Coredata — Lark / Theta [Forescape Digital]

Artist(s)
Coredata
Release title
Lark
Label name
Forescape Digital
Release date
Sep 7, 2020
Release type
EP
Link to external store
https://forescape.ampsuite.com/releases/links?id=87

Enlusion

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2020
441 Posts
523 Thanked
Age
30
Belgrade, Serbia
Website
facebook.com


Jonny Royall aka Coredata is back on Forescape with a wicked 2-track EP of the proper underground Progressive Trance. Both tracks share the trademark Platipus sound but upgraded to the 2020 standards. Simply outstanding.

Out now via Beatport, Spotify and Bandcamp!
 

Daysleeper

Lost in Trancelation
Jul 13, 2020
2,495 Posts
1,713 Thanked
Sweden
Love both!

His strong card is the rhytmic bassline patterns. They work great a gives that badass vibe to them, but for me theres more to desire from his producions. But good for what they are for sure.
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Enlusion

Enlusion

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2020
441 Posts
523 Thanked
Age
30
Belgrade, Serbia
Website
facebook.com
Love both!

His strong card is the rhytmic bassline patterns. They work great a gives that badass vibe to them, but for me theres more to desire from his producions. But good for what they are for sure.

Yeah to be honest as an A&R in most cases I've no idea what to tell him to improve when he sends me a new demo, I'm just getting in love with the basslines and that's it haha
 

Archon

Gagi
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,911 Posts
2,806 Thanked
Lark starts of phenomenally well, but that bassline gets in the way of proper groove. I think a housey bassline would've worked better here. Otherwise pretty good and refreshing. Theta is pretty nice as well. Though I'm not sure what to think about hearing the same basslines (sounds). I don't think that, as a producer, you should be identified by a single instrument or a gimmick (even if it is done with taste, like here).

Now don't get me wrong, for trance in 2020, these are pretty great, and Coredata seems like a great producer. It's just my little way of providing some feedback because I was able to detach since I didn't fall in love with the basslines. :D
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Enlusion

Enlusion

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2020
441 Posts
523 Thanked
Age
30
Belgrade, Serbia
Website
facebook.com
Lark starts of phenomenally well, but that bassline gets in the way of proper groove. I think a housey bassline would've worked better here. Otherwise pretty good and refreshing. Theta is pretty nice as well. Though I'm not sure what to think about hearing the same basslines (sounds). I don't think that, as a producer, you should be identified by a single instrument or a gimmick (even if it is done with taste, like here).

Now don't get me wrong, for trance in 2020, these are pretty great, and Coredata seems like a great producer. It's just my little way of providing some feedback because I was able to detach since I didn't fall in love with the basslines. :D

That's excellent feedback, thank you! I'll pass the link to this thread to Coredata to check :)
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Archon

aSeb

Senior Member
Jul 13, 2020
589 Posts
312 Thanked
Now this is it. This is effin amazing. Theta is absolutely insane. Keep them coming.
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Enlusion

Hensmon

Admin
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,109 Posts
2,606 Thanked
UK
After a few more listens I have my own bit of feedback and its similar to Daysleeper's in that I hear more to be desired (more potential to be untapped) and this is only because I think the songs sound very very nice and so close to hitting a truly special mark.

Lark is probably the best example , where at 6:02 the bassline changes, there's some more space opening up, then synths start to grow and it feels like the track is arriving/building to a moment and be elevated to a new point. The problem is its very short and doesn't actually progress into that emotional peak I am hoping for. It's not a big synth or melodic moment I am necessarily looking for, more that the new phase of emotion brought on by the bassline change could continue and be added to, elevating it even more real feeling and memorability. I guess it's a little more expression juxtaposed against the 10/10 driving/raw/building elements which make up 75% of the track.

Still loving them both btw, just had enough time to ponder them to some extent.
 

Daysleeper

Lost in Trancelation
Jul 13, 2020
2,495 Posts
1,713 Thanked
Sweden
Well said @Hensmon

I was actually about to write a bit of the opposite now after some listens that they are pretty much perfect (in the most resonable sense) and that I dont like anything to be added, especially not some potentially cheesy melody or whatever.

But yeah, its that listening journey im after, subtle changes in the arrangemnt or adding/removing certain elements is a strong card that Im going to like it, if its done with class.

I dont think "underground" trancemakers shouldbe afraid to add a little bit of melody or chords either.
 
Last edited:

Katadunkass

The Banhammer
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
1,453 Posts
1,266 Thanked
Age
33
Denmark
Having listened to both tracks a couple of times with proper headphones, dac and amp I must say; Both tracks absolutely bang. I really enjoy this more subtle approach from him with more focus on beats and the technical aspects of structure. The melody is pushed back a bit, just like some progressive tracks from the early 2000. Big thumbs up from me.
 

Propeller

Senior Member
Jul 20, 2020
686 Posts
428 Thanked
UK
Lark is the better of the two, wicked bassline. The beats in Theta are too hard, otherwise a nice track. Not sure why he felt the need for such thumping beats, just gives you a headache after a couple of listens. :)
 

Hensmon

Admin
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,109 Posts
2,606 Thanked
UK
But yeah, its that listening journey im after, subtle changes in the arrangemnt or adding/removing certain elements is a strong card that Im going to like it, if its done with class.

I dont think "underground" trancemakers should be afraid to add a little bit of melody or chords either.

Yep exactly, I wanted the expression of a story/journey to give me more emotion, but not in the traditional 'here's a powerful melody I made'. The stuff JOOF plays is sometimes so on point with the banging/driving/set-up part but then never develops or asks more of my mind, it just stays stale and unremarkable. I am always wanting the producers to be 'less afraid' as you say, to show some expression or storytelling.

Art of Trance - Mongoose (Tektonic Remix) is a great one to look at (especially as Coredata is a clear AoT fan). First @0:00- 2:50 is the driving/serious part, building and setting the tone, it feels like its about to take you somewhere, and then at @2:50 there is the first subtle (important) shift which really starts to elevate it and add something. Then @3:20 there is another subtle but very effective change in emotion + memorability is added from vocals (still building). Then @4:07 is the next change with the breakdown (a wonderful expressive piano) and eventually the serious/driving slowly creeps back in completely @4:50 for another change, until finally all previous elements release together @5:04 when the build hits its climax and you've been through the ups/downs, serious/uplifting feelings, memorable moments, subtle moments etc it all comes together. And then finally @6:00 back to the serious outro, which also feels appropriate and intrinsic to the journey, not just for practicality of a mix-out.


It's a complete package of storytelling, there are so many shifts, changes or phases happening (7), often just 30/50 seconds after the last one. It probably does feel a bit prescriptive or mechanical to break the music down into 'numbers of parts/changes', as I don't think more changes = better track, but the Mongoose remix just demonstrates how small things can make a big difference and really build and express by using those individual changes to create the larger whole at the climax. Coredata probably didn't even want to make a Trance track like Mongoose here, but I still think it gives some good insights. Anyway enough Trance analysis, back to my job haha.
 
Last edited:
Jul 16, 2020
111 Posts
53 Thanked
Whoever doesnt like this is a unicorn. Whoever disagrees with me is also a nasty unicorn
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Manofearth

Senior Member
Sep 24, 2020
436 Posts
242 Thanked
Theta...Lark... I cannot choose a favorite. Great work on these. Already that’s 4 or 5 Coredata tracks in my top choices this year