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Oliver Heldens – Zapdos

April 2, 20212 min read


• Adheres to classic Future House with twists
• Melodic approach
• Versatile structure, refreshing to hear.


As per demand from our readers, today’s review will be solely dedicated to “Zapdos”, a brand new energetic Future House record from Oliver Heldens.

It doesn’t require much to figure out why it has turned out as this week’s favourite single: a simple formula that brings us closer than ever to Helden’s roots, which were directly responsible for hits such as “Gecko” and “Bunnydance”. At the same time, it entertains with a vivid pattern that equips a few tricks up its sleeves. It’s pure, genuine Future House brimming with quality expected from one of the most important producer currently.

Personally, the melody grabbed my attention, slowly building up tension with a loop that remains repetitive, but is then barraged by dynamic samples and shifts. The drop adheres to a bouncier bassline and an aggressive set of percussion, leading with addition of a secondary lead towards the end of the section. It immediately earned my admiration, a real unanticipated twist that completely ushers a transition into the soundscape of “Zapdos”.

It is next to impossible to stick to same style for over five years, and Heldens has adeptly acknowledges that, reworking and improvising his typical signature to fit into a more versatile version (as further seen in his recent official remix for Above & Beyond and side alias, HI-LO). Meanwhile, he has maintained the standard procedure for usual melodic schematic and shuffling percussion. I found “Zapdos” exceeding in content value, and an up-to-date dance-floor party-starter that meets the contemporary trends: a solid release!

You can listen to “Zapdos” here:

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