Deorro – Five Hours

The original mix. The amazing track that formed the solid foundation; the one that started it all. There are so many beautiful aspects about this track and yet, its simplicity allows me to summarise its greatness in one word: Balance. I love the way this track was mastered.

When you first listen to how Deorro builds up the wobbling sounds, you can hear how it could have gone wrong but didn’t. He could have gone louder and deafened us all, he could have just made that the recurring element of the entire track, but no. Deorro morphs it into something light and bouncy, smoothly, as though it were simply a matter of turning  a single knob. It’s not too sharp, not too high-pitched, not too ear-piercing, just right.

Once the track goes the usual House tempo, Deorro maintains the steadiness of the melody, keeps the pitch just right, and places a layer of vocal snippets on top of the smooth tune. Unlike certain producers who run out of their creativity juices and end up having the same elements repeated excessively, Deorro knows when to put a pause. A smooth instrumental bassline gets introduced, reminiscent of styles in a Daft Punk era. Although it is occasionally modified to create some sort of dribbly bass effect, it remains at the bottom of the layers of sound; the player in the background; the base. There’s no need for it to overtake any element for listeners to appreciate it. In fact, it fits in so nicely with everything else that without it, the track would lose its grooviness.

The original mix of ‘Five Hours’ is ideal for those who want something they can tap to, nod to, or move their shoulders to. A clear glass of sparkling water amongst muddy pools. Chillax and enjoy the ride.

PS – Here’s why I dislike the Chris Brown version: I find it difficult to imagine one element of this song without the other, which is why I think everything else that gets added to it should achieve the same effect. Otherwise, it just wrecks the preestablished consistency and becomes a distraction. I don’t think Chris Brown’s rap doesn’t blend in well, which is why I hardly consider it as an enhancement or necessity to Deorro’s original composition.

Lion Babe – Where Do We Go

Would you ever combine Disco House with Hip Hop and Trap percussions? If your answer is no, this track by Lion Babe will break all those fictional musical barriers and exceed all expectations. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think this combination would be possible!

Imagine being on a dance floor and hearing the disco elements, reminiscing about those good, old golden times. Then, something about the additional layer of percussion begins creeping in the minds of the unsuspecting dancers…and poof! A brand new creation. The transition between each of these layers, these features of distinctly different genres, is absolutely flawless. In fact, it sounds almost natural, as though they have been mixed together in this pot of rainbow delight for many years.

If you don’t mind having a funky funk every now and then, or if you’re looking for something fresher than the prince, Lion Babe will tell you where to go and you’ll know what to do. Dance, baby, dance!

PS – I really wish this could be one of the tracks that people could dance or sing to for the Aussie Mardi Gras Parade tomorrow!

 

Klingande feat. Broken Back – Riva (Restart The Game)

Published on Beatsmedia 12/3/2015: http://beatsmedia.com/klingande-feat-broken-back-riva-restart-the-game/

Klingande’s ‘Jubel’ managed to stay in the club charts for 22 weeks and received a lot of radio plays in Australia. This month, the French producer has returned to music stores with another instrumental House track, titled ‘Riva (Restart The Game)’. Although it has some tropical percussion as well, the atmosphere is vastly different from the rebelliousness in ‘Jubel’, which goes to show Klingande’s versatility as a producer.

The guitar components seem to have a Spanish musical style, combined with harmonica melodies filled with the vibe of the wild west. It’s amazing to see how all these different styles and elements can come together and produce a track that flows so well. It paints a picture of a beautiful sunset on a deserted island, where everyone can cast all their worries aside, relax, and get along with everyone. Perhaps this is yet another release that we’ll be hearing on the radio for a long time, too.

Klingande’s ‘Riva (Restart The Game)’ was released through Neon Records on the 3rd of March, 2015. You can purchase it here on Beatport.

Overall rating 10/10

Keep Rockin and Telraam

Published on Beatsmedia 26/02/2015
http://beatsmedia.com/keep-rockin-telraam/

I came across two tracks from two labels that sounded very similar to one another with slight differences in the atmosphere that their melodies create. Although I must admit that both tracks have very catchy melodies, they’ve been repeated too often throughout each track with hardly any variations at all. It’s nice to hear these tracks chipped into a set for a brief moment, or played once in a blue moon, but putting these tracks on repeat can make people feel rather nauseated while sober. To describe it in another way, it would be like eating too many sweets and sugary things at once. The more people have too much of a good thing, the sooner they’ll get sick of it and move on to something else.

‘Telraam’ has little hints of disco inserted here and there. Each instrumental component is modified slightly to give it a fresh sound and the staccato makes things very light hearted. They complement each other extremely well. Yet, although ‘Telraam’ is just a cut-off preview, I just cannot bear to have the same melody repeated for 1:53 minute(s) straight. On the other hand, ‘Keep Rockin’ might sound a little bit better with different melodic variations. However, there’s hardly anything new in the percussion or in the way the track builds up and breaks down.

If you ever feel like having some sort of guilty pleasure, these tracks will offer some short-lived satisfaction. But if you’re looking for something to put on repeat, maybe you’ll end up looking for something else. Riggi & Piros’ ‘Keep Rockin’ was released through Armada and Zonderling’s ‘Telraam’ is now available on Spinnin’ Records.

Originality 4/10
Harmony 5/10
Chorus 6/10
Overall 5/10

Blasterjaxx feat. Rosette – No Place Like Home

Published on Beatsmedia 25/02/2015
http://beatsmedia.com/blasterjaxx-feat-rosette-no-place-like-home/

It takes a lot of work to make something that sounds simply beautiful rather than simply dull. In fact, Blasterjaxx and Rosette’s ‘No Place Like Home’ is nothing short of daring. Featuring organic and natural instrumental components and sexy beats, this piece is an absolute pleasure to listen to. Expect this to be a hit at festivals that take place on the beach or in parks.

It starts off with a popping bass and a compressed melody that gradually decompresses and increases in volume. Elements of this track sprinkle and scatter to create a very exciting sensation for the ears. Then, a smooth transition is made as the track goes into the breakdown. After a brief silence, there’s nothing but the crisp sound of the guitar and the soothing female vocals of Rosette. The guitar strumming works surprising well with the digital elements when merged, which is a pleasant surprise. Although the cliché build up might be a bit too sharp, the drop isn’t too intense or destructive at all. Thankfully, most elements were well balanced.

One may not expect to hear electro house tracks to sound groovy and relaxing or nostalgic at the same time, but ‘No Place Like Home’ is a ground-breaking and exceptional case that brings people back to basics. The track was released on the 20th and is now available on Beatport.

Overall rating: 10/10

Gorgon City ft. Jennifer Hudson – Go All Night (Freemasons Remix)

Gorgon City released an album in December 2014 and it appears that a few of their releases will be lifted off the album and released in the form of multiple singles. I received the ‘Go All Night’ remixes in my inbox today. Seems a bit late, but better late than never!

Firstly, let’s start with the original mix. Unfortunately, it was plain and just like any other House track. I didn’t hear any new sound effects, cool arrangements or interesting moments that made me go wow. No transitions that led to anything more exciting or original. Gorgon City really seemed to be holding back a lot or staying safe.

On the other hand, every element in the Freemasons remix was considerably amplified, edgy and filled with attitude. Those descending bass lines were simple yet complemented Jennifer Hudson’s vocals perfectly. Freemasons were not afraid to be bold with twangs while adding classic, funky elements here and there. This remix strikes the perfect remix between the old elements and the new. Not to mention, I really liked that creepy, echoing component towards the outro. It was quite a cheeky move.

I tried to find the release date of the Freemasons remix, but it wasn’t really clearly stated anywhere. I went on iTunes via the Global PR Pool link, but it said the release wasn’t available in Australia. I do know the original mix was released in December 2014, but I wasn’t sure if these remixes were released afterwards. Anyway, if you know the date, feel free to tell me in the comments and I’ll update this post.

Watch out for the Freemasons remix!

Roisto – I’m Who You Need

Published on Beatsmedia UK 10/02/2015
http://beatsmedia.com/roisto-im-who-you-need/

Finnish Disco and electro producer Roisto released an EP which has received several positive reviews from blog such as Music Is My Life, Thump and Earmilk. One of the tracks on the EP, titled ‘I’m Who You Need’, has recently been uploaded to the Ministry of Sound YouTube channel.

The piano notes might not necessarily flow smoothly throughout, but as a whole, this track has an exciting variety that would be best described as colourful in visual terms. It has everything you’d hear from the seventies, sprinkled about in various places. There’s nothing too excessively overpowering, nothing repetitive, nothing too cliché. This track has a clean and crisp composition that’s joyful yet pleasantly relaxing.

‘I’m Who You Need’ has a relevant title, for it’ll be just the thing you need to have a good time. The track has been released on the 27th of January and is now available on Beatport.

Instruments 10/10

Compositions 7/10

Bassline 10/10

Overall 9/10

Hardwell and Headhunterz feat. Haris – Nothing Can Hold Us Down

Published on Beatsmedia UK 10/2/2015
http://beatsmedia.com/hardwell-headhunterz-feat-haris-nothing-can-hold-us-down/

When I heard that Headhunterz was beginning to play House in his sets, I couldn’t believe it, but I guess his latest collaboration with Hardwell is yet another wake-up call for me. Believe it or not, Headhunterz’s ‘Sacrifice’ (Original Mix), was the first Hardstyle track I ever listened to. I didn’t know about Hardwell until Headhunterz made a remix of ‘Spaceman’.

There seems to be an odd trend with the way Hardstyle artists have chosen to remix Hardstyle tracks, they feature a great deal of the original. For example, Brennan Heart and Code Black’s remix of Afrojack’s ‘Ten Feet Tall’, would put the track at its original tempo as a breakdown. The composition for ‘Nothing Can Hold Us Down’ sounded even weirder to me, because the first half is Electro House and the second half is semi Hard Dance.

There can be several explanations for this choppy way of putting two different genres together. Firstly, raising the tempo is one of the ways producers increase the hype. Secondly, it seems that Hardstyle producers are anticipating situations where they will be playing at stages that are not specifically dedicated to Hardstyle. For example, Headhunterz was the only Hardstyle artist invited to play at festival Stereosonic last year. Additionally, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike actually dropped Coone’s remix of their track in a set at Future Music Festival several years ago, which was a pleasant surprise.

Nonetheless, I should deliver this warning: If you are a Hard Dance fan who is not used to listening to such combinations, you will not feel comfortable with this track. I certainly didn’t feel like I was used to it until one or two weeks ago, even though I had already heard Brennan Heart and Code Black’s remix of ‘Ten Feet Tall’ way before that. Back when I was listening to Hard Dance, it was just that. The concept of Hard Dance being moulded together with Electro House or Trance, or the possibility of a term like ‘Electrostyle’ to emerge, is still relatively new to me.

Anyway, let me go a bit deeper into ‘Nothing Can Hold Us Down’. Both Hardwell and Headhunterz have managed to provide creative inputs into this piece to create a highly engaging and gleeful melody. In fact, those who are familiar with Headhunterz work will hear little bits of Headhunterz in there and know that it doesn’t overpower the Hardwell style. The techniques that each producer has to offer in this piece have been moulded and mixed well.

Now, let me tell you what’s bad: The ending. After I listened to both the SoundCloud and YouTube preview, I still went to iTunes just to confirm the length was around 3:18. That is how abrupt the outro sounded and that is how much I wanted this track to have more Hard Dance. I thought the kicks would become much harder. Unfortunately, Hard Dance was the outro in this case. It sounded as if they spun a coin with Electro House on one side and Hard Dance on the other, then slammed it on Hard Dance and took the coin away immediately. I was left unsatisfied but at the same time, I wanted more. It’s not a horrible track since the melody is beautiful, but it could have been a much better mix of genres.

Outro 2/10
Melody 10/10
Lyrics 7/10
Vocals 5/10
Overall 6/10

Press Play – Bollybounce

Published on Beatsmedia 2/2/2015

Ah, Bollywood, where people can sing and dance forever if they want to, and among the tracks that people could dance to might also include this release from Aussie DJ Press Play, titled ‘Bollybounce’.

Surprisingly, this track actually includes a great deal of Indian flavour and instruments. The trills are super addictive and whenever the low-pitched sounds make their presence as a foreground melody, there would always be a slight variation between each note. After several breakdowns, the sounds are sharpened and snipped, then a few pats to the tambourine can be heard, all of which form a very smooth outro.

Electronic music tracks infused with exotic instruments are hard to come by. Hopefully, this release by Press Play will inspire more music producers to find and incorporate more sounds made by instruments from various parts of the world.

This track was released via Ministry of Sound Australia on the 19th of January.

Download on Beatport – http://po.st/cpsNlO

Instruments 10/10
Transitions 8/10
Originality 7/10

Klingande – Jubel

When I first heard the percussion for Jubel by Klingande, I thought most of the track was going to have a fairly monotonous tone. However, when the chords came in, I felt really happy about where the track was going. Instrumental elements such as the piano, saxophone and the twang from the guitar sounded great when looped. It’s a great summer classic selected as part of Neon Records’ House Essentials album for 2014, so get ready to hear this playing on every House fan’s speakers!

Percussion 6/10
Instruments 10/10
Arrangement 10/10
Mood 10/10