Track of the Day: "Sacramentum" (Andrew Rayel Aether Mix)

Whether you want to admit it or not, the EDM community is experiencing an existential crisis. As electronic music has become more and more popular in the US, there has been a noticeable lack of desire for innovation among many producers. Luckily, we have people like Andrew Rayel to fight against the tides. I can't think of an adjective that properly describes just how groundbreaking his work has been since the fall, with his "Aether" and "Stadium" mixes in particular pushing the boundaries of epic Trance farther than ever before.

His latest Aether Mix with the Russian Bobina is an altar of sound illuminated by piano and drum breakdowns, a beautiful voice sample, chord progressions galore, and his patented synth layering that brings it all together into a remarkable Trance ballad. Tracks like this are what give me hope that electronic music will weather this storm and emerge stronger than ever before. Grab your copy today from Armada!

Out now on Beatport!

By Jack Ulrich

Follow me on Twitter: @AnjunaPLUR

Track of the Day: "Musical Dream" (Original Mix) - Invortex

With mainstream Trance becoming meshing more and more with Deep House and Electro, the sound of the underground is taking a wonderfully psychedelic turn. At underground events from the outskirts of LA to the deserts of Arizona the side stage vibes are being dominated by the harder, hallucinatory sound of psy-Trance. With mushroomy bass and kaleidoscopic transitions the genre lends itself perfectly to a night out dancing under the stars, giving users a vigorous 140 BPM beat to exhaust themselves to before fading out and allowing for short spurts of recovery. A quick listen to Invortex's past uploads makes it clear that this 19 year old Israeli producer has an aptitude for synergy between the enervating basslines that drive the harder styles of Trance music and the turbulent bass that has the nation in a frenzy. Grab the free download and enjoy!

By Edward Fancher

"Trancelate" (Original Mix) - John Newall

Trance is all about tension and suspension. The propelling rhythm in today's selection hovers around 140 at its peak, grabbing our attention at breakneck speeds and uplifting us as cascading arpeggios, plucks, and minor chords strain with the unraveling main beat. Monster Digital has taken countless up & comers under their wings these past few months, but John Newall is no newcomer. The Glasgow native was entranced by the sound in the early millennium, buying his first set of decks in '01 after feeling inspired from Tiesto and Paul van Dyk. It wasn't until 2011 that he had his big break opening multiple nights at London's Ministry of Sound for the likes of PvD, Aly & Fila, and Simon Patterson. After coming off releases with Indecent Noise's label, John Newall is ready to expand his ground - we've been promised a followup that he claims outdoes even this. Enjoy your Saturday!

Out now on Beatport!

By Edward Fancher

"Summer Rain" (Oliver & Tom Remix) - Skysha

We've been on the lookout for a good Progressive summertime tune and today Oliver & Tom came through with their remix for Skysha's "Summer Rain." The mix lunges into fat bass and drum kicks without delay, but the preface soon yields to razor-edged synth play that anticipates the blaring hi-hats that engulf you in the song's energy. Once you're lost in the tune Oliver & Tom resound the melody line back through the foreground before boosting our spirits with a huge uplifting section that has ASOT written all over it (we hope you're listening Armin van Buuren!). Grab Pulsar Recordings' newest gem now!

Out now on Beatport!

By Edward Fancher

"Mescaline" (Original Mix) - Angry Man

Armada has been branching out recently establishing a wealth of smaller sub-labels that cater to a particular sound within the reaches of Trance & Progressive. One of the most promising is the Oakenfold-inspired Perfecto Fluoro, which calls upon his '96 Goa Trance inspired album of the same name. As far as secretive goes, there's hardly a producer that's more incognito than Perfecto's own Angry Man. The track is as hallucinogenic as the title would describe, a full on psychedelic, aerodynamic journey that's not about to go away after you take your hit. Grab the full remix package today!

Out now on Beatport!

By Edward Fancher