Album Review: 'Different' by Ruben de Ronde

If you are an avid listener and/or viewer of A State of Trance radio show, you have heard the name Ruben de Ronde as Armin van Buuren's co-host.  Ruben has made a name for himself as a great trance producer and DJ over the years. The launch of his own label Statement! under Armada has been welcomed by the trance music community as a nice addition to other labels and artist endeavors.

'Different' encompasses a multitude of progressive, vocal, and uplifting trance tracks with great collaboration both in production as well as through community ideas. As explained by Ruben in a previous ASOT episode, production ideas were implemented while streaming on Twitch, and in turn created a "different" environment to create the album. This non-traditional approach created a great all around trance album worthy of your support.

 

Album Review: 'Moons of Jupiter' by GAIA

In Trance music, DJ/Producer's aliases can be just as respected as their original names as it gives both the artists and fans the chance to embrace new creativity. Despite attempts to keep the identity of who GAIA really are a mystery based on performances in dark robes, the collaboration of Armin van Buuren & Benno de Goeij has become quite revered in electronic dance music, more importantly trance music.

'Moons of Jupiter' embraces ambient, melodic techno, and trance sounds both artists have explored via solo careers, but as GAIA, the journey they have created to honor space exploration and Jupiter's moons is quite brilliant. The connection between space and trance music has continued to intrigue and puzzle fans of the genre. As explored on this blog before, a complete album as a "mix cut" allow for a complete experience as they performed the album live before it was actually an album. You are encouraged to listen to the album in it's entirety to get the full experience, and perhaps more than once.  The long wait for this album has been well worth it, and please support the album via the many avenues and platforms available.

 

Track Review: "Attack" by Nifra & Fisherman

Time for another track review from the Coldharbour Recordings family.  Both Nifra & Fisherman have been featured on this blog before, but this is the first track collaboration highlighted. Feel free to check out past reviews featuring these artists.  The model within electronic dance music, more specifically trance music, is to test the track out in DJ sets and on radio shows/podcasts for reaction and sound quality. That being said, this track has been an "ID" for awhile, and finally premiered on a recent episode of Global DJ Broadcast presented by Markus Schulz.

"Attack" is a driving big room trance track aligning with familiar Coldharbour sound that "attacks" your senses. As shown above by artwork, your imagination is triggered by the melodic layers and driving beats.  Looking forward to supporting this track when released May 3rd!
 

Track Review: "I'll Be Gone" by Nicholas Gunn featuring Alina Renae (Nitrous Oxide Extended Mix)

A few months back, an ambient album by Nicholas Gunn called 'Riding The Thermals' was highlighted on this blog.  That review explained the inevitability for ambient and trance music to collide in a great way. Both carry elements of euphoria and relaxation upon listening to them. Thanks to Raz Nitzan and the team at Amsterdam Trance Records, this new mix featuring Nitrous Oxide is available.  The extended mix not only allows for rich and enticing beats per minute natural to great trance, but the mix incorporates original melodies and vocals by Alina Renae. Please support this track currently out at your earliest convenience!

 

Track Review: "Heartbeat" by ATB & Markus Schulz

Many months ago, both ATB & Markus Schulz shared photos and videos of them on social media collaborating in the studio. It sparked some excitement for the trance music world to enjoy as both have contributed to the scene in different ways. As the trance music scene continues to grow, it is always nice to see unity in the form of collaboration of quality music when competition via music business tends to consume the scene as a whole.

As of today (March 8, 2018) you can now support "Heartbeat" as the first release on ATB's RUHRTONE RECORDS.  The beauty of this track is how they encompassed both of their signature sounds in the track through interesting vocal to intricate melodic layers to intriguing back beats to entice you to dance. Despite recent plays on radio shows/podcasts, looking forward to hearing this track in DJ sets for years to come.

 

Track Review: "Mexico City" by AIKA

Every week tracks are debuted on radio shows/podcasts in electronic dance music. In a passionate scene that is trance music, you will often hear these tracks as IDs within sets for weeks or even months. Thus, when the debut happens, it is very exciting. This is one of those tracks that pretty much every radio show/podcast is featuring.

"Mexico City" by AIKA was first highlighted by Armin Van Buuren & Ruben De Ronde on A State of Trance recently, then featured on by Ferry Corsten on Corsten's Countdown as well as by Markus Schulz on Global DJ Broadcast to name a few. The infectious melody mixed with invigorating beats, makes you immediately understand why Ruben signed this track to his label STATEMENT! Recordings. As a sub-label to Armada, this track will be one of the tracks of the Summer as the entire electronic dance music world embarks on Spring/Summer festival season. Hope you support it in anyway you can!

Album Review: 'Tales From The Temple' by Key4050

Perhaps an explanation of who is Key4050 is necessary for those who have yet to warm up to the world of trance music. Bryan Kearney and John O' Callaghan have teamed up in both DJ sets and production to create Key4050. While both Bryan Kearney and John O' Callaghan have made a name for themselves through their solo production, DJ sets, and labels, this collaboration has been well received. They pride themselves in changing live DJ sets to showcase musicality.  Without going too much in depth about sub-genres of trance, they both feature uplifting, euphoric, and vocal trance in which some would revere as the core of trance.

'Tales From The Temple' is a labor of love by the duo that features 32 tracks on two "CD's" (parts for those who stream their music in this day and age).  Upon learning it took years to produce this album, release of this journey is fantastic. For those who have been fans of trance music for awhile, this album does not take word journey lightly.  In fact, as you listen to this album in it's entirety, you might get the sense of nostalgia of the trance released in the 1990's.  This collaboration just works, and they truly have created a masterpiece in a L.P. album. Please support this album in anyway you choose!