Weekly Roundup XLIV (Before the Holidays Edition!)

Running a show alone isn’t easy peasy: for over a year, the Weekly Roundup has continued under a single writer. That’s about to change, however, as this edition breaks that monotony. Happy to announce that we have a special guest: I will take the lead in the first half with his four selections, followed by Davide’s (mutt.0). There’s a varied artist in the list as well, ranging from Will Sparks, Hardwell, Lane8, and more such talented acts.

Lane 8, Elderbrook – Grapevine
84/100

This Never Happened is a master at conjuring soothing, dreamy melodic-deep house productions without dropping an iota of quality. “Grapevine“, a synergy with the reputed singer-songwriter/producer Elderbrook, is yet another radiant gem to unravel.

With a minimal attitude, the song focuses on building up, constructing its groove from organic components such as a soft kick-drum, an enchanting piano lead, a rumbling bassline, and other hypnotic constituents to further the sentiments. The British vocalist later joins the ensemble with his recognizable, charming voice that floats over the featherweight and somber instrumental. It might sound sparse in words, but in person, the production merits an applaud for catching the listener’s intrigue so well.

Hardwell – I FEEL LIKE DANCING
80/100

Continuing the lore of his upcoming album “Rebels Never Die“, Revealed Recordings label-head sticks to the usual course by offering more techno experimentations.

This time around, his 12th single titled “I FEEL LIKE DANCING” swirls around with funky, peak-time rave chords that have been a staple of electronic music for a while now. There’s a more funky vibe attached to this instrumental, with a pitched-up vocal bouncing around while the mentioned synths stab to a mellow progression, followed by the usual procession of pounding drums and sweeping hats to fulfill the dynamics.

On a side note, I am somewhat unclear as to whether the album is supposed to come out entirely in this fashion or drop altogether at a future date. Nevertheless, with twelve ruckus-creating club weapons under his belt so far, the Breda-based icon continues his world tour effectively.

David Guetta, Benny Benassi – Satisfaction
“Un”Satisfied/100

Since the pioneering electro house record “Satisfaction” was revealed to the world in 2001, it has received countless remixes from a multitude of producers. Although my initial instincts are not always in favor of a re-work, there are always some which actually deserve credit for their creative concept (say, the Afrojack remix). The same cannot be said about David Guetta‘s edit of this club classic, however.

There’s not much substance to even begin describing: it’s the usual tech-house attempt, with the famous heavily distorted synth lead coming to rescue in the otherwise bland beat. A breakdown adjoins the drop, bringing in a techno-lead to offer a future rave taste, but instead is left alone in a minimal setting. The outcome, in its entirety, doesn’t offer anything extra than what Benny Benassi’s original masterpiece offered.

AAOM, Cari J – Mercy
Rating – 82/100

Using less to convey more takes real dedication, as meticulously displayed by the Mexican alias AAOM. His latest after-hours venture “Mercy” maintains this abstract, yet the hypnagogic texture is drawn through the use of seductive vocal work from Cari J and clever planning laying out the production.

The track is themed around a pre-dawn rave after a heartbreak, as the said artist describes, and the colder and broody arrangements of distant pads and funky percussions are met with the female vocal loop, which attributes an ethereal quality to the house record. Even if spanning shy of 400 seconds, “Mercy” doesn’t lose its charm, thanks to the variating and evolving set of instruments that come and go in this performance.

Steve Aoki & Timmy Trumpet & DJ Aligator – The Whistle
77/100

After having heard “The Whistle” at Tomorrowland, which turned memorable with Timmy Trumpet‘s gimmick while thousands of people were dancing at the sound of a referee’s whistle, hence my opinion was mixed about this rework. From one side, it’s been decided that DJ Aligator is hypnotizing crowds with this absurd idea, and from another, the bouncy Timmy’s twist is well done, with his signature trumpet finally making an appearance.

It’s just a fun song for dancing and having a good laugh, following a classic Festival Bounce structure with some Hardstyle influences. Loved the final drop. Aoki? Nowhere to be seen.

JJL & Toxic Wraith – Inside
80/100

An explosive mix of glitched leads and vocal chops, “Inside” shows its beautiful attitude after just a few seconds! Composed by JJL and Toxic Wraith, the Red Ocean release impressed us with its experimental structure and the dynamism added by the percussions. That’s the energetic Tech House we would like to hear!

There’s a dreamy vibe in the breakdown that deserves a line all by himself: such a clean result!

Tyson O’Brien x Paluma – LDN FERG
72/100

A frenetic vocal and hard-hitting Tech-y bassline are enough for Tyson O’Brien and Paluma, capable of delivering a nice composition, rich in energy and small surprises. The main component of “LDN FERG” is a big horn, showing its presence in the background while the vocal goes on and on… A bit repetitive in the long run, but it’s a recommended for listen, thanks to its peculiar personality.

Will Sparks – Come With Me
82/100

Will Sparks is evidently experimenting with a deadly combination of Melbourne Bounce and Hard Techno, with great results! “Come With Me” is another release on Spinnin’ Records for the Australian artist, characterized by heavy kicks and a long, dark buildup.

The atmosphere is a bit uncomfortable, yet there’s a leftover desire to explore the boundaries of the genre, with courage and that pinch of craziness we are used to finding in Will’s ideas. There’s some potential for this style if you are capable to handle the aggressiveness of the drops!