Marking a bold new chapter in their enduring legacy, Café del Mar sets to release its first-ever artist-led album ‘Journey Within’ crafted by electronic heavyweights Pig&Dan.
For the first time in its 45-year history, the label behind some of the most iconic chillout compilations is releasing a full-length artist album, and they’ve tapped none other than Pig&Dan to lead the charge.
Out June 13th, Journey Within sees the techno duo exploring new terrain, blending their studio precision with the laid-back spirit that has long defined the Café del Mar legacy. The result is an expansive, soul-searching body of work that reimagines what chillout can be in 2025.
Café del Mar has always been about the moment, that perfect blend of sun, sea and sound, and this release marks a bold step into the future. It’s not just a one-off either. Journey Within sets the tone for a new wave of artist-led projects under the Café del Mar Music banner. This is about pushing boundaries while still staying true to the Balearic essence.
Ken Fan, resident DJ and curator at Café del Mar, was instrumental in bringing this one to life. He recalls: “Pig&Dan sent me the album last year. I started slipping the tracks into my sets, and the response was instant. People were coming up asking what they were, trying to Shazam them with no luck. That’s when I knew we were onto something special.”
For Pig&Dan, Journey Within is a personal project. Known for tearing up dancefloors at Tomorrowland and Awakenings, here they dial things down and dive deep. The album trades peak-time power for introspection, weaving earthy dub textures, warm psychedelia and lush downtempo grooves. It’s a sonic departure, but a natural one.
“We’ve always had this deeper, more emotive side to our sound,” Pig&Dan explain. “With Journey Within, we wanted to explore that fully. No club pressure, just music that resonates with the moment.”
Opening track Can’t Do It On My Own sets the tone beautifully. Laced with melancholic strings, atmospheric pads and a standout vocal, it’s a rich, layered production that showcases the duo’s evolution. It’s chillout with teeth, deeply felt and immaculately produced.
The album artwork, created by David Robles, complements the music perfectly, echoing the introspective, almost psychedelic journey the music takes you on.
Journey Within is more than just a genre pivot. It’s a landmark moment for both Pig&Dan and Café del Mar. One foot in the past, the other stepping confidently into what’s next.
The album drops June 13th on all major streaming platforms. Pre save here.
