Brennan Heart has recently released a new album titled Save Euphoric… Amidst the current scene’s status quo, the album’s title alone makes a bold statement. But does this melodic side of Hardstyle need saving? I’d say no, and agree with the artist himself that ‘euphoric’ never really died… However, perhaps it’s time to bring the melodic aspect of the genre back into the spotlight, and that’s what this album is all about.
Save Euphoric is a tribute to the feeling that originally drew us to Hardstyle. It is an homage to the past, while also pushing the boundaries of what’s to come!
Now We Are Free
This track pays tribute to Hans Zimmer’s iconic piece from the Gladiator soundtrack, with a reimagined orchestral intro that transitions smoothly into Hardstyle. The orchestral elements heighten the impact of the synths, making for a seamless blend of soulful and hard-hitting sounds.
The track sets the tone for the whole album. We start straight away with a good mix of soulful and hard, with a touch of acid already surfacing.
I’d say that this is probably the most outside the box track done under the Blademasterz alias. This is supposedly a collab with Timmy Trumpet, however I don’t hear him anywhere, which I’m not at all sad about.
Better Day
Any track featuring Jonathan Mendelsohn is bound to be a highlight, (and a guarantee that you’ll have a better day after listening to it) and Better Day is no exception. Fabian uses Jonathan’s voice beautifully, in a pop-ish, but interesting way. The synth during the build up that follows is extremely dreamy, and ATB-esque, which together with the vocals set a very specific mood for this track. By the time it climaxes, you feel as though you’re floating.
It’s a well-produced masterpiece, blending Fabian’s pop experience with his signature sound, making the track accessible for new listeners, but also distinctively hard-hitting!
Something New
Released ahead of the album, this track quickly became one of my personal favorites. When I first heard it, I found the piano in the intro slightly… Odd. “I love this, but it’s not Hardstyle” – it’s Trance”, I immediately thought. The vocals are also quite pop. Everything was clearer once I checked the credits for it… And then it all made sense.
We all know that many of the best tracks Fabian released were a collaborative effort. This is one of those tracks. And while only Fabian is shown as the artist, I would argue this is a high level collab between him and Armin van Buuren.
Now why, or how this occured is something I keep thinking about every time I hear this track. I am assuming that Beat’s recent purchase of Cloud 9’s catalog has something to do with that… But we’ll probably never know!
The track’s feeling is unparalleled. It evokes a sense of adventure – of stepping into the unknown, the mix of nervousness and exhilaration that comes with it, and the relief of coming out on the other side after a successful attempt at something new.
Save Euphoric
Another one with the Blademasterz imprint. The standout feature here is a lovely deep kick down low at the beginning, with the synths up top for a good contrast, and an amazing break featuring a beautiful vocal that weaves the melody back and forth, creating an uplifting atmosphere.
The inspiration for the melody here comes from a Vivaldi piece. I’d also argue that a major inspiration for this track is the sound from the Musical Impressions era, and according to the artist, this is a celebration of Hardstyle, exactly as it should be…
…I’d say I completely agree with that, but perhaps I am a bit biased!
Don’t Forget Me (Song for Alie)
Initially, this track didn’t grab my attention, as it’s very vocal-heavy, and I usually prefer instrumental tracks (despite really enjoying Max P’s voice). However, once I learned the backstory – that it’s based on a piano composition written for Fabian’s children grandmother’s funeral – the emotional weight became clear which made the track much more interesting to me. There’s a few great elements here, such as the soft pluck in the background during the break and the bass that slowly engulfs the lower frequencies as we progress in the build up for the second climax.
This is a heartfelt track that truly deserves it’s place in an album like this. It’s a touching blend of emotion and euphoria, perfectly fitting for this album.
My Horizon
This is yet another track released prior to the album, and it’s one of my favorites. My understanding is that the topic of this track is suicide. Though I haven’t personally struggled with suicidal thoughts, I know how prevalent they are and I’ve seen people struggling with this from up close. This track is for them. It’s about finding hope in the midst of chaos, and the attempt to come back from the brink.
The climax and the vocals are the true standouts here. I also really love what was done in the break, with the “cut out” synth – feels otherworldly. The music mirrors the journey from shattered thoughts to clarity, with the climax representing when you put your thoughts back together and see the path ahead more clearly.
In the end, this track is a reminder for us to take one day at a time. It is a reminder that we must learn to enjoy the process… “if tomorrow has a plan for me, I am game”
Running Up That Hill
I didn’t need to click play on this track to get to know more or less what it sounded like. I’m not a big fan of the original nor of the countless remixes that were done for this track. This is also one of my least favorite tracks of this album. That said, I still think a really good job was done here, with the 80’s vibe in the intro, Jonathan’s rendition of these lyrics, and the larger than life feel Fabian put in the melody, which is one that will surely sound insane in a big system. The big fat kick and bass, together with this melody, did send some shivers down my spine, with Jonathan’s vocals at the end of the first climax imprinting a very intense feeling on this track.
Kaizen (A Tribute to 2009)
Oh my, where to even start here… This track put a huge smile on my face from start to finish the first time I heard it, and still does very often. It’s probably my favorite track of the album, or at least it’s definitely the one I’ve heard the most.
Coming into it, I knew I’d immediately love it, but I definitely wasn’t ready for what was coming.
As some of you may know, Fabian and his Musical Impressions album were one of the reasons, if not THE reason why I listen to Hard Dance today. It was a “eureka” moment for me, the kind of moment where I knew I wanted to be part of this scene, and it confirmed that this music felt like home to me…
This track is EXACTLY like what Fabian produced back in those Musical Impressions days, somewhere around 2009, when I truly fell in love with the genre. It would have fit perfectly on that album. And the most incredible part? This track was actually written back then but never finished or released until now. This isn’t just a new track inspired by the old days; it’s an actual piece of that era, rediscovered and brought to life after all these years. It’s the real deal! It doesn’t get more authentic than that!
The piano at the start is simple, yet captivating. But things get serious when it transitions into that sweet 8-bit inspired synth. This immediately reminded me of the hidden track in Music Impressions. Few people know, but at the end of the album, after a couple of minutes of silence, an 8-bit rendition of the LSD (Love, Sadness & Desire) melody plays, and it sounds very similar to this. The melody on the climax is reminiscent of tracks like Feel U Here and Just As Easy, with an extremely upbeat twist. This track features a second climax with a melody variation (a fitting tribute to the old days) and even an actual outro… Yes, a full, anticlimactic outro in a 2024 radio edit! Now that is something you don’t see every day… Or at all, to be honest, and it’s very much welcome.
New listeners might not connect with this track, and will probably find the outro a bit boring, too pace-setting, and that’s ok. This one’s for the old folks like me, and I’m grateful such a track has a place on a modern album.
Enough of reminiscing, I don’t want people to think I’m that old cranky listener that keeps babbling about how vroeger was alles beter…
Struggle for Pleasure
This track cuts straight to the point – the theme is the fact that we, as humans, are rarely satisfied with what we have. The opening strings, along with the anti-climatic part with an extremely deep kick and the spoken word vocals make a bold statement.
Why do we always need more? Constantly wanting more and more isn’t always healthy. Sometimes, in the pursuit of “more”, we lose sight of what’s already around us.
This track feels like the experimental one of the bunch, and it’s honestly a really good one.
Twinkle Twinkle
I’ll admit, I found the title of this track strange at first… but as always, I approached it with an open mind. And holy sh*t… I was not expecting such an energetic, no holds barred, full-throttle track! The screaming melody up top, the short break between climaxes, the sudden drop into the second climax… This track is a wild roller coaster ride! There are also plenty of small details that enhance the listening experience, like the bass just before the first climax, and the synth up top in the second climax, just above everything else, without overwhelming or stealing the spotlight to any other elements. Superb work!
Sacrifice One Thing
This is one of those tracks with vocals to make you think about your life. Long time listeners will instantly recall track such as We Come And We Go. And for new listeners, let me put it this way for you – Sacrifice One Thing could be a career defining track for Fabian, and its message will be stuck in your head for years to come.
The track climaxes with a deeply emotional melody, with the iconic vocals setting the tone.
Anybody Out There
Another track with an 80’s inspired intro, and a dash of pop influence. And once again, Fabian brilliantly blends these elements with Hardstyle. Before you know it, right after clicking play you’re being led through a very powerful climax. The break seamlessly reintroduces the pop elements, enhanced by a guitar riff and vocals.
This one is a gem for both seasoned listeners and newcomers alike!
We Are Alive
This track features Solstice, a talented artist on the more melodic side of Hardstyle that never really had the spotlight he deserves. I think that in this one, instead of highlighting what’s good on the track (and there’s a lot of good stuff to unpack here), I want to focus on something subtle but important. In many collaborations, one artist’s style tends to dominate, but that’s not the case here. The track’s balance is almost perfect, with elements from both Fabian and Juan styles shining through. Interestingly, the lead melody is heavily influenced by Solstice’s signature sound, which is a great surprise… Interesting to see the “smaller” artist having such a recognizeable role in this track.
Find The Answer
An interesting collaboration with another scene veteran, mixing Dutch and Ozzie styles. I don’t have much to say about this track, it’s a great one, but it just didn’t resonate with me on the same level as others on the album.
My Dreams
This track revolves around its bold, message-driven vocals. You may think they’re a bit obnoxious, but they are like that for a reason – they convey their message in a really strong way. They’re all about aiming high. No matter how ambitious your dreams may seem, you must always aim as high as possible. If you don’t believe in the best possible outcome, the doors to those opportunities may never open. So replace the lyrics about jet planes and buckets of gold in your mind with whatever keeps motivating you to get out of bed in the morning, and let this track inspire you!
The loud melody up top with the well rounded kick down below accentuate this feeling of aspiration. There are other interesting elements sprinkled through the track, such as the soft synth notes during the break, the breakbeat after the first climax, and the heavy hitting kick on the anti climatic section before the second climax.
It’s definitely one of the best-executed tracks on the album. It took a few listens for me to fully appreciate it, but now I can see that this track is one of those where Fabian really showcased all the amazing things he can do in his studio!
Euphoric Stutter
This is one of my personal favorites. Simple, and effective track, exactly how I like it. The stutter effect is indeed the centerpiece here. But so is the huge energetic climax, with its uplifting melody, and a crunchy kick that’ll delight your ears…
Sound of The Blade
This is your typical Blademasterz track. Fans of this alias will be thrilled with this track. The opera-like vocals, the larger than life melody with the iconic Blademasterz synths, the sound effect of the blade being unsheathed, the deep kick – it’s all there. It’s a textbook Blademasterz track – and I say that as a compliment, because I don’t think the Blademasterz style should ever change. This is where Fabian can re-use the same formula again and again, and still be fresh, and keep the Blademasterz brand recognizeable by fans.
Bonus points for the lovely side chaining in the second climax (I’m a sucker for good, energetic side chains…)
And there we have it, Brennan Heart’s latest offering… which for me, feels like a spiritual successor to Musical Impressions. After a few listens, it left me with a heartwarming feeling. Listening to it is like returning to a home where I’ve always lived, but that’s been lovingly updated for the modern era.
This album gets a 9 out of 10 from me. Why not 10? For two simple reasons. First, while it’s excellent, there are a couple of tracks that didn’t quite hit the mark for me, and secondly… It’s not Musical Impressions! I don’t want to sound like an old man again, but hey, it’s just what it is! haha.
Hope you all enjoyed this album as much as I did. And if you did, support the artist! CD and vinyl versions are available at the I Am Hardstyle store. I’m super happy with the CD version I got from the pre orders, and the little booklet included has a very nice message from the artist, that I will not spoil you about…