By Ryan Hartney
Staff Writer
In early September, DJ Kaskade came out of hiding from an endless tour of festivals and massive raves to release a new masterpiece. Featuring appearances by Late Night Alumni, Swanky Tunes, and School OF Seven Bells, “Atmosphere” stands right alongside the rest of Kaskade’s previous works as an instant classic in the world of Electronic Dance Music. There are some early release singles that topped charts like “Atmosphere” and new jams that send your mind into a trance like “Last chance”. On September 10th, 2013, American DJ/Producer Kaskade came out with his newest album “Atmosphere”.
Both a DJ and a Producer, DJ Kaskade is one of the biggest names in electronic music. He specializes in House music, Trance music, Minimalistic House, along with many other electronic sub genres branching out. Kaskade is a master of perfecting soul-melting drops with House, but he can make songs with more consistent beats that spark endless thought when he makes Club music. Kaskade headlines many of the world’s biggest festivals.
Kaskade’s unique sound shined in this album, but it also brought a little something that changes the game a little more. If one is looking for Kaskade’s perfected trance/house music, then “Atmosphere”, “Feeling the Night”, “Why Ask Why”, and “Last Chance” will not let you down. Kaskade uses beautifully written vocals and incredibly catchy instrumentals to make every buildup and breakdown memorable.
Electronic music vocals are different than most other genres of music. A majority of songs use heavily edited vocals with lyrics that if written on paper, look repetitive and cliché. With music like this they serve different purposes. Instead of the voice telling the story, it can be more easily compared to another musical instrument. A lot of times, when all the producing and editing is finished, there aren’t any distinguishable words left in the song that can be understood. The lack of specifics and storytelling in the lyrics themselves are meant for you to use your own story for the song, instead of the singer’s story. For example in the title track “Atmosphere” the lyrics are just a vehicle for you to put your thoughts and life into to make your inner monologue become poetry.
Kaskade’s club music or minimalistic downtempo type music is in no way missing from this piece. “MIA to LAS”, “LAX to JFK”, “Take Your Mind Off”, “and Missing You” and all the others are head bobbers till the last second. Kaskade’s complex drum lines and bass progressions are remarkable. If there was a nightclub in the space station made entirely of lasers, neon, and ice sculptures, they would only play these songs.
One track that stands out from the crowd is Kaskade’s remix of his own song. Kaskade is known for his incredible mixes based on his previous tunes. Similar to his ICE mixes in his last album Fire & Ice, “No One Knows Who We Are [Kaskade’s Atmosphere Mix]” is a beautiful, almost symphonic song that uses nothing but vocals and sounds from an orchestra and real instruments. This isn’t an EDM song, but it’s so powerful and spine chilling that it stands at the top of this album proudly.
Kaskade shows that can still do what he does best with his new release. Every song is worth listening too and even if it’s just playing in your ear buds as you walk through the halls of school, it will add a deep and melancholy feeling to anything you’re thinking about or doing.
“Atmosphere” is available for download and on CD for $12.
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