The Cross Records Returns from Hiatus with Grammy-Nominated Bag Raiders Hold Me

After a two-year hiatus prompted by global upheaval, The Cross records has emerged from dormancy with renewed purpose and strengthened foundations. The label’s resurrection represents a calculated convergence of industry expertise: the well-connected Club Class management company, home to MEDUZA, GENESIS and James Hype, has joined forces with major label stalwart Island Records to reinvigorate the imprint.

At the helm stands Matt Smallwood, whose tenure as Head of A&R at Toolroom Records now informs his role as Head of Music at Club Class. His vision for The Cross eschews narrow categorization, embracing instead a broad spectrum of house music that spans radio-ready anthems and underground club fare. “There’s a wealth of passion, experience, and talent around the label,” Smallwood reflects.

Matt Smallwood

The partnership has garnered endorsement from Island Records’ Senior A&R Callum Ross, who speaks to the organic evolution of a five-year working relationship with Club Class principals. This foundation of mutual respect and shared vision positions The Cross for sustained creative output rather than fleeting commercial ventures.

The label’s relaunch finds its voice through Grammy-nominated Australian duo Bag Raiders, whose ‘Hold Me’ serves as the inaugural release of this new chapter. The track exemplifies Smallwood’s curatorial philosophy—a sophisticated fusion of contemporary house production with classic disco sensibilities, anchored by a compelling vocal hook. Speaking about the track, Bag Raiders shared:

“The lyrics speak to the heart, while the rhythm is made for the dance floor. We love songs that sit between sadness and joy, and this one really brings both. It’s been a highlight in our live shows for months, and we’re excited for everyone to hear it. We hope people connect with it as much as we do.”

For Bag Raiders, whose ‘Shooting Stars’ achieved global ubiquity with four billion streams, ‘Hold Me’ represents both continuity and evolution. The duo describes their new offering as existing “between sadness and joy,” a duality that has already earned support from Dom Dolla, Duke Dumont, and other tastemakers.