OUT Activa vs. Mac & Monday - A Light In The Dark [Borderline]

Artist(s)
Activa, Mac & Monday
Release title
A Light In The Dark
Label name
Borderline
Release date
Feb 4, 2022
Release type
Single
Link to external store
https://www.beatport.com/release/a-light-in-the-dark/3585802

sashamlenik

Senior Member
Jul 14, 2020
658 Posts
476 Thanked
Age
30
Belarus (Grodno)
Website
vk.com
Release date: 04.02.2022

artworks-tLTHYCzwz7RDzQnn-ytQDpA-original.jpg


https://soundcloud.com/activaofficial%2Fa-light-in-the-dark-preview
 
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Archon

Gagi
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,913 Posts
2,809 Thanked
Push ~2003 melody. Love to hear it. Kinda need it to be richer and more prominent, but the track does sound good.
 

Freezer

Elite Member
Sep 13, 2020
1,194 Posts
593 Thanked
I told you that this track is probably his co-op with Mac and Mondy, but you didnt believe me :) This is the best ouf of all the IDs that he played :) I agree with Gagi, this has the Push vibes all over :)

this will be surely at least 8/10 from me
 

s3baman

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2020
397 Posts
219 Thanked
I've been listening to Activa's FSOE takeover at least 15 times, all the IDs are fantastic. This is the best possible way to relaunch Borderline: clean production, infectious, old school sounding lead, not a huge emphasis on the drop (something that modern tracks overdo most of the time), a good dose of acids, and above all, a nice up and down musical journey.

Now we just an ID for the track at 23m mark in his FSOE set <3. That kick is such a blatant PVD copy cat but so good at the same time haha. I assume it's the other Activa vs. M&M collab.
 
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MDD

Elite Member
Jul 17, 2020
1,116 Posts
412 Thanked
Uk
It's alrate but it doesn't transcend me. It's like the foundation/template of the canvas track m.i.k.e did. The kick seems studish and the baseline for me needs depth but the floating panning elements I dig! I want the drive/emotion but im not getting a feel for yet.

Maybe I'm stripping this back too much or being overly harsh on something which isn't pitched or thick slab snare happy.
 
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Daysleeper

Lost in Trancelation
Jul 13, 2020
2,495 Posts
1,713 Thanked
Sweden
neeeehh..

underwhelming, too simple and kinda flat. same problem as with most activa stuff. stays the same too much both energy wise, arrangement wise, rhythm wise. Melody feels underdeveloped and kinda random.

Unfortunaly not anyone of these twos best works.
 

Redrot

Senior Member
Jan 11, 2022
404 Posts
414 Thanked
Northern California
I made a comment saying how I was a bit underwhelmed but deleted it not wanting to sound like a negative arse. But after seeing a few other comments I'll pile on - it's got moments but the melody feels really lazy, and the breakdown basically follows the same formula of every modern uplifter these days. Activa's done way better with say, his tri-series tracks. I feel like "making a track sound like it was produced 10+ years ago" was easy points a few years ago but not so much anymore, it's still got to push the envelope forward somehow.

On the plus side, I'm stoked to see Borderline making a return! It was annoying to get some of those older releases when the label went down.
 
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Archon

Gagi
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,913 Posts
2,809 Thanked
I made a comment saying how I was a bit underwhelmed but deleted it not wanting to sound like a negative arse. But after seeing a few other comments I'll pile on - it's got moments but the melody feels really lazy, and the breakdown basically follows the same formula of every modern uplifter these days. Activa's done way better with say, his tri-series tracks. I feel like "making a track sound like it was produced 10+ years ago" was easy points a few years ago but not so much anymore, it's still got to push the envelope forward somehow.

On the plus side, I'm stoked to see Borderline making a return! It was annoying to get some of those older releases when the label went down.
Haha I saw the deleted comment, and after reading it I thought "why has he deleted such a good comment???", but I see this one is even better haha. Welcome to the forum!
 
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MDD

Elite Member
Jul 17, 2020
1,116 Posts
412 Thanked
Uk
I made a comment saying how I was a bit underwhelmed but deleted it not wanting to sound like a negative arse. But after seeing a few other comments I'll pile on - it's got moments but the melody feels really lazy, and the breakdown basically follows the same formula of every modern uplifter these days. Activa's done way better with say, his tri-series tracks. I feel like "making a track sound like it was produced 10+ years ago" was easy points a few years ago but not so much anymore, it's still got to push the envelope forward somehow.

On the plus side, I'm stoked to see Borderline making a return! It was annoying to get some of those older releases when the label went down.

All opinions welcome mate. It's rare we all like the same track. Alot of us are genre crossing maniacs (thats with love gents) with eclectic tastes.
 

skyriderz

Senior Member
Jul 1, 2020
855 Posts
554 Thanked
Expected a lot more, despite having old vibes of PUSH being said, not feeling this at all, just an above average track
 

trancedanne

Senior Member
Aug 11, 2021
530 Posts
294 Thanked
Brilliant stuff, oldschool melody with his trademark sounds, and most importantly without cheese vocals.
 
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Matteo

Member
Jul 17, 2020
47 Posts
15 Thanked
Despite not being his best work, I have to say that it's better than 90% of today's uplifting tracks.
 

Archon

Gagi
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,913 Posts
2,809 Thanked
Things that are better than 90% of today's uplifting trance include sharting...and getting an acupuncture treatment...in your gentlemen parts.
 
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Hensmon

Admin
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,109 Posts
2,606 Thanked
UK
Liking it but not loving it, the melody I dont connect with. Will give it a few more listens.
 

sszecret

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2020
264 Posts
212 Thanked
Those bubbly acids pre-breakdown are the best part, along with the gating. Big fan of the PvD-esque sound, and I think it's a damn good first track for the relaunch.

Also, welcome back, Borderline. About time.
 

Magdelayna

Elite Member
Jul 13, 2020
1,490 Posts
1,217 Thanked
West Yorkshire,England
Website
soundcloud.com
MIKE would do a much a better job if given this melody - this sounds like he made a track but had the limitation of just using the default synths ouf of the box. The lead synth needs to be much better,give it some automation,build it in,get some progressing pads in there aswell.

The track is technically brilliant though,i like the panning acids and those initial little pads in the breakdown.
 
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