We’d like to apologize for the lack of recaps in the past few weeks but we’re glad to be back with a fresh new set! We’ll be briefly covering some of the tracks from Tiësto’s new EP plus our thoughts on EDM vocalists, Post-EDM songs, and of course drawing comparisons between these tracks and others. As always, 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 post your suggestions in the comments!
Tiësto & SWACQ – Party Time
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/601164588″ 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 new EP from Tiësto and friends is finally out with a few new tracks from some unexpected names. Before I talk about “Party Time,” I wanted to briefly cover some of the other songs from the EP. Be sure to also check out our full reviews of “Halfway There” and “Can You Feel It”. The collaboration with Mesto has a bit too much Blinders sound without any of the addictive melodies so it’s a pass from me. I was excited to see Tiësto team up with a heavy dance producer like Stoltenhoff but was disappointed when we got a pretty basic dirty Dutch big room track that sounds like the 2K19 edit of “Mutate.” Then we have “My Whistle” with Sikdope which sounds like a Toby Green track but it’s pretty solid stuff in the end. The 7 Skies collab seems like a fresh addition to Tiësto’s unique progressive house style like “Faster Than a Bullet,” “Scream”, and “Secrets.” I love the sharp future house elements and vocoder work and it’s one of my favorite tracks from the EP. The Aazar collab, I don’t know where to begin, it’s just trash – plain and simple.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/746055171″ params=”color=#2c1338&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Back to “Party Time,” I wanted to cover SWACQ collaboration in-depth because I feel like it’s time to address the disconnect between dance music and music that poses as dance music. With the ever-increasing opportunities for new producers to download a DAW and begin producing with the same tools as the biggest names in the industry, we have gotten a lot of what I’m now calling “Post-EDM” tracks. These types of songs have some of the elements of truly danceable music but is missing those elements that would make the crowd go wild at a festival. I believe this stems from a lack of first-hand exposure to such festivals and concerts. Some producers live in areas of the world where they aren’t able to experience such events and have to rely off of festival livestreams to learn about real dance music and how a crowd responds to a track. That being said, some producers won’t even go that far in doing their research and will criticism simpler tracks from big artists and question why that “garbage” gets signed while their tracks don’t. Those types of producers might criticize a song like “Party Time” as being overly simplistic, repetitive, or obnoxious, and while they may have some valid points there, we’ve seen from Tiësto playing the song at Ultra and I’ve seen the song played by opening DJs in my hometown and this song makes the crowd go nuts. I will concede that this song might not be the best for casual listening while you’re working or studying, but that doesn’t make it a bad song, it just needs the proper context. Some songs are better suited for larger stages while others are better for radio. A select few are great for both and should be cherished, but “Party Time” does not belong in that category.
79/100
Calax & Split Origin – Indecision (feat. Skye Light)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/601392588″ 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” /]
I realize that I don’t devote many of the weekly recap slots to undiscovered talents, but this one was just too good not to share. I’ve been following Split Origin from day one and their remix of KSHMR’s “House of Cards.” Now that they’ve released their first original, I’ve just been blown away. They went all out with original vocals from Skye Light and what seems to this awesome fusion between dark progressive, euphoric melodies, and future house in the drop. It’s powerful, it’s fresh, it’s emotional, it’s just a gem. Of course I would have liked it if they added one of their festival breakdowns like they did in that first remix, but there’s always something to be improved. Overall though, “Indecision” is well worth your time to go and give it a listen.
86/100
Chocolate Puma feat. Kris Kiss – Step Back (VIP Mix)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/601327719″ 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” /]
Six years after the release of this classic, Chocolate Puma has returned to “Step Back” and “make a more bass heavy mix for [their] harder sets.” The most significant change is a more aggressive bassline in the drop but the melodies and structure is largely the same. If anything, I feel like the kick is a bit weaker in this new version. While I’m all for remasters of old classics, I just don’t think this one paid off. I hope it does expose a new generation to this house hit, but I’ll be sticking to the older version. I feel like they should have enlisted the help of some aspiring bass house talent to help give them a more modern edge to this mix.
73/100
Syzz – Everybody
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/600898542″ 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 last progressive track with Dubvision, Syzz is back to pioneering their sound that they’ve been working on since “90s Better.” While the follow up to that track, “Be My Love,” didn’t perform as well for them on streaming platforms, they’re back at it again with a solo release that brings their sound to an old school house chord progression. Since I heard it for the first time, I’ve been trying to debate whether they’ve added enough new elements to this familiar melody. At the end of the day, I find myself enjoying the song despite its derivative elements. I’ll always wish for more, but this one was solid enough for me to add it to my own collection.
83/100
Sick Individuals – Luna
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/597605565″ 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” /]
Sick Individuals’ delicate take on the hardstyle synth has been one my favorites ever since hearing it in “Into the Light.” However recently, Sick Individuals seems to have been borrowing their own melodies a bit heavily. It’s most apparent when comparing “Writing on the Wall” and “Symphony.” That being said, “Luna” appears to be a follow up to the festival mix of “KODI” with a touch of their euphoric melodies from those other two aforementioned tracks. The bassline for the drop is pretty fun though, reminding me of Holl & Rush’s classic, “Pheromones.” I definitely appreciate the switch-ups in the second breakdown and drop of “Luna” which make the track a good listen all the way through. For me personally, “Luna” didn’t illicit the strong emotional or enthusiastic response as I felt when listening to “Into the Light,” “Never Say Never,” or “Symphony.” Here’s to hoping for more meaningful evolutions of that beautiful Sick Individuals sound in the future. We need more experiments like “Focus.”
78/100
KAAZE – My City (feat. Aloma Steele)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/601309599″ 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” /]
At this point, coming at almost a year of doing these weekly recaps over here at EDM Reviewer, I’ve consistently had to sort out my bias against progressive house. I would say that there are three progressive house artists that have helped me appreciate the genre: Tritonal, Zack Martino, and KAAZE. Here with “My City,” I have found a song that finally makes me understand what draws people to this genre. The nostalgic elements paired with that incredible KAAZE style and blending with the original vocals from Aloma Steele just lifted my spirits without ever once drawing comparisons to other specific songs. It builds on an established genre while still saying something new and I love it. Another gem added to the KAAZE discography.
88/100
Husman – Warriors
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/589456842″ 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” /]
Around 8 months since his album, “Rise of the Mad King,” Husman is back with another original tune on inHarmony. Overall, it’s a truly marvelous modern trance tune. It starts off with a clean and simple first drop that introduces some of the songs elements in an atmospheric manner. The beginning of the breakdown has some Celtic-like vocals and perfectly mastered accompaniment that’s appropriately cinematic. The hardstyle synths is where he lost me due to the similar flow to his remix of Morgan Page’s “The Longest Road,” which is a melody that has been stuck in my head for quite some time. I realize that I draw a lot of comparisons between tracks and artists, but it does affect my experience as a listener and a critic. At the end of the day, I can’t deny what my mind and ears desire. So when I heard that pattern, I immediately thought of and wanted to hear the breakdown from his remix and took me out of that atmosphere that he had so beautifully built up until that point. Back on track, the second drop added meaningful new elements and struck the same emotional chords as Crisis Era & Wasted Penguiz gorgeous track, “Can’t Stay.” In isolation, this track is spectacular, but in reality, it’s just marred by significant parallels that I just can’t ignore.
80/100
Radiology & Declain – Stop It All
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/600742329″ 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 about six months, Declain is back with a new original track with one of our past interviewees here on EDM Reviewer, Radiology. When I saw these two names together, I was expecting progressive house at first given their past releases but was surprised to hear what sounded like a track from Maurice West from a few years back. Declain has experimented with some Maurice West-like production tricks in his remix of “Never Look Back” where he used similar panning and very similar pitch-bending tactics. I think it’s most apparent when comparing it to “Ying Yang” seeing as their in the same key and use similar ornaments. However, putting aside the surprising similarities, this is a very solid track. A hummable melody, powerful mastering, and expertly managed vocals. I feel like this song has the potential to withstand the test of time and could be played for years to come (given proper promotion.)
84/100
Convex – 4U (feat. Jex Jordyn)
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/600926526″ 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” /]
When compared to mainstream music, there has always been an inverted relationship between producers and vocalists. EDM fans tend to gravitate towards their favorite producers for their unique sound or energy while mainstream audiences care about the vocalists without giving a second thought to the producer. However, there are certainly a select few vocalists who have been able to withstand the industry pressures and release on a somewhat regular basis. Often times I’ll find myself gravitating towards songs from Jex Jordyn, Micah Martin, Kris Kiss, Rico Act, Nino Lucarelli, Chad Kowal, or Bok Nero for their distinctive voice and energy. Of course, when I see them partner up with one of my favorite producers, I’ll definitely tune in to see what they cooked up. My point is, I was not a fan of Convex, and while I’ve certainly listened to his tracks before, I’ve never actively sought out one of his songs until I saw that Jex Jordyn was singing over it. As a result, I’ve now been able to experience and enjoy his unique style of midtempo-pop which throws away the tropical and Alan Walker-esque tropes of the genre in favor of a unique blend between electro, reggae, and smooth jazz. It’s such a soothing journey and a wonderful marriage of sound. While I don’t think it has the potential to be the next “Faded,” I’ll certainly be enjoying it for the time-being.
85/100
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!
Illenium & Bahari – Crashing Remixes
DallasK & Nicky Romero – Sometimes ft. XYLØ
Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman – Penny
Tiësto & John Christian – Can You Feel It
Revealed Recordings Miami Festival EP
Illenium feat. Kameron Alexander – Pray
Dash Berlin – Locked Out Of Heaven (ft. Jonathan Mendelsohn)
Thomas Gold & Kosling – Wildest Dream (ft. Matthew Steeper)
Manse & Cuebrick feat. IIVES – Runaway
Tiësto & Dzeko – Halfway There feat. Lena Leon
Protoculture & Mino Safy – Redemption
This recap was provided by The QR Network which is a site for interviews with producers and DJs. Check out their interviews with ELEVATD, Luxley, and Herobust.
What do you think?
Show comments / Leave a comment