Paul van Dyk is back once again with a brand new album. Will it keep the standards of his previous successes: Out There And Back, Seven Ways, and 45RPM? Read on…

With the huge success of Paul van Dyk's previous album Out There And Back, reaching as high in the charts as No. 11, the expectations for his new, and not to mention long awaited album are certainly at a high. Reflections shows that Paul van Dyk has come a very long way since his techno beginnings, which is reflected through his musical experimentation with collaborations such as Second Sun, Hemstock & Jennings, Vega 4, Jan Johnston and DJ Tomekk, and are expressed through his experiences from around the world.



The Tracklist:

01. Paul van Dyk - Crush
02. Paul van Dyk - Time Of Our Lives
03. Paul van Dyk - Like A Friend
04. Paul van Dyk - Reflections
05. Paul van Dyk - Nothing But You
06. Paul van Dyk - Buenaventura
07. Paul van Dyk - Homage
08. Paul van Dyk - Never Forget
09. Paul van Dyk - Knowledge
10. Paul van Dyk - That's Life
11. Paul van Dyk - Connected
12. Paul van Dyk - Spellbound
13. Paul van Dyk - Kaleidoscope



We start the journey with perhaps one of the most anticipated tracks on the album; Paul van Dyk - Crush. This Track is the result of what happens when two fantastically talented groups come together, and in this case it's Paul van Dyk and Second Sun. The track itself is actually about a stalker, but thankfully not from a personal experience. It starts very epic and melodical, making it a perfect introduction for the album. When the first beat kicks in, the melody from the introduction is carried with it all the way to the breakdown. We hear those very typical Second Sun synths from the breakdown, and a very distinguished melody. Before the track explodes into the riff, the vocals "I know you want me," are repeated over and over, and continue into the track as it kicks in. On the 65th beat the track takes a sudden change, and the octaves seem to go much higher. It’s such a simple, but amazing effect that takes the track to a new level before proceeding to the outro. Paul van Dyk has recently used this track to start many of his gigs, and just like with the album, it eases the listener into what is going to be an amazing journey.

Next we come to Paul van Dyk - Time Of Our Lives. Note, this is not the Club Mix that was recently released as Vandit028. This version is a lot more calm, and chilled. Time Of Our Lives was written and recorded by Paul van Dyk with the British band Vega4. The vocals, "Oh this is the time... Of our lives.. etc." which have now become quite famous in the clubs, are also performed by Vega4. There are usually a lot of preconceptions regarding male vocals in electronica, since they're not usually to everyone’s taste, but this track works so well with them, and you really cannot help yourself singing along.

The inspiration for the third track on the album Paul van Dyk - Like A Friend, came from the poverty witnessed by Paul van Dyk as he toured India. This is reflected in the vocals. If you listen from start to finish, the track really does take you on a journey, and quite an emotional one at that. It really does make you think, and given the background of the song, I guess that is the whole point! The track itself is certainly the most laidback on the album, with soft synths and a gentle melody.

Fourth track Paul van Dyk – Reflections, I believe takes the album to the next level. Whereas Time Of Our Lives, and Like A Friend were much more chilled, the track Reflections is far more uplifting. The beat is far more typical of Paul van Dyk, as it is quite pumping and heavy, and is complimented very nicely with a very interesting and catchy vocal over the top. The melody sounds very 'piano' like during the breakdown, and when combined with the bassline as the track kicks in, really does sound great.

Next up Paul van Dyk - Nothing But You, Recently reaching a chart position as high as No. 14. This monster of an anthem really has taken the trance scene by storm, with its amazing melody and awesome Norwegian vocals. The track originated from Hemstock & Jennings - Arctic. The track was not to Paul van Dyk's taste, but the vocal sample was so amazing that he took it, and created a whole new track around it. First signs of this track were heard in Paul van Dyk's gigs as long ago as August 2002! A Club Mix was released on Vandit024 that in my opinion was slightly less intense, but I am now delighted to announce that this version on the album is the Original version that Paul van Dyk has been caning in the clubs. Right from the intro the track has 'uplifting' written all over it. 4 beats before the breakdown there is a very unique drum roll sound that is used in different stages of the track. Then in comes the famous lyrics "Jeg har ingenting men jeg har alt nar jeg har deg" which translates to "I have nothing but I have everything when I have you." The bassline is very heavy, and the synths and melody very powerful. If you are a Paul van Dyk fan then I am sure you will already had the pleasure of hearing Paul van Dyk spin this, but if not, then you can finally hear it on this album.

Paul van Dyk - Buenaventura. A track that was originally released on the Paul van Dyk - Zurdo album, which was the soundtrack to the movie La Mano Del Zurdo. The bassline from the beginning has a much distorted feel, and during the first minute of the track it fades into a clearer bassline. The guitar sounding synths accompany the bassline very nicely, and the melody is once again very relaxed and quite chilled. Totalling 8 Minutes and 28 Seconds makes Buenaventura the longest track on the album.

Track Seven on the album is Paul van Dyk - Homage, where the vocals are performed by Jan Johnston. A very short, but sweet track, tells the story of how a person cannot wait to come home to what I assume is his or her partner. The beautiful lyrics that Jan Johnston came up with go "That's why I’m so lonely in the crowd and all I think about is coming home to you," which is very nicely backed with a very uplifting piano melody.

Next track shows Paul van Dyk returning to his roots with an awesome break beat track that has a very ambient and chilled atmosphere about it: Paul van Dyk - Never Forget. In a review for mixmag, Paul van Dyk said about this track, "When I first saw Schindler's List I was really upset. It's slow and hip-hoppy, and quite melancholy, but it has a hint of hope on it." This description to me is exactly the way I feel about this track. The melody really is chilled and melancholy, and almost depressing, but at the same time the electronic synth layered over the top is very high and 'chirpy' and really does give the track a sensation of hope.

Paul van Dyk - Knowledge shows us what happens when Electronica meets hip hop. Germany's biggest hip hop star DJ Tomekk teams up with Paul van Dyk in this extraordinary collaboration which is without a doubt the most experimental track on the album. The track itself is very dark, and the bassline is very heavy with what sounds to me like scratching sounds over the top. The vocals are also very deep and dark sounding. Will certainly be most interesting to see how the listeners will take to this track.

Paul van Dyk - That's Life features Paul's vocals for the first time. This is also quite a dark track, where the bassline tends to drown out a very faint melody in the background. I like the clap very much on this track, and the vocals do work well with the heavy bass. The vocals "You daddy's alright," continue all the way through the outro and into the introduction of the next track Connected.

As we now approach the end of the album, we are greeted with this gem called Paul van Dyk - Connected. This was released as the b-side on Vandit028 alongside Paul van Dyk feat. Vega4 - Time Of Our Lives (Club Mix). Connected has become highly famous for being used in a Motorola advert, where Paul van Dyk also starred. The melody is amazingly catchy, and very unique, and has that typical clear and thumping Paul van Dyk bassline that we have come to love. After the track has kicked in for a second time, it appears to go into the outro, but then out of nowhere kicks straight back in so that we get to hear the melody once more. It really is quite exhilarating, and personally one of my favourite tracks on the album.

Second from last track on the album is Paul van Dyk - Spellbound. This track is also produced with Jan Johnston, and is simply superb. The vocals are slightly faded behind a very uplifting melody. As the album draws to a close, I like very much how it has progressed from chilled and ambient, to uplifting and happiness. During the breakdown, the synths are quite high, and as the track kicks in the vocals carry on with it. Totalling 4 Minutes and 42 Seconds, the track really is quite short, and I would really have hoped for an extended 12" version.

To conclude the album, we are greeted with Paul van Dyk - Kaleidoscope. Certainly a very unusual name, which suits the uniqueness of the track very well. Quite similar to Spellbound in that it is very uplifting, and has some great vocals, but is arguably much more intense. The bassline is very pumping straight from the intro, and as the melody progresses it seems to go higher and higher as do the vocals. A great track to finish off this journey.

Conclusion:
With a massive variation in tracks all on one disc, I have no doubt at all that this album will be welcomed warmly by fans of all kinds of electronica. To be released - Germany: 27th of October, UK: 20th of October, USA: 7th of October, so don't forget to pick up your copy!

Previews of the tracks are available at http://www.paulvandyk.de/share/reflections