What Jan Blomqvist has come to sonically embody is the fusing of acoustic, folk, soul and pop elements into a warm dance sound. It’s not just deep house, for it’s larger than house or techno as it embraces both. It’s a sound that until recently was relegated to the second floor, warm-up sets and afterhours, but now has found legs in the main rooms, the big stages and in the mainstream. Over the past 3 years Jan Blomqvist has not only been a part of this development, but has consistently underscored it with his tireless touring and countless releases, helping to build a foundation for this exciting new genre.
Time Again is no exception - a huge summer track that crystallizes the guitar-led electronic pop club sound. More than a Johnny Cash edit or a Wanklemut retouch however, Jan created every sound and melody from scratch and nursed them for years through various incarnations. Now the time is right for Jan to let this track go as summer is approaching and people are primed, receptive and longing for clean club-tested electronic-pop with acoustic folk-rock feel.
Right from the start of the track the influences are evident, from techno to deep house, blues to indie, all coming together as the massive opening chorus explodes with Blomqvist’s instantly recognizable voice launching over his thick signature bass line. The shiny guitar hook smacks of summer, sunsets, and feelings of nostalgia while simultaneously propelling us forward, mirroring the progress of electronic music as it now firmly embraces its better half, rhythm and blues.
A wicked dark strum echoes through the verse, setting a tone like a Tarantino western as Jan’s cracking vocals release a tension through the realization that ‘things just weren't working’. Not just another breakup song, but like all Blomqvist tracks it's a multi-layered story about the struggle with oneself, city life and Berlin. It’s about recognizing deep disconnect and routines which do not foster growth. Berlin is a city where people arrive with an expectation of experiencing something fantastic, which they usually find. But in that there is an overly-optimistic mentality that throws a gloss over situations making them seem more cozy than they are and making people hang around a longer than they should. When they wake up late to this a self-directed disappointment sets in, but it does so alongside a kind of respect and understanding for the other who like you was simply wanting the good times to continue, blind to the warning signs. This is the relationship that should have ended at the first breakup or the party that has gone on too long or the city that seems to have it all, but of course does not.
In the club mix Jan dives deeper and lets the track breath with more focused breakdowns and a whole lot of measured restraint. He holds back the reigns on the guitar until just the right moment and even then gives just enough to keep the ear wanting more. Adding a catchy Rhodes riff and re-cutting the vocals he masterfully recreates and recasts his song as a proper party-starting dancefloor bomb.
Peer Kusiv has become almost a household name here in Germany as his emotional pop-inspired deep house reworks and originals have been consistently lighting up dancefloors over the past 2 years. Exceeding expectations, Peer Kusiv turned in a bright, upbeat mix pulsing with airy synth spirals and near cosmic pad and reverb work that is as fit for a main room club system as it is for an open air on the beach. He sliced up the original guitar riff into a new hook earworm and trimmed back the vocals only slightly staying true to Jan's verse-chorus composition. Peer Kusiv then lets it all surf atop a fresh bouncy minimal baseline sure to help move the masses this summer.
Next on remix duties is Ryan Mathiesen, an up-and-coming producer and DJ who is also, not coincidentally, the lyricist that has been working closely with Jan for the past 4 years. For his remix, he stripped back the original percussion and instead opted for a minimal organic beat creating an open atmosphere and giving ample Jan's massive bass sound more space to move. Adding some extra rhythm with a delay on the rhodes and some repetitive guitar cuts he set the stage for the vocals which he paired down and mixed verse with chorus. The result is a laid back chiller perfect for a sunday drive or winding down after a big night and nicely compliments Blomqvist's big club mix and the groovy upbeat version from Peer Kusiv.
All-in-all a well rounded EP from some names you will be hearing a lot more from in the near future.
Much love and early support for this release already comes from Tensnake, Animal Trainer, Acid Washed, Hannes Fischer, Solomun, Joyce Muniz, Kaiserdisco and more....
LYRICS
realize that things just weren't working
pretending that we were both blind
a billboarded couple blank frozen
lunch on the terrace, like the dead we dine
when i wanna sleep your just wakin
when i set a fire you complain 'bout the cold
just like our sunny vacations
stunning pictures they'll stay on the roll
through love to hate
goes round again
wake up too late
no sense or plan
shiftless and weak
comfortably numb
words would not speak
not leave my tounge
finger rests over the button
blank looks whiter than white
you said it all, you said nothing
the end comes without a fight
we were close at the start without thinking
caught up after one berlin night
then red flags and warning lights blinking
to cut the ties, time was just never right
obviously
we weren't great
but you are
we weren't enough
but you should know
you are
it wasn't right
its never but
you are
you are
i came at 10
you left at 8
time time again
i came too late
you left at 8
i came at 10
you didn't wait
time and time again
Dimitri Kechagias review: Deep house is the sound of the summer 2014 and Berlin as cultural capital of Europe manage to attract many artists from all over the world that seems that they found there the right environment to expand their talent and deliver amazing music. The latest artist from Berlin who is about to have huge success is Jan Blomqvist. His fantastic track Time Again not only has great lyrics but also fantastic performance of those lyurics along with magnificent magical deep house /electronic melodies. The club mix of Time Again is 7 minutes deep melodic beauty with chunky grooves, deep haunting basslines, blissful melodies, warm piano chords, cinematic strings and the absolute star is the acoustic guitar riffs that add the balearic summery atmosphere to the whole track. Calming, soothing, chilling, dreamy track perfect for those carefree moments on the beach! Peer Kusiv remix is a very special version that moves within the same realm of deep melodic tech house with fantastic percussion, deep haunting basslines, funky rhythm and great cinematic atmosphere with that acoustic guitar melody appearing at the background rather than having the first role. Blissful relaxing version that deep house djs will appreciate without doubts. Ryan Mathiesen version starts with a long ambient dreamy intro while the main body of the track moves within the realm of deep lounge house with abstract organic beats and chilling parts. It's the perfect minimal version to play at the end of your dj set and let the crowd carry on dreaming of a better peaceful world! Last but not least on the package is added the Animal Trainer remix that is absolutely beautiful. Dreamy, hypnotic, smooth sounds with organic elements that are merged perfectly with the danceable beat. The result is an eclectic slice of deep velvet like house that you are obliged at least to tap your feet if not to start dancing instantly. You can not resist the playful sexy deep basslines and the indie dance tones. The beloved project from Zurich service an exceptional production not to be missed. #PureGold Love iT
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