For more than a decade, KSHMR has been a constant presence in dance music, from mainstage releases to behind-the-scenes production work. “Secrets,” his collaboration with Tiësto, was a turning point, especially when Tiësto brought him on stage at Ultra Music Festival and introduced him to the world under the KSHMR name, a moment that expanded his global reach almost overnight. Since then, he has worked with artists including Hardwell, Timmy Trumpet, W&W, Headhunterz, Alok, Carnage, R3HAB, Bassjackers, and Krewella, while his sample packs and production tools have been widely used by producers across the genre. In a rare and candid message to fans, something he does not often share publicly, he admitted that he has been struggling to reconnect with the same excitement he once felt for making dance music, opening up about uncertainty around where his career is heading next.

A Rare Moment of Honesty

Breaking his usual silence on personal matters, KSHMR spoke openly about feeling disconnected from the dance music world he has been part of for years. “Watching other artists perform, attending shows, and being surrounded by new releases no longer triggers the same reaction,” he shared. The excitement that once came naturally in the early stages of his career has slowly faded, especially as the scene has evolved and shifted over time. That lack of inspiration has made the creative process heavier, leaving him uncertain about where he fits within it today.

He also acknowledged the mental strain that comes with constant expectations. Sitting down to produce, he admitted, can leave him feeling “borderline depressed.” Some of his recent releases, he suggested, were shaped more by the pressure to meet fan expectations and ease that weight than by a genuine desire to express something personal. The music still exists, but the emotional connection behind it has not always felt fully aligned with who he is now. By speaking candidly, he made it clear that he would rather step back and be transparent than continue creating from a place that does not feel honest.

The Weight of Sounds of KSHMR

A big reason KSHMR says he has been tied up is Sounds of KSHMR. In his recent message to fans, he described it as a “massive project” he wakes up every day trying to finish before he can fully move on. The first volume was released in 2015 in collaboration with Splice, at a time when artist-led sample packs were still gaining traction in electronic music production. The early editions gained attention for their orchestral recordings, percussion, vocal phrases, and non-Western instrumentation, many of which echoed the style heard in his own records.

As the series expanded into multiple volumes and genre-focused packs, it became one of the most downloaded artist collections on Splice. Producers across different corners of electronic music began using its strings, brass sections, drum kits, and MIDI tools in their own tracks. The project also grew beyond sound files. Through Dharma Worldwide, KSHMR released tutorials, templates, and production walkthroughs, turning what began as a personal sound library into an ongoing educational platform that required consistent oversight and development.

In his post, his position was clear. He wants to finish Sounds of KSHMR first, then seriously decide whether he still wants to continue releasing music. If he does continue, he said he wants to give fans his full effort. If not, he would rather step back than release something that feels incomplete.

What This Means for the Future

When KSHMR shared his recent message with fans, he did not announce a final tour date or a last release. Instead, he spoke about needing space to reassess what making music means to him after years of releases, global performances, and projects tied to his name. From his breakout moment alongside Tiësto at Ultra Music Festival to a catalog that includes “Secrets,” “Wildcard,” and collaborations with artists across different corners of electronic music, his career has never been built on half measures.

That history makes this pause significant. An artist who has consistently maintained a high level of production detail and cinematic identity is now questioning whether he can continue without feeling fully invested. He made it clear that continuing simply to stay visible is not enough.

For listeners who have followed KSHMR through festival eras, big-room cycles, and the expansion of projects like Sounds of KSHMR, this moment feels uncertain but not final. Would you rather see him return when the inspiration feels fully genuine, or continue releasing music out of routine?

If his track record suggests anything, it is that he does not approach major decisions casually, and that gives fans reason to stay hopeful.