Nocturnal 018 - Days Like Nights curated by Eelke Kleijn
Nocturnal 018 invites listeners into a world where dreams and reality effortlessly merge. This special edition of Days Like Nights brings together three distinct artists—DALÛ, James Trystan, and Lloyd Barwood—each contributing a unique sonic vision to craft a seamless journey through melodic techno and progressive house.
DALÛ
The duo DALÛ conjures a magical soundscape where melodic techno flows with both propelling energy and emotional depth. Their music is designed to take listeners on an introspective journey, balancing ethereal bliss with grounded rhythms. Each track they create hovers delicately between dreamlike atmospheres and tangible reality, shaping a one-of-a-kind musical experience that transports the audience into their enchanting universe.
James Trystan
James Trystan continues his ascent in the global electronic scene, following acclaimed releases on Bedrock, Suara, and Eleatics, including his 2018 hit Another Story. Known for transforming the dance floor into a narrative of sound, he crafts ethereal, high-energy journeys that span techno, progressive, and melodic house. With over 15 years of performance mastery, James has captivated audiences across top UK venues such as The Key, Ministry of Sound, The Cross, and Turnmills, as well as international hotspots in Ukraine, Asia, and Berlin’s legendary Sisyphos. His ability to connect with every crowd solidifies his reputation as a seasoned force in the underground scene.
Lloyd Barwood
Lloyd Barwood represents the new wave of progressive house. His productions, supported by industry icons like Sasha, Danny Howells, Dave Seaman, Henry Saiz, and Eelke Kleijn, showcase a diverse yet unmistakable sound. With releases on Last Night on Earth, AXEPT Records, Controlled Substance, and Stripped Digital, Lloyd is rapidly earning recognition as a rising star. His talent has carried him from supporting world-renowned DJs to commanding headline slots, building an international profile that resonates with both seasoned ravers and new club audiences.
Together, these artists form the soul of Nocturnal 018, delivering a curated experience that embodies the dreamlike ethos of Days Like Nights while celebrating the individuality of each contributor.
Tracklist:
James Trystan - Magnum Opus
Lloyd Barwood - Into the Portal
DALÛ - Fading Echoes
Dimitris Kechagias Review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]DALÛ, James Trystan & Lloyd Barwood - Nocturnal 018 [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] The three tracks featured in Nocturnal 018—James Trystan’s “Magnum Opus,” Lloyd Barwood’s “Into the Portal,” and DALÛ’s “Fading Echoes”—collectively deliver an exceptional listening experience that exemplifies technical mastery and artistic depth. “Magnum Opus,” with its 126 BPM melodic techno foundation, captivates through its tight rhythmic drive, highly distinctive basslines, and playful percussive elements that maintain an infectious groove. The track’s synth hook serves as a harmonic anchor, giving structure to its cinematic atmosphere, while warm vocal layers enrich emotional resonance. The transitions between sections are seamless, with drops and build-ups that expertly manipulate energy flow, maintaining momentum and ensuring high replay value. Lloyd Barwood’s “Into the Portal,” a 125 BPM progressive house journey, demonstrates precision in sound design and spatial engineering. The pulsating basslines and airy synths generate forward motion, while hi-energy kicks inject both tension and excitement. Barwood’s arrangement is structurally original, balancing moody harmonics with uplifting climaxes, making it highly effective in club and festival settings. Its dynamic range and loudness balance reflect professional production standards, with each effect carefully placed to enhance immersion and provide DJ-friendly cue points and loop potential. DALÛ’s “Fading Echoes” stands out as a driving melodic techno anthem, featuring bright synth layers, warm string pads, and dark, emotive vocals that add narrative context. Its anthemic climax amplifies both crowd reaction potential and emotional impact, presenting a cohesive storytelling arc. The track’s BPM consistency and well-structured intro and outro make it ideal for seamless set integration, while its creative effects and spatial depth create a fully immersive atmosphere. Scientific studies support the positive effects of music like this on mental health and wellness. Research indicates that rhythmic, melodic, and harmonically rich music can reduce stress, enhance mood, and stimulate dopamine release (Thoma et al., 2013; Chanda & Levitin, 2013). The tracks’ driving beats and energetic flow are also highly suitable for fitness and wellness classes, as uptempo electronic music has been shown to boost physical performance and endurance by synchronizing movement with rhythm (Terry et al., 2020). The cinematic and emotionally resonant characteristics of these productions can foster mindfulness, support mental well-being, and create immersive experiences that enhance social connectedness on the dance floor. In conclusion, Nocturnal 018 exemplifies top-tier melodic techno and progressive house, with every criterion—from groove and harmonic layering to originality, storytelling, and production quality—executed at the highest level. These tracks not only excel in technical performance but also offer measurable benefits to mental and physical wellness, firmly securing their place as memorable and functional pieces for both personal listening and live dance settings. #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:
Chanda, M. L., & Levitin, D. J. (2013). The neurochemistry of music. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(4), 179–193.
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.
Terry, P. C., Karageorghis, C. I., Curran, M. L., Martin, O. V., & Parsons-Smith, R. L. (2020). Effects of music in exercise and sport: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 146(2), 91–117.
Additional info:
