Progressive house duo ANUQRAM collaborate with Second Sine on 'Wake Me Up', out now on Anjunabeats.
ANUQRAM first appeared on Anjunabeats in 2021 with ‘Echoes’, a track that saw the duo collaborate with label mainstay PROFF, before going on to drop floorfillers like ‘Get On’, ‘Don’t Stop’ and ‘Bermondsey Bender’ (ANUQRAM Remix), which earned support from industry heavyweights like Armin van Buuren, Vintage Culture, David Guetta, Oliver Heldens, Cosmic Gate and more.
Last year saw ANUQRAM release three EP’s on Anjunabeats, kicking off with the ‘On My Knees EP’, which featured collaborations with Ash Nova and Dulus. The duo followed that up with their remix of Above & Beyond and Zoë Johnston's uplifting trance hit 'Crazy Love', which gained support from the likes of Nora En Pure, Sultan + Shepard, Jerro, Korolova, Chicane and Laura van Dam.
Four months later, ANUQRAM joined forces with progressive house pioneer Alexey Sonar and Italian duo Madraas on the ‘Alright Now EP’. The pair rounded off the year with the ‘You Set Me Free EP’, which saw spins from Yotto, KREAM, Sultan + Shepard, Cosmic Gate and more, before dropping their remix of Dosem and HANA’s ‘Ethernal’.
ANUQRAM kicked off this year by collaborating with Eleonora on ‘Parasite’, which earned support from Jody Wisternoff, Chris Luno, Vintage Culture, A.M.R, Don Diablo and Jason Bentley on KCRW, before later releasing their mesmerising two-tracker 'Safari / Hide & Seek'. Now, ANUQRAM join forces with fellow progressive mainstay Second Sine on 'Wake Me Up'.
Buy/Stream ANUQRAM & Second Sine 'Wake Me Up': HERE
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]ANUQRAM & Second Sine - Wake Me Up [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]ANUQRAM and Second Sine deliver an electrifying progressive masterpiece with Wake Me Up, a 125 BPM track that bridges the gap between progressive house and trance with seamless finesse. From the opening moments, the track introduces a clean, bubbly bassline that provides a powerful rhythmic foundation. The low-end frequencies are meticulously balanced, ensuring that the groove drives forward without overpowering the mix. Layered atop this are chunky percussive elements and carefully processed hi-hats that add dynamic interest, guiding the listener into a hypnotic, trance-infused atmosphere. Melodically, the track excels in its use of harmonic layers and evolving synth progressions. The trance-inspired leads glide effortlessly over the mix, creating a sense of soaring elevation. These melodic hooks are supported by rich harmonic pads that slowly build tension, allowing for smooth transitions and highly effective drops. The production showcases sophisticated use of automation and effects—specifically reverb, delay, and stereo imaging—to craft a wide, immersive soundscape. This spatial design enhances both the track’s club/festival presence and its capacity for at-home or private listening experiences. A standout feature of Wake Me Up is the hypnotic vocal line, which serves as the emotional core of the composition. The vocals are processed with a tasteful blend of delay and subtle modulation, contributing to a dark, mystic aesthetic that envelops the listener. This element not only increases the track’s emotional resonance but also strengthens its storytelling and cohesion across the arrangement. From a technical perspective, the track demonstrates exceptional energy flow and dynamic range. The arrangement is thoughtfully structured, featuring well-timed build-ups, impactful drops, and a logically flowing intro and outro suitable for DJ sets. Cue points are easy to identify thanks to clear transitional markers, making the track highly versatile for club or festival use. Additionally, its BPM consistency at 125 makes syncing in live environments effortless. Beyond its technical mastery, Wake Me Up offers significant benefits in the realms of mental health, fitness, and wellness. Scientific studies suggest that repetitive, rhythm-based music with engaging melodic content can reduce stress and promote relaxation by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (Thoma et al., 2013). Moreover, the track’s steady BPM and uplifting tonal quality support cardiovascular endurance and motivation in physical fitness settings, as noted in research on the ergogenic effects of music in exercise (Karageorghis & Priest, 2012). In wellness classes such as yoga or meditation, the hypnotic elements and layered harmonics can facilitate mental focus and emotional grounding, aligning with findings on music-based mindfulness practices (Garcia-Gil et al., 2021). The combination of technical excellence, emotional richness, and scientifically supported wellness benefits makes Wake Me Up not only a peak-time club weapon but also a track with versatile applications in promoting positive human experiences. #PureGold Loveit [/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]
Suggested Bibliography:
Thoma, M. V., Ryf, S., Mohiyeddini, C., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). Emotion regulation through listening to music in everyday situations. Cognition and Emotion, 27(3), 534–543.
Karageorghis, C. I., & Priest, D. L. (2012). Music in the exercise domain: A review and synthesis (Part II). International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5(1), 67–84.
Garcia-Gil, M., Martos-García, D., & Arbinaga, F. (2021). Impact of music-based mindfulness interventions on mental well-being: A systematic review. Mindfulness, 12, 1204–1219.
Additional info:
