140 BPM
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Black Hole recordings
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CIRCA96
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Craig Connelly
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Euphoric trance
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Reviews
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Sarah de Warren
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Trance
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Trance Music
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Trance Reviews
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Uplifting Trance
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Vocal Trance
Trance Review: Sarah de Warren x CIRCA96 - Breathing Underwater out on Black Hole Recordings
With recent club dates taking her from Honolulu to Rotterdam, Hong Kong to Las Vegas, Singapore to London, Sarah de Warren steps briefly off the road to unveil her latest single. Swapping the bold mainstage techno energy of recent releases ‘What U Like’ and ‘Games’, she links up with CIRCA96 (a.k.a. Craig Connelly) for the trance-tipped ‘Breathing Underwater’.
A return to her roots, Breathing Underwater reveals another side of Sarah’s artistry - the emotional songwriter behind the club records. Floating over the production with soaring, ethereal vocals, she taps into the more vulnerable edges of her sound while keeping the intensity intact.
Built around themes of devotion, surrender and love beyond limitation, the track pairs vivid lyricism with a sense of emotional escapism, designed as much for the heart as the dancefloor.
Having created quite the CIRCA96-stir of late (not least with his remix of Ton TB’s ‘Electronic Malfunction’, which Tiësto used to ignite Dreamscape), Craig Connelly’s weighs in on the production side. He outfits ‘Breathing Underwater’ with shimmering arpeggios, cascading synths, bleeped lament and a pulsating drive that amplifies Sarah’s message beyond measure.
Breathing Underwater is the third single to be taken from Sarah de Warren’s forthcoming six-track Summer 2026 EP, available now via all streaming platforms HERE
Tracklist:
01: Sarah de Warren X CIRCA96 – ‘Breathing Underwater’ (Original Mix)
02: Sarah de Warren X CIRCA96 – ‘Breathing Underwater’ (Extended Mix)
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Sarah de Warren x CIRCA96 - Breathing Underwater [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Sarah de Warren x CIRCA96’s “Breathing Underwater” is a masterclass in uplifting vocal trance, delivering exceptional quality across every technical and artistic dimension. From the very first beat, the rhythm, groove, and drive are immediately captivating, propelled by a 140 BPM pulse that energizes the listener without ever feeling rushed. The melodic hooks and harmonic layers interweave effortlessly, with shimmering arpeggios and cascading synths that create a lush sonic tapestry. Each transition, drop, and build-up is meticulously crafted, balancing anticipation with emotional release, ensuring energy flow and momentum never falter throughout the track. The sound design and production quality shine with clarity and precision, with razor-sharp uplifting synths and punchy, well-balanced basslines that give the track its euphoric edge. The arrangement demonstrates originality, avoiding formulaic structures while maintaining cohesion and storytelling; every section leads naturally into the next. Effects and spatial design are used masterfully, with reverbs and delays creating a sense of immersion that places the listener firmly inside the soundscape. The dynamic range and loudness balance are expertly managed, allowing the track to breathe while maintaining the power needed for club and festival systems. Atmosphere and immersion are heightened by Sarah’s soaring, ethereal vocal performance, which delivers lyrical depth and emotional resonance that connects instantly. Her performance reflects devotion, surrender, and love without limitation, and the combination of melody and vocal phrasing ensures creativity and artistic identity remain front and center. Catchiness and replay value are virtually guaranteed; every listen reveals another detail in the harmonic layers or vocal inflections. The track’s intro and outro structures are DJ-friendly, with BPM consistency and loop potential ensuring easy integration into live sets, enhancing dynamic energy and crowd reaction potential in both club and festival environments. Beyond its technical brilliance, “Breathing Underwater” offers profound benefits for mental health, fitness, and wellness applications. Research in music therapy indicates that uplifting electronic music can stimulate the release of dopamine and endorphins, enhancing mood and reducing stress (Chanda & Levitin, 2013). The consistent 140 BPM tempo aligns with the optimal range for aerobic exercise, supporting rhythm-based movement in fitness and dance classes (Thaut et al., 2014). Additionally, studies suggest that exposure to emotionally resonant music can promote emotional regulation and even improve cognitive performance (Särkämö et al., 2013). The euphoric nature of this track, paired with its immersive sound design, makes it an ideal candidate for both high-energy workouts and mental wellness sessions, offering listeners a sense of escape and renewal. #PureGold Love It [/content]
[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.
Thaut, M. H., McIntosh, G. C., & Hoemberg, V. (2014). Neurobiological foundations of neurologic music therapy: rhythmic entrainment and the motor system. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1185.
Särkämö, T., Tervaniemi, M., & Huotilainen, M. (2013). Music perception and cognition: Development, neural basis, and rehabilitative use of music. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science, 4(4), 441–451.
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