Page 55 - Zone Magazine Issue 011

Danielle Holian [Ireland] - Crossover
MUSIC REVIEWS
Calvin Harris - Motion [Fly Eye / Columbia] -
Calvin Harris is one of the highest paid DJ's at this moment in time. He has updated his EDM image and gone in a poppier direction in order to stay relevant with songs like, 'Dollar Sign' and 'Summer' from his fourth full-length studio album, Motion. Each song on this record is superglossy and fun making the listener want to get up and dance. Motion was released on October 31, 2014. Its genre is mostly EDM and electro house music.
Each tune is a crowd-pleaser and radio-ready. Motion features guest appearances from the likes of Haim, John Newman, Ellie Goulding, Tinashe, Gwen Stefani, and All About She. There aren't any lines crossed on this album; it relies on the choruses which are anthemic rather than the beatwork which doesn't add up to the songs potential standard. Harris fails to push boundaries with this record as he plays it safe staying in a guarded risk-free area of dance and pop.
One top tune for the readers reading this review would be 'Outside' which features Ellie Goulding. It was the fourth single off the record and a second colloboration between both artists following 'I Need Your Love'. It has the perfect balance between dance and pop. The chords are larger-than-life. There is musical magic in this song. A tune I would recommend off the album would be 'Faith'. It was co-written by Harris, John Newman, and Steve Mac. It introduces the listener to the record. John Newman sings, "I need a little space in my mind / I need that little hope I can find / I need a little, I need a little faith / Is that too much to ask for?" It is highly styled with some classic from Harris. With the strong vocals, it's a great kick-start intro to the album.
Most of Motion's sound seem recycled from his previous albums. Harris' personality doesn't shine throughout Motion. Although each song is elevating, hearing the same line of attack played over the 15-tracks gets boring. As the first half guests unfamiliar acts, the second half shares more known talents which saves the record overall. https://youtu.be/0zYcAMAVCmU?list=PLNGjON-ocOxXx19PYvHldCGzbhWFmnzpZ
Plutonic Dust - Grand Delusions [P Dust Records]
Grand Delusions is the debut studio album from Plutonic Dust, a electronic music dance band, which was released in April, 2016. The nine-track album is held by Veronica Moran’s enchanting vocals which takes the listener on a journey of delusion involving them deeply in the electronic sound. Grand Delusions is heavy and distorted with its disco beats and reverberation vocals. The five-piece band create something new. Track-to-track they aren’t boring, just a little repetitive. There are some parts of the record that seems downbeat, but still showcases its excellence. The tunes would work as an instrumental electronic music if the vocals were taken away.
One song I would recommend would be ‘Kill For Gold’ which has a feeling of nocturnal vocals. It’s a lovable tune. Moran breaks away from her particular sounding as she sings ‘we drive these streets from midnight’, with the Chic-esque guitar rhythms. The haunting keys and guitar are a disco-funk. A track I would recommend would be ‘Rain Talk’ which has a 90s feeling to it, revolving around rave and house. The funky guitar riff has a vibe of nostalgic. The vocals are rising to perfection.
There is a groundbreaking evolution of electronic music that Plutonic Dust are hitting. They are different and unique and bring their own twist to the music scene. Each tune is well produced, wonderfully put together, and an ultra-modern blend of styles. https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/grand-delusions/id1099410934?i=1099411156
Zedd - True Colours [Interscope Records]
True Colours is Russian-German electronic music producer Zedd’s second studio album. It was released in May 2015. The record features many collaborations from the likes of Selena Gomez, Troye Sivan, Logic, and Kesha.
The album’s leading single, ‘I Want You To Know’, which features vocals from Revival singer Selena Gomez, and was released on February 23, 2015, and landed at number 17 on Billboard Hot 100, receiving positive reviews in general. The 11-track album sees the listener going through a lot of emotion as the album includes songs about breakups, love, being positive every day surrounded by sugar-rushed beats, making it a crowd-pleaser.
True Colours opening track, ‘Addicted To A Memory’, which features Bahari, was released as a promotional track to download when the record was out to pre-order before its initial release. Although the aforementioned song and ‘Straight Into The Fire’ seem to be acquainted pop-structured, the DJ was careful with the production of True Colours. He mixed EDM, rap, and soul well into his second album. Each song is different, but fast-paced, sweet, with breathless melodies. It’s fresh.
One song I would recommend for the readers of this review would be, ‘True Colours’, with vocals from Animal single Kesha. The original track featured vocals by Tim James. It’s the fourth single from the record. It’s a gothic, unsteady electro ballad. The lyrics are hauntingly beautifully sung: “All my life, one page at a time / I'll show you my, my true colors”.
One top track from the album would have to be the closing track, ‘Illusion’, which features Echosmith. It’s breathtakingly perfectly produced. It’s taken to a whole another level. The lyrics are bittersweet, “It feels like the fairytale is over, I really wanted these pages to begin / With "Once upon a time" like all those lullabies.” It takes the listener on an emotional roller coaster ride.
True Colours is far from boring. Even though there are certain topics discussed throughout the record, it still doesn’t stop it from its brilliance.
https://youtu.be/ZqJiXLJs_Pg?list=PLVngzfjgawnDBeb5_ix0QQPp6lMJ3OoxMAlbum
Will.I.Am - #willpower [Interscope Records]
Will.I.Am's fourth studio album, #willpower, dominated the EDM world when it was released back in 2013. The genre floats between hip-hop, electronica, and dance-pop. It's a great summer album.
The 17 great club tracks featuring Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Nicole Scherzinger, Skylar Grey, and Lil' Wayne. The record is somewhat fresh, but each song is undoubtedly oppressed with auto-tune and recycled beats. But each track is almost a hit. A good club anthem. His duets with Britney Spears 'Scream & Shout' and Justin Bieber '#thatPOWER' are perfect dance tracks. The lyrics throughout the record are ridiculous, they're mostly pick-me-up, party type play-on-words. Each track is different with electro-tech rhythms. They're all catchy and chart-ready but dips into many genres.
One song I would recommend for the readers of this review would be 'This Is Love', which features Eva Simons. The feel good progress with keyboards hooks on this tune is a smooth party tune. One top track I would recommend for the readers would be 'Fall Down' which features Miley Cyrus. It's a crowd pleaser. It's has happy lyrics: "You make my world, you make my world go 'round." The techno-based sounds make the listener want to get up and dance for the five minutes and seven seconds.
The album seems to have been produced for an easy listen. The only flaw to this record is that it tried to be trendy, compared to having meaning behind the project. https://youtu.be/b3qsBfsjFLQ?list=PLCrK7BWaeauPwu9LM0EKjYY580Tbt3-uU
The Chainsmokers - Bouquet [Columbia]
The Chainsmokers debut extended play, Bouquet EP, is solid and noteworthy compared to their EDM hit #SELFIE. It was released on October 23, 2015. They have incredibly grown into a more indie taste music, for these days at least, but they still hold EDM very close to their music flavours.
The first single from the American DJ duo's Bouquet is 'Roses' which has an instance of stuttering in the song, it's beauifully written and composed. ROZES features on the single, who sways in with gorgeous vocals. It's a great opening song. This tune quickly became a hit sensation. 'New York City' follows but is completly different. It's a soft, deep house music tune. The vocals are powerful, unlike anything else they have released before. It's their most emotional track to date. The EP is electronic and features great rhythm. Each tune seems emotionally inspired by heartbreak. Until, 'Waterbed' is closest to their first major single #SELFIE in ways although it's more quirkier. It's lighthearted with delightful beats.
A top tune for the readers reading this review would be 'Good Intentions' which features BullySongs. It's upbeat and a crowd pleaser. It'll get the listener on their feet. But it's underrated. A song I would recommend from the EP would be, 'Until You Were Gone' which features Emily Warren. It's fun and catchy. The drops and beats are unique. It's the most danceful track on the EP.
The five-track EP is diverse. The duo were clever with their teases in the making of the EP. They seem to be EDM lovers whom add something different to each song they produce. Although each song seems cliche, it's still enjoyable. There is a story unfolding throughout the EP. It's art with a bit of indie pop glitz EDM.
https://youtu.be/vViWIfhrG30
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