ADE Sampler 2022 by Intensity Recordings

I know, I know: the earlier mentioned promise of stopping with the ADE sampler holds no good, as the results from the Revealed one were impressive and, Intensity deserves its own mention! The independent label has set up an admirable compilation with five tracks from talented and lesser-known figures. As expected, there’s much to talk about!

[embedded content]

VSNS – Fearless
70/100

VSNS is noteworthy, who is a tremendously underrepresented producer with his own exotic style (such as “Five Days Of Light“), even if “Fearless” is not his best offering. I felt a surplus of KSHMR inspiration in the structure, which shares a closer resemblance to his “Delhi” style. The quality remains high, especially when I focused on the lead and details enhancing the drop.

Bloodslyder – War Of The Gods
83/100

Though Bloodslyder is a stranger to me, that doesn’t put “War of The Gods” in the gentler category. This Hard Trap/Hardstyle drop pounds with medieval-type conditions where I felt right in the middle of a vicious battle. The idea of including flutes and that unique lead is genial: “War of The Gods” is a unique release with its own wild persona. Not one to be missed out on!

Monta – Die For Me
65/100

Monta has come back after “This!“, which resorted to more or less the same Dutch House principles like “Die For Me“. It’s harder to say much here since I am not a fan of this particular sub-genre (slightly reminding me of old-school Afrojack)… Although, I can’t ignore the standout construction in the breakdown which is rather fascinating and elegant.

Alex Mueller, Retrika & Alvi – Wandering Here
74/100

“Wandering Here” adopted the trending Techno/Big Room format, with its own signature of course, since this sampler has other worthy contenders! Lots of quality in the bassline and a long, mysterious vocal loop melding in the buildup showing tons of potential, especially in a subgenre that needs this kind of development. The idea is likable, especially as the drop remains dynamic enough to convince me, compared to other identical melodies.

Subliminals – Out Of Control
78/100

Subliminals exhibit their expertise here with a classic Big Room production titled “Out Of Control“. Having preferred their dirty drops before, I felt that this sequence was rather fun, even amongst the other experimentations, thus turning this release a tad foreseeable. We couldn’t miss some good ol’ Big Room in here though, and “Out of Control” is a great pick. The drop slaps!