133 BPM
,
138 BPM
,
140 BPM
,
David Forbes
,
Euphoric trance
,
Guest Reviews
,
Luvstruck
,
Pop Dance
,
Reviews
,
Shayan
,
Supafly
,
tech trance
,
Trance
,
Trance Classic
,
Trance Music
,
Trance Reviews
,
Uplifting Trance
,
William Daniel
Guest Reviews: William Daniel selects Supafly x Luvstruck x Shayan, Michael Hutcheson and David Forbes
In the ever-evolving world of electronic music, few voices carry the weight of experience and authenticity quite like William Daniel. A fixture of the global dance scene for over twenty-five years, he has worn many hats—journalist, DJ, producer, collector, and advocate—each role driven by his boundless passion for the culture. From his formative days at 23rd Precinct Records to his influential work within leading publications and his celebrated social media series, Vinyl Fantasy: Tales from a Record Collection, William has chronicled and shaped the story of electronic music with a rare blend of knowledge, integrity, and heart. His journey is not merely professional—it is personal, a lifelong dedication to the beats, stories, and people that define the genre.
William Daniel BIO :
William Daniel is a respected voice within the global electronic music community, having dedicated more than two decades to reviewing records and interviewing artists across the ever-evolving scene. His journey began in the early days of his career when he worked at 23rd Precinct Records, an experience that immersed him in the mechanics of the music industry and laid the foundation for his deep understanding of electronic music culture.
Over the years, William has built a reputation for insight, authenticity and an encyclopedic knowledge of the genre, expertise matched by very few in music journalism today. His passion is more than professional, it is personal. He lives and breathes the scene, constantly digging for hidden gems, rediscovering forgotten classics and celebrating the stories behind the records.
A recognised UK tastemaker, William is known for regularly breaking new producers from across the globe, often spotlighting emerging talent long before they reach wider recognition. His opinion is highly valued among key independent and major record labels worldwide, who regard his ear for quality and cultural relevance as both trusted and influential within the electronic music landscape.
William Daniel's Productions has built a strong reputation within the electronic music scene, known for delivering high-energy productions and polished studio work. Over the years, he has collaborated with some of the scene’s brightest talents, including David Forbes, Will Atkinson, and Mark Sherry, further cementing his standing among respected peers. His music has reached a global audience through releases on some of the world’s leading record labels, such as Spinnin' Records, Reset Records, 2 Play Records, Armada Music, Captivating Sounds, Damaged Records, and Aria Digital, showcasing both his versatility and consistent production quality.
Alongside his journalism, William has an established DJ profile, performing for several key brands across the UK. He held residencies at the world famous The Arches in Glasgow for Inside Out and Colours, and has played for leading brands including Goodgreef, Promise, Digital Society, Godskitchen and Gatecrasher among many others, further cementing his standing within the UK dance music circuit.
Throughout his career he has written and contributed to several high profile publications including M8 Magazine, Wax Magazine, Beatsmedia.com and countless others, further cementing his standing as a respected authority in the field.
This obsession found a natural outlet in his social media series Vinyl Fantasy: Tales from a Record Collection, where he shares knowledge, memories and rare cuts from his extensive vinyl archive. In just its first year, the project has amassed over one million views, an impressive milestone for a grassroots series that has only recently celebrated its first birthday.
Beyond journalism, DJing and collecting, William channels the Vinyl Fantasy banner into charitable work, hosting events that give back to vital causes. Proceeds have supported organisations such as CLAPA and the Catherine McEwan Foundation, reinforcing his commitment not only to music culture but also to the wider community.
Through his writing, interviews, DJ performances, collecting and charity work, William continues to stand as a passionate advocate and chronicler of electronic music, an enduring presence in a scene he has championed for over twenty five years.
Discover HERE
Supafly x Luvstruck x Shayan - Stronger Than Before [Spinnin’]
There’s something beautifully defiant about “Stronger Than Before”, the new link-up from Supafly, Luvstruck and Shayan. It does not just revisit a classic, it honours it, elevates it, and sends it hurtling headfirst into 2026 with arms wide open.
Built around the unmistakable melodic theme from Three In One’s timeless rework of Cafe Del Mar, this record could have so easily fallen into the trap of lazy nostalgia. Instead, it feels reverent. The iconic riff, that shimmering, horizon-chasing progression, is handled with extraordinary care. It is not plastered over the track for cheap recognition. It is woven in with restraint and intention, allowed to breathe before erupting into widescreen euphoria. Tasteful is the word. Painfully tasteful.
Supafly’s seasoned house sensibilities anchor the production with warmth and groove, while Luvstruck injects that modern, high-impact club punch he has become synonymous with over the past few seasons. There is weight in the low end, clarity in the build, and just enough polish to make it festival-ready without sanding off its emotional edges.
Then there is Shayan.
Her vocal does not overpower the instrumental, it glides across it. Soulful but controlled, yearning yet resilient, she delivers the central message with conviction. “Stronger Than Before” is not just a title here, it is a statement of intent. The lyrics speak to renewal, endurance, the quiet triumph of surviving something that tried to break you. Against that towering trance backdrop, the sentiment lands like sunrise after a long night.
What is particularly heartening is seeing Spinnin' Records fully embrace this sound again. For a label that has long dictated the pulse of global dance floors, their renewed commitment to trance-leaning records signals something bigger than one release. It feels cyclical, like the genre’s emotional core is once again being recognised as its greatest strength. With heavyweight support now firmly rallying behind the trance resurgence, the future looks blindingly bright.
“Stronger Than Before” does not try to reinvent the wheel. It does not need to. It taps into a melody that defined a generation, pairs it with heartfelt songwriting and contemporary production muscle, and reminds us why we fell in love with this music in the first place.
In a time where trends flicker and fade at algorithmic speed, this is a record that stands tall, chest out, eyes forward, unashamedly euphoric and utterly alive. (written by W.D)
Michael Hutcheson - Fahrenheit x In Hindsight (138 BPM) [Borderline]
There’s something quietly poetic about a long-awaited return. When an artist steps back into the light after nine years without a release, there’s expectation, curiosity and perhaps even doubt however, with Fahrenheit / In Hindsight, forthcoming on Activa’s Borderline label, Michael doesn’t just return, he reaffirms.
Let’s get one thing straight: absence from the release radar does not equal absence from the culture. Anyone embedded in the trance community knows Michael has never truly stepped away. He’s been there in the shadows and strobes, in the warm hues of early doors sets, shaping dancefloors with patience and precision. A key figure in the Scottish trance scene, he’s graced every major venue north of the border and earned a reputation as one of the rare few who’ve mastered the lost art of the warm-up DJ, that subtle, selfless craft of storytelling before the storm.
But now, the storm arrives.
Fahrenheit is a statement of intent. Ultra slick in its production, pristine, polished and unapologetically modern, it wastes no time in drawing you into its orbit. The percussion is tight, the low-end confident, but it’s the melody that truly soars. Classy and emotionally intelligent, it encapsulates everything quality uplifting trance is about: tension, release, hope and that ineffable sense of forward motion. It’s not nostalgia, it’s evolution. A track built for vast rooms and open skies.
Then there’s In Hindsight, and the title couldn’t be more fitting. Where Fahrenheit burns bright, this one glows deep. Again, the production is immaculate, ultra slick without losing soul, but it’s the melodic phrasing that lingers long after the final breakdown fades. There’s maturity here. A reflective quality. It feels like the sound of an artist who’s taken his time, who understands that trance at its best isn’t about volume or velocity, but about vulnerability wrapped in euphoria.
This is a super strong EP on a very respected imprint. It will do well for Michael, and deservedly so. Borderline has long been a stamp of quality, and this release sits proudly within that lineage.
Let’s be honest, if Michael continues to produce output at this level, it won’t be long before the warm-up specialist becomes the peak-time force. The craftsmanship is there. The identity is there. The passion has always been there. Prime-time slots await, and they’d be rightfully earned.
Nine years since his last release. Believe it or not. But some fires don’t burn out, they burn hotter with time. An essential release, Nice one. 💫 (written by W.D)
Find on Beatport HERE
David Forbes - Harbour 43 [WAO138?!]
There’s a rare certainty to ‘Harbour 43’ on WAO138?! that split-second recognition you’re in the capable hands of David Forbes. Before the breakdown blooms, before the chaos fully unfurls, the stamp is there. Ultra-slick production, chiselled low-end, percussion that snaps with authority, and a melodic arc that balances euphoria with balls of steel. It’s immaculate without feeling sterile, and muscular without sacrificing emotion.
What defines David Forbes in 2026 is that unmistakable sonic identity. You can tell it’s him without checking the credits. There’s a discipline to the arrangement, a tension in the build, and when the drop detonates, it’s full-throttle trance engineered with intent, not excess. This isn’t peak-time fodder for the sake of velocity. It’s precision-tooled impact, crafted by someone who understands both the dancefloor and the studio to clinical forensic depth.
Crucially, he’s not merely contributing to the current surge in harder, faster trance, he’s leading the charge. While others flirt with intensity, David fully commits to it, setting a quality threshold very few can ever consistently match. His Midas touch extends beyond a single lane too. Across genres, from peak-time tech to driving main-stage, all of the scene’s biggest names are hammering his releases. That breadth of respect speaks volumes.
There’s also the long view. Three decades of sheer dedication underpin his studio wizardry. The rapid ascent of the past few years hasn’t been accidental hype. It has been the culmination of experience meeting opportunity. If this trajectory holds, 2026 will not just be busy for Forbes, it will be defining.
‘Harbour 43’ feels like both a victory lap and a warning shot, an artist at full power and fully aware of it. David’s GOAT status is entirely justified, and long may his deserved success continue. 💫 (written by W.D)
Through his writing, performances, and charitable initiatives, William Daniel continues to be more than a commentator—he is a custodian of electronic music’s legacy and a champion of its future. His voice resonates not only across dancefloors and magazine pages but in the spirit of a community that thrives on passion, innovation, and connection. In celebrating his work, we honor a career built on love for the music and the culture that surrounds it—a story still being written and a beat that refuses to fade.
Additional info:
