My relationship with Revealed has been on a steep downhill in the last months, since I am not a big fan of generic Bass House, yet my respect remains untainted for the label. For celebrating its 10th year of existence, there is a brand new Remixed EP that comes with a bunch of Hardwell classics reworked, both by veterans and other new faces in the roster of the Dutch imprint.

It wasn’t worth resisting in providing my offhand take on the idea: appreciating the gesture, there is clearly effort being put here and desire to unearth the older feelings among the long-time fanbase with a punch of fresher variations for newer audience. That’s the Revealed I like!

Let’s start our brief analysis then, shouldn’t we?

Being Alive (Ryos Remix)
75/100

“Kaaze” inspired Ryos here. That melody was quite unexpected and I didn’t quite strike an accord with its complex pattern, the remix sounds fine I guess? It could be comparable to a standard release from the US-based producer, who always adopts an adept sound-design flair. The JGUAR vocal often sounds empty during some sections of the breakdown, apart from this detail, this adaptation works fine. Slightly forgettable perhaps?

Apollo (Sick Individuals Remix)
80/100

The legendary “Apollo” is not an easy tune to rework and remodel, but SI at least tried. Their peculiar lead sounds weird when playing the original melody, but the duo crafted their usual brew of driven percussion and hard-hitting Electro House in creative fashion. The outcome is fresh and steamy, although it completely transforms the mood of the famous prototype in an eccentric tone.

Spaceman (Dr Phunk Remix)
83/100

After the colossal remix pack from Dr Phunk, I knew that he was the best in the business to remix Hardwell’s pièce de résistance. Way different from the Heady’s more experimental version, this 2021 edit ramps the pace up and offers the usual Dr Phunk Hardstyle structure with the celebrated riff. Simple idea, lovely execution (especially the raw kick) as it doesn’t try to contort things. Nothing much to add, if you dreamt of an official Hardstyle “Spaceman” version, you finally have the access to save it onto your playlists. Given the unique chance, the remixer could have dared to add a final twist…

Apollo (Maddix Remix)
55/100

Biasness could be covering my judgement partially here, but it doesn’t take much to say that Maddix’s new style doesn’t sit all too well in this case: I prefer the Sick Individual edit more. There was a wandering feeling that the remix was almost a Maddix instrumental with the “Apollo” vox splattered on it, since the atmosphere and the melody are too far from the precursor material. There was an appreciable moment in the second break, for its elegant minimalism.

This Is Love (BLK RSE Remix)
71/100

Highly awaited remix, there is not much left to say here… KAAZE(BLK RSE) remolded himself into a more Progressive House salsa, attaching a darker drop with a frenetic cadence that sparks a tension in the fuller experience. Considering the vocal not aligning with the ambience, I am not fully into it: however, the complex melodic pattern, with tons of intriguing elements, deserves a mention. There are no doubts that KAAZE worked hard on this one!

Chase The Sun (Jac & Harri Remix)
87/100

My topmost grade to the Welsh brothers? Isn’t that a startling, but their remix is splendid overall, actually re-working the Progressive House soundscape of the original collaboration between long-time colleagues Hardwell & Dannic, into a more bouncy Future House summer belter. With basically just a piano, the mood switches with a smooth swing: in particular, I appreciated how the vocal fits even better here than before, swaying to that funky vibe! Unironically, I think this might be the best work from the duo till date.

Retrograde (Drumstone Remix)
84/100

Assuming that I will be surprised by this new name, my instincts were right! Drumstone reworked one of our 90+ into a darker, aggressive Tech experiment that keeps parts of Hardwell’s underground production and pairs a solid set of drum-beat. It’s something very particular and specific, and admiring on how the spirit of “Retrograde” was preserved. A weapon for clandestine raves, the opportunity and challenge were perfectly taken!

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