Activa & Slipstream - Cassini [Pure Trance]

Artist(s)
Activa & Slipstream
Release title
Cassini
Label name
Pure Trance
Release date
May 13, 2022
Release type
Single
Link to external store
https://www.beatport.com/release/cassini/3729918

Quethas

Member
Jul 15, 2020
170 Posts
212 Thanked
Finland
First of all, I like the track. It is much better than most of the trance around, I like what Activa is trying to do with this and for the most part he manages to succeed to deliver nice nostalgic atmosphere. I just wish the main melody would be a bit stronger. That would take the track to yet another level.

However I also feel the track is a bit flat. It is somewhat of an issue of Activa, but to me it is a wider problem of which Pure Trance (which I like for the most part!) is a good example. While the production quality has been increased since the "golden age of trance" and tracks are crystal clear in comparison to the tracks 20 years ago, those old technological obstacles and impurities in sound actually gave some warmth and substance to the tracks. Now a lot of stuff is bit hollow, this track included.

But yeah, this track is good. Very good. I just sometimes start nitpicking when something is really good and is soooo close to be outright epic.

Activa has been on a good streak recently. I hope it continues.
 

Mikey

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2020
323 Posts
195 Thanked
Cool track here! Melody isn't mindblowing but I love the atmosphere :)
 

sszecret

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2020
264 Posts
212 Thanked
1000% Perfecto vibes here, Activa is getting serious!
Gotta love that old Fluoro sound, straight out of Oakie's BBC Radio 1 mixes! We all know by now that Activa's sound is very clinical and clean, so you either are going to love his approach or not. I'm in the "gimme more of this" camp for a long time.

Planet Perfecto - Bullet In The Gun (Saturday Mix) is what this reminded me of instantly.

 

Hensmon

Admin
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,109 Posts
2,606 Thanked
UK
It is a really enjoyable track, now I heard the full version. But Quethas is exactly right, we are missing the human element which is what potentially makes the old records sound so amazing and timeless.

The overly digital approach is characterized by the homogeneous outcomes of modern production. I think if Activa and co figured out how to bring some of the human nature back it would elevate the tracks so much. Its a bit wanky and unspecfici to say 'make it more human', but I dont know how else to say it. You can still retain the clean, polished, digital rawness but with a warmth I think. Qurison - Attraction does that well!

 

Propeller

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2020
686 Posts
428 Thanked
UK
I've listened to it quite a few times, a good effort but like others have said it's ultimately flat and empty. Try as he might, Activa just doesn't know how to communicate emotion through music and it ends up sounding robotic.

Music is mainly about communicating emotions. The best, most human thing about this track for me is the breakdown at 5:45. At least he tries but he needs to learn that music is about 80% emotion and vibe and 20% technical aspects. At the moment he's 60% focused on the technical side. Who knows, maybe he's a dull and boring person by nature in which case these are his emotions but he seems like a nice guy from the TF interview. Certainly, when asked about his favourite tunes he came up with some stunning classics.

It is baffling that it doesn't translate into his own music though. Is it maybe a case of the market dictating the demands and you're not supposed to produce anything different and more complex? Who knows but I know that if the music was better than this I'd buy it myself.
 

Hensmon

Admin
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,109 Posts
2,606 Thanked
UK
Activa just doesn't know how to communicate emotion through music and it ends up sounding robotic.

I don't think thats entirely true. His music over the last few years has been very popular in this forum and outside of it. I myself loved Lost Language, Polestar, Disharmonic and others. I will admit it's not the most emotionally charged stuff out there, but there's other ways to get us going. Techno isnt really emotional music in the classic sense, but it is still capturing us in some way. Activa is doing a good job, we just compare him with a period that was one of the best is music history so....
 

Propeller

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2020
686 Posts
428 Thanked
UK
I don't think thats entirely true. His music over the last few years has been very popular in this forum and outside of it. I myself loved Lost Language, Polestar, Disharmonic and others. I will admit it's not the most emotionally charged stuff out there, but there's other ways to get us going. Techno isnt really emotional music in the classic sense, but it is still capturing us in some way. Activa is doing a good job, we just compare him with a period that was one of the best is music history so....
I know he's popular on this forum and won the producer of the year award. He's not terrible though for me his sound always carries a certain robotic vibe. I didn't particularly rate any of those tracks. In the grand scheme of things it just sounds average to me.
There are different ways to inspire awe and emotion of course and it's not just about melodies like you say. I find certain prog records just as emotional and awe inspiring as the best uplifting trance even though they are minimal. I guess his music just doesn't tickle me which is partly a matter of personal preference though there's no denying also that he's overly focused on the technical side. This is my favourite of his
 

Magdelayna

Elite Member
Jul 13, 2020
1,489 Posts
1,215 Thanked
West Yorkshire,England
Website
soundcloud.com
Its an OK track. Better than most modern Trance anyway....the comments about the lack of human feel,that has always been Activa's downfall imo. The modern stuff lacks the 'movement' and 'organic' qualities of the old 90's stuff - i can compare some of the little sub-melodies in this to the Moogwai & Tilt stuff....and i agree this feels very soul-less compared to their old productions,not a patch on them. You just know the standard of the Trance scene is pretty low atm if this is being lourded as 'tune of the year' and a revolutionary track lol. Its an old skool synth playing an old skool chord structure.
 

Juna

Senior Member
Dec 11, 2020
429 Posts
240 Thanked
Love the atmosphere and I like the robot trance if I am to be honest. The old is the superior sounds, but I think I have room for this style too. Ok, ok maybe a little more carbon and less silicone would be welcomed
 
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Freezer

Elite Member
Sep 13, 2020
1,194 Posts
593 Thanked
Was kinda suprpised when Armin said this is his favourite track of the moment and the style that he prefers to listen. He should suport it more often...
 

Magdelayna

Elite Member
Jul 13, 2020
1,489 Posts
1,215 Thanked
West Yorkshire,England
Website
soundcloud.com
Was kinda suprpised when Armin said this is his favourite track of the moment and the style that he prefers to listen. He should suport it more often...

I think hes forced by his festival/edm listenersip to play more of the crappy style,even though he doesnt really want to lol. But,hes got to stay relevant and in the big bucks.
 

Peenuts

Resident Doctor
Jun 28, 2020
331 Posts
219 Thanked
It's not a particularly interesting track musically-speaking. However i disagree with the notion that well-engineered/produced music equates to being lifeless/devoid of emotion.

Sonically it's an engaging track. It's very well mixed. Focusing my attention on each instrument and listening to how it evolves was an engaging experience. It's pleasant on the ears even when you crank it up to high volumes. It's a different kind of enjoyment.
 

Spectral

New Member
May 24, 2021
2 Posts
3 Thanked
Website
bit.ly
The FSOE mix shared in the original post is brilliant and packed full of awesome upcoming ID's.

The one being discussed here is great, but also what about the track that follow ' Red Karma ft Tom Wolfe - From One To Another'?? I had to check if it was a classic from back in the day but I cant find anything. And then again the ID that follows @00:22:50 is so good, almost certainly a Mac & Monday track?

And then what about 01:47:55 - Spectral - Unexpected [Titan Audio]? I cant find anything about it, its the best Uplifting tune I heard this year.
A very late "thank you" :)
 
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