We are halfway through November, which means it is time for another edition of MENA Local Heroes on Apple Music. But apparently, one hero wasn't enough this month. We have five. All from SECTA, the Dubai-based electronic music collective that has spent the past five years making sure the city's underground scene stays anything but quiet.

And a little warning before you press play: this isn't exactly music for a quiet evening with a cup of tea. Unless, of course, you like your tea with a bassline strong enough to make you forget what day it is.

For the latest edition of MENA Local Heroes, STR’s guest-curated Apple Music series, we are handing over the musical controls to SECTA.

Founded in 2021, SECTA has spent the past five years proving that Dubai has much more to offer after dark than fancy rooftops, expensive cocktails and DJs playing the same five hits. Their recipe? Techno, unexpected sounds and a community of people who genuinely care about music (and aren't particularly interested in checking the time).

Now, they are bringing a little piece of that world to Apple Music. Five selectors, five different musical personalities and a playlist that refuses to behave itself. Some tracks are hypnotic, others playful, and a few might make you question what exactly you have just heard. In a good way, of course.

Now, the fun part. What happens when you ask five people from the same collective to choose four tracks that feel very them? You might expect five variations of the same thing. Fortunately, SECTA doesn't quite work like that.

So, get ready for a little deep dive into SECTA's musical universe. Grab a pen and some paper, because we are about to give you quite a few names to add to your playlists. Consider this your homework. The fun kind, for once.

Elisa Arienti, better known as Dea

Who decided techno belongs exclusively to dark clubs and questionable bedtimes? Certainly not SECTA's co-founder Elisa Arienti. She listens to electronic music practically everywhere: while working, driving, creating, or simply getting through an ordinary Tuesday. And interestingly, research suggests that rhythmic music can help with motivation and engagement. So perhaps that pounding beat has more uses than keeping you on the dancefloor until 4 am.

Her personal highlight is Rosati's “Polymath”, which opens the playlist. It is a curious little contradiction: dreamy and almost otherworldly, yet with a groove that refuses to let you sit still.

So, whether you are answering emails or getting ready for a night out, Elisa would happily provide the soundtrack. Your colleagues might have a few questions, though.

Ju Lovett

Ju Lovett, also SECTA's co-founder, has a slightly different approach to the playlist. For him, four tracks are enough to tell a little story about what happens during one of his sets. And apparently, a night at SECTA can involve quite the emotional rollercoaster. Who knew you could experience so many feelings while simultaneously losing the ability to feel your feet?

Ju loves those moments when a particular track completely changes the energy in the room. Sometimes it is Ignez's "White Rose", with its haunting melody, and sometimes Aloka's "Digeridoo", which he has been playing at SECTA for years when the crowd is ready to go absolutely wild.

But his most personal choice is Arthur Robert's "Kinship".

And that tells us quite a lot about Ju. For all the high-energy techno and wonderfully chaotic dancefloors, what stays with him is that feeling of hundreds of strangers suddenly being on the same wavelength. Rather sweet, really. Especially considering that most of them probably can't hear each other speak.

Assi, better known as Sonchauni

Some DJs like to stay loyal to one genre. Assi, aka Sonchauni seems far more interested in finding out what happens when several genres are left alone in a room together. Preferably without adult supervision.

The selection is a little musical experiment, moving between hardgroove, samba percussion, deconstructed club music and even traces of '90s house. And the fun is in the combinations you probably wouldn't have thought of yourself.

Take JumbogoatXXL's "Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 2", a recently discovered gem where a hardgroove beat suddenly meets samba percussion. And that is only the beginning. Horseboyy's "Sighs & Comes Like an Angel" brings together heavy house bass, lo-fi flutes and acid textures. Quite a crowded room, musically speaking.

But perhaps the most intriguing choice is "The Dala Effect" by Simo Cell and Abdullah Miniawy.

Bianca, better known as Baby B

And now, a little holiday sunshine. Not literally, unfortunately (we are well into the season of working hard and dreaming of days off), but Bianca has managed to squeeze an entire summer holiday into four tracks. Quite impressive, considering that most of us struggle to fit one into our annual leave.

Her selection brings together Opal Sunn's "Liquid (Phase I)", Steffi's "Sudden Flash", A. Morgan's "Solar Flare" and Augusto Taito's "Madame Claude". Four tracks, one very specific feeling. And interestingly, Bianca doesn't describe it through BPMs, genres or complicated musical terminology. Instead, she takes us straight into a memory that almost everyone can relate to.

Kirill Zhan

And finally, Kirill Zhan, who seems determined to make sure nobody finishes this playlist sitting still. His four picks take us from Ron Trent's "I Feel the Rhythm (Inner Experience Revision)" and Rocco.fx's "FM Strikes Again" to Ghettoklava's "Hyperfocus" and YÅ's "Shake Machine".

Even the track titles sound like a rather ambitious workout plan. Rhythm, hyperfocus, shaking — apparently, resting wasn't on the agenda. It is a selection that brings together different corners of electronic dance music, with plenty of room for a little musical mischief.

And now, the exciting part! On November 28, SECTA is kicking off its new Open Air season at The Forum Expo, from 4 pm to 4 am. Yes, 12 hours, so we suggest getting some sleep beforehand.

The line-up includes Raredub, The Muffin Man and Kito Jempere, alongside local selectors and SECTA residents. And apparently, dancing for 12 hours wasn't quite enough entertainment.

Very thoughtful, considering that surviving on basslines alone isn't generally recommended. And for those who aren't quite ready to commit to a full 12-hour dance marathon, there is good news too.

So, start with the playlist, discover your favourites and come hear what SECTA sounds like beyond your headphones. Your Saturday plans are officially sorted.

Listen to MENA Local Heroes: SECTA on Apple Music.