The Most Daring Modern Day Collabs
Bending the rules, changing the game and rewriting the bible of the harder styles…
**Disclaimer – Tracks listed are only from 2012-2015 in no particular order**
“Hey man, I love your work, let’s collab!” *snap snap!* The two DJ’s forget that the flash of their newly purchased iPhone is off… Oops, better try that again. *Snap snap round 2!* Now, let’s post this to Instagram to make sure that the whole world is coming to awareness that we will be working in the studio together!
According to the Oxford Dictionary, (which seems like a pretty legit source) a collaboration can be defined as the action of working with somebody to produce something. Well that’s something we were already aware of thanks to the fuckload of studio selfies with two differing masterminds in action. In all honesty, I just used the dictionary to look smarter.
In terms of hardstyle, we hear, see and experience these collaborations first hand within the scene and we know which ones we dig and which artists we would love to see combine their forces. In recent years, some raw artists in particular want to mesh their minds together to produce something that equals “the rawest MF in the world” and on the other hand, some intelligent artists have been branching out in an attempt to create something innovative and diverse. These artists with booming creativity join up with other like-minded souls who share the same passion for innovation and they combine the best of both worlds to create a perfect mesh between both of their strengths.
So which of these ‘collabs’ have really gone the distance in wow-ing listeners from all around the world?
Which of these initial ideas and selfie announcements on Facebook have turned out to result in tracks that really test an artist capabilities and creativity? Well, I suggest that you stay tuned as I take you on a little journey through twenty magical collaborations of recent times (2012-2015 in no particular order) that bent the rules, changed the game and rewrote the bible of hardstyle…
1. Frontliner & Radical Redemption – Frontliner & Radical Redemption (2014)
A favourite of many fans from both sides of the bridge. Frontliner and Radical Redemption have extremely differing markets in which they target their solo tracks at, however strangely enough their collaboration is appealing to almost everybody. Capturing a highly sophisticated musical side that doesn’t lack a powerful punch and atmosphere, this track is definitely one collab to remember.
2. Get Loose – Noisecontrollers & Showtek (2013)
“OMG this track is house music.” “OMG dub wobbles, hardstyle is going to turn into dubstep and die.” “OMG Showtek how could you abandon hardstyle?!” “OMG Showtek is taking Noisecontrollers down with them to the lame EDM market.”
Okay people, let’s get this straight – Noisecontrollers and Showtek did a fantastic job in making something that they truly felt like making and all they get is a string of uneducated and hateful responses? This track spells experimental, groovy, fun and was definitely one collab that threw hardstyle into a curve-ball so suck on that.
3. Fuck Yeah! – Wasted Penguinz & Rebourne (2014)
One of those tracks that just makes you want to strip naked, dance and scream “FUCK YEAH!” Don’t lie, you’ve all thought about doing it yourselves and I don’t blame you because this track is truly eye opening. Exploring all possibilities of hardstyle and even meshing in some crumbs of moombahton, traditional melodic geniuses Wasted Penguinz and Rebourne really proved that there’s nothing better than a good ole’ experiment.
4. I’m The King – The Prophet and Adaro (2014)
Bold, eerie, and slightly confronting, but it really works. Godfather The Prophet and raw veteran Adaro cleverly joined forces and it resulted in sounding completely different to how I would have personally pictured their collaboration to turn out. I’m not complaining however, this track is catchy and it has it’s own unique charm.
5. On With The Show – Phrantic and Phuture Noize (2013)
Roll up, roll up! Next generation masterminds Phuture Noize and token Theracords experimentalist Phrantic are here to guide you through this creepy night at the circus! This track reminds me of dancing elephants, frightening clowns and a malfunctioning merry-go-round that stops and jolts regularly. That says enough, right?
6. Crystal Lake & Dr. Rude – Turn Up (2014)
Well, well, well, what do we have here… Two firm representatives of Hard With Style bring the style into one groovin’ banger. Dr. Rude and Crystal Lake really made the most of meshing their studio strengths together, even though this track was created purely through back-and-forth sending. Some listeners refer to this track as “soft,” but here’s some food for your brains: Just because it’s not ‘raw’ that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t pack a powerful atmospheric punch.
7. Steam Train – Technoboy & Activator (2012)
We should all be more than aware than Activator always has a few tricks up his sleeve when it comes to experimenting and when you combine this with the magic of Technoboy you have a heavy-weight steam train speeding relentlessly through Italy. To put it plainly, there is nothing else that sounds even remotely close to “Steam Train”.
8. Antidote – Ran-D & Endymion (2014)
What happens when a bunch of open minded dudes gather together? “Antidote” happens… Traditional rules suggest that hardstyle is hardstyle and hardcore is hardcore, but all rules are broken when Ran-D and Endymion pick each others incredibly intelligent brains. Changing the game of raw hardstyle, this track brings the sophistication and power (without sounding like an industrial work-site).
9. Another Shit Track – Adaro & Crypsis (2012)
As these two musical experts urge their listeners to, “Put on your shit-kickers and kick some shit…” Sometimes less is more and these vocals are definitely something that everybody remembers from this track. Other than that, Crypsis made huge waves in the scene since 2009 when he released “Statement Of Intent” and “Cryptology” in 2012. His newly arisen hardcore influenced sound has made it’s way through to inspiring upcoming artists nowadays.
10. Booty Breaker – Zatox & AOF (2014)
Taken from Zatox’s freshly released bomb “New World Order” and featuring hardcore veteran counterparts Art Of Fighters, “Booty Breaker” is definitely one track that tore crowds a new one. Although the absence of Zatox’s legendary rounded kicks is evident, this track is positively unique when you put it up next to his collection.
11. Breakout – Headhunterz & Audiofreq (2014)
So the ‘rules’ state that Big-Room elements incorporated into hardstyle is enough to send you on hiatus in a Mexican prison. Oh shit, I went there and said the dirty word, Big-Room. Like it or not, notorious experimentalists Headhunterz and Audiofreq broke those mundane rules and created something extremely bold and daring that has all feet on the dance-floor. The quality in “Breakout” is impeccable and many people mistake this quality with the bare fact that the track cleverly experiments with traditional hardstyle.
12. Knock Out – Noisecontrollers & The Pitcher (2012)
Isn’t this indeed a breath of fresh air? Sometimes I wander what goes through the minds of both of these producers when they are in production-mode. “Knock Out” is a short, yet sweet showcase of all the fancy shit that every hardstyle producer is dying to be able to do.
13. Game Over – Kronos & Drone (2014)
This is undoubtedly a track that makes you think “holy shit, well that escalated quickly…” Maybe because it does escalate to this divine point of no return where you have no other choice but to picture yourself running around like a headless chicken trapped inside a Nintendo SNES. Other than that, this track was quite unexpected in terms of how it sounds, where it leads and the guys behind it. Representing the pizza, pasta and gondolas of hardstyle, Kronos and Drone turned the basic “video-game” theme into some real boundary pushing stuff!
14. Satana – Jajox & Acti (2012)
Let’s face it, not many producers dare to go anywhere near the D world, Devil. There’s of course a certain challenge attached with producing a track based all around hell and the devil and managing to make it sound exceptionally good. Pumped up with all of the power on Earth, these two Italians know how to turn even the most frowned-upon story-lines into a masterpiece.
15. Synergy – Headhunterz & TNT (2014)
Undoubtedly one of the tracks that has defined the daring creativity and boldness of both TNT and Headhunterz. When blindly listening to this track, you would never know that mister Heady is one of the masterminds behind it. The progressive power that continues to build and build makes it quite difficult for party-goers to control their feet. Pushing boundaries, combining a slightly house-inspired melody with extreme power is what sets this track high.
16. Everyday – Digital Punk & Adaro (2012)
Who wants to be sent beaming into space? Combining the very best from the increasingly popular ‘raw’ sound and the spine shivers delivered from the euphoric melodies, Digital Punk and Adaro are the surprising names behind this time transcending hit. This track has been notorious since its conception for it’s daring approach to hardstyle as it goes to show that not all ‘raw’ hardstyle is brutal and not all ‘melodic’ hardstyle is for pussies.
17. Cats, Jets and Breaks – Wildstylez & Noisecontrollers (2014)
Epic atmosphere, symphonic perfection and an unmatchable quality. “Cats, Jets and Breaks” is the definition of a musical masterpiece. It’s incredible ability to have shivers sent up and down your spine is a far cry from the typical dance-floor banger. You can really see that true musical knowledge is behind this track and although it is different in so many ways, it really serves the hardstyle genre some justice. Wildstylez breaks out of his traditional sound and combined with Noisecontrollers, these two are a force to be reckoned with.
So there you have it, an insight into seventeen of the most boundary pushing collabs. Speaking of boundary pushing, the year 2015 is promising a lot more rule breaking such as Omegatypez and A*S*Y*S, Phuture Noize and Endymion and who knows what else!
We say, bring it on!
2 Comments
Some tracks on the list are just commercial experiments (Get Loose, Fuck Yeah!, Breakout, Turn Up) meant to bring HS closer to mainstream audience. The other tracks are rightfully on the list.
Especially: Game Over, On With The Show, Frontliner & Radical Redemption.
There are few tracks I’d like to add:
1. Technoboy, Tuneboy & Isaac – Digital Nation
2. Zatox & Dj Mad Dog – Violent
And although, a bit older track, the prime example of innovative Hardstyle: Headhunterz & Brennan Heart – The MF Point Of Perfection
Might I add Endymion and The Outside Agency – Pretty Much Fucked?