Weekly Roundup LV (With bonus reviews and interesting releases from Illenium, Fred Again.. and more!)

While music might have taken a backseat in your daily life as different nations struggle to strike goals, the EDM industry hasn’t slacked. We have interesting releases from Illenium, Fred Again.. and Glitch Mob, and others!

Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero (Illenium Remix)
75/100

While the celebrated American singer-songwriter broke records and seized charts with her recent album “Midnights”, it was only time that the remixes started arriving. Illenium grabbed this opportunity early and put his spin on “Anti-Hero”, the current trending hit.

While the original is a somber synth-pop tune, the Chicago-based producer flips the pop song into an expected future bass/mid-tempo affair, stocked with vocal chops and distorted supersaw synths assembly.

Will Atkinson – If I Spoke Your Language (Grum Remix)
86/100

Scottish progressive house hotshot Grum revisited the 80s with an Italo Disco-inspired remix of Will Atkinson‘s “If I Spoke Your Language“. Upon pressing play on this, I was instantly hit with pounding reverb-heavy snares and resplendent synths that imparted a trancey and hypnotic touch. Graced by enticing vocals, this rendition is sure to turn up the heat on dance floors this winter.

Romy, Fred Again.. – Strong
85/100

When it comes to Fred Again.., the British alias is notorious for blending and trying out genres as he pleases. Versatile as ever, the “Actual Life” creator collaborated with talented songstress Romy for a progressive trance tune that sounds straight out of earlier decades. A seductive vocal and peak-time trance configuration gets straight to business, delivering euphoria throughout!

VIVID, Chester Young – Rave Tribe
82/100

Known for releases on Revealed Recordings and Enhanced, VIVID and Chester Young (Hexagon, Future House Music) have banded up on TurnItUp Muzik for an explosive Future Rave record, although the genre lines have been deftly blurred to the point that it would be hard to label “Rave Tribe”.

Starting with throaty and esoteric vocal chants that invoke a feverish ambiance right away, the song keeps the pressure intense as a techno-flavored drop arrives with myriads of tools ranging from bass house wobbles to aggravated rave stabs. A complete party-starter of a deal on this one!

Dan Kincaid – Without You (Niko Stoessl Remix)
84/100

Spanning over seven minutes, Niko Stoessl‘s take on “Without You” by Dan Kincaid is anything but monotonous. Persistently building over an instrumental that remains suavely adhered to post-disco and Indie Dance. The track is constructed with ingenuity, introducing the singer mid-way after opening up with a muted wobbling synth and other condiments that project a pensive and dark mood. The production signature remains austerely minimal, maximizing its repetitive but compelling groove led by fitting vocals.

Glitch Mob – The Moment
81/100

Eccentric and refreshing would be understating “The Moment”, created by the American electronic trio Glitch Mob. The house genre track is littered with small leftfield details, starting from the unconventional kick and percussions to a variety of experimenting leads and riffs fulfilling a complex and well-executed instrumental. If you are looking for something off-kilter, try this.

Blvk Sheep – ORBIT!
83/100

Garnering attention from top-notch acts such as Boombox Cartel, Blvk Sheep is plenty familiar with creating a dubstep weapon as demonstrated in “ORBIT!”. In a taut and nearly cinematic suspense type of opening, the American producer surpasses expectations with fastly-riffing and charged synths that dominate the drop sequences, without overstaying its welcome.

Nikademis, Zack Gray – Perimeter
82/100

“Perimeter” balances out between chaos and order, as Nikademis and Zack Gray formulated a banger riddled with distorted and disruptive drops, predominated by intense bass synths as they give way to a thoughtful and melodic breakdown, which is interspersed with charming singing and subtle piano chords. The drop is anything but modest, introducing plenty of rebelliousness to the mix!

Bonus

Qwiet Type – Too Good To End
84/100

Lately I’ve been sharing a bit of Pop around, but don’t worry, our main focus is and always will be EDM. If we talk about other genres, it’s because they have impressed us so badly that we made an exception to the rule! That’s the case of “Too Good To End” by Qwiet Type, a hymn to the euphory and joy we feel when having fun with our friends. I tried it during a night out in my car and the effect was fantastic: a sublime mix of Electronica and Alt Pop, perfect for a good time with a more delicate sound than usual. I woudn’t be surprised to hear it as a movie soundtrack… So beautiful!

BALDRIAN – Anishi
78/100

“Anishi” mixes an impressive blend of dirty Bass House with exotic, Indian elements, and the result need to be handled carefully! The instruments used amazed me, while the bass could have been even more courageus in its experimental personality… Overall, “Anishi” is a very engaging production that doesn’t hesitate to leave the comfort zone, but at the same time leaves room for future developments.

SILENT- IK
72/100

Tribal Trap doesn’t seem to be willing to stop releasing bangers, as “IK” is another track to be added to their catalogue. Experimental mix of trap and dubstep, with heavy use of low-pitched vocals and metallic leads, the creation by SILENT is impressive since the first seconds. The work with the percussions is creative, but their dominant presence made the drop slightly confusing during the first time I was focusing on. Overall, the experience was worth it.