What a line-up (and yes, you’re absolutely right to be excited)! The unmistakable voice of the ‘Concrete Angel’, Christina Novelli, joins forces with UK singer-songwriter Reigns (rightly renowned of course for her work with Carl Cox, Low Steppa, Benny Benassi, Disco Fries and others). And completing this stellar ensemble, none other than Johan Gielen, donning his Airscape cape to deliver a spellbinding rework of the duo’s ‘When My Angel Sleeps’.
The origins of the track lie in the autumn of 2023, where it took the lead on Christina’s ‘I’m Not Sad EP’, in turn marking the first time she’d co-owned mic, song and writing duties with another artist.
In a masterstroke of emotional elevation (and with more than a nod to the summer!), Johan’s tapped innately into the vocal’s feel and graced it with bass groove, shimmering sub-melodies and glowing atmospheric pressures. Tinkling the ivories, he lets the grand piano notes drift through its midsection, before wrapping Christina and Reign’s voices up in an irresistibly moving synth, pad and chord arrangement.
This ‘Angel’s about to wake again! Johan’s radiant interpretation of ‘When My Angel Sleeps’ drops today. Find it wherever the best music is streamed or sold.
Summary
Christina Novelli & Reigns - "While My Angel Sleeps" (Johan Gielen presents Airscape Remix) is a masterclass in trance production, seamlessly blending emotive vocals with meticulously crafted electronic elements. Johan Gielen, under his Airscape alias, has reimagined the original track with a sophisticated touch, emphasizing both technical precision and emotional depth. The remix is anchored at 134 BPM, a sweet spot for euphoric trance, providing a driving energy while allowing space for melodic development. Johan employs a "proglifting balearic trance" style, characterized by its uplifting melodies intertwined with progressive elements. The track opens with pulsating basslines that travel fluidly, creating an undercurrent of momentum. Layered atop are shimmering sub-melodies, crafted through meticulous sound design, featuring lush pads and crisp arpeggios that enhance the track's ethereal quality. The percussive framework is tight and dynamic, with clean hi-hats and sharp claps that punch through the mix without overpowering the melodic components. Johan’s signature touch is evident in the atmospheric pressures—subtle risers, filtered sweeps, and reverb-drenched effects that build tension and release, guiding the listener through peaks and valleys of emotional intensity. Christina Novelli’s vocal performance is nothing short of captivating. Her voice carries a raw emotional resonance, effortlessly conveying the song’s underlying themes of longing and introspection. Johan’s production accentuates her vocals with precision; they are front and center during the breakdown, supported by minimal instrumentation, allowing the lyrical content to shine. Reign’s harmonies add depth, creating a rich, layered vocal texture that complements the track’s melodic progression. Lyrically, "While My Angel Sleeps" explores themes of love, loss, and hope. The words are poetic yet accessible, resonating with a universal emotional appeal. Johan’s arrangement ensures that the lyrics are not just heard but felt, wrapped in a sonic landscape that amplifies their impact. A standout feature of the remix is the midsection, where Johan "tinkles the ivories" with a grand piano solo that drifts gracefully. This piano interlude provides a moment of introspection, its warmth contrasting beautifully with the track's electronic elements. The transition from piano back to the full synth arrangement is seamless, as Johan weaves in an irresistibly moving combination of synths, pads, and chord progressions that evoke a sense of nostalgia and euphoria. Johan Gielen presents Airscape’s remix of "While My Angel Sleeps" is a testament to the art of trance music production. It balances technical proficiency with emotional storytelling, delivering a track that is both sonically rich and deeply moving. The fusion of big nostalgic synths, traveling basslines, and heartfelt vocals makes this remix not just a song but an experience—a piece of #PureGold that resonates long after the final note fades. Love iTfacebook.com/christina.novelli.music/
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