What's this? Can it be? ...yes! It is! It's an actual Drum & Bass track from DJ Fresh! And furthermore: it's not shit!
Yes, that's right, the producer has teamed up with Ellie Goulding to give their collaboration Flashlight from her album Halcyon Days a bit of a spruce up. The new version isn't too far removed from the old one, but it's been cranked up another notch. Click on through to find our thoughts on this new track.
Despite his protestations in a recent interview that he's "determined not to follow trends", it would be fair to say that a large portion of his fan base haven't exactly been very happy with his recent tracks. Dibby Dibby Sound, for example, was... well, let's just say I'm not a fan of that one. This, though, feels almost like DJ Fresh, real name Dan Stein, has decided to throw all of the D&B lovers a bone.
Despite his protestations in a recent interview that he's "determined not to follow trends", it would be fair to say that a large portion of his fan base haven't exactly been very happy with his recent tracks. Dibby Dibby Sound, for example, was... well, let's just say I'm not a fan of that one. This, though, feels almost like DJ Fresh, real name Dan Stein, has decided to throw all of the D&B lovers a bone.
It's not strictly D&B - there's a lot of Drumstep type stuff going on too - but it's a great track. I would say that the chorus is maybe a bit weak, but regardless, it's a nice return to more familiar territory. The style and contrast of tempo is reminiscent of Louder. Whilst I certainly don't think it'll blow up in the same way that that track did, it's certainly no crime to mention the two in the same sentence as each other. Growling bass, euphoric synth work, it's got everything you'd want from a DJ Fresh banger. As you'd expect, darling of electronic music Ellie Goulding puts in a fantastic vocal performance, and the two clearly work very well together. It's interesting that this is being released as a single for Dan rather than her, but then this reworked version is due to show up on Fresh's album later this year.
It might not quite reach the height of old tracks like Louder or Gold Dust, but Flashlight is an immensely satisfying return to form - I'd happily take 100 more tracks like this over stuff like Earthquake. Here's hoping that when DJ Fresh's new album does drop, this isn't the only reason to be excited about it.
The Octopus' Rating: 5.5/8
Release Details:
Name: Flashlight (Feat. Ellie Goulding)
Artist: DJ Fresh
Label: Ministry of Sound Recordings
Release Date: 28 September
Purchase: Not yet available for pre-order
The Octopus' Rating: 5.5/8
Release Details:
Name: Flashlight (Feat. Ellie Goulding)
Artist: DJ Fresh
Label: Ministry of Sound Recordings
Release Date: 28 September
Purchase: Not yet available for pre-order
Writer, musician, and all-round top guy. I set up Excited Octopus. Currently, I'm on a one man team. It gets lonely sometimes. But I don't mind, because I love you all.
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