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Reviews
Electronica Review: Maor Levi - Reflect Reliquified / Illumina Reliquified out on Anjunabeats
Maor Levi, one of Anjunabeats' most beloved talents, returns to the label with 'Reflect Reliquified / Illumina Reliquified'.
Maor has been a semi-regular contributor to Anjunabeats since 2006, and in that time he has helped to define the modern sound of the label. Maor first signed to Anjunadeep at the age of 15 with 'Lital', before jumping across to Anjunabeats. He's since produced a continuous stream of club hits for the label including classics like ‘Shapes’ and ‘Won’t Say No’.
Last year, Maor collaborated with fellow Anjunabeats stalwarts Ilan Bluestone and Giuseppe De Luca on 'Ignite', the title track from Ilan's latest studio album. An electrifying blend of hypnotic melodies, soaring vocals, and explosive drops, the track earned support from the likes of Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Farius, Kyau & Albert, Ronski Speed, Ruben de Ronde and many more.
Now, Maor returns to the label with drum & bass reworks of his classic Anjuna tracks 'Reflect' and 'Illumina'. Originally released on Anjunadeep in 2007, 'Reflect' and 'Illumina' have since gained support from Tiësto, Paul van Dyk, Darude, Cosmic Gate, The Thrillseekers and many more.
"I called these reworks 'Reliquified' because they’re not remixes, they’re dissolutions. Old ideas broken down, melted, and reformed into something darker, more aggressive, and more alive.'Reflect' and 'Illumina' kept their essence, but the sound design, rhythm, and energy were liquified/remixed into modern versions with a new identity." - Maor Levi
Maor Levi’s 'Reflect Reliquified / Illumina Reliquified' is out now on Anjunabeats.
Buy/Stream 'Reflect Reliquified / Illumina Reliquified': HERE
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Maor Levi - Reflect Reliquified / Illumina Reliquified [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Maor Levi’s “Reflect Reliquified / Illumina Reliquified” breathes new life into his classic Anjunadeep releases, transforming them into a masterclass of modern drum & bass production. The tracks immediately impress with their rhythm, groove, and drive, propelling the listener into a kinetic soundscape that feels tailored for both the dancefloor and personal listening sessions. The grooves are tightly constructed, with syncopated drum patterns and punchy basslines that maintain BPM consistency and make live mixing seamless for DJs. The transitions and build-ups are fluid and purposeful, with drops that maintain dynamic energy, allowing for natural cue points and loop potential in professional sets. The melodic hooks and harmonic layers showcase Levi’s signature musicality, now reimagined through a darker and more aggressive sound design. The lush atmospherics and spatial effects create a three-dimensional listening experience, immersing the audience in sonic details that reward repeated plays. This spatial design enhances the cohesion and storytelling of the tracks, as each build and breakdown feels like a narrative moment guiding the listener through a journey of tension and release. The dynamic range and loudness balance are handled with precision, maintaining high-energy impact without compromising clarity. From a production standpoint, the originality of arrangement and structural reinvention stands out. Levi’s approach to “Reliquified” versions goes beyond a standard remix—he effectively deconstructs the original elements, reforming them into new musical organisms with a distinct artistic identity. The layering of effects, percussive accents, and evolving textures not only raises the tracks’ festival and club suitability but also enhances their emotional resonance. This emotional impact translates into powerful physiological responses; studies suggest that music with strong rhythmic drive and harmonic complexity can boost dopamine levels and reduce stress (Menon & Levitin, 2005), supporting mental well-being. The immersive atmosphere and energetic flow make these tracks suitable for fitness and movement-based wellness classes, where synchronization of physical activity to music has been linked to improved endurance and mood (Karageorghis & Priest, 2012). The high replay value and catchiness ensure that the experience deepens with each listen, offering both cognitive stimulation and emotional catharsis. In social settings like festivals or gyms, the crowd reaction potential is immense—participants are likely to experience heightened motivation and flow states due to the music’s dynamic energy and entrancing sound design. In sum, Maor Levi’s “Reflect Reliquified” and “Illumina Reliquified” are not only artistic triumphs but also serve as evidence of music’s ability to enhance human experience, from the dancefloor to the mind-body connection in wellness practices. #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:
Menon, V., & Levitin, D. J. (2005). The rewards of music listening: Response and physiological connectivity of the mesolimbic system. NeuroImage, 28(1), 175–184.
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.
Thoma, M. V., Ryf, S., Mohiyeddini, C., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). Emotion regulation through listening to music in everyday situations. Cognition & Emotion, 27(3), 534–543.
Additional info:
