Let me write another one of TranceFix's trademark hater reviews. I'm mentioning this only so that it can be completely dismissed without prior judgement or argument. It's gonna be a bit long too, and I'm very hungry as I'm waiting for food. You've been warned.
Let's start it off by saying it is severely underwhelming. I am yet to decide whether Armin making this style of trance (if it is indeed such a thing) is encouraging or not. Let me explain why.
I actually (surprise!) like some of his pop tracks. They are focused and undoubtedly popular, yet they have a certain touch to them - maybe the details - that makes them at least fun to listen to for a couple of times. Maybe it's the Armin factor. They are what they are, it's very clear and there is no need to hide that or to pander to multiple demographics.
So what's the matter with modern Armin (the past few years only)? I feel like, with """"trance"""", he has the need to pander to multiple demographics and has lots of focus groups. Bit of vocal, bit of anthemic main melody, bit of plucks, the structure is expected (though this was always the case), the beats are clean and punchy but hollow... Designed to work at a festival but also in the headphones, to evoke goosebumps AND make you jump AND make you sing and whatnot... His tracks are not really focused and feel like the result of multiple third-party inputs, rather than artistic vision. That's the main thing I don't like.
This album might be a step forward in a couple of things (mainly the focus), but a couple of steps back as well, which I'll explain.
And one of those steps is simplicity. Simple can be good, yes, but this is just devoid of musical ideas. Clean and crisp sound but ultimately hollow. Beats without any creativity. Basic and predictable structure. Not nearly enough harmony. Melodies that feel like the work of an amateur, melodies that feel forced and made just for the sake of them.
And that's what I ultimately don't like about these tracks. They also feel forced and shaped by others. If the melody is not good enough, why do you need it? Why the same combo of beat, bassline, (plucks), pads, main melody, (vocals)? Is that all the style there is in trance? Where are the tracks with chords (and he did make them)? Where is the rhythm? Where are the atmospheres? Where is the energy? Where is the soul? Why do they sound alike even though he changes the main elements? Where is innovation, where is creativity, where is vision???
Let's go through these one by one:
Turn the World into a Dancefloor - what you'd expect from a modern ASOT anthem. Just what I was talking about. Melody below average. Does nothing for me.
Divino - may be a bit better but ultimately regresses to the mean of this album. Does nothing.
Jonson's Play - probably one of the worst melody combos on this album. The sounds are awful.
The Greater Light to Rule the Night - the only one that stands out, and is a bit better done than the rest in every way.
Sirius - this is where I got almost angry. The track that rips off is iconic. I don't even know which one it actually is, but the synth and the riff is iconic and when you hear it evokes strong emotions. This is just a dumb interpretation of that that does absolutely nothing for me. The rest of the track has nothing in common with the first part and also does nothing (but doesn't anger me as much).
Sonata - sounds like two amateurs trying to make a track in a pirated FL Studio. Seriously??? One of the worst tracks on here, if not the worst.
For All Time - out-of-tune vocal Aly&Fila specialty. Does anyone listens to this before a release or is it just released at the whim of the producers?
Let Go - the melodies ruin this. Very weak, could've been better.
In the Dark You Shine - had so much potential. The beats sound good and interesting, has a bit of energy, but ultimately, what ruins it - you guessed it - is the melody. Very very forgettable.
Lost in Space - those acid stabs from the beginning annoy me. Preset. The squarish main melody is a bit annoying to the ears. It's a bit above average compared to the rest of the album.
Magico - awful piano melody. I know he's playing piano but the writing is awful. It had potential, the main melody is decent but the climax feels a bit lacking in energy.
Home With You - Susana has a nice voice but that's not enough for me. The piano is again very basic, and the track, even though not trance, also does nothing for me.
In conclusion, judged separately from Armin's body of work, as music, this is absolutely below average and not something I'd put myself through again. When you compare this to Armin's discography, I feel like this is some of his weakest stuff. Mirage even makes me feel emotions, I find myself singing along, remembering the melodies. It's the best of his modern stuff. 76 was something else entirely, Shivers is a bit more commercial but ultimately very very enjoyable. Imagine meh but good, even Intense was ok in parts. But it's getting worse and worse.
Without the name and marketing, this would not be released, and this would not be enjoyed.
Ultimately, I know this will be either hated by people who share a similar outlook with me, or announced as Armin's best work ever by his fans. Some will hate it, and I admit most will enjoy it. But I tell you, IN 10 YEARS this will be absolutely forgotten and the cash long spent. It will not be his legacy, if he even cares about such a thing at this point.
I should probably yell all this at the pizza delivery guy once he fucking arrives!!
