The last month of this momentous year has arrived on us, almost as if in a blink of an eye! While you’re fretting about next year’s resolutions, there are a bunch of records from this week alone to keep you busy. New releases from Kx5, Cedric Gervais, Kompany, and many more are included in this edition of the Weekly Roundup!

Martin Garrix, JVKE – Hero
72/100

Note: A full review of this track will come out following this roundup.

Following the leak that Martin Garrix was collaborating with entertainment powerhouse Marvel got many excited, with details being hazy at the time. Last Friday however, “Hero” got unmasked as a soundtrack for the mobile-based video game “Marvel Snap” involving the STMPD records owner and JVKE.

Knowing the context here, it was obvious that the Dutch artist will be choosing a commercial route for the song. True enough, the production has a cinematic and escalated theme, with many listeners comparing the final sound similar to the band Imagine Dragons. Interestingly, co-producers also include Brooks, who has been notably experimenting with his signature sound lately.

Kx5, Elderbrook – When I Talk
84/100

In the span of a year, Deadmau5 and Kaskade’s team-up has proved to the audience their combined sonic forte with tunes such as “Alive” and “Escape”. For their latest venture, they sided with British singer-songwriter/producer Elderbrook.

“When I Talk” is every bit progressive and melodic of a techno tune as you would expect from this party, with elevated and monolithic riffs and somber elements livened by the passionate vocals from the “Cola” singer. No time is left wasted in bringing out the drops, which rush vigorously with a soaring pitch till their end.

Aganman (ft. Wannanelly) – Shine Your Light on Me (Daniel K Universe & Tommyrich Remix)
81/100

Sharing a formidable sound together, Dresden-based acts Daniel K Universe and Tommyrich have already formulated a viral rave tune “2022“. Extending their teamwork, they put a dancefloor-ready spin on Aganman‘s “Shine Your Light on Me”.

Right from the start, there’s a boiling low-end that works in psytrance fashion, an input from Daniel, while other techno attributes come from Tommyrich. It shimmers down in the breakdown, where backdrop strings grace the earnest vocals from Wannanelly. The calm and serene is abruptly ended with growling acid riffs, which dominate the rowdy drop that comes afterward. A superlative job throughout!

Grum, Waves_On_Waves – Seventeen
85/100

In the last roundup, I was enamored with Grum‘s remix of “If I Spoke Your Language”, which had a tremendous sheen thanks to its blend of 80s Euro Disco and progressive trance. Continuing that, the Glasgow-based alias worked with upcomers Sonic Shades of Blue and vocalist Waves_On_Waves for a no-frills but alluring “Seventeen”.

Even with a modest pairing of a broody bassline and a linear melodic house groove, the tune takes the cake with magnetic vocals and arp synths, reminding me of records uploaded via Anjunadeep or This Never Happened. It’s all about the slower pace and dreamy minimality of the song that turns it quite fetching!

Cedric Gervais, Joel Corry – MOLLY
60/100

Without beating around the bush, it would be sincere to state that “MOLLY“ isn’t the best from either Cedric Gervais or Joel Corry. While there were comments made about the questionable and suggestive lyrics which I wouldn’t get into here, this tech house reworks has the standard groove heard in many other similar tracks. There aren’t many particular striking components in this, which mostly relies on its brash synth sounds and the bassline. It’s either a hit or miss, depending on who’s listening.

Orjan Nilsen – Land of Mysteries
83/100

Only a few producers can pull off remaining faithful to their musical roots, among them being Orjan Nilsen. “Land of Mysteries” is hundred percent attributable to the Norwegian artist: pumping, sharp electro leads and bassline hurtling towards a trancey breakdown, the latter reminiscent of many classics that the said creator has provided throughout the years. The chill from the Fjords (as perhaps indicated on the artwork) embrace when the melodic side of the tune takes over, a thrilling aspect for many devoted trance listeners!

Kompany, Blanke – Power
82/100

Ophelia Records may be known for its hypnotic and uplifting future bass records, thanks to its owner Seven Lions, although various artists inducted there often prove otherwise. Kompany and Blanke came through with “Power”, a wrecking addition to the label’s soundscape.

Raising the stakes right from the start, the breakdown has fast-riffing riffs that swiftly give away to shattering wobble synths, played in a dubstep routine just before altering the cadence to a running house beat. It’s a straightforward, offensive, and distorted composition best served on a louder volume.

Hekler, Glenwood – Till I Die (ft. KANIN)
85/100

“Till I Die” is every bit as swanky and brazen as it might sound,
impressing with Kanin’s dirty rap flow and Hekler and Glendwoods’ superb grasp at mixing trap and dubstep sound design, the result of which brings out clawing synths screeching tenaciously with grimy 808s embellishing the aggressiveness. The set-up also reminded me of the recently trending Phonk sound due to the contorted and exaggerated distorted breaks, and surprisingly the mixdown remains a polished job even through the speaker-ripping levels of gritty processing!

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