I'm Michael Leathers, a DJ, producer, and curator of Best New House Music 2025, a forward-facing playlist focused on the freshest dark, techy, club-ready house and techno. The playlist is updated weekly and features the best new house tracks released (with newer tracks being prioritized higher), giving each submission a real shot at traction with a 2 to 3 week spotlight window. I play DJ sets regularly around the Bay Area, usually two to three times a month, and I feature tracks from the playlist in my club sets, Vault Sessions (online dj-sets) content, and social media. Tracks added to the playlist often show up in mixes and videos that reach thousands, with some reels hitting over 100K views. I only push what I actually support, no passive adds. Genres I prioritize include dark house, minimal tech, tech house, and techno. I look for energy, groove, and danceability. Moods I lean into are hypnotic, gritty, driving, and high-impact. If it feels overly commercial, safe, or cheesy, it's likely not a fit. I give direct feedback on production, mix, arrangement, and how the track works in a DJ context. If your track hits hard in a mix or fills a space I’m looking for, I’ll let you know. It's built for DJs and fans who want to stay tapped into the most cutting-edge house and techno coming into 2025.