If mindful, you would’ve noticed that I stopped featuring tracks that are released on Dharma Worldwide in the past months, after all the positive feedback that I’ve given. That’s because… I’m not too fond of its recent selection.
Their formula was simple and lethal: to procure new talents, possibly with an ethnic sound, and give them a platform. Name such as 22Bullets, Padè, Mariana Bo, B3NTE, The Golden Army… Dharma quickly stacked up an impressive roster and the flexibility to present new artists quickly, alongside maintaining an “ethnic” signature sound. Lately, I feel like that magic has dissipated. Let’s analyze the previous releases done there and see why.
Kimotion – Jolene (including a remix): typical Deep House, although with a catchy guitar that doesn’t fit with the Dharma branding, and rather drive towards a more commercial pop sound.
Lost Capital – Livin Without Maybes (feat Gor Sujyan): MEDUZA’s Brazilian Bass style, like a fish out of water in this variegated catalog.
Marnik x Harris & Ford – Raindrop (feat. Shibui): the only ‘Dharma-sounding release’ with an overused psy-bounce structure, nothing particularly innovative going on here though.
Henri PFR & ROZES – Bed (with KSHMR): another radio-friendly release with no signs of KSHMR, delightful but again, not in line with the label’s spirit.
GUMMiBEAR – Snack Machine: standard Tech House release, not much creativity on display.
And we can go on. Before that, the Spinnin’ sublabel has alternated ‘in-line’ tracks like “HEYDER – KHAZAR” (splendid violin) and a new discovery, GRY, with misses such as “Pegboard Nerds x AHEE – Be Free” or other generic singles like “Havana” by Danko.
From the high-quality level that I was familiar with, there’s this sort of downgrade towards more usual and predictable approaches. This is fine, in the end, it’s business. But this clashes heavily with what drew my admiration about KSHMR’s imprint in the first place. Probably it’s because summer has arrived and there’s a natural desire for some standardized formula, but here’s my sincere wish to Dharma: don’t become like the other imprints.
What do you think?
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