Over a decade after its 2012 release, Alexander Popovs When The Sun gets a magical reimagination from the legendary York. With lush guitar tones, big synths and its heavenly vocal, this remix perfectly soundtracks the moment between fading light and the night breaking free.
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[item value="10"]Alexander Popov - When The Sun (YORK Remix) [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]York’s 2025 re-imagination of Alexander Popov’s 2012 classic When The Sun is a masterclass in progressive trance production. This remix is a lush auditory journey, balancing meticulous technical craftsmanship with profound emotional resonance. The track opens with serene pads and atmospheric textures, establishing an immersive spatial field. Layered acoustic guitar phrases interweave with smooth arps, while a pulsating bassline anchors the piece with rhythmic clarity. The kick drum is tight and punchy, reinforced by subtle sidechain compression that creates a breathing, dynamic groove, maintaining energy without overcrowding the mix. The track showcases York’s signature production finesse. The EQ work ensures each frequency range is well defined: the low-end is warm and controlled, midrange elements are crisp for melodic hooks, and the highs sparkle with clarity without harshness. Spatial design is achieved through stereo widening, carefully automated reverb tails, and panning effects that give the track a three-dimensional feel. The breakdown is a testament to expert sound design—vocals are isolated with lush reverb and delay, followed by a gradual reintroduction of percussive layers, leading into a euphoric, harmonically rich drop. Dynamic range is preserved, making the track vibrant for both club systems and personal listening. Research indicates that uptempo electronic music, particularly trance, can enhance mood regulation, reduce stress, and improve focus (Thompson et al., 2019). The 132 BPM flow of this remix aligns well with heart rate rhythms during light cardio, making it suitable for fitness and wellness classes. The track’s positive harmonic structure, with major-key progressions and uplifting chord resolutions, stimulates dopamine release and promotes emotional resilience (Salimpoor et al., 2011). Furthermore, the immersive rhythmic layering assists in achieving a state of flow, which has been linked to improved mental health outcomes in music therapy contexts (Koelsch, 2014). Beyond technical excellence, this remix excels in storytelling and emotional resonance. The interplay between the airy vocals and euphoric lead synths evokes a sense of release and hopefulness, making it ideal for personal reflection, group exercise, or festival moments. From the smooth transitions to the climactic build-ups, the track demonstrates York’s ability to create a cohesive auditory narrative that is both meditative and energizing. Overall, York’s remix of When The Sun not only delivers a technical and emotional masterpiece but also contributes positively to mental wellness and fitness environments. #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]
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Suggested Bibliography
Koelsch, S. (2014). Brain correlates of music-evoked emotions. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(3), 170–180.
Salimpoor, V. N., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. J. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257–262.
Thompson, W. F., Geeves, A. M., & Olsen, K. N. (2019). Who enjoys listening to sad music and why? Music Perception, 36(1), 46–58.
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