Criteria EP by Jen Cruz

The Barcelona-based artist Jen Cruz debuts on Hardgroove with the four-track EP, Criteria.

Jen Cruz's first release for Ben Sims' Hardgroove imprint is the four-track "Criteria EP," which is released in December. The Tarragona-born and Barcelona-raised Jen Cruz has made a name for herself in the city's clubs over the past eight years while translating that rep overseas via releases on LW Recordings and Raw Quarter DGTL. Having recently played a Hardgroove showcase at Razzmatazz, Cruz's first release for the long-running Hardgroove label is well-timed.

Kicking off with "With Out Criteria," Cruz's "Criteria EP" oozes energy and movement. From the cascading stabs of the opener to the rattling percussion and vocal clips of "Yes To Everything," Cruz has a knack for the memorable without sacrificing depth or pace. Even when stripping things back in "Own Your Voice" or taking a more full-on approach in "It's All About Music," this is an artist firmly in charge of her tools.

Jen Cruz - Criteria EP
Release Date December 2025
Label Hardgroove

Tracklist
1. Jen Cruz - With Out Criteria
2. Jen Cruz - Own Your Voice
3. Jen Cruz - It's All About House Music
4. Jen Cruz - Yes To Everything