s most recent track “Oxygen” featuring singer Michelle Buzz showcases Fox’s ability to mix the various elements to form a danceable electronic pop track that stays true to his lyricist roots.

His music? A balance that allows you to enjoy it on the dance floor as well as on your way to class.