This article may seem inequitable, as twenty tracks (or better 18, since two were already reviewed) are difficult to analyze. Musical Freedom launched their first compilation for this year, “Unlimited”, and we are here, ready to analyze this huge selection. Overall, this has been a great occasion, with many interesting twists unfolded with that typical MF “underground” vibe. The struggles I had were because of Techno and G House aren’t my cup of tea entirely, but it’s impossible to enjoy and dissect all twenty.
Congratulations to all the artists involved, anyway!
Tiesto & DJs From Mars vs Rudeejay & Da Brozz – The Drop
86/100
I’ll need three focus episodes in order to explain to you how much these guys are underrated. Luckily the label-founder has noticed them, and their joint result is a crazy Electro House creation that brings back some 2008 vibes, a curious vocal and a hard-hitting structure. As expected, this was a surprising experience.
Breathe Carolina – That’s My Music
71/100
Breathe Carolina have kinda disappeared in the last months, and their awaited comeback is… Strange? I liked the way they experimented with this House production, using a poppish noughties style breakdown and then breaking the vibe with a repetitive sequence. Too monolithic in my opinion, but fascinating. It will be fun to see if they’ll work on it.
Sunstars – Be Alright
74/100
Another comeback, Sunstars and their funky signature style. These steel chords are working efficiently, I smelt hints of some old DOD vibes. Overall, a normal creation that gets a bit lost in the ocean of experiments in this body of work, but performs pretty well. Clichè break.
Antoine Delvig X Love For Justice – Dirty G
62/100
This kind of G House music that, even if I’m trying, can’t prefer at all. I was so tempted to give up after the first minute, luckily I concentrated on this new experience. “Dirty G” remains a well crafted tune though, especially in the concluding drop, clearly inspired by the UK outfit Bloody Beetroots. Considering my personal bias towards the genre, I’ll give a positive rating for entertaining me in this difficult context!
Valy Mo – WTF (ft. Ravetek)
85/100
That drop explained me the reason behind the title choice. That bassline was mastodontic, just wow! The vocal sample becomes rather iterative in the minimal buildup, but this effort shared between Valy Mo and Ravetek is completely built around the brutal drop sequence; even if it’s a risky approach, surprisingly enough, works. Madly splendid!
Magnificence & Ayor – Set Me Free
71/100
This Magnificence style has been widely endeared by fans, and I must admit that its shape-shifting approach gives great vibes in the experience. I prefer other tunes of them though. Standard experience here, I didn’t feel that spark of excitement as expected. The breakdown was magnetic though, by far my favorite section.
Holy Goof, Massappeals – Everybodied
75/100
Already reviewed. You can find it on our website.
Toby Green – Motorkraft
50/100
This is Toby Green’s new style (as heard in “Smoke” and “Astro”), and, even if I agree that it has potential, I’m not really into it. The structure becomes easily repetitious and its aggressiveness is difficult to handle. “Motorkraft” is my favorite of the three mentioned, but it’s not a song I’ll put in repeat in my playlist.
Cheyenne Giles – Don’t Wanna
72/100
Curious tune, as expected considering Cheyenne Giles’ constant experimental attitude. I’m not sure I’ve fully comprehended it, with the vocals proving to be intricately involved… The drop was surreal, first tricking the listener, then suddenly switching it. Perhaps 82 for the instrumental, redacting points for vocals.
MOSKA – 90’s
80/100
Mixed Feelings for these 90’s style vocals, they have been wildly overused in the Future House scene. In this setting, however, they seem more genuine, considering that MOSKA is adopting a real old-school formula. It’s weird to hear this sound in 2020, but I appreciate the ingenious efforts. Nostalgic and underrated tune, mainly suited for veteran listeners!
BYOR – Feeling Right
73/100
I’ve explored BYOR’s style a bit, and I do prefer his basslines, very energetic and dark, often paired by quality vocals. “Feeling Right” is a quality number for his catalogue, nothing more, nothing less.
Breaking Beattz & Mochakk – Secret
39/100
It was obvious, since I don’t listen to techno: this was a boring experience. I am trying to keep an open mind, because first impressions are dangerous (like I said with “Dirty G”), but with “Secret” it didn’t work. Too linear and monotonous for my tastes.
Volkoder – Take Me
47/100
Another such experience, even if accompanied by a hooky vocal. There is a lot of effort behind these structures and I respect it, but I struggled much.
Ice X Diaz – WIP
68/100
Curious vocal, very entertaining production that uses a repetitive set of percussions (unluckily for me), but delivers an overall good experience. Bouncy, easily danceable and rather experimental, I saw some potential in “WIP”!
SWACQ – POW!
74/100
SWACQ is one of my favorites in the roster, his tracks are always a surprise and have already crowned him as my personal favorite in the previous MF compilation (ADE Sampler 2019). This time my experience was all mixed.” POW!” has an exotic breakdown, but falls flat in the drop, a part that didn’t convince me.
Aazar & Godamn – Big Beat
48/100
Released 4 months ago, I remember that I simply didn’t understand this one. I like the bassline, there is clearly tons of work behind it, but I can’t really grasp the “Big Beat” essence, and, unfortunately, it affected my experience with this one.
Kodat – Take Me With You
85/100
Already reviewed. You can find it on our website.
Softest Hard – Whatever You Want
86/100
Unique tune of the sampler, I loved the “zen” breakdown, it was unforeseen, surrounded by all the other House releases. Suddenly, a frenetic drop introduces itself, mixing hard trap, electro house and that “zen” touch. Fantastic surprise, I’ll keep an eye on Softest Hard!
Sikdope x ALRT – Fly With You
89/100
Insane techno-oriented tune, I can only imagine the atmosphere in a rave when this bomb is playing. I terribly underestimated “Fly With You” when it was released in May, but I’m not going to make the same mistake twice. Congratulations, this was one of the funniest experiences of the EP, I had no idea about what was going on (I have zero experience with the genre), but I loved it.
Olly James, Reece Low – Meant To Be
84/100
Olly James was the “hot name” of the compilation for many people, and, paired with Reece Low’s signature bounce, the result didn’t disappoint. Heavy festival weapon with a grabby vocal, there is a clear synergy between the styles. Hard Bounce, similar to Deorro’s current path.
What do you think?
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