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Trance Review: Oliver Smith, Amy J Pryce - Open Up (Hausman Remix) out now on Anjunabeats

 


Hausman remixes ‘Open Up’ from Oliver Smith’s debut studio album ‘Footprints’, out now on Anjunabeats.

Oliver Smith has established himself as a driving force in electronic music and performed at some of the biggest clubs and festivals in the world. With a wide array of releases and multiple aliases under his belt, the London-based DJ and producer is part of the fabric of Anjunabeats, being both the first signing to the record label and the only artist (other than label bosses Above & Beyond) to have featured on all 16 of the label's beloved 'Volume' compilations.

Recently released as part of Oliver Smith's debut album 'Footprints', 'Open Up' sees the Anjunabeats mainstay collaborate with accomplished singer-songwriter Amy J Pryce. Now, Hausman puts his signature spin on the track. 

Hailing from Boston, USA, DJ and producer Hausman has released on an array of well-respected labels such as Armada, Enhanced and Monstercat, remixed tracks by Marsh, Dezza, and Elevven, and garnered support from Armin van Buuren, Cosmic Gate, Tritonal, and many more. Hausman made his Anjunabeats debut in 2021 with his remix of Mat Zo's 'Problems', before following that up with 'Control' later that year, which featured on Volume 11 of our Anjunabeats Rising EP Series. 

‘Footprints’ takes listeners on a captivating journey through Oliver’s evolution as an artist. The timeless and hotly anticipated debut album is one of the top requested Anjunabeats releases to date, and is the culmination of a songwriting process that began several years ago.
“I’ve been releasing music for years, but my own album always took a backseat,” Oliver says. “When I finally started the project I had so many ideas and was unsure where to begin. I decided to embrace the process and let the destination reveal itself. This inspired ‘Footprints’, the title for the album, as even the tracks that didn’t make it left an imprint, and were a necessary part of the journey.”
There’s echoes of all eras of Oliver’s sound on ‘Footprints’, from addictive bassline-driven tracks like ‘Legacy’ and ‘Be The One', to stylings of his Anjunadeep alias Meramek in the house-leaning ‘Love Is A Feeling’, and the soaring trance arps in ‘Don't Hold Back’ and ‘Breathe’. The album also sees Oliver collaborate with an eclectic cast of vocalists and songwriters, including Tailor, FARLEY, Benjamin Roustaing and Susie Ledge.
“I wanted to go beyond club music and tell real stories, so I collaborated with some incredible singers and songwriters who brought a whole new dimension to the project,” Oliver says. “I put a lot of thought into making sure every track had something special and truly deserved its place on the album. I think people will recognise the thread that connects all my releases, and hopefully, they’ll enjoy the new directions I’ve explored as well.”
‘Footprints’ also follows a string of hits in recent years that have cemented Oliver’s position at the forefront of dance music. Fan favourites like ‘Lovingly’, ‘Warehouse’ and ‘Be Alone’ rapidly ascended the Beatport charts and added to a discography that’s amassed over 20 million streams to date. In 2018, Oliver mixed the ‘Anjunabeats Worldwide 08’ compilation, which included ten of his own productions and reached the #1 spot on the iTunes dance chart in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.

Release Date: 4 August 2025

Buy/Stream: https://anjunabeats.ffm.to/er4xn4o.OYD





Dimitris Kechagias Review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Oliver Smith, Amy J Pryce - Open Up (Hausman Remix) [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Oliver Smith and Amy J Pryce's superb progressive trance track "Open Up" reaches new heights with the dynamic Hausman Remix, meticulously crafted to captivate mainstage audiences. Hausman, known for his precision in production, reimagines the original with a robust, tech-driven approach that underscores his mastery of modern trance elements. The remix introduces a tougher, techier, and more elastic bassline, characterized by its punchy resonance and rhythmic bounce. Hausman employs sidechain compression techniques to achieve that signature pumping effect, ensuring the bassline seamlessly integrates with the thumping kicks. These kicks are layered with carefully chosen drum samples, processed through transient shaping and EQ adjustments to enhance their crispness and impact. Aggressive, pounding drums anchor the track’s energy, with meticulously programmed percussive elements adding complex rhythms. The hi-hats and claps are treated with subtle reverb and delay effects, creating a spacious soundscape while maintaining rhythmic precision. A standout feature is the nostalgic rave-infused synth stabs. Hausman crafts these using a blend of analog synth emulations and modern VST plugins, modulating the filters and resonance to capture that classic rave feel. The synths are layered with atmospheric pads and arpeggios, enriched with automation to evolve dynamically throughout the track. Vocals by Amy J Pryce are given a dominant presence through strategic EQ carving, reverb layering, and stereo widening techniques, making them command attention amid the energetic backdrop. The vocal processing includes pitch shifting and harmonic layering to add depth and texture, enhancing the emotional intensity. Hausman’s meticulous arrangement transitions smoothly between breakdowns and drops, utilizing tension-building risers, filtered sweeps, and impactful snare rolls. The dynamic range is carefully balanced through mastering techniques, achieving a powerful, club-ready sound. In summary, Hausman’s remix of "Open Up" is a testament to technical prowess, blending nostalgic elements with futuristic production techniques to deliver an epic 128 BPM anthem, both timeless and innovative. #PureGold #LoveIT [/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]





Additional info:
linktr.ee/oliversmith
linktr.ee/hausman