This week is… well let’s just say, hot. Not only due to the relentless heat but the number of releases including mainstream pop celebs. Alright, so we have Beyoncé, Hardwell, Paul Oakenfold, and more in this sweltering and sizzling round of Weekly Roundup, let’s hop onto it! Oh, there’s a bonus review too! 🙂

Armin van Buuren, Blasterjaxx, 24h – Superman
65/100

It’s hit or miss with big names these days, really. After a stellar few releases in the last months, the Armind label-head seems to have diverted back to another generic effort involving the native duo Blasterjaxx.

“Superman” brings back the way too familiar, hyping up vocal style used on “Blah Blah Blah” and “No Fun”, this time pitched down. A predictable triplet bassline drop follows soon after, with a riff that feels somewhat dull on top of it. These uninventive but common schematics might lure laidback listeners, but not the quality effort you might be expecting from such iconic aliases.

Beyoncé – BREAK MY SOUL
83/100

The former Destiny’s Child member and leading celeb-singer also joined in on the leagues of Drake and Weeknd to come out with an electronic music record, although there are finer details to note about. “Break My Soul” pays a homage to the 90s Diva house subgenre (popular around the same time as the mentioned songstress’ breakthrough), brandishing the evergreen Korg M1 organs and pianos, alongside a slowly gliding deep house format thoroughly backed by the American act’s soulful vocal capabilities.

The result? A rather smooth house beat that, again as I said, is reminiscent of the soulful house that was making rounds on the charts some 20 years back.

Hardwell – MIND CONTROL
85/100

Some might be tired of seeing the Dutch act’s name on almost all recent roundups, but seriously, I can’t help it! Hardwell has successfully found his footing back with an eclectic cocktail of a signature that wholly includes electro and techno to dynamic proportions.

The latest installment from his upcoming “Rebels Never Die” album begins on a euphoric note, with spread-out synths and shiny arpeggiators doing their own solemn orchestral performance until swiftly introducing brazen distorted leads onto a driving techno framework, notwithstanding the acid squelches and dark stabs to truly nail in its hulking presence.

Arno Cost, Quentyn & Antoine Larsen – Entrevue
84/100

Understanding the scarcity of fresh and groovy tunes these days, scene veterans Arno Cost, Quentyn, and renowned alias Antoine Larsen mashed their wild creativity together on a filter house/nu-disco tune for the weekend. “Entrevue” has a narration that holds together a repeating and flanged guitar riff slowly leading to a swaying package of synths and a fluidly funky bassline that ebbs and flows at its own pace. There are a lot of similarities that are shared between this track and a preceding synergy between Quentyn and Antoine, titled “Why”, although one cannot get past this track without enjoying that proverbial “cherry on the top of the cake” veneer added by Arno himself.

Kuli – Lost Without You
84/100

The aforementioned triple collaboration isn’t the only refreshing funk going around this week. Kuli, a project headed by our friend Peter from Futurized Records has a glimmering, soulful, and elegantly rhythmic song for us. “Lost Without You” brings to the table a robust but playful low-end, with brassy synths embellishing the already potent ensemble with a summer-ready tone. There’s also a charming vocal leading, balanced with the packed but admirable features present on this splendidly vibrant creation!

Paul Oakenfold, Baby E – Shine On (Paul Oakenfold x Mark Roma Remix)
80/100

Making even considerable moves, the enterprising talent Mark Roma teamed up with the electronic heavyweight Paul Oakenfold on a Future Rave VIP remix for “Shine On”, featuring the rapper-performer Baby E.

As expected, Roma brings in the big guns with the wide and encompassing saw synths staple to the said genre, with a breakdown that runs on a slightly sentimental timbre using gated harmonies and sincere vocal delivery that elevates to a marching bassline, stout kickdrums, and the already mentioned lead riff blasting through!

Bonus Review

CHYL – Ruthless
82/100

Justifying the song’s title, American producer CHYL shows off her sound-designing prowess ruthlessly on her latest single.

The mentioned track is a bass house single stacked with plenty of low-end to meet one’s need, powered by the Brazilian bass stabs. Sinister wobbles dominate over in the drop segment after the breakdown has its dosage of grim vocals, introducing a sense of dystopia just enough to create the suspense. “Ruthless” is yet another brilliant addition to Tribal Trap’s discography!

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