Page 17 - We Rave You Magazine | December 2022

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.”
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