Revealed finally presented their 2018 Miami Sampler. Every year, fans await this exclusive selection of talents, assured of finding fresh music, artists and ideas. Our analysis is focused on only five songs, the most interesting and enjoyable for us reviewers. We must say that this assortment has been particularly balanced, with 10 songs with almost the same charm (apart from our two favourites, with an 80+ rating) and no flops.
5. Sansixto, Max Adrian & Aftermarket – Stellar
73\100
Without judging the artists involved, we preferred focusing on the musical scheme of “Stellar”. We selected this song because it has the right amount of energy and an explosive drop. The Sansixto presence is well audible in the catchy tribal drums and the ethnic (and rather mysterious) break, while the two young talents Aftermarket and Max Adrian delivered a good drop. The trap add-on seems slightly predictable, but enjoyable at the end. Special mention to the hybrid trap/groove/big room approach, a symbol of different influences together. Fitting all of them together was hard, but they did it! In the end, music is the most important thing here, and nothing else can change our unbiased opinion. We hope to hear more from this trio: the talent is imminent, but the song could be better. Balanced tune.
4. RIVERO & Mutiny – Keep It Low
75\100
Nowadays, RIVERO has a stable presence on Revealed. His style is slowly following a dark and deep path, and we appreciate this curious choice! This collaboration with another Israelian producer, Mutiny (this country has been full of talented artists lately!), called “Keep It Low”, focuses on bringing an oldschool Electro House feel to the fans. The result is pretty nice, with a hypnotic drop and a catchy yet minimal vocal. The melody is slightly simple for our tastes, but the song is impressive. Particular collaboration, but RIVERO’s fans should now be used to those dark sounds.
3. Dirty Ducks feat. Hawkboy – Outlaw
77\100
Dirty Ducks are never predictable. This time the Italian duo dropped a song clearly influenced by Western movies, with their typical groove electro house influence. “Outlaw” presents this unique ‘accordion’ lead, a catchy vocal by Hawkboy, and a splendid break. The right personality and elegance for this explosive release! Despite the drop being quite standard for Dirty Ducks productions (except for the creative fills), we appreciate the unique personality of “Outlaw”. Probably the most particular song of the EP, those producers are genial!
2. Matt Watkins feat. Xyclone – TRN IT UP
82\100
Despite reggaeish vocals being overused in the current EDM scene (and in this EP), in front of Xyclone’s performance, you can’t stop clapping.
That’s catchiness, sweethearts.
From Australia and California, we have the catchiest song of the EP. Matt Watkins dropped a particular bouncy electro house song, in collaboration with an awesome vocalist. The break may confuse you (quite a standard structure, but what a vocal!), but the drop is energetic and creative in the right way! Slow scheme, while the acid lead brings a massive amount of brutality and aggressiveness. Wild production, impossible to ignore! There are different influences (tribal, moombah, electro and bounce), all together in a particular, and most importantly, massively powerful composition. A rare gem.
1. Andrew Belize & Adaptiv ft. Menno – Butterfly
86\100
Well, it was easy to guess our numero uno choice.
“Butterfly” is the only progressive tune of the EP, and not a generic track. Absolutely not. The incredible vocal by Menno is beaten (for us) only by the magnificent performance of Xyclone, but with the difference is that these guys delivered a splendid and vibrant break! The mysterious whistle in the intro, together with passionate lyrics, uplifting chords and that magical vocal, make this break a rare piece of art. After that, a powerful lead begins to prepare the listener for the massive drop. Being impartial is difficult here, but the drop is simply absurd for us.
Are Andrew Belize, Adaptiv and Lenno the real winners here? For EDM Reviewer, they have been the best in the big group of talented artists. We really hope to see them again on Revealed with wonderful tunes like “Butterfly”!
Chris W. Lao
March 17, 2018 / at 8:34 pm
I wasn’t a huge fan of the EP as a whole, but I definitely thought Sunstars deserved a spot in the top 5. Not that horrible track, “Butterfly.” Ugh, I’m so finished with that kind of progressive house, it stands out like a sore thumb on the EP. You say it wasn’t generic but if you put it in a lineup of other progressive songs, I couldn’t pick it out on the first try. Sunstars took the Damien N-Drix sound and added a cool melody too it. The Darth Vader vocals added to the nostalgia factor and overall the track was worth the download. That one and “Outlaw” of course, because Dirty Ducks, enough said. The other tracks on the album didn’t stand out to me, but I downloaded the Matt Watkins track as well because it could be useful for a tempo change in a mix.