To everyone dressing up as their favorite DJs for Monday: Happy Halloween! Just like treats, there’s an overflow of several records to be discussed. Blasterjaxx, Hardwell, CamelPhat, and various others have contributes towards a livelier weekend, and here are our thoughts about it!

Fred Again.. – Actual Life 3
84/100

After Actual Life 1 and 2 took over the electronic music scene like a storm, Fred Again.. gained traction and enamored the listeners with his quirky, catchy sampling and production skills. The following sequel isn’t pulling any punches, containing a variety of mellow house and garage-influenced beats capturing the British producer’s sonic essence: obtaining inspirations from a melange of singers and their originals, and constructing them into a vibrant body of remixes.

Recommendations, if you want to headstart into the album: Kammy (like i do), Danielle (smile on my face), and Clara (the night is dark).

Anyma, CamelPhat – The Sign
82/100

A promising collaboration unveiled itself in the epicenter of the melodic techno scene, Afterlife. Anyma (1/2 of Tale of Us), who gained his notable solo debut with a peak time rendition of “Running Up That Hill” from Meg Myers (a cover of Kate Bush’s hit), conspired with the British duo CamelPhat for “The Sign”.

The production shares resemblances to Anyma’s progressive signature, even including the recognizable stab synths and a driving bassline. A soulful vocal leads the minimal but sinew layout, weaving a melancholic and encompassing aura.

Lenno – Need You Back
86/100

While Axtone might have slowed down on their release scheme, their quality remains high. Concrete evidence to that would be the nostalgic pill that they just uploaded, from the renowned act Lenno. “Need You Back” is everything a refreshingly electro-funk/Nu-disco song should be, but even more.

Taking advantage of soulful, jazzy and upbeat piano chords being struck with an infectious cadence, the Finnish alias extended his hallmarks onto this instrumental, garnishing the proverbial cake with cherries such as guitar, taut percussions and a classic midtempo type rhythm to make it “slap”. A delightful composition!

La Fuente – I Want You (Hardwell Remix)
81/100

Okay, so here’s a genuine question? When was the last time Hardwell released a remix? I remember his joint efforts with Maurice West on that Cascada hit, so this ought to be the first one after that long hiatus. Nevertheless, the Breda based icon hasn’t turned rusty on remix duties, as he took on La Fuente‘s “I Want You” and gave it a “Rebels Never Die” treatment. The resultant is thudding techno kickdrums ramming alongside a playful riff that reminded me of the Dirty Dutch/Big Room style. Its a fresh breeze in Hardwell’s discography after a long album, proving his dexterity in reworking other tracks. Would be nice to see him attempt more remixes!

Blasterjaxx – He’s A Pirate
67/100

“He’s A Pirate”. Erm, no. He’s late, that’s what he is.

The newest single from Blasterjaxx might have the mighty grandeur that Hans Zimmer conjured for the acclaimed Disney films, although it feels like a delayed offering that should have come out in the last decade. Also, pretty sure there have been numerous other festival-ready bootlegs of this notorious soundtrack (refer SoundCloud), and while the Dutch duo’s expertise shines here (alongside with Husman helping out), the rework remains adhered to the conventional Big Room scheme with not much ingenuity.

Edit: Looks like DVLM were first to the party, having officially remixed the theme song in a similar fashion way back in 2018.

Before Mars – Forever
80/100

Hailing from Israel, Before Mars has a delectable single titled “Forever”, which makes the most of a sublime vocal sample and hypnotic psy-trance attributes, inclusive of softer pads and rushing basslines. Further, the production builds the anticipation without spoiling it, and brings even more twists and variations. The most notable aspect of this instrumental is the atmosphere, which paints a beautiful soundscape without complicating things.

Lights DC – Heavy Feelings
87/100

Specializing in all things post-disco and house music, Lights DC is an inventive
producer collating genres in satisfying juxtapositions, harboring a signature that can sound avant-garde with its modern and vintage qualities. Demonstrating that is the album “Print 2011-2014“, which is littered with jewels such as “Calpyso” and his masterful remix of “Self Portrait“, a pièce de résistance in my opinion.

“Heavy Feelings” marks a comeback from the Irish alias, teaming up with Martin McCann, who also collaborated prior on the striding “Exit Smiling“. Taking motivation from 90s Piano House and new wave music, the instrumental is steered by a steady, tempting vocal (the singing is charmingly reminiscent of 80s Brit-pop hit makers akin to Depeche Mode and Duran Duran). Resonant piano frolicks over an off-kilter chorus of bassline and other tinkling synths, shying away from any ostentation but remaining radiant nevertheless.

Zomboy, Micah Martin – Flatlined (REAPER Remix)
83/100

In the latest remix EP from British act Zomboy, Dubstep persona REAPER has completely shredded the original featuring Micah Martin on vocals. What starts as a rebellious post-punk hard rock introduction with striking drums and distorted, grungy guitars aiding the violent timbre is escalated further with a screeching and volatile drop performance. This remix is on full throttle, without slacking even a single moment even through the breakdowns!

Bonus
Maximilian Schmidt – Shiny Wings
71/100

Lots of nice vibes from this Melodic Big Room release from Maximilian Schmidt, “Shiny Wings“! I particularly enjoyed the stunning work with the melody, which manages to sound dynamic while, at the same time, showing off a ‘shiny’ and complex pattern… It’s not that easy. There is some roughness in the bassline here and there, but in the end it seems a great result from a genre that is often bloated with predictable ideas. The German producer is working on a twist of the classic formula, and I must praise him for that.

Maddo – Raindrops
78/100

After “Doki Doki”, Maddo is back with his atypical Happy Hardcore! I’m very impressed by “Raindrops“, which has a well-chosen title: the kicks are hammering my ears like thousands of drops inside an hurricane! Hardcore schema with heavy Hardstyle and Hardpsy elements, easy to dance and with a fun personality: that’s a song I would like to hear in every party!

What's Your Reaction?

0In Love0Happy0Not Sure0OMG0Angry0Sad