Markus Schulz and Ferry Corsten announced they were forming New World Punx back in March and have released their first single, “Romper,” as a free download on their website.
The two trance veterans fuse their talents to create a harder sound, moving between trance and house within the track. “Romper” can command big dance floors, which makes sense since the two began playing as New World Punx in large arenas, including A State of Trance at Madison Square Garden. It’s not the pure, melodic trance listeners might associate with the two DJs on their own, but together they’ve created an entirely new persona and a fresh tune to go with it.
New World Punx – Romper
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Anjunabeats Ronski Speed releases a euphoric Trance track with vocals from Renee Stahl. Anjunabeats is really the forefront for unforgettable Trance Tracks, and have garnished some of the best breakout producers in recent years. ‘Pink Skye’ is an uplifting track with beautiful vocals from Renee Stahl. Combining a modern club groove with old school trance flavors, “Pink Skye” has become a favorite in Above & Beyond’s recent DJ sets. The driving bass gives way to a sumptuous piano-lead riff and haunting vocals from Renee Stahl, before falling into a mesmerizing peak time release. Make sure to check out the Toby Hedges remix as well.
Fresh after an appearance at Electric Daisy Carnival in New York City, Hyperbits, the New York based producer duo keep the momentum going with their newest release, and anthem of this summer, ‘Karekare’. Reminiscent of Above and Beyond, ‘Karekare’ is a track that no trance or progressive lover will want to miss. Beautiful underlying vocals, and some massive, unique synth-work give this song a great vibe that will make it fun to listen to whether you’re at a festival, in the club, or listening alone.
Their first release under Armada Music, Hyperbits are a force to be reckoned with. With a rapid rise to success, they prove release after release just why this happened. Already sharing the stage with artists such as Cedric Gervais, W&W, Sander Van Doorn, and Michael Woods, Hyperbits is showing no signs of slowing down.
Fresh off the momentum of an appearance at Electric Daisy Carnival in New York City, the guys from Hyperbits are proud to unveil their latest melodic offering, ‘Karekare’ signed to Armada Music. No doubt, a summer anthem.
‘Violetta’ by the Norwegian Orjan Nilsen is FINALLY released. After being a staple of Armin Van Buuren’s ASOT600 ‘The Expedition’ world tour, fans can now purchase ‘Violetta’ and enjoy one of the finest Trance tracks of the year. Orjan Nilsen is a 30 year old man who looks very young, but doesn’t let that get in the way of his ridiculous ability to produce monster Trance tracks. Orjan Nilsen brings an unmatched energy to the decks every time he spins, and we can’t take ‘Violetta’ off repeat.
Orjan Nilsen- Violetta
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Despite popular beliefs to the contrary, producing EDM is just like any other job. Most producers are good but haven’t received the recognition they deserve. Others have achieved success and are well known within the EDM community. However, there are a select few DJ’s whose names are spoken with near reverence by both the casual fan and hardcore fanatic. As the five-time #1 DJ on DJ Mag’s poll (the most by any DJ), Armin Van Buuren has wholly entrenched himself in that category. However, following up a stellar album like his 2010 release ‘Mirage‘ is no easy feat. Thankfully, ‘Intense‘ does not disappoint, not even in the slightest.
After the release of the single ‘This Is What It Feels Like,’ many Trance enthusiasts feared that Armin was selling out. We’re extremely pleased to report that to rumors of Armin selling out have been greatly exaggerated (to paraphrase Mark Twain). Don’t believe us? Scroll down to the bottom of this review and listen to ‘Who’s Afraid of 138?!’, we’ll wait… Satisfied? Snarky humor aside, it’s clear that Armin certainly has not forgotten his Trance roots.
However, the Dutch DJ shows incredible range on this album which according to him is “more house-y electro stuff and of course trance, some rock influence, even a little bit of dubstep and classical music in there” (You can hear the quote here). This is certainly true, seeing as the titular track features the accomplished violinist Miri Ben-Ari. That track is hauntingly beautiful yet still manages to be exactly what it claims to be: Intense.
All in all, Intense is a fabulous album that clearly shows Armin’s impeccable eye for detail. There’s nothing groundbreaking on this album, but ultimately, that means very little. Every single track is polished and unique. Every single track shows a different genre, or at the very least, a different side of a genre. Intense is an album that will have you stopping at times and simply marveling at how good Armin is at his craft. They say you can’t please everybody, yet Armin’s done exactly that. There’s a very good reason that he’s the best in the world. All hail the king.
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This Is What It Feels Like (feat. Trevor Guthrie)
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Pulsar
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Who’s Afraid of 138?!
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Tracklist:
1. Intense (feat. Miri Ben-Ari)
2. This Is What It Feels Like (feat. Trevor Guthrie)
3. Beautiful Life (feat. Cindy Alma)
4. Waiting for the Night (feat. Fiora)
5. Pulsar
6. Sound of the Drums (feat. Laura Jansen)
7. Alone (feat. Lauren Evans)
8. Turn This Love Around (vs. NERVO feat. Laura V.)
9. Won’t Let You Go (feat. Aruna)
10. In 10 Years From Now
11. Last Stop Before Heaven
12. Forever is Ours (feat. Emma Hewitt)
13. Love Never Came (feat. Richard Bedford)
14. Who’s Afraid of 138?!
15. Reprise (feat. Bagga Bownz)
16. Humming The Lights (By Armin van Buuren presents Gaia) [iTunes Bonus Track]
The Anjunabeats-released L.A. by Finland duo Super8 & Tab has been a trance hit so far in 2013, and now Anjunabeats has released a pair of remixes for the track.
First up to remix L.A. is Juventa, a young Dutch producer who has seen huge Trance releases and remixes on Armada, Anjunabeats and Enhanced. The Juventa remix remains similar in feel to the original, but has a slightly edgier side that is rooted in a glitch based bassline and drums packed with punch. Juventa sticks with the melodic trance vibe that Super8 & Tab originally intended, but adds a progressive big-room sound to further increase the energy in his take on L.A.
Also remixing L.A. is the established and accomplished BT, who takes the already uplifting track and magnifies the feeling with his unique touch. A hard electro bass drives the track while a rhythmic synth plays delicate melodies. Bell- and vocal-laden segments play throughout the track to invoke the great uplifting feel that BT often infuses in his music.
The opening track off Armin Van Buuren’s ASOT2013 CD2, Alexander Popov’s ‘Lost Language’ is a Trance masterpiece. Following his successes of ‘Elegia’, ‘When The Sun’ and ‘Attractive Force’, this track brings out the classic Trance sound that we all miss. It is one of those sounds that bring you so deep into the track and you are so upset when it’s over you just keep replaying it. Its blazing trance fires will kill, its melody lifts up and its mesmerizing vocal samples will move you, from the first till very last note of sound. Look out for Popov to bring Trance back to the old school in 2013.
Max Graham has release his newest track ‘Diamonds’. ‘Diamonds’ is a really nice trance track with some astounding, uplifting vocals from Tania Zygar. Featuring some feel-good chord progressions that we all love from trance, this track is sure to be successful. The euphoric build-ups only add to the songs already dynamic feel, leaving us with a song that stays true to the trance genre.
‘Diamonds’ is released under Armada Music. Armada is the powerhouse trance record label founded by Armin Van Buuren, Maykel Piron, and David Lewis. It is a Dutch record label based in Amsterdam that has been putting out hits ever since it was founded in 2003. Some other artists signed to Armada Music you might recognize are BT, Markus Schulz, tyDi, Myon & Shane 54, and Tritonal.
The ever impressive Above and Beyond never fails to create flawless concoctions of sounds that send chills of pleasure down their listeners’s spines. With their latest track, ‘Walter White’, there is no exception to the trio’s pattern of tasteful production.
Since its premier as an ID track at the final installment of Trance Around The World from Bangalore, India in November of 2012, the official drop of ‘Walter White’ has eagerly been awaited by A&B followers. Those of us who tune in to satellite radio to get our weekly A&B fill had the pleasure of first hearing “Walter White” on Above & Beyond’s radio show, Group Therapy; Episode #001. (Group Therapy is the successor to A&B’s former radio show, Trance Around The World). Interestingly, ‘Walter White’, which is off of Anjuna Beats Volume 10, was named in tribute to the TV character from the Breaking Bad series. Already a club hit, ‘Walter White’ comes roaring in with a tech-like rhythm. The melody then flows into long, deep bass lines that are almost hypnotic, before erupting again with piercing synths. The song emulates the captivating charisma A&B always brings to the table. Give the track that goes out to “Walter White aka Heisenberg” a listen and see if it can leave you spellbound.
Above & Beyond – Walter White
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