Swedish dance music powerhouse Galantis has inked a new label deal with Counter Records, the Ninja Tune imprint, marking what appears to be a significant creative shift for Christian Karlsson’s project. The partnership launches today with ‘Stay Alive,’ the first single under the new Galantis & The Devil’s Tax Return moniker.

The move represents Karlsson’s first signing to an independent label after years with major label backing. Speaking to Billboard about the transition, he explained the creative freedom it’s afforded: “This is also the first time in my career that I’m not signed to a major label, and it’s completely changed the way I create music. I feel a freedom and inspiration I haven’t felt in a long time.

‘Stay Alive’ signals a more introspective direction for Galantis, described as a contemplative track that balances melancholic undertones with hopeful production. The song finds Karlsson at his most personal, transforming familiar elements into something distinctly his own through intricate emotional production work.

The accompanying music video captures this shift in tone, featuring Karlsson and his companion Piiper in an after-hours parking lot setting. The visual perfectly encapsulates what the artist calls an “homage to youthful ennui,” transforming a simple late-night shoot into something more profound.

For Karlsson, the Counter Records partnership feels particularly meaningful given his long-standing admiration for the Ninja Tune family. “Ninja Tune is a label I’ve admired since the ’90s and to be part of that family with Galantis feels like coming home to music that shaped me,” he noted.

The label announcement coincides with Galantis gearing up for a busy summer touring schedule, including his new Midsommar events in San Francisco and Chicago. The concept symbolizes friendship, new beginnings, and life in full bloom — themes that align with this new creative chapter.

Upcoming North American dates include Electric Forest, Veld Music Festival, and stops in Charleston, Philadelphia, Miami, and Portland. The Midsommar events represent a new live concept for Galantis, with additional dates to be announced.

Since debuting at Coachella 2014, Galantis has accumulated over 11 billion worldwide streams and 5 billion video views. Career highlights include the billion-stream hit ‘Runaway (U & I),’ Grammy nominations, and collaborations with artists from Madonna to Dolly Parton. The transition to Counter Records and The Devil’s Tax Return project suggests Karlsson is ready to explore new creative territory while honoring the musical influences that originally inspired him.