From St. Albans, just north of London, comes a unique electronic tale.
Maximum Love, two brothers who started making music together in their bedrooms just to make each other laugh, have evolved into something truly special. What began around 2011 with tracks like “Twin Crimes” has matured into a distinctive sound that draws from darkwave, synthwave, and the deeper emotional corners of electronic music.
This album fills me with joy – an emotional journey that showcases the creative depth and personality of this intriguing duo. From dark wobbles to sweet melodies, “Apollo” tells the story of the brothers with an unspoken creative connection, crafting their most personal release yet.
Right from the opening tracks, you can feel how deeply personal this project is, with soundscapes transitioning masterfully between dark textures and more emotional, chill vibes. “Forever” sets the tone with a brutal, wobbling bassline that’s unexpectedly balanced by enchanting, sweet vocals. It’s a delicate equilibrium that’s hard to achieve, yet Maximum Love nails it. The shift to “Dead to Me” brings a darker, more serious emotional weight – an abrupt but powerful change of pace.
The journey continues through varying moods: “Calling on a Feeling” brings peace with its oldschool lead and groovy rhythm, while “Sometimes” follows suit but dials back the tempo, creating a moment where you just want to close your eyes and let the warm vocals wash over you.
Reality kicks back in with “A Star Will Rise,” reintroducing Maximum Love’s signature dark bassline, though now carrying a calm attitude and inspiring message. “Feeling It” maintains this pattern (perhaps too similarly), though the intricate melody development toward the end keeps things interesting.
The album’s sweet section begins with “The Fire Still Remains,” mixing piano and oldschool leads for a nostalgic touch, followed by “Feel Pure” with its hypnotic vocal chants. Both tracks add intimate, personal touches that enrich the overall experience.
“Remember” introduces an experimental twist, bringing drum & bass elements to a more energetic bassline, with vocals that burrow deep into your consciousness. Just as we near the end, “Heavy Lies The Crown” delivers a Daft Punk-esque banger – arguably one of “Apollo’s” strongest moments, showcasing rich sound design and technical prowess.
The finale, “Everything I Touch is Gold,” is Maximum Love at their finest: gorgeous bassline, oldschool lead, catchy melodies, and their best vocal performance yet. It’s a sweet, calm conclusion to our journey through their emotional landscape.
The story behind “Apollo” adds another layer to its appeal. After ten years of making music together, these UK brothers have developed an intuitive understanding that shows in every track. They’ve pushed themselves into new sonic territory while staying true to their roots – blending atmospheric moods with driving intensity, contrasting nostalgic elements with fresh sounds.
Maximum Love set out with a simple goal: to make the music they wanted to hear. In doing so, they’ve created something that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. It’s the kind of album that stays with you, growing richer with each listen, proving that sometimes the best music comes from simply being true to yourself.
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