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Trance Review: Craig Connelly & Liel Kolet - Endless Sky out on Black Hole Recordings

 


Spirit.

If there’s one aspect that the studio unification of Craig Connelly and Liel Kolet brings, it’s exactly that. They did it first through the freefalling rush of ‘Be As One’, and bright and blinkingly early in 2026, they’re at it again with the zenith-touching ‘Endless Sky’.

Craig, it won’t have escaped your attention, has been on quite the hot run with hi-viz collabs of late, no better evidenced than his stellar ‘Other Side Of The World’ with HALIENE and ‘Black Hole’ voiced by Christina Novelli (both to which appeared on his ‘Discovery Vol. 1’ album last year).

With Liel though it’s a different kind of chemistry, and it’s one that’s intrinsically linked to the dancefloor.
The California-based singer explains the personal spark that set her ‘Endless Sky’ words in motion. “In 2017, I had my first EDC experience. I remember standing in the crowd, feeling that unreal energy, being part of something so big that revolves entirely around music. In that moment, I felt a deep sense of belonging. I knew I wanted to be part of the electronic music world and create songs that could make people feel the way I felt that night.

When I sent my vocals to Craig, he instantly understood the vision and knew exactly where to take it. After ‘Be As One,’ I couldn’t imagine a better follow-up, and I truly hope you love ‘Endless Sky’ as much as we do !”
To that, Craig’s anchored Liel’s song to a big, no-nonsense trancer: rolling bass, finely-tuned percussion, drum resonance and widescreen synths, all of which build its atmosphere unstintingly. When it opens up, the leadline does so with the kind of intensity that effortlessly lifts rooms, arenas and stages alike.

The ‘Be As One’s loop closes with ‘Endless Sky’. It lands today and you can find it right here 

Tracklist:
01: Craig Connelly & Liel Kolet – Endless Sky (Original Mix)
02: Craig Connelly & Liel Kolet – Endless Sky (Extended Mix)




Dimitris Kechagias Review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Craig Connelly & Liel Kolet - Endless Sky [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Craig Connelly & Liel Kolet’s “Endless Sky” is a masterclass in euphoric trance production, seamlessly blending top-tier technical execution with emotional resonance. From the first beat, the track establishes a hypnotic rhythm, driven by a tight percussive groove and a rolling bassline that creates an irresistible sense of forward momentum. This rhythm section provides a stable foundation for the intricate melodic hooks and harmonic layers that unfold throughout the arrangement, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of how to balance tonal richness with clarity. The track’s transitions, drops, and build-ups are executed with deliberate precision, using automation, filtered sweeps, and dynamic modulation to keep the energy flow consistent and engaging. This orchestration allows the track to peak and release in ways that feel both natural and exhilarating, perfectly calibrated for dancefloor impact. The sound design and production quality of “Endless Sky” are meticulous, with each synth, effect, and vocal element occupying a purposeful space in the mix. Widescreen synths and resonant, airy pads create an immersive spatial environment, while the lead melodies soar with an emotive intensity that defines uplifting trance. By employing sidechain compression, multi-band EQ, and reverb shaping, the track achieves a vibrant loudness balance and dynamic range that prevents listener fatigue while maintaining club-ready punch. The arrangement itself reflects originality and cohesion, telling a story that guides the listener from introspection to euphoric release, exemplifying both creative artistry and structural intelligence. Effects such as stereo imaging, delay modulation, and subtle reverb tails contribute to a sense of three-dimensional immersion, ensuring that every moment feels alive and vibrant. Liel Kolet’s vocal performance is central to the track’s narrative arc, delivering lyrics that evoke belonging and transcendence, which resonate deeply with audiences. Her voice is processed with warmth and clarity, blending harmoniously with the instrumental layers without losing emotional intimacy. The track’s catchiness and replay value are undeniable, with its chorus and lead motif easily embedding themselves in memory. These elements make it highly suitable for club and festival environments, with a 140 BPM structure that DJs can integrate seamlessly into sets. Its intro and outro are crafted for mix-friendly cueing, offering clear loop potential and aiding set flow. The track’s energy curve is carefully plotted to maximize crowd reaction, elevating the experience of both casual listeners and dedicated trance enthusiasts. Beyond its technical merits, “Endless Sky” holds remarkable potential for enhancing mental health, fitness, and wellness experiences. Scientific research has demonstrated that listening to uplifting, high-tempo electronic music can increase dopamine levels, reduce stress, and improve mood regulation (Thoma et al., 2013; Koelsch, 2010). Its 140 BPM tempo aligns with optimal heart rate zones for aerobic exercise, making it ideal for running, cycling, and high-intensity interval training. The euphoric melodies and structured drops stimulate emotional release and flow states, which have been linked to improved cognitive performance and stress recovery (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990; Karageorghis & Priest, 2012). In group fitness or dance therapy settings, tracks like “Endless Sky” promote social connection and enhance perceived exertion through rhythmic entrainment, further amplifying the psychological and physiological benefits. The combination of technical mastery, emotional depth, and scientifically supported wellness effects solidifies “Endless Sky” as a benchmark for contemporary trance. It is not just a track to be heard but an immersive experience that lifts mind, body, and spirit. #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:
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper & Row.
Karageorghis, C. I., & Priest, D. L. (2012). Music in the exercise domain: A review and synthesis (Part I). International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5(1), 44–66.
Koelsch, S. (2010). Towards a neural basis of music-evoked emotions. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 14(3), 131–137.
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.




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