OUT VA - Solarstone pres. Electronic Architecture 4 (Compilation) [Black Hole Recordings]

Artist(s)
Solarstone, Various Artists
Release title
Electronic Architecture 4
Label name
Black Hole Recordings
Release date
May 14, 2021
Release type
Mix compilation
Link to external store
https://solarstone.complete.me/ea4

Tievb21

Member
Jul 14, 2020
174 Posts
145 Thanked
I am listening while working, finished CD1 and currently at 02. MK8 - Breathe of CD2!

Man, it's flawless as always! I wasn't focusing on music but I found myself smiling and wanting to dance. Pure stuff as well.

Note for the ones who haven't been impressed. I found all AE very mild the first time I checked them, but with time they grew on me. Every time. And without a doubt for example AE3 is one of the best compilation of 2010-2020 for me. It's a classic.

So I'll give this one as well many goes before making my mind ;)
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Hensmon and Archon

james864

Senior Member
Jul 13, 2020
581 Posts
263 Thanked
Wales
Stoneface & Terminal - Lose My Need - Great song ! Here you can clearly see how the gentlemen did something new and went the way to the Pure Trance climate than FSOE or ASOT.
I hope there will be remixes like Gundamea or Paul Denton or like 138 because the track itself deserves a good remix :)
 

Katadunkass

The Banhammer
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
1,457 Posts
1,276 Thanked
Age
33
Denmark
Okay, so I think this is a very respectable compilation. I really enjoyed the first CD because of its style and especially the first couple of tracks were great.
It's definitely better than most compilations out there and the transitions are flawless.

It's just.... lacking what made the first two EA's so special and spectacular. I still think the first EA is one of the best modern compilation mixes out there, I LOVE IT. The second one is almost just as flawless. I never really cared for the third one, but I definitely think this one is a step in the right direction.
 

Daysleeper

Lost in Trancelation
Jul 13, 2020
2,495 Posts
1,715 Thanked
Sweden
Okay, so I think this is a very respectable compilation. I really enjoyed the first CD because of its style and especially the first couple of tracks were great.
It's definitely better than most compilations out there and the transitions are flawless.

It's just.... lacking what made the first two EA's so special and spectacular. I still think the first EA is one of the best modern compilation mixes out there, I LOVE IT. The second one is almost just as flawless. I never really cared for the third one, but I definitely think this one is a step in the right direction.
Having the exact same feeling.
 

Hensmon

Admin
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,134 Posts
2,628 Thanked
UK
Why no bandcamp release? Can I only get lossless tracks if I buy the CD? I don't have a CD player so the other options are purchasing through Amazon or through Itunes, both will give me 320kbps.
 

Hoahoa

Member
Apr 23, 2021
243 Posts
165 Thanked
Loved both CDs. I wasn't expecting it to top EA1 or EA2 as that would be a very difficult task to achieve with the standards they set and the tracks available in those eras. Trance has changed a lot since those times and what Solarstone has pulled off here is nothing short of miraculous I think for 2021. He gets the best out of artists that normally do nothing for me. So glad we have him and his label in the scene.
 

Electronlyman

Senior Member
Jul 14, 2020
484 Posts
287 Thanked
I will refrain from comparing it to EA 1 and 2, since Solarstone set out with different objectives for volume 4.
Definitely can appreciate this part for what it set out to be, I think he wasn't trying to top anything.
Each of these mixes brings something different to the table, delves down a carefully chosen path.

I've enjoyed what it has to offer.
It's not trying to be spectacular, or over the top.
The obvious, intended tint of late 90s and early 00s vibes, provides a motherly, warm feeling..
Especially on Coredata - 94, which is my favourite track of the compilation.
The concept seems to follow the 'less is more' mindset, which hits home on Pure's philosophy.

Need more listens in various circumstances, to reflect more on it.
So far, enjoyed and appreciated!
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Tievb21 and Hensmon

Hensmon

Admin
TranceFix Crew
Jun 27, 2020
3,134 Posts
2,628 Thanked
UK
I would love to do a blind .wav vs 320 contest with you Hensmon... For a 100 euro I'll bet you that you will make mistakes and pick 320's over .wav versions.

Haha, I could pick out majority .wavs for sure if i'm playing em through my home theatre speakers, and maybe even some great headphones too. I dont think the human ear can tell the difference between lets say 600kbps and 1000kbps, but I don't think the human ear is capped out at some 320kbps ceiling either.

Side note - Rich has told me Bandcamp release will be arriving soon
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Tievb21

aSeb

Senior Member
Jul 13, 2020
589 Posts
312 Thanked
Really enjoy this release. Both mixes are good, but I slightly prefer CD2 after first listen.

Have to give it another run this week.
 

Freezer

Elite Member
Sep 13, 2020
1,206 Posts
605 Thanked
like 70% is boring for me, no real melodies...just boring sounds, heading nowhere, there are some good tracks tho, especially on CD2
 

TwinSilo

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2021
353 Posts
189 Thanked
USA
After listening through the whole thing 3 times now I can say it's a great job by Solarstone once more with his series. I hope it gets the support and purchases he deserves from the scene.
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: Tievb21

Peenuts

Resident Doctor
Jun 28, 2020
334 Posts
219 Thanked
Been listening to this a few times over the past month to let it sink in and offer my opinion on it.

In short, it's a decent mix. Sounds smooth and curated with care. Having said that there aren't any standout tracks for me. The Slowmotion collab and Lostly track are slightly underwhelming tbh. Second half gets more exciting, but still on the whole falls short in terms of memorable moments.
 

mwthreex

New Member
Jul 13, 2020
22 Posts
9 Thanked
My picks

05. Andrei Zinca - Wildflower (Reconstruction)
14. Lostly - We're Descending (Reconstruction)
16. Coredata - 94 (Reconstruction)
21. Gary Afterlife - Wavering Light
25. Glynn Alan - Limitless
 
  • Thanks
Reactions: GlynnAlan

Sleepy Robot

Senior Member
Jul 7, 2020
677 Posts
422 Thanked
The Netherlands
Finally found the time to give this a few spins and i am not disappointed. The mix flows very well and i haven't heard any bad or unfitting track in there.
Will have to give it some extra spins to find out what tracks i think stand out. I haven't looked at the individual titles yet.