Spencer Newell joins the other Degenerates with a total face-melter called Focus One...and we're pretty sure you're probably not ready for what this one is about to unleash. You've been warned!
Enjoy!
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Spencer Newell - Focus One [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Spencer Newell, renowned for his uplifting trance masterpieces, ventures into harder territory with his latest track, "Focus One," released under the Degenerate label. This 139 BPM powerhouse is a testament to Newell's versatility and prowess in electronic music production, embodying the spirit of a harder anthem meticulously crafted for peak-time energy. The track kicks off with an assertive introduction, marked by heavy, hard-hitting basslines that are tightly compressed to enhance their punch and clarity. These basslines, layered with precision, create a dense low-end presence that drives the track's aggressive momentum. The raw, pounding kicks are sculpted using advanced layering techniques, combining multiple kick drum samples—each EQ’d separately—to achieve a robust and resonant thump that cuts through the mix without overwhelming other elements. Complementing the rhythmic foundation are rough, textured percussions, crafted through a blend of synthesized hits and processed acoustic samples. These percussive elements add a gritty texture, enhanced by subtle saturation and transient shaping to maintain their sharpness and impact across different playback systems. Cool vocal samples are interwoven sparingly, treated with time-stretch effects and reverb tails to add a haunting, ethereal quality that contrasts the track's otherwise raw sonic landscape. Beneath the aggressive exterior lies a cool, uplifting synth melody that introduces a dynamic shift. This melody is synthesized using analog emulation plugins to capture that warm, vintage feel synonymous with old-school hard trance. The melody's modulation, achieved through automated filter sweeps and LFO-driven pitch variations, injects a sense of drive and intensity, bridging the gap between nostalgic trance vibes and modern hard dance energy. As the track progresses to the breakdown, Newell showcases his melodic prowess with an anthemic lead supported by melodramatic synth stabs. These stabs are crafted using layered saw waves, processed through chorus and delay effects to enhance their emotional impact. The transition into the peak-time climax is masterfully executed, with acid layers introduced through resonant 303-style synth lines, automated to build tension and aggression. These acid elements, combined with uplifting synths and epic, reverb-laden strings in the background, create a rich, expansive soundscape. The production techniques employed in "Focus One"—from meticulous EQing and dynamic processing to creative sound design and arrangement—culminate in an energetic, dynamic, and hard-hitting anthem. Spencer Newell's ability to fuse technical precision with emotional resonance makes this track not just a hard dance record, but an anthem in the making. #PureGold Love iT[/content]
[item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item][item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
[item value="10"] Melody [/item]
[item value="10"] Synths [/item]
[item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
[item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
[item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item]
[item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
[item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
[item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocals & lyrics[/item]
[item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
[item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
[/review]
linktr.ee/spencer.newell
