Rank 1 — Airwave: lift without excess
Airwave makes a persuasive case for melody as atmosphere. The lead has an airy, yearning character, while the percussion supplies the forward motion needed for a…
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Binary Finary — 1998: the enduring appeal of a big riff
Binary Finary’s 1998 is built around a fiercely recognisable synth phrase and the tension between that phrase and a rolling dancefloor rhythm. Listen closer Its many…
Read story →Gouryella — Gouryella: when a lead becomes a landmark
The debut Gouryella single, from Ferry Corsten and Tiësto, pairs a bright arpeggiated theme with the grand scale associated with late-1990s uplifting trance. Listen closer The…
Read story →Paul van Dyk — For an Angel and the art of the long build
For an Angel is a lesson in making euphoria feel earned. The E-Werk Club Mix lets its lead open gradually over a driving rhythm, giving the…
Read story →Energy 52 — Café Del Mar: a melody with a life of its own
The original Café Del Mar turns a simple melodic idea into a long, patient climb. Its glassy synth line has been remixed so often that the…
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