Spanish queer duo UMEN and Cascales release Pride anthem Chocolate

Spanish queer artists UMEN and Cascales have just released the Pride anthem the summer needed

Chocolate is a 90s house-influenced pop track celebrating hedonism, sensuality and queer diversity. The music video features Samantha Hudson and was shot to look like a Berlin after-party.

UMEN and Cascales met at MADO Madrid Pride last year, when UMEN was performing and Cascales was DJing the Proud Bling stage. They went straight to the studio. The result is Chocolate, released this week ahead of Pride season, and it is exactly what it sounds like: a pop track built on 90s house foundations, written to celebrate queer joy, sensuality and the freedom to own your own attraction.

Cascales, who programmes the urban music stage at Madrid Pride, described the title as deliberate. He and UMEN wanted a word that captured what the collaboration was about. A pop base with 90s house energy, celebrating hedonism and queer diversity. UMEN added that the song is also about sensuality and claiming space for your own sexuality without apology. The track was co-produced by Kasem Fahmi.

The music video, directed by David Pallarés and Josema Mateos, recreates a Berlin-style after-party where everyone has fallen asleep until Cascales arrives, starts playing Chocolate, and the whole room wakes up and comes back to life. The video was cast deliberately to reflect diverse queer community, featuring Samantha Hudson alongside Lord Ébano, Raxxett and others. Both artists describe it as a safe space where everyone belongs.

The two have already returned to the studio and say there is more music coming. For now, Chocolate is on all streaming platforms.

Via Shangay