Being an admirer of “Hero”, the recent studio output from the minds of the proficient pair Afrojack and David Guetta, the remixes provided me ample material to talk about. So I decided to review all of them in one special episode, and there’s aplenty of conclusions that I came around to. If not familiar, then here’s some information regarding the original. Released in the end of April, this Progressive House record relates greatly to the 2010s elements, not excluding the kick and bassline. More Alesso-esque than expected, I truly appreciated how the creative chemistry between both the veterans materialized into something genuine. The modifications from various artists may have brought it to modern settings, but to varying results…
Nicky Romero Remix
36/100
As I mentioned in the “Festival Edits” article, there are useless and watered down Progressive “remixes” that lack any depth, and a waste of the employed co-producer(s) behind them. This version doesn’t add up to anything concrete, except for an even more predictable of a low-end. It’s the same schematic one can hear in other hundred generic releases. And in this situation, this approach sounds extremely tasteless, as the original one follows (at least creatively) the same ethics of the genre’s boundaries. Romero’s involvement is more unnecessary than thought here, a true waste of potential that could be.
HARBER Remix
73/100
HARBER offered a Brazilian Bass spin, but don’t jump to conclusion from the style mentioned. There’s an unique touch that I immediately found and commended. The guitar solo in the build-up is perfect for a summer club-hit feeling, and the drop emphasizes the vocal’s passionate aura. Although the structure plays it quite safe, yet it feels natural. Solid remix, one that does its job: shifting it’s precursor’s vibe towards the producer’s personality, without exceeding with overwhelming experimentations.
Damien N-Drix Remix
60/100
The Marseille based creator has brought up another old-school idea, that being the Steve Angello’s Electro House that we heard in the notorious KNAS, and slapped it on “Hero”. And well.. it’s not so easy to balance such contrasting atmospheres, Damien. I was anticipating for some delicateness in the transition, while this presents itself roughly. Still a nice interpretation of “Hero”, would have been a fitting edit in 2010.
LNY TNZ Remix
80/100
The Hardstyle remix of the EP has two focal points of strength: the kick, which is pretty light for LNY TNZ’s standards, yet works amazingly and secondly, how the original melody sounds when sped up. It’s doesn’t feel odd at a staggering 140 BPM, and now I can’t listen to the slower beat! Jokes apart, the remix holds up well enough; probably the audience isn’t used to these (thus the presence of a softer kick-drum to please their tastes, except for in the final stages). Let’s hope that many will discover the magical realm that is Hardstyle, thanks to this!
What do you think?
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