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.
Project One – Resurrection
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While we haven’t been the most please with some of the releases from Headhunterz and Wildstylez’ collaborative effort: Project One, “Resurrection” brings back Headhunterz’ lighter hardstyle synth similar to the one he used in his big room releases. It’s a pleasant variation on the classic synth which gives the song a softer touch. Spoken word has always been a staple of the genre, and it works to varying degrees of effect, some of it coming off as absolutely epic, others are a bit cheesier. “Resurrection” is more of the latter unfortunately and the repetitive vocals are more of a distraction and detract from the overall impact of the song. Project One has some work to do, but they’re continuously tweaking the formula and hopefully one day they’ll hit us with that timeless release that they’ll be remembered for.
72/100
Angemi & Mariana BO – Ciuri Ciuri
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4RYiTe7KNg&w=560&h=315]
Smash the House is one of the labels which constantly tries to delivery festival-ready tunes (when they aren’t catering to Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike’s pop experiments) and this EDM rendition of a classic Sicilian folk song of the same name is absolute quirky hit. It builds on the growing popularity of higher tempo big room tracks like we’ve seen from KSHMR, SaberZ, and VSNS and adds unique jaw harp sound and classic instrumentation. What’s really impressive is that this track has TWO unique breaks and drops! Finally a well thought-out and diverse track. It’s a journey from start to finish perfect for Spotify as well as DJs. This song does everything right: interesting melodies, dynamic track projection, and unique sounds.
88/100
Bassjackers – Sureshot
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The entire “Le Pays Bass Vol. 2” EP is full of what seems like half-developed ideas that lack variation or fills to complete the track. You have a lazy psy track, a lazy bass house track, a lazy carnival track, and this lazy big room track. This track is the most complete out of all of the offerings and features an interesting breakdown and a hard house drop. The drop could have been filled out a bit more because it’s essentially a kick with some psy-influenced fills. The second drop tries something new with the rhythm but feels just as empty as the first. I don’t know how this entire lackluster EP made its way to Spinnin’ but here we are.
65/100
Nerak – Telepathy
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“Telepathy” is one of those tracks that is reminiscent of Axwell’s “Barricade” and Michael Feiner’s “Bababa” because it follows the same structure and has that same droning beat and energy. The melody isn’t particularly unique but it drives the track perfectly. The breakdown has a similarly unoriginal melody in the style of the 2012-2014 big room era. This would be a perfect track to mashup with popular vocals of the time. It’s paradoxical in that this track is both timeless and dated at the same time. Had it been released years earlier, I have no doubt it would be considered among the classics. But now? Only time will tell how a track like this holds up.
80/100
Hardwell – Kicking it Hard
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There’s few who are on the same level as Hardwell who is both a trendsetter and a gatekeeper of this industry. This ninth installment of the Revealed compilation follows the same trend as the last ones, compiling notable recent releases, a few new edits, and one or two original tracks. This new track from Hardwell sounds like something from Tiesto of days past. All of the elements are things we’ve heard in other tracks or are staples of the genre and altogether it makes for an underwhelming track. While the white noise and grinding frequencies give the illusion of energy in this track, at this point, it’s a trick we’ve been desensitized to over the years. Ultimately, I feel like this track won’t stand up to the test of time and will come across as another track on the compilation.
68/100
VIVID – This Love
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There’s no denying that Brooks has more than left his mark on the future house and future bounce scene. VIVID has been on the scene for a while and has tried a bunch of different styles to varying degrees of success. “This Love” marks a remarkable track that channels the success of the Brooks sound as well as Retrovision’s old sound. It simply works. Everything is well produced, well arranged, and elicits a strong euphoria that enables the listener to get lost in the track in its entirety. The second break adds a new melody in the mix which is always commendable when the artist goes that extra mile to reward listeners for sitting through the entire track.
85/100
Timmy Trumpet & Sub Zero Project ft. DV8 — Rockstar
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Whenever you see Sub Zero Project on a track, you know it’s going to be next level. They’ve been on a roll, bringing a new and unique energy to the hardstyle genre wherever they go. “Rockstar” ventures into the harder side of the genre with energetic vocals and a metal backtrack. The first drop is very much a Sub Zero Project signature with the high note added to the superb kick. The second breakdown has more of a melody that honestly doesn’t do much but add a bit more energy but the melody itself is sort of lackluster as it relies on tonic a bit too much. There’s some tempo changing which helps add more energy to the second drop as the original acapella builds tension. That second drop adds more psy elements and elevates the track in a notable fashion. Overall it feels like the track is missing that x-factor that would increase the track’s longevity, but as it stands, it’s another worthy addition to the Sub Zero Project discography.
76/100
Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Nicola Fasano & Adam Clay — Born Again (Babylonia)
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It is simply beyond me how it took four people to remake this classic track by Babilonia. The original is such an iconic track and was remade beautifully by HOOX who took a very modern, groove take on it and released it as a free download on his Soundcloud page. This rendition by these four artist sounds even worse than its ancient source material. I think they were relying on a younger audience not being aware of the original track. This remake adds nothing of value over the original. If you liked this track, check HOOX’s version. This version is simply a money grab.
15/100
Kryder — Billionaire (ft. Sam Martin)
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“Billionaire” is the first foray for Kryder into pop music and it’s a surprisingly good track. There aren’t many indicators that would cue the listener in that this is indeed a Kryder track. The lower BPM and vocals sound like any other chill house track. It’s still worth your time and worth a spot on a playlist and I hope that this leads more listener to find that classic Kryder sound. Sometimes you just have to do what you’ve got to do to stay afloat in this industry. I think people will enjoy this track but diehard Kryder fans might be disappointed that he’s “selling out.”
81/100
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!
Revealed ADE Sampler 2018 [Part 1]
Future House Cloud ADE Sampler
Declain & Elle Vee – EYES SHUT
Rival & Cadmium ft. Harley Bird – Seasons (NIVIRO Remix)
Chocolate Puma & Firebeatz – Blackout
Hardwell & VINAI feat. Cam Meekins – Out Of This Town
This recap was provided by The QR Network which is a site for interviews with producers and DJs such as Debris, RudeLies, Greater Than, Kris Kiss, and Chocolate Puma.
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