Madox has kept a recurring presence in our reviews, with a series of impressive releases that we highly appreciated! We couldn’t avoid reviewing their ADE sampler, which has various good tunes… But a nudging detail that we didn’t like.
Overall
65/100
A sampler should represent the respective label, like any brand.
Except for LGHTR, these are all new names for the label, with their own sound. That’s not an EP that we can connect with Madox, we could swap its title with Quartzo or Loca ADE Sampler and the difference will be unnoticeable, if it not indiscernible. Many veterans like Tosh, Natixx, TBR, F4BLE aren’t in this specific roster… Their Miami Sampler 2019 wins the point for being way more representative.
After having said that, it’s necessary to add that the final output is enjoyable and the newcomers brought some interesting ideas! Nothing wrong with bringing fresh names, as Revealed did, but you can notice at least a 50/50 ratio of known/new producers.
Exalto – Ringer
86/100
This song alone convinced us to review the Sampler within the first minute… I guess it’s a record?
Jokes apart, what a splendid job from Exalto! There are some good old 2014 Revealed vibes in the Electro house “Ringer”, accompanied by a solid, metallic set. It’s so-called “double drop” structure, a trick devised by notable names like Dropgun, where every 4 bars there is a swap of style. “Everybody Is In The Place” by Hardwell serves as a classic illustration for this case (just for veterans).
The breakdown is slightly disconnected with the rest but develops a certain climax, definitively appreciated here. Overall, all the parts are harshly independent, but all do a great job in making “Ringer” an unforgettable release.
THRML – Universe
77/100
I’m listening to so much Trance-Room these days so I’m a bit tired, but this one was a positive experience nonetheless. Clearly influenced by the earlier W&W, “Universe” develops a complex melodic scheme around a dark, brutal atmosphere. The English artist challenged himself with a really difficult creation, and I’m glad he managed to obtain a great result! He’s trying to differentiate his style, especially using unusual melodies, and, despite the partial aim, it serves as a good start.
Trictonez & LGHTR – Antimatter
80/100
Packing some of the heat from the collision of matter and its contrary form, this Dark Progressive composition from this pair functions as expected. The breakdown draws a lot of sentiment, bringing in atmospheric chiming plucks while incorporating screeching supersaw synths. Talking about the drop, the playful riff takes an edge, while the sound selection doesn’t venture out of the box.
It takes the essential, if not typical bright Electro synths, however delivering an energetic performance.
White Spirit – Can’t Even
73/100
While we thought the recent Future Bounce explosion was coming to a cool-off, we have White Spirit’s “Can’t Even” to disprove it. The drop segment draws a parallel with Dutch producer Brook’s schematics, say “Lynx”. While the drop is spry, sheer resemblance results in somewhat of an inadequacy. Nonetheless, the breakdown gets alluring with a pitched-down vocal and a catchy saw-melody to follow it.
What do you think?
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