The Wait is Over
Fckng Serious label boss Boris Brejcha is back with perhaps the most sought-after track of his storied career, “16 Red Even,” complete with an extended mix and a music video to match. Fans across the globe have been anxiously awaiting its release after hearing it at some of the world’s largest festivals, such as Tomorrowland 2024 and Ultra 2025. I myself have been chasing it since CRSSD Fall 2024, pleading with my friends to catch videos of it when they were set to experience a live performance by the Joker-masked DJ. Make no mistake; “16 Red Even” is no gamble—this release is sure to become a staple across the dance music scene.
Track Breakdown
“16 Red Even” isn’t your usual Boris Brejcha track. It recounts a story from New Year’s Eve 2024 in which Brejcha and his friends experienced a bad stroke of luck at the roulette table. Kicking off with an eerie lead vocal, “It was 6 o’clock in the morning… I bet everything on black, and lost.”—the narration establishes a vivid, dark atmosphere. After a pause, an ethereal arrangement builds gripping suspense along with the sounds of the roulette ball clattering, followed by the croupier’s announcement: “The winning number is 16 red even—place your bets!” The trance-like melody evokes a hopeful energy before diving into an infectious, gritty, and unmistakably Brejcha-esque bassline. This juxtaposition could be interpreted as the excitement of going all-in—only to lose the wager. The croupier’s announcement reenters in stark contrast to the previous progression before an acid-laden bass drop pulls the listener back in. The melody and vocals repeat, but this iteration is tinged with a more pared-down, melancholy tone before dramatically reintroducing the bassline. This is unquestionably one of Brejcha’s most impressive tracks—not only sonically, but also in its ability to fully immerse the audience in the narrative.
Hear It Live
While this release will be a smash hit in its own right, nothing can compete with hearing it in a live set through a professional-grade sound system. Fans across the globe will have multiple opportunities to hear “16 Red Even” live as Boris Brejcha recently kicked off his Reflections Tour in New York, with future dates ranging from September 12 in Tallinn, Estonia, to December 20 in Curitiba, Brazil. Brejcha describes the tour as “[an exploration of] what drives us: raw energy, powerful emotions, and memories that will last forever”—three things that the audience is sure to experience at any of these tour stops.
All Bets In
All in all, “16 Red Even” more than lives up to the hype. Unsurprisingly, the extended mix is the real standout here—the masked DJ is unmatched in his ability to take audiences on a journey, and with the added runtime, that progression captivates the audience even further. While Boris may have lost the roulette spin betting it all on black, he’s undoubtedly hit the jackpot with his latest release.