Better Days (Original Mix): The Progressive House Prodigy

The electronic music project Better Days (Original Mix) is the brainchild of Swedish DJ and producer Axel Johansson. Emerging from the vibrant Scandinavian dance scene, Johansson has carved a niche with his melodic progressive house anthems, achieving notable chart success across European dance charts and securing a consistent presence on leading digital platforms.

Early career

Axel Johansson began his musical journey in Stockholm, experimenting with production software in his late teens. His early demos, characterized by uplifting melodies and driving basslines, caught the attention of several small European digital labels around 2015.

These initial releases on platforms like Beatport helped him build a foundational following within the online progressive house community, setting the stage for his first major label opportunity.

Breakthrough

The year 2018 marked a turning point for Better Days (Original Mix) with the release of the single "Horizon" on the Dutch imprint Armada Digital. The track's fusion of emotive piano chords and a powerful, rolling drop resonated with fans and DJs alike.

"Horizon" climbed into the Top 20 of Beatport's Progressive House chart and remained a staple in sets for months, leading to Johansson's first signing with the larger sub-label Armada Captivating.

Key tracks

Horizon — This 2018 single served as the definitive breakthrough, establishing the project's signature sound on a major label.

Echoes — A 2020 collaboration with vocalist Maja that expanded the project's reach into vocal-driven progressive house territory.

Northern Lights — This 2021 instrumental track showcased Johansson's intricate production and earned support from major festival headliners.

Found You — Featuring on several prominent "Progressive House Essentials" playlists, this 2022 release became a streaming highlight.

Following this breakthrough, Johansson focused on refining his studio output and expanding his touring schedule. He has performed at select European festivals and club nights, often sharing lineups with established progressive house acts.

His consistent release schedule on Armada Captivating has solidified his reputation as a reliable hitmaker within the genre, with each new track garnering immediate adds to curated dance music radio shows.

Fans of the crisp, melodic style of Better Days (Original Mix) often appreciate the work of similar Swedish producers. Jeremy Olander shares a dedication to deep, driving progressive house rhythms. Fehrplay explores similar atmospheric and melodic territories in his productions. The more mainstream-oriented Swedish House Mafia represents a broader, arena-filling evolution of the Swedish house sound. For a classic influence, Eric Prydz is a clear national forebear in building epic progressive house narratives.

The music of Better Days (Original Mix) is a frequent feature on electronic and dance-focused radio stations across our network. From dedicated progressive house shows on online radio streams to prime-time slots on European dance music FM stations, his tracks maintain strong rotation for their energy and melodic appeal.

Listeners can discover the dynamic progressive house catalog of Better Days (Original Mix) by tuning into the various electronic music radio stations available on onairium.com, where his music is regularly featured in programming dedicated to the latest and greatest in dance music.