10.0
‘Atmosphere’ and ‘mood’: in relation to Solarstone’s upcoming (May 2025) artist LP, ‘innermost’, they’re going to be two descriptives you’ll be hearing a lot of.
Overturing the album itself, opening its singles account (and indeed the first track Solarstone completed for ‘innermost’) is ‘shivelight’. With it, he affords a first look/listen at a longplayer that differs in structure, tone and feel from any that have come before it.
The single is Richard’s musical encapsulation of the shivelight effect, the one created when shafts of sunlight filter through trees, creating a dappled or shimmering result.
Shadowed by his pads and chords, it opens to deep, resonant baritone guitar strums, which callback to the hook of ‘Falling’ - Julee Cruise’s timeless Twin Peaks theme. Wistful sub-melodies hauntingly echo the call of its siren song harmonies, while breakbeats reinforce the track’s sombre etherealism. As it progresses, delicate fleeting notes break through its otherworldly shade, bringing the track an innate feeling of ‘hope being kept alive’.
Today’s the day ‘shivelight’ sees the light. You can find it through all the finest sales and streaming platforms ‘here’.
Tracklist:
01. Solarstone - ‘shivelight’ (Original Mix)
02. Solarstone - ‘shivelight’ (Extended Mix)
Dimitris Kechagias Review:
Overall Score
01. Solarstone - ‘shivelight’ (Original Mix)
02. Solarstone - ‘shivelight’ (Extended Mix)
Dimitris Kechagias Review:
Solarstone - shivelight 10
Summary
Richard’s latest single, "Shivelight," is a masterfully crafted sonic experience that transcends mere auditory pleasure, diving deep into the technical prowess and intricate production values that define it. Drawing inspiration from the natural phenomenon of shivelight—those radiant shafts of sunlight piercing through foliage—Richard translates this visual poetry into an immersive auditory journey. The track’s foundation is built upon meticulously layered pads and lush chord progressions that create a shadowy, ambient backdrop. This sets the stage for the striking entrance of deep, resonant baritone guitar strums. The tonal quality of the guitar, rich with harmonics and subtle reverb, evokes a nostalgic callback to the iconic hook of Julee Cruise’s "Falling," yet reimagined within a modern trance framework. Sub-melodies ripple throughout the composition, crafted with precision to echo the haunting allure of siren song harmonies. These motifs weave seamlessly with ethereal vocal chops, processed with granular synthesis techniques that provide both texture and depth. The breakbeats are meticulously programmed, their crisp transients and dynamic range reinforcing the track’s somber yet luminous ethereal quality. As "Shivelight" evolves, Richard introduces fleeting melodic arpeggios that glimmer like rays of sunlight breaking through dense canopy—a nod to the track’s conceptual inspiration. The careful modulation of these notes, combined with strategic filtering and reverb automation, injects an innate feeling of hope and vitality. Clocking in at 138 BPM, this breaks-trance fusion is adorned with Balearic influences—its rhythmic structure and melodic phrasing exude a coastal, sun-drenched warmth. The production’s clarity is impeccable; each element occupies its distinct space within the stereo field, thanks to advanced mixing techniques like mid/side processing and meticulous EQ sculpting. "Shivelight" is versatile in its application—whether as an atmospheric opener, a euphoric closer, or a hypnotic centerpiece in an adventurous DJ’s trance set. Its hypnotic, moody layers and exquisite production techniques reflect Richard’s ability to blend technical excellence with emotive resonance, making it an undeniable #PureGold masterpiece. Love IT10.0
Beat and Rhythm10
Basslines and Groove10
Melody 10
Synths 10
Breakdown10
Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment10
Intensity, Drive and Energy10
Sound-design and Arrangement10
Overall Atmosphere10
Goosebumps / Shivers moments10
Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments10
Originality and Inventiveness10
Radio Friendly10
Vocals & lyrics10
You can’t get this memorable track out of your head10
It has potential to become an anthem or a classic10
