Revealed Volume 4
A man who personifies the electro house synth riff, emotive lyrical feature, build-up and heavy bass drop, the Dutchman Hardwell, sticks to his winning formula with his latest release.
The fourth edition in his Revealed series features the likes of other stalwarts Alesso, Calvin Harris aka the new David Guetta, Sebastian Ingrosso and Knife Party mixed with new names Dyro and Alvaro and a few of his own bangers like his instantly recognisable Apollo featuring Aussie singer Amba Shepherd.
The overriding theme is electro house, which fans will already assume before they pick up the record, providing a platform for Hardwell’s new tunes, containing off-shoots into trance and showcasing some of the up and coming talent in the scene.
Many artists now create music in this genre only to comply with the big wigs and what is expected of them, and so their musical freedom is hindered by their own success and the domination 4/4, 128bpm club music is exerting currently. Hardwell’s numbers are huge in the now saturated market, but he hasn’t quite reached the commercial heights of fellow producers Avicii, Tiesto or Harris perhaps due to the competitive nature of the business.
His production skills are getting it done as club music consolidates its mainstream appeal, and Hardwell has dancefloors worldwide letting loose to his catchy riffs and big, plentiful drops. It remains to be seen how long he will stay in the spotlight as his music continually repeats what he knows best and he stays comfortable.
TOM KITSON
