I joined TranceFix about this time last year, this forum help me a lot in discovering the upcoming and underground trance releases. Here are my votes this year. Most of them are found in the threads of the forum (or posted by myself). So thanks a lot and looking forward to 2026.
Tracks:
10pts
@Coredata - Kaleidoscope Skies [Borderline]
——I think this is one of the most special Coredata works so far, fewer Platipus but still Coredata vibe, such a breakthrought, looking forward to more in the future.
7pts
Quietman - Haley's Comet [Black Unicorn Recordings]
——I was caught by the it since the Radio Edit was released on streaming, Quietman gives a good album finally.
Brandt Hoff
@Reverb1234 - Aurora Pulse [TF.R]
——One of the most anticipated clips since it was played by Julian in his Borderline Radio, I told to my friends that I can hear the pure love and enthusiasm to trance through the beautiful melody. Lucky that TF.R have signed this one.
5pts
Mikkel Rev - Journey Beyond [A Strangely Isolated Place]
——My largest discovery from the forum this year. Usually I am not so interested in the underground releases which mix Trance, Ambient and others, but this title track, album really caught me.
Aerium - Terraces [Aerium Audio]
——Soft Aerium melodies makes me understand more about the style of this alias, and the most impressive thing of this track to me are the catchy vocal samples. My favourite
@Jetflag release this year, unless Maitiidwyn can be released in 22 days.
3pts
@Ishiro & Starry Major - Echoes Of Waves [Pure Trance] / [Pure Trance China]
——My favourite Pure Trance release this year, it really has the feeling of its track name.
Pirate - Leaving The Sun (Lostly Remix) [Borderline]
——This track provides me some of the most unforgettable memories this year. Lostly joined an event which I helped to organise, July in Guangzhou China. It suddenly rained when Lostly was playing this track. The crowd shout loudly and made a hightlight of the event. I recorded this memorable moment, sent to Lostly and he posted it on Ins. What an honor, makes me feel my work more meaningful.
2pts
Ke Jo - Golden Era [Self-released]
——Released on Jan 1st and it became the first track I like this year. As Ke Jo said, the catchy Gouryella inspired melody pays tribute to that golden era which influenced him a lot. I think it's worth mentioning and voting here.
RIGSON - nobody [Self-released]
——I think it's a great example of the new trance, web trance or whatever it calls. Looking forward to hear more from you
@aleexr.
@Super-Frog Saves Tokyo - Clarion [Electronic Architecture]
——A great example to show how to mix many different elements into one track. This track gives a very high expectation of the album and it ultimately did not disappoint. Also, the clarion melody in this track is very close to a meme in Chinese platform, which is '咕咕嘎嘎' (gu gu ga ga), it gives extra fun when listening to this track haha.
1pt
Otto K - Inhabited Island (
@Lawn Jarre's Hypnotic Mix) [Lost Language]
——Congratulations to my friend that he finally has his first global release, especially in such a legendary label. As one of the people who witnessed its making from beginning to end,
Ishiro - Akashic [Pure Trance] / [Pure Trance China]
——Our 10th Pure Trance China release, Ishiro shows the arrangement of long track again like his Serene last year. This track also mixed different elements that make it interesting.
@EnigmaState - Should [Transtate Records]
——Hard to pick my favourite track in the album, this is my favourite melody.
@Narel - The Ravers Have Left the Tower [Forescape Digital]
——Also hard to pick a track in the album. For this one, the elastic sound design caught me.
Art Of Trance - Seven Sisters [Platipus]
——I have dived into the Platipus this year and the label influenced me a lot. This track by Simon is also one of the best Platipus releases these year.
Narel &
@Sunda - Refractor (
@Julian Del Agranda Remix) [Landscape Music]
——My favourite among all 6 versions of this track. I think I haven't got the melody when the track first released, but this remix brings that to me. Now I think I can enjoy other versions more.
@hoopoe - Mindfield [Hedjog Records]
——Also hard to pick one of the Hoopoe tracks this year, so I choose this one which provided me high expectation about the upcoming 2025 releases in the video last year.
Quietman - The Flow [Black Unicorn Recordings]
——My second favourite track in the Trancestors album.
Cold Blue - For A Miracle [Cold Blue Records]
——My favourite track in teh Cold Blue album, when I was in Amsterdam listening to the Cold Blue Mountain Album Set, the bass and drums are too loud that I can't hear the melody. This track is one of which I can hear the melody, such a beautiful one.
Michael Cassette - Water Sports [Anjunadeep]
——What a return of legendary Michael Cassette, in my opinion, their works describe what is 'trancer than trance', this track also.
Other tracks I recommend:
Chicane - In This Moment [Armada Music]
Alex Wright - Sunkiss (
@Chris Johnson Music Remix) [Borderline: R&D]
Grum - Never Leave You [Being Records]
Mike Nichol - Midland [Create Music]
PROFF - Izumo Sunrise [Anjunachill]
Signum - Homage [Anjunabeats]
Miratrix - Vetra [Pure Progressive] / [Pure Trance China]
Numedian - Deer of Nara (Slam Duck Remix) [Pure Progressive]
Ishiro & LESSISLESS - Ode To The Sunset [Pure Progressive] / [Pure Trance China]
Dusky - The Mind [Anjunadeep]
PPK - ResuRection (Julian Del Agranda Remake)
Solarstone - over the mountains [Black Hole Recordings]
Sova (US) - All I Want (Foxhill Remix) [BBop Music]
Sasha x Marsh - Dead Synthy [Anjunadeep]
Mat Zo - A Long Time [Anjunabeats]
B From E - Planet Love [Happiness Therapy]
Album:
Well, it's hard to pick one from the 4 below, I choose Narel's, but I think I like them nearly equally.
@Narel - Apricity [Forescape Digital]
——What a journey of Narel, I like the interesting sound designs thoughout the album. However, it's a pity that Cut My Dreams is not in it, or the album will became more diverse.
Quietman - Trancestors [Black Unicorn Recordings]
——Found Horizon last year was wonderful, but this one is more like a typical Quietman album with Trance and Ambient parts like Shhhh, both parts have some impressive tracks.
@EnigmaState - Of The Essence [Transtate Records]
——One of the highlights of 2025 that no introduction needed here. In my opinion, it describes the essence of the Classic Trance sounds in the style of Enigma State like the album title. Lucky that I have grabbed the CD and Vinyls.
Solarstone - innermost [Black Hole Recordings]
——This album will be better listening after reading the stories behind the tracks, I think I can feel the emotions of Rich when listening to the tracks. For the album itself, it worths the 3-year waiting, good album release without half-year singles releasing, 3-minute edits in album or Beatport Only Extended Mixes.
Other albums I recommend:
Super-Frog Saves Tokyo - Beams [Electronic Architecture]
Mikkel Rev - Journey Beyond [A Strangely Isolated Place]
Cold Blue - Mountain [Black Hole Recordings]
PROFF - Missing Places I've Never Been [Anjunachill]
Factor B - Bloom [In Loving Memory] [Theatre Of The Mind]
Artist:
@EnigmaState /
@hoopoe
——Both of them set up their own label and released their debut album (or album-like stuff), which I highly respect. I voted for Enigma State as there are some physical releases from the label and tracks from other artists, hope to hear more in the future.
Label:
Pure Trance / Borderline
——Same as last year, I am struggling to choose Pure Trance or Borderline. Finally I pick Pure Trance as I work for Pure Trance China, although I like them equally.
Compilation:
B From E - Saṃsāra Cycles (Trilogy Series) [Happiness Therapy]
——I don't know if this can be voted as compilation, as I see it as an artist album. B From E showcases multiple vibes in this tri series.
VA - Exhibition: Raw (Mixed by Ben Lost) [Lost Language]
——If not, I will vote for the new Lost Language Exhibition compilation. Raw trance in Lost Language these years is something I focus on, I think it is one of the future of trance.
Clips Of The Year:
ID - ID (Activa Numb The Pain)
——Firstly heard as the closing track of Activa's VII set last year, the most impressive melody I heard this year, even better than Numb The Pain I think. However I found that it was already played about 4 years ago, don't know if it can be released. But I believe that it is by Activa and it will be part of the Movement: Two compilation, looking forward to that.
ID - ID (Activa Push)
——Similar to above, I also believe that it is by Activa and it will be part of the Movement: Two compilation.
Aerium pres. Avalon 62 - Maitiidwyn
——Looking forward to the release and the B-side track
@Jetflag.
(desktop only). There's 150 tracks and it should help you remember all the great music that was shared on TF throughout the year. It's not an extensive list, but built from popular threads, submissions and shares in the forum. The genre tags are a very loose, almost useless. Take it loosely. You can find the google sheet version of the list here. I'll be adding 10-20 more tracks to this in the coming week.
