Page 16 - We Rave You Magazine | December 2022
P. 16

EDITORIAL > ALBUMS OF THE YEAR




                                                   CALVIN HARRIS - FUNK WAV BOUNCES VOL. 2                                                                        FLUME - PALACES
                                                   RELEASED: AUGUST                                                                                               RELEASED: MAY
                                                   STANDOUT TRACKS: STAY WITH ME (WITH JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, HALSEY &                                                STANDOUT TRACKS: PALACES, SAY NOTHING, SIRENS
                                                   PHARRELL), POTION (WITH DUA LIPA & YOUNG THUG), NEW MONEY (WITH 21
                                                                                                                                                                  In true Flume style, ‘Palaces’ was filled with that undeniably unique and
                                                   SAVAGE)
                                                                                                                                                                  glitchy style that has set him apart from the crowds over the course
                                                   After mercilessly teasing the release of the second chapter in the
                                                                                                                                                                  of his career. Armed with talented singer-songwriters and producers
                                                   ‘Funk Wav Bounces’ story, promising that it would be the sound of the
                                                                                                                                                                  for explosive collaborations including Gorillaz’ Damon Albarn, Caroline
                                                   summer, Calvin Harris made the sun continue to shine with this 14-track
                                                                                                                                                                  Polachek, QUIET BISON, KUČKA and more, it is delightfully wacky in its
                                                   piece. Of course, like with the last release and with his commercial
                                                                                                                                                                  imagery and completely hypnotic in its soundscape.
                                                   releases in general, it is filled to the brim with collaborations. The likes of
                                                   Pharrell, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg and Charlie Puth are just a few
                                                   standout names when it comes to this impressive tracklist.
                                                                                                                                                                  SLUSHII - E.L.E (EXTINCTION LEVEL EVENT)
                                                                                                                                                                  RELEASED: MARCH
                                                   I_O & LIGHTS - WAREHOUSE SUMMER
                                                                                                                                                                  STANDOUT TRACKS: ALL I NEED, AFTER MIDNIGHT, CAROUSEL
                                                   RELEASED: NOVEMBER
                                                                                                                                                                  His first, but not his only, album of the year, Slushii ensured that 2022
                                                   STANDOUT TRACKS: SUPERMELT, PRAYERS, ANYTHING BUT WET
                                                                                                                                                                  would be his year with the explosive ‘E.L.E (Extinction Level Event).’ Truly
                                                   One of the most emotional releases of this year, ‘Warehouse Summer’                                            solidifying himself as a producer to be taken seriously, the Monstercat
                                                   was released by i_o’s family around the anniversary of his untimely                                            release saw him create what was one of his biggest bodies of work yet,
                                                   death, made fully in collaboration with Lights in the first half of 2020. Not                                  not shying away from destructive and powerful soundscapes in true
                                                   only a testament to a talent gone far too soon, but also a testament                                           Slushii style. “‘E.L.E’ is a coming of age tale that is my official battle cry
                                                   to the magic connection that i_o and Lights shared, the album takes                                            to the electronic scene.,”is what he said to us when we interviewed him
                                                   listeners on a journey through the darkest warehouse rave. Replicating                                         earlier this month. With ‘E.L.E,’ it felt as though he was doing something
                                                   the feeling of dancing the early hours of the morning away until the sun                                       that he would be proud of, not just making tracks that others would like
                                                   begins to come up (something that almost every electronic fan can                                              and not being afraid to take risks.
                                                   relate to in some way), each of the 14 tracks have their own moment in
                                                   the spotlight, each being crucial and important to this emotional and
                                                   intricate story. One of the best aspects of this album is it showcases how
                                                                                                                                                                  ODESZA - THE LAST GOODBYE
                                                   i_o’s signature sound transcended the boundaries of genre.
                                                                                                                                                                  RELEASED: JULY
                                                                                                                                                                  STANDOUT TRACKS: THE LAST GOODBYE (FEAT. BETTYE LAVETTE), LIGHT OF DAY
                                                                                                                                                                  (FEAT. ÓLAFUR ARNALDS), WIDE AWAKE (FEAT. CHARLIE HOUSTON)
                                                   THE CHAINSMOKERS - SO FAR, SO GOOD
                                                                                                                                                                  Although the track which shares the same name as the album origi-
                                                   RELEASED: JUNE
                                                                                                                                                                  nally struck fear into the hearts of fans thinking it may allude to their
                                                   STANDOUT TRACKS: HIGH, IPAD, RIPTIDE                                                                           breakup, ODESZA proved on July 22 when the full album dropped that
                                                   For their 4th studio album, The Chainsmokers made the bold choice to                                           they were not only here to stay but were as better as ever. Utilising
                                                   include no collaborations for the first time. Making sure the wait for new                                     stunning orchestral elements along with the ballad-like vocals of each
                                                   music and a new chapter in the duo’s musical history was worth the                                             singer-songwriter featured within the 13 tracks, ODESZA managed to
                                                   wait, ‘So Far, So Good’ feels like classic The Chainsmokers sound but in a                                     strike the perfect balance between delicate orchestral melodies and
                                                   way, levelled up with the expertise and knowledge they have collected                                          the larger-than-life yet emotional production that they have become
                                                   in the past years.                                                                                             famous for.



                                                   ALISON WONDERLAND - LONER                                                                                      SVDDEN DEATH - VOYD VOL. II
                                                   RELEASED: MAY                                                                                                  RELEASED: MARCH
                                                   STANDOUT TRACKS: NEW DAY, FEAR OF DYING, DOWN THE LINE                                                         STANDOUT TRACKS: MAZE OF PUNISHMENT, LAUGHING TRACK, TWILIGHT
                                                                                                                                                                  REFLECTOR
                                                   Although Alison Wonderland is known for not shying away from her
                                                                                                                                                                  One of the biggest events for the dubstep community this year was the
                                                   emotions when it comes to the themes on her tracks and previous
                                                                                                                                                                  continuation of SVDDEN DEATH’s VOYD project with this second album.
                                                   albums, ‘Loner’ is by far her most personal yet. Allowing a unique look
                                                                                                                                                                  Known to be a producer who favours the more ‘brutal’ side of dubstep,
                                                   into her life and struggles she has faced that have fueled her creativity
                                                                                                                                                                  this couldn’t have been more evident in ‘VOYD VOL. II.’ Not only aiming to
                                                   when writing this album, there are no collaborations on this album
                                                                                                                                                                  create the most earth-shattering sounds that his fans have ever heard,
                                                   driving forward the personal theme even further. Speaking to us earlier
                                                                                                                                                                  it also told a dark and eerie story with immersive and invigorating
                                                   this year, she stated: “Every time I write a new album I try to push myself
                                                                                                                                                                  imagery. This one certainly wasn’t for the faint of heart.
                                                   as a songwriter, vocalist, and musician and I really do believe I’ve done
                                                   this most on this album.”
     16  we rave you.com                                                                                                                                                                                                        dec 2022  17
   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21