Thievery Corporation co founder Eric Hilton delivers a stunning Café del Mar exclusive built on warm grooves, sunset soul and timeless Balearic elegance.
Eric Hilton has always been a name synonymous with atmosphere. As one half of Thievery Corporation, he helped define a global downtempo aesthetic that fused dub, bossa nova, trip hop and world music long before chillout became a playlist staple. From their early Washington DC studio experiments to worldwide acclaim with albums like The Mirror Conspiracy and The Richest Man in Babylon, Hilton’s productions have always carried a cinematic glow. His solo work over the last few years has only deepened that palette, leaning further into lush instrumental soundscapes and the refined, meditative moods that shaped his legacy.
With Lost In The Light, composed exclusively for Café del Mar’s XXXI compilation, Hilton steps firmly into the lineage of Balearic classics. It feels like a natural home. His connection with Café del Mar runs deeper than a simple commission. Both have spent decades shaping music that elevates, restores and transports. You can hear that mutual respect throughout the track.
Natalia Clavier’s vocals bring a soft, breathlike intimacy that floats effortlessly over Hilton’s warm production. The groove is gentle but steady, rich with the kind of understated percussion and subdued bass work that defined the early sunset sessions in Ibiza. Synth swells ripple across the stereo field, creating that classic Balearic shimmer, while the arrangement moves with the ease of a slow tide. Everything feels unhurried, intentional and quietly emotional.
“Ibiza’s legendary Café Del Mar asked me for an exclusive song for their XXXI collection and it’s out now! ‘Lost in the Light’ features the multi-talented Natalia Clavier and evokes seaside romance and a timeless laid-back sunset elegance. I loved making this song for my friends at Cafe Del Mar and I think you’ll feel that when you hear it.” Eric Hilton
This is Hilton at his most elegant. No tricks, no clutter, just a beautifully executed slice of sunset soul. You can feel the seaside romance he mentions, the golden hour slipping into blue, the world slowing for a brief moment before night arrives. It is the type of track that reminds you why Café del Mar remains iconic and why Hilton’s influence on downtempo music still resonates so deeply.
A refined, heartfelt contribution to the Café del Mar catalogue and another strong chapter in Eric Hilton’s ever evolving solo journey. If you are searching for a track to soundtrack your next moment of stillness, this is it. Pre order here.
