DJ and producer horsegiirL exists in a horse-iverse of her own creation—besides the mask and the mane, her official lore claims she was “discovered by Whitney Horston.” Based in Berlin since at least 2022, the pseudonymous artist has drawn millions of viewers on performances for lauded platforms like HÖR Berlin and Boiler Room. Her sets shift quickly and dramatically, blending ’90s German dance duo Tokyo Ghetto Pussy into a sped-up version of “SexyBack” that makes Justin Timberlake sound like Mickey Mouse. Her breakout hit, “My Barn, My Rules,” caused controversy in 2023 when a BBC Radio 1 host announced on air that she hated it. On horsegiirL’s new V.I.P – very important pony EP, the half-woman, half-horse DJ traverses hardstyle, Eurodance, and happy hardcore, balancing sophisticated technique with silliness.
Though Eurodance was never noted for lyrical prowess, horsegiirL has a gift for incorporating winking references to equine lifestyles and pop music history. “I like diamonds and big checks, private islands, rich sex,” she coos on “materiaL hor$e,” colliding McBling baddie lyrics from the post-Ayesha Erotica world of pop with the tongue-in-cheek materialism of Madonna’s classic. Maybe it’s commentary and maybe it’s not, but in any case it’s chic—bassy on the low end, adorned with cutesy bells and the sound of popping bubbles on top. In other hands the song might feel parodic, but on V.I.P – very important pony, life as a horse-human is nothing if not glamorous.
What horsegiirL’s DJ sets share with her original tracks is the breadth of ground covered. In an interview with Mixmag, she professed her appreciation for ghettotech, donk, mákina, Jersey club, and more; her Rolodex of references shines through the music. Across the EP, she blends in and out of genres at breakneck speed while still leaving breathing room. “bby luv x3” is a dexterous balance of delicate vocals and a thunderous hardstyle breakdown that doesn’t allow any layers to get lost in the mix. The desire to seriously explore dance subgenres often written off as cheesy is nothing new—hyperpop-adjacent internet scenesters like 909worldwide and Moistbreezy come to mind, as does Danny L Harle—but horsegiirL’s approach stands out for how many styles she’s able to pull together without letting any become a punchline.
The space she allows each musical moment adds up to a world that feels far bigger than the EP’s 13 minutes; it’s something more akin to the spontaneous magic that comes with hearing a DJ perform live. horsegiirL joins the ranks of masked electronic musicians who’ve set out to create artistic personas without attaching a human face. Luckily, V.I.P – very important pony is enough fun that the horse head starts to seem like it’s not the thing that makes her special.
