London-based, Estonia-born Janika Tenn returns to Tenn Tonik with Mystified; a restrained deep house cut built on warm low-end, crisp percussion, and clean space for Penny F’s vocal to lead.
Tracing a path from Estonian drum & bass roots to UK tech house and releases on Nervous and Armada (plus work with Todd Terry), Tenn now leans into refinement over pressure. A Prophet-5 (Arturia) brass patch anchors the harmonic core, adding warmth without nostalgia.
Self-released, Mystified reflects full autonomy, tightened architecture, intentional groove, no excess.
In this FM PRO TECH conversation, Tenn unpacks restraint, low-end balance, and imprint-led independence.
As an artist, I don’t believe in making music for labels or chasing their sounds. I make music that feels true to me, and that’s what Tenn Tonik allows me to do.
Mystified feels controlled rather than maximal; what headspace were you in when this track came together?
It was very natural, actually. Penny and I just wanted to create something together, there wasn’t some big strategic plan behind it. I had a basic instrumental idea sitting there already, and when we connected in Ibiza last year it felt like the right moment to build on it. She sent over some lyric ideas, we had a few sessions shaping everything, and it slowly evolved into what it is now. We were both in that Ibiza headspace, warm and clear and focused. I didn’t want to overproduce it. From the beginning we agreed it had to stay a house record at its core. I’ve always been inspired by 80s and 90s music, so that influence comes naturally to me. I’m constantly looking back at that era for emotion and groove. But instead of going maximal, we kept it controlled. It felt stronger that way. Confident, not loud.
There’s a clear 80s soul influence without tipping into nostalgia. How did you modernise that reference point?
I love 80s soul for the emotion and warmth. With Mystified, we kept that feeling but made the production modern and clean. It’s not a peak-time track, it’s more about mood and groove. It works in intimate spaces as much as on a dancefloor. For me, that’s what makes it timeless.
The groove is patient but effective. How important was restraint to the track’s impact?
The groove is very intentional. I didn’t want to add too many elements or clutter the track. By keeping it simple, the chords, bass, and vocal all have space to breathe, and the emotion comes through naturally. The track isn’t about big drops or maximum impact. It’s about the flow and letting the groove do the work. That restraint is what gives it its balance and makes it work everywhere really.
Penny F’s vocal sits front and centre without overpowering the mix. What drew you to her voice for this record?
Penny’s voice was perfect for the track. It’s warm and smooth, and it sits beautifully over the heavier instrumental. I wanted the vocal to float with the groove rather than fight it, and that contrast is what makes Mystified work.
As a London-based artist originally from Estonia, how do those different scenes shape your approach to deep house?
I started in Estonia with drum and bass, then when I moved to the UK I got into producing tech house. Even though I loved funky house, my tracks were still heavy at the start. Over the last five years, I’ve shifted toward softer, vocal-led house, focusing on groove, texture, and mood. That’s what drives records like Mystified, which work everywhere from bars and lounges to deeper club moments.
Running Tenn Tonik yourself, how does releasing on your own label change your creative decision-making?
Running Tenn Tonik gives me complete freedom. I don’t have to worry about other labels telling me to change something or saying a record isn’t right. As an artist, I don’t believe in making music for labels or chasing their sounds. I make music that feels true to me, and that’s what Tenn Tonik allows me to do. I can follow my instincts and create without compromise.
What synths or sound sources defined the harmonic palette of Mystified?
The main synth hook comes from a Prophet-5 brass patch using the Arturia plugin. I wanted it to feel warm and full, giving the track its emotional core. I layered pads and textures around it to create a rich harmonic space while keeping the groove clear and balanced.
How did you approach low-end balance to keep the track functional on big systems without crowding the vocal?
I kept the bass warm and steady so it adds weight without crowding the vocal. The focus was balance, letting the instrumental carry presence while Penny’s voice sits beautifully on top. That approach makes the track work everywhere, from bars and lounges to bigger systems.
Your releases have landed across Nervous, Armada, and beyond — where does Mystified sit in your broader progression as a producer?
Mystified represents a more refined side of my production. My earlier tracks were heavier and peak-time focused, but this one is about control, balance, and mood. It’s layered and detailed, with soft vocals over a strong instrumental, showing I can make music that works in multiple spaces, not just the dancefloor.
Does this release signal a specific direction for Tenn Tonik in 2026, or are you keeping that deliberately open?
Tenn Tonik stays firmly in the house lane, but it’s open creatively. My goal is to work with singers on every record and get back to proper songs, combining groove, emotion, and layered production that works everywhere from bars to deeper club moments.
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