In the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music, few artists have managed to transcend the line between sound and visual art quite like Matteo Milleri. The Italian-American producer has quietly but definitively reshaped the contemporary electronic scene through his solo project Anyma, creating a new paradigm for what it means to be a producer in 2025.
Born in New York City, Matteo Milleri's journey through electronic music has been anything but conventional. Though Italian by nationality, his global upbringing would later influence his boundary-pushing sound. After spending his formative years in Italy, Milleri made a pivotal decision to study sound engineering at Milan's SAE Institute. It was here that fate intervened, as he met Carmine Conte, and together they formed Tale of Us, a partnership that would redefine melodic techno and eventually lead them to Berlin, the beating heart of electronic music.
As one half of Tale of Us, Milleri helped craft a distinctive sound that earned them a fiercely loyal global fanbase. The duo's success led to the founding of Afterlife Records, creating a platform for forward-thinking electronic artists that would later partner with Interscope. But even as Tale of Us continued to dominate dance floors worldwide, Milleri harbored creative visions that demanded a different outlet, one that would allow him to explore the intersection of music, technology, and visual art in ways that would revolutionize the electronic music landscape.
When Anyma emerged, it was a complete reimagining of what electronic music could be. Described by Milleri himself as "my creative self-expression, blending music, art, and immersive realities to explore the next phase in the realm of consciousness", Anyma represents a fusion of sound and vision that transcends traditional performance.
The project debuted with the EP "Claire" on Rose Avenue Records, featuring collaborations with Janus Rasmussen and Delhia de France. What truly set this release apart was its accompanying visual component. The world's first full-size NFT music video, created in collaboration with Berlin-based artist Marigoldff and IOR50 Studio. This groundbreaking approach signaled Milleri's intention to blur the lines between physical and digital worlds through state-of-the-art technology, music production, and design.
<Spotify link="https://open.spotify.com/album/2jNJOImlrROFXl65YXwnU6?si=auGWN9ltRMCj2BI0SJ6K-Q" />
Barely catching his breath, Milleri released a second EP, "Sentient", through Afterlife Records just weeks later, showcasing a darker, more experimental side to his artistry. By partnering with Builders Club, an award-winning creative production company specializing in film, 3D motion, and interactive storytelling, Anyma established a visual identity that was as distinctive as its sound, creating immersive landscapes where music and visuals dance in perfect harmony.
The Afterlife label, co-founded by Milleri, has become far more than just a record company. It's a multidimensional platform that has redefined how electronic music is experienced. Under the Afterlife banner, Milleri has signed numerous artists and created a global community centered around immersive experiences. In a significant industry move, Afterlife partnered with Interscope Records, expanding its reach and resources. This strategic alliance has allowed Milleri to push his creative vision even further, blending underground credibility with major label infrastructure.
The first Afterlife Festival, scheduled for June 2025 in Barcelona, represents the culmination of this vision: a two-day event featuring dual stages curated by Anyma and MRAK (Carmine Conte's solo project). This festival promises to be more than just a music event; it will be a comprehensive sensory experience that embodies the Afterlife ethos and its innovative spirit.
Anyma's musical output has consistently defied categorization, drawing from a rich palette of melodic house, techno, ambient, and classical influences. The project's debut album, "Genesys", featured an impressive roster of collaborators including Grimes, Sevdaliza, and CamelPhat. This was followed by "Genesys II", further expanding Milleri's sonic universe.
<Spotify link="https://open.spotify.com/album/4jkiarZE3b7c3a5D3L2LZy?si=RmX9lxWyQ_iIUBgk-soNOg" />
What sets Anyma's releases apart isn't just their sound. It's the holistic approach to artistry. Each release is conceived as part of a larger narrative, with music serving as just one component of a multisensory experience. Milleri has described Anyma as "a self-generated consciousness, coding itself from data clouds and presenting its digital persona through art." This conceptual framework allows him to create work that exists simultaneously in multiple dimensions.
The albums themselves represent a bold fusion of genres, with tracks that can move seamlessly from hypnotic dancefloor moments to introspective ambient passages. This fluidity reflects Milleri's belief that the digital landscape presents "a chance for artists to cultivate a more connected and immersive experience, both live and at home."
Anyma's live performances have redefined what an electronic music show can be. Milleri made history with "The End of Genesys" at Las Vegas' Sphere, creating a groundbreaking fusion of art, music, and technology. These performances are meticulously crafted experiences that blur the line between concert and digital art installation. Utilizing Extended Reality (XR) technology, Anyma creates immersive environments that transport audiences into digital realms that exist somewhere between the real and surreal. They're narrative experiences that challenge our understanding of the relationship between humans and technology.
<Spotify link="https://open.spotify.com/album/5S4MqmLI8xaLzLBH0wgxEu?si=wvW5U737Ti2T5HuvKHlOBg" />
What makes these performances particularly revolutionary is how they reimagine the role of the DJ/producer. Rather than simply standing behind decks, Milleri becomes part of a larger digital ecosystem, with visuals that respond to and interact with the music in real-time. This approach creates a universal language that brings the artist and audience closer together, dissolving the traditional barriers of performance.
As we look to the future, Anyma continues to push the limits of what electronic music can be in the digital age. Beyond his musical output, Milleri has expanded his creative reach through visual creative direction and collaborations. His ventures into the NFT space and digital art have positioned him at the forefront of how music will be experienced in the coming years. With rumors of high-profile collaborations swirling, Anyma represents not just the evolution of a single artist but a glimpse into the future of electronic music itself.
In Milleri's own words, Anyma is an exploration of "the next phase in the realm of consciousness." As technology continues to evolve and the barriers between physical and digital worlds become increasingly blurred, Anyma stands as a visionary project that doesn't just anticipate these changes; it actively shapes them, creating new possibilities for how we experience music in the digital age.
Explore More
View All
