18. Ashley Wallbridge – JYNX
Label: AVA Recordings (Armada)
Genre: Trance
This is trance. I'm sure this sounds like a ridiculous statement, but I'm pretty sure Ashley Wallbridge just mastered the “Art of Trance” with this single production. I feel like this is the track every cheeseball piano breakdown, melody recycling, emotionless vocal using talentless hack trance producer wishes he could make.
First of all, it has a true intro. While I appreciate songs that just get right into it, it's really interesting to hear an intro done perfectly as well. Significant changes at 0:30, 1:00 AND 1:30... some might call it boring, but to me it's just ****ing impressive. But the real beauty comes in around the 3:00 mark. When I first heard this song, I honestly believed that it was an old classic that had been redone. People just don't make breakdowns like this anymore... after that, I couldn't believe it was done by Ashley Wallbridge. I mean the guy has always been a top producer in the genre for me, but I'd never heard him go so deep in the melodic side before. His tracks are usually characterized by an extremely hard edge in the basslines rather than sublime melodies.
Honestly, this track is about as self-indulgent as it gets. The whole thing is really just a glorified breakdown rather than an actual “song”, but that's basically what trance has become to most producers, so it's kind of funny that he took that style and ****ing killed it. Nice job Ash, nice ****ing job.
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