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.