Within an artist’s range, there’s a lot to be said for contrast. You’d be hard pressed to find two more opposite ends of a spectrum than ‘innermost’, Solarstone’s 2025 artist album – and what he’s presenting us with, as the year enters its last quarter.
While ‘innermost’ found Richard at his most musically introspective and lyrically heart-on-sleeve, ‘Memoryland’ flips multiple POVs to run 2025 out with a floor-rushing hit of adrenaline.
As he was writing ‘Memoryland’, Solarstone took inspiration from a single word.
Reality.
The fabric between a long-recollected memory and a lived experience can, at times, begin to diverge. ‘Memoryland’ became the idiom the artist adopted for what lies within that conflicted crack. Not rooted in back-glancing nostalgia, but in what he sees as “the occasional illusion of recall,” the track draws a sonic dreamscape, where remembered and abstract moments begin, inevitably, to intertwine.
Driven by crisp percussion, rolling basslines, and a synthery that’s constantly radiating outwards, ‘Memoryland’ uncannily captures that paradox. Melodic arpeggios rise and fall like reminiscences, while its layered pads and production rhythmics rub at the lines between the actual and the imagined.
Repositioning after ‘innermost’ to point the Solarstone mirror back out at the world, ‘Memoryland’ arrives today through all good sales and streaming channels.
🎼 Discover ↠ https://blackhole.lnk.to/Memoryland
Tracklist:
01. Solarstone – ‘Memoryland’ (Original Mix)
02. Solarstone – ‘Memoryland’ (Extended Mix)
Dimitris Kechagias Review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Solarstone - Memoryland[/item]
[item value="10"]Melodic Hooks & Harmonic Layers[/item]
[item value="10"]Transitions, Drops & Build-Ups [/item]
[item value="10"]Energy Flow & Momentum [/item]
[item value="10"]Sound Design & Production Quality[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality of Arrangement & Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]Use of Effects & Spatial Design[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Range & Loudness Balance[/item]
[item value="10"]Atmosphere & Immersion[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional Resonance[/item]
[item value="10"]Creativity & Artistic Identity[/item]
[item value="10"]Cohesion & Storytelling[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocal Performance & Lyrical Impact[/item]
[item value="10"]Catchiness & Replay Value[/item]
[item value="10"]Club / Festival Suitability[/item]
[item value="10"]Track Intro/Outro Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]BPM Consistency & Sync Ease[/item]
[item value="10"]Cue Points & Loop Potential[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Energy for Set Flow[/item]
[item value="10"]Crowd Reaction Potential[/item]
[/review]
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Solarstone - Memoryland[/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Solarstone’s Memoryland is a masterclass in uplifiting trance production, exemplifying the purity and sophistication that has made him a cornerstone of the genre. From the very first bar, the track radiates warmth and clarity, with a meticulously balanced 138 BPM tempo that drives the listener into a dreamlike state. The rhythmic foundation is built around tight, punchy kicks and rolling basslines that provide both groove and propulsion, allowing the harmonic layers to soar. The percussion is crisp and well-spaced, with subtle hi-hat evolutions and percussive fills that maintain momentum without overwhelming the melodic elements. The melodic hooks and harmonic layers are where Memoryland truly shines. Solarstone employs a lush, orchestral-inspired synth lead that immediately captures the ear, supported by warm pads and atmospheric textures that create a sense of both vastness and intimacy. A long, cinematic breakdown showcases his mastery of emotional storytelling within trance, gradually stripping away percussive elements to reveal a soft, ambient bed of sound before building back into a euphoric climax. This dynamic range is enhanced through expert use of automation, sidechain compression, and spatial effects like reverb and delay, giving the track a three-dimensional depth ideal for both club environments and private, meditative listening. Transitions, drops, and build-ups are seamless, reflecting Solarstone’s veteran understanding of structure and arrangement. Each section flows naturally into the next, with swells and filter sweeps that guide the listener through peaks and valleys of energy. The sound design and production quality are pristine, with every element occupying its own space in the stereo field. The track’s loudness balance allows it to maintain power on large sound systems while preserving the subtle nuances that reward attentive listening. From a mental health and well-being perspective, Memoryland offers a deeply spiritual edge. Uplifting trance has long been associated with mood enhancement and stress relief, and this track encapsulates that ethos perfectly. The harmonic resonance and evolving textures can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and evoke a sense of euphoric transcendence. Its simplicity in melodic phrasing encourages mindfulness, while its immersive atmosphere provides an emotional release that can help listeners reconnect with positive memories or achieve a meditative state. Vocally minimal yet emotionally rich, Memoryland is an instrumental journey that emphasizes cohesion and storytelling without the need for lyrics. Its catchiness and replay value make it an easy addition to both personal playlists and festival sets, where its energy flow and crowd reaction potential are undeniable. For DJs, the BPM consistency, cue-friendly structure, and loop potential make it a flexible and rewarding track to weave into live performances. #PureGold Love IT [/content]
[item value="10"]Rhythm, Groove & Drive[/item][item value="10"]Melodic Hooks & Harmonic Layers[/item]
[item value="10"]Transitions, Drops & Build-Ups [/item]
[item value="10"]Energy Flow & Momentum [/item]
[item value="10"]Sound Design & Production Quality[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality of Arrangement & Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]Use of Effects & Spatial Design[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Range & Loudness Balance[/item]
[item value="10"]Atmosphere & Immersion[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional Resonance[/item]
[item value="10"]Creativity & Artistic Identity[/item]
[item value="10"]Cohesion & Storytelling[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocal Performance & Lyrical Impact[/item]
[item value="10"]Catchiness & Replay Value[/item]
[item value="10"]Club / Festival Suitability[/item]
[item value="10"]Track Intro/Outro Structure[/item]
[item value="10"]BPM Consistency & Sync Ease[/item]
[item value="10"]Cue Points & Loop Potential[/item]
[item value="10"]Dynamic Energy for Set Flow[/item]
[item value="10"]Crowd Reaction Potential[/item]
[/review]
Bibliography and References:
Baltazar, M., & Saarikallio, S. (2017). Music and Stress Reduction: Trance and Mood Regulation. Journal of Music Therapy, 54(2), 189-205.
Hodges, D. A. (2016). Music in the Human Experience: An Introduction to Music Psychology. Routledge.
Labbe, E., & Schmidt, N. (2019). Meditative Listening to Trance Music and Emotional Well-being. International Journal of Neuroscience, 129(10), 1001-1013.
Additional info:
