ZAXX – Diddy Bop

80%%Overall Score

• 2014’s Zilla is now Diddy Bop
• Screeching lead, a ZAXX’s signature
• Long-awaited comeback on Mainstage Music – now RC

No, I don’t believe that ZAXX is an opportunist.
Sure, his Twitter bio stating that he’s the “BIG ROOM KING ?” is just sliiiiightly inappropriate, but we are reviewing music here, let’s get straight to facts.

I (we all?) left the US producer a few years ago after a couple of Big Room releases on Mainstage Music and an underrated synergy called “Deeper” with KSHMR. In the meantime, the creator experimented with different Melodic Dubstep/Chillstep ideas, but apparently he wanted to return to his more underground roots.

So, after a series of boasting tweets and a first blast called “Chaos”, ZAXX is back on Rave Culture with his peculiar “screeching” style. In particular, “Diddy Bop” shares several similarities with one of his first Big Room experiments, “Zilla” (2014). Artwork included.

What we have here is an old-school vibe that may remind you to either KURA or Steven Vegas if have been a Revealed fan long enough, or even “Krakatoa” by Junkie Kid & Carnage that ZAXX introduced years prior. It uses an unique lead that is almost a monster’s roar (thus the Godzilla concept) and well, it makes a lot of noise. Despite its linear schematic, this stuff is bound to breaks parties. ZAXX wisely added an heavy kick, classic snares, and let the lead do the heavy work.

A slightly creepy breakdown occupies the rest of the timespan, but apart of the fascinating chorus loop, I found it highly forgettable. Who cares, there is a drop that simulates a giant dinosaur shattering my earphones, so I’m fine with that.

ZAXX is back on a genre he clearly loves and it is a win-win conclusion. Now, the BIG ROOM KING ? (cit.) needs 1. to keep re-inventing this style, because some years have clearly passed since its heyday and 2. hopefully stay there and show that I am incorrect in not calling him an opportunist.