Each week we’ll be partnering with The QR Network to compile a short recap of notable tracks that we didn’t have time to cover during the previous week. We hope you enjoy our selection and if you have any tracks you’d like to see here, please feel free to use our contact form or post your suggestions in the comments. So let’s get right into things!
Krosses – Losing My Grip
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/448941762″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
The best thing about this track is its focus. It wanted to make listeners feel like they were by the ocean and it accomplishes that very well with the lyrics, textures, melodies, and synth choice. The first few measures of the drop are very repetitive and the build up uses an odd effects choice on the vocals, but other than that, this is a fantastic summer track that’s fruity, but not too fruity.
89/100
Dante Klein – Nothin’ On You
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/438429744″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
Similar to the first, this track is filled with just the right amount of summer vibes. One interesting aspect is that the female vocalists uses some common new-age rap vocal rhythms but does so in a way that doesn’t detract from her femininity. The drop is clean with great syncopation to keep your foot tapping throughout the track.
87/100
Teamworx & AYOR – Trap Like
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/443784663″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
Before next week’s return to progressive house courtesy of Lucas & Steve, Protocol is back with a Groove track with some trap flourishes. Teamworx finally branches out from their percussion set from their past releases and their new sound has a very futuristic feel to them. The track lives up to its name in the break but is fairly monotonous. The second drop adds enough energy to make this a solid track to listen to in its entirety.
81/100
R3HAB & Skytech – What You Do
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/448928853″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
After their venture into psy-trance with Hyperspace, R3HAB & Skytech are back doing what they do best with their signature lead. This time, they take their sound into Future House territory without deviating too far from Progressive House. The vocals are reminiscent of “Like I Do” but the pianos that follow seem very generic. When the drop hits, the lead and piano blend perfectly together to form a euphoric thirty seconds of great melodies and sound design. There’s a nice call and response going on which gives it a fresh feel compared to their past collaborations. I personally think this drop goes best with Steve Aoki’s Celine Dion remix for the Deadpool soundtrack.
84/100
Murat Salman – Chief
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/447240684″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
Dharma’s releases are nothing if not unique and this track is no exception. This track starts off promising enough with an old western vibe courtesy of the male vocals. While the vocals aren’t original, they’re still effective. Where the track quickly falls apart is in the drop which has an extremely dischordant melody which may grow on listeners over time, but is certainly not pleasing upon first listen. It’s too repetitive and is saved only by some interesting ornamentation. There are some pleasant chromatic percussion included in the last part of the drop. Overall, the melody ruins the usability and enjoyability of the whole track.
68/100
O.B & I_O – Samburu
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/448067412″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
This is the first release for Free Music Recordings after being bought up by Sony a little over two months ago. You can read an interview with the owner of the label and a hot take from Drop Department who serves as their A&R. Back to the song, this track doesn’t deviate far from their past releases and is especially similar to O.B’s previous release on the label. The bass is overpowering and the drop goes on for four measures too long. The worst feature of this track is lack of progression and energy. It’s more of the same for most of the run time and doesn’t reward listeners for sticking around. The only good qualities about this track lie in its classic sound. If you like this type of clean Groove music, this is another track you would enjoy.
64/100
TBR – Lift Off
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/447114666″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
One of the most promising young producers is back again with another classic new-age Big Room track. The best part of this track is in the break which features the tried and true hardstyle synth. The melodies and chord progressions are fantastic and it doesn’t overstay its welcome. The drop contains some dark progressive elements but is otherwise forgettable. Another thing which holds this track back is its structure which strictly adheres to the new Big Room formula of having only one true breakdown and two nearly identical drops.
78/100
D.O.D. – Glow
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/447311541″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
The best part of this track is the sultry female vocals which are clean, airy, and beautiful. There’s not much to the melody in the drop but fortunately the vocals are quick to return. The second drop adds more energy through distorting the leads in an appropriate manner. This track feels very radio friendly but there’s not too much substance to the track as a whole because as it progresses, it relies a bit too heavily on the vocals without adding enough new elements to justify its runtime.
76/100
Mark Sixma – Sinfonia
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/445241784″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
If there is one word to describe this track, it would be “uninspired.” It’s a Psy-Trance release with simple melodies and too few elements beyond the typical Psy-Trance track. There are horns and symphonic elements of course but the melodies are too simple and I can’t help but feel that this track would sound better at a higher tempo. The one good thing about this track is the clean, punchy synth used in the second drop to carry yet another simple melody. Mark Sixma has had some fantastic releases in the past which makes it baffling why he would put his name of this very generic track.
65/100
Just A Gent – Space Odyssey (feat. Thandi Phoenix)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/448476783″ params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”130″ iframe=”true” /]
This is another track which relies heavily on its vocals for substance. Unlike “Glow,” these vocals are much more enticing with its soul elements and airiness which invokes a more personal touch with the track. Just A Gent takes a light touch with the production, building and easing up in accordance with the vocals. When the drop sneaks into the picture, it appears to combines Bass House and Progressive House without verging on Future House territory. The second break introduces some new drums and rhythms to varying effect. It felt like the producer was working too hard to diversify the track when it really needed to stick to its strengths and simplicity.
87/100
We hope you enjoyed our recap of selected songs from last week. If there is a song that you felt should have been on here, be sure to leave it in the comments below and we’ll do our best to give our take on it. Certain songs were not included because they will be covered in more detail in the following days so make sure you’re following our social media pages to see all of our latest posts!
In case you missed it, here are the tracks we covered last week!
GARABATTO & Ira Losco – Top of the World
Seven Lions & Tritonal & Kill The Noise feat. HALIENE – Horizon
Armin van Buuren – Blah Blah Blah
This Recap was provided in part by The QR Network which is a blog for interviews with producers and DJs such as OUTRAGE, TBR, Jonth, and Corx
What do you think?
Show comments / Leave a comment