Weekly Roundup LXVIII (With comebacks from Martin Garrix, Alesso and many more!)

The picks are here for this edition of the Weekly Roundup, we have the veterans returning to their roots such as Martin Garrix and Alesso, with loads of upcoming talents that have shown plenty of potential with their latest releases.

Martin Garrix, Sentinel, Bonn- Hurricane
80/100

Despite having several breakthroughs in commercial dance music, the Dutch wunderkind Martin Garrix has held onto the promise of remaining rooted to his endeared signature of festival progressive house style. “Hurricane” is a testament to this yet again, this time in collaboration with Sentinel, who you might also know from their team-up with Alesso (“Only You“) yesteryear.

The track has all the fan favorites: an uplifting and motivating vocal, with optimistic chord progressions and progressive house traits that most are well-versed with. “Hurricane” might not bring a lot in terms of unexpected twists, but what it does with time-tested elements is solid evidence to work of expertise. Bonn‘s singing and songwriting empower the instrumental, bringing in charged supersaws, and a streamlined bassline with a melody to lure the fans.

[embedded content]

Alesso – Without You
82/100

Progressive House seems to be attracting ample attention, as Alesso gave it another try after last year’s “Only You” (Also with Australian trio Sentinel).

“Without You” brings in a different variant of Progressive House to showcase, one that was made popular years back by the British duo Third Party. Although rippling with Alesso’s trademark synths in the genre, it doesn’t entirely rely on his old roots and instead remains lightweight with a snare-laden beat and bright electro-pluck synths.

Fun fact: “Without You” remains one of the most popular song-title in the EDM genre. Don’t believe me? Search it up.

Lane8 – Rave
85/100

Pioneering the melodic deep house genre as always, Lane8 finally released “Rave” after having teased it at his quarterly mixtapes. Unlike his usual style, the track brings in a funky riff and treads on an old-school electro style, while still adhering to the sublime melodic signature of the American creator. While the lead melody brings an off-kilter arpeggiated melody and dominates the production, the main breakdown brings in a somber mood, furnishing the production further by being both unanticipated and refreshing.

Hel:Sløwed, That Girl – Hold Onto This
85/100

A State Of Trance (ASOT) has been going through a new wave of melodic techno producers, with proficient Dutch duo Hel:Sløwed being a worth-mentioning force with their blazing productions.

If unfamiliar with them, the best way to acquaint yourself with their sound would be through their masterful take on Tiesto’s classic “Flight 643”, which eventually did get supported by him and got published on AFTR:HRS. Blending melodic techno with other underground genres, the pair have come up with a unique and euphoric sound that fits both club and festival scenes.

“Hold Onto This” brings in a superlative vocal performance from That Girl, who has also previously collaborated on “This Silence” with the said duo. With a strong start featuring a rhythmic bassline, the track dons a melodic techno mood right until the central breakdown section. Here, a hypnotic melody instills that peak-time trance sound (reminding me of Rank 1), bringing in a rush of atmosphere and tension before proceeding with the darker and brooding drop. A fascinating production that is certain to enamor the listeners!

ALISA FOX – MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
81/100

Brandishing an aggressive driving techno sound, ALISA FOX has found her niche in the trending festival techno genre despite debuting this year. Donning a raver’s aesthetic in both her branding and creations, “MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT” is one creation among the steadily growing discography.

With attention-capturing vocals and filthy 303 acids (a recurring element in her arsenal), the production thrusts forward with thumping techno kick drums and stabbing synths. A classic soundset for the raves, the song stomps with its energetic flow throughout.

Sean Matthews – Set Me Free
80/100

“Set Me Free” is an upbeat homage to classic trance with both uplifting and progressive influences, put together by reputed Trance alias Sean Matthews, who has a considerable number of records signed and heavily supported by industry top-notch acts such as Armin van Buuren and Aly & Fila.

The British producer retained his usual uplifting trance sound while introducing reverb-heavy and radiant synths with alluring vocal chops. Alternating between these sounds, the track fully unleashes in the second drop with a more intense replay from the synths.

TRIIPL3 INC. – Synergy
80/100

Who can say no to a hammering round of Hardstyle? “Synergy” fulfills that requisite, a blistering track from the Austrian duo TRIIPL3 INC. With an impassioned vocal, the mentioned producers created an equally vibrant hardstyle instrumental to match the energy. Fit with a striding and happy melody, the track is creatively engineered both in terms of sound design and arrangements, easily passing off as something one would hear at reputed hardstyle venues such as Defqon-1.

Banyan – Holly
83/100

The American duo Banyan grabbed my attention with their newest offering “Holly“, which remains a lush experience with a minimal and atmospheric deep house arrangement. Sharing close resemblances to “ThisNeverHappened” and Lane8 style of music, the production thrives on muted progressive plucks over sparse pads and analog lead synths. A serene creation with the potential to reinvent the genre through a unique and passionate attitude!

Bonus
Siks – Anywhere With You
82/100

The French producer Siks is known for his versatility and for coming up with groovy club weapons, and this time on Hexagon Records, he came up with “Anywhere With You“. The song satisfies the label’s staple soundset, bringing a delectable vocal hook with drops that emulates the labelhead, Don Diablo with a classic future house sound. Combined with the production experience and sound-design mettle, Siks easily presented a nostalgic experience that pays homage to the older and renowned releases from Hexagon.

ay-Mill – Free Tonight
80/100

A promising upcomer, ay-Mill has quickly gathered abundant streams thanks to the fetching and polished sound that his productions carry. “Free Tonight“, out on Paraiso, borders between that buoyant dance-pop sound with sparkling acoustic guitar riffs and a worth-mentioning vocal performance, to which the Swedish producer expertly complemented with gentle and danceable hooks.

A promising upcomer, ay-Mill has quickly gathered abundant streams thanks to the fetching and polished sound that his productions carry. “Free Tonight”, out on Paraiso, borders between that buoyant dance-pop sound with sparkling acoustic guitar riffs and a worth-mentioning vocal performance, to which the Swedish producer expertly complemented with gentle and danceable hooks.