Aly & Fila - Rising Sun [Review]

One of the most famous trance duos are opening this summer. And they are doing this with a huge bang! One of the most anticipated albums of the year is almost here. And trust me - it was totally worth the wait. Every trance lover will find something for himself. Vocals? You got them! Chilled tracks? They are here! Epic melodies? No doubts! So let's check out together what treatment do we get from two Egyptians - Aly and Fila!

Not much introduction is needed when you say their names - Aly & Fila. Some will recall their famous Spirit of Ka which got remixed by Markus Schulz himself (if only we could get more remixes from Coldharbour), some will name the heartbeat increasing Lost Language (oh the amazing intro mix, why didn't you see the release?), some will just talk about crowd moving live performances. What's their success formula? You'll have to ask themselves to find it out. I'll dare to say that it might be their straight-to-the-heart tracks and uplifting trance selections for their mixes. Noteworthy - with this album they also tried something they never did before - first vocal collaborations.


15 tracks to experience, one will already notice - they are short. But let that not be a distraction. Lets judge the music only today. The album has an opener as proper - Medellin - co-produced with well known Robert Stevenson (Activa). Choral padding, vocal spell, Activa's acidic synth - well made teaser (unfortunately only teaser) making you wish it would flow further.

But don't get upset - It Will Be Ok. The first vocal track, and IMO the best in the album. Very positively setting lyrics, slower tempo and just the right amount of vocals by Katherine Crowe - the track doesn't feel overfilled thankfully. Katherine is a new voice in trance scene for my ears and that makes the track sound fresh. Vocals are incorporated nicely, so it doesn't feel like they have been put on top - they feel like part of the track. One of these rare cases where Dub mix is not needed. Don't be surprised if you will find yourself reaching for repeat button.

What follows up is the latest single from the duo - another vocal track named My Mind Is With You. No surprise this was chosen as the representing single - radio edit version (the same in the album) is going straight to the point with the lyrics. Voice of Denise Rivera is well exploited, just me not being a fan of radio edits can say that I prefer Original Mix for it shows more instrumental essence put into the track. But for those who never listened to the single this might as well be a proper reason to get it.

The next - one of the gems from ASOT 2009 compilation - Rosaires - is exactly what we love Aly & Fila for these days. Nicely evolving and the longest track on the album - the only track in the album that properly blooms. The buildup has the very famous Egyptian duo bouncing synth sequence and to slave your souls the angelic voices are already there. The soothing string is also not helping to resist. One nice thing to notice is that not so many instruments are sounding here, yet the track seems complete, did you notice how nicely you are being picked up after the breakdown? Piano and strings nicely make an outro for this track :]

The third vocal challenge - showing you the owner of a very beautiful voice, Josie - Listening. Guitar plucks are opening the track, but the main attention here is for the voice and lyrics.

And now we meet one of my favorites and something that already has potential to hit my charts this year - Menes. An amazing experience in 5 minutes with this mini trance track. The main theme so reminding of the powerful Miguel Sassot - Empty (which got remixed by Aly & Fila ). I dare to say that the guitar+that mind stealing main theme will take your breath away. The only wish you'll make - let this last longer. Uplifting is written all over the track - the track picks up with all the force after the breakdown and hits hard. A possible dancefloor instrumental killer and hopefully a single one day - this is one of the reasons this album can't be missed.

Still presents us a new vocal in trance scene - Sue McLaren. The downtempo tune might be really useful after Menes. It marks the middle of the album and lets you drift away with the nice breakbeat+vocal collaboration. Something new from Aly & Fila and if that's how they make their chilled tracks - I'm tempted to ask for more in the future.

We all know Perfect Blue, right? This time its Bjorn again with the aid of album owners presenting us Perfect Red. Another banging hit, already received support from vast amount of fans all over the world. Oldskoolish synth game and pounding beat (with some piano tease) is what makes this such a crowd pleaser. Do I foresee a single upcoming?

We all know that when we choose favorites in albums, something gets left behind. Usually its the most average tracks. I Can Hear You is exactly that type of track for me. Not much to say here, Sue sounds good, but at this point in the album I'm craving for instrumentals more than vocals. I'd also like to try the dub this time. I made an exception for Senadee though

Senadee is something you either like or hate in tracks. He has this special manner in singing and while I didn't really fancy him in Say The Words, in Today his voice was essential. The Never Knowing has this special property - it feels like it has been written for Senadee. I just can't imagine another male vocalist who could do better job with Aly & Fila's thumping beats. Sharp synth and OMG the violin (which for me sounds bagpipe-ish) from Lost Language leaves a top notch niche for the vocals. No abuse with vocals makes it even more appealing and still leaves that instrumental track feeling. A great deal from producers - if they keep their vocal tracks like this, many people will be left satisfied.

Guess who's singing ? If you don't know Tiff Lacey it's most likely you don't belong to trance scene so leave now! The second chilled track (Paradise) is even more calm - this time a full-time-employed chillout tune. And these violins and piano makes you wonder - why on earth we never heard the duo producing such tunes before? A quality treatment which will please all ATB-type chillout fans, me being one of them. A thought pops in - Lacey's voice should be used more in such calming tracks. So far it worked like charm.

Khepera. Already existing single with superb treatment from Mr. Bolier got released last year. Now we can get an amazing album version recap. Quite a unique instrumental play here (wont dare even to name what that is) is another major reason why this album shines and got a proper support from all major trance DJs in their shows. I'm happy this made to the album.

Sandgroper - the darkest (if we can say so about the buildup) of all the tracks with a very 'vulnerable' break. A must play in the club as it is one good crowd mover.

And here we meet my favorite track from the album. At this point its hard to describe how incredibly these strings and Jass voice combine. I never heard of Jass before and dear Aly & Fila, if it's not the name of your voice synthesizer and she is a real person - please invite her for more vocal tracks. The voice is giving so much pureness to the track. Breeze leaves such a sweet or sometimes longing taste in ones mind and mouth. The worst part is that this is almost the shortest track in the album what is really not fair! Thank god Original Mix is already being played in radioshows, leaving a hope for a single release. And the biggest gift would be either a chillout remix or an extended album version. As nothing else sound so touching in this album as these strings and Jass voice! A masterpiece looking from all perspectives.

The album title owner deserves this. A typical epic trance type track. Choral breakdown with so well known violin from their Key Of Life - this is what makes the crowd to put their hands up united as one and enjoy that moment. A bit more extensive usage of these instruments would be a better solution though. Ladies and gentlemen this was Rising Sun

And that's it. You just experienced 15 tracks opening your summer. If you are a new wave type trance fan - you will find some heart pleasing tunes for sure. But be warned - these short edits might really tease you so don't forget to wait till proper 12'' versions will surface. As for now, time for REPEAT button toggle :]

Overall 9.1/10

The biggest drawbacks - one vocal track too much and some tracks are just unfairly short! Other than that - Hello, Summer _o/