September: 10 trance releases you need to hear this month

Mark Sixma & Emma Hewitt 'Restless Hearts (Ben Nicky Remix)' (Who's Afraid of 138?!)

For the follow-up to his remix of Gareth Emery & Ben Gold’s ‘Until We Meet Again’, Bristol-based Ben Nicky works his magic on Mark Sixma & Emma Hewitt’s 2015 collab. While the original is slightly disjointed and veers into EDM territory, Nicky ups the tempo in true Who’s Afraid Of 138? style – but by retaining the breakdown and making the most of the melody, the result is a much more fluid cut.

8/10

Matt Fax 'Horizon' (Colorize)

Technically speaking, this release falls under the progressive house category, but with early support from the likes of Armin van Buuren, we thought it deserved a mention from us. A journey through flowing plucks and chords, chirpy bass and rising hi-hats, the French producer explores a more uplifting sound while managing to retain his unique layered style. He does, however, revert back to familiar territory with the techier, groovy ‘Blimp’, the other track on his second EP for Colorize.

7/10

Solis & Sean Truby 'Nostalgia' (Flashover Recordings)

Solis and Sean Truby have been working hard to hone their progressive trance sound. And even though their latest single is out on Flashover, it has the same qualities as their last two InfraProgressive releases. Uplifting and warm with an intricate melody, it’s reminiscent of 90s trance music, and you’ll no doubt feel nostalgic listening to it.

7/10

Judge Jules & Richard Bedford 'Burn In The Sun' (Judgement)

This isn’t the type of banging, hard trance record you’d usually expect from The Judge – but then again, this is the track he’s using to launch his new house and progressive record label, so it’s bound to sound different. Featuring moving orchestral moments and powerful vocals from Above & Beyond’s Richard Bedford, it’s a more intelligent composition than we’re used to hearing from him, but with the first set of releases also including a collab with Defected’s Jem Cooke, it seems like his new sound is here to stay.

8/10

Allen & Envy '#TranceFamilia' (Together)

Last month, Leicester duo Allen & Envy released peak-time track ‘Promises’. The follow-up, which was produced to show their appreciation to their fans for their continued support, is an uplifting 138 bpm track of the same calibre and is being supported by Armin, Aly & Fila and Solarstone. It may have been dedicated to Melbourne fans specifically, but the global trance family will be able to connect with it.

7/10

Andrew Rayel & Digital X feat Sylvia Tosun 'Winterburn (Jorn van Deynhoven remix)' (Armind)

Despite him being around since 2008, Jorn van Deynhoven’s remixes are few and far between, with Armin, Dash Berlin and Cosmic Gate’s singles among the chosen ones. For his first remix of 2016, he adds Andrew Rayel’s name to that exclusive list, too. Considering Deynhoven’s lack of reworks, you can’t help but hope for something special and he doesn’t disappoint here. By upping the energy of the original, his version has even more oomph, taking it to festival-anthem status.

7/10

Omnia feat Audrey Gallagher 'I Believe' (Who's Afraid of 138?!)

As John O’Callaghan’s ‘Big Sky’ single proved in 2009, Audrey Gallagher’s vocals work surprisingly well on harder trance tracks. That hasn’t changed with Omnia’s latest single, either. Usually known for his distinctive progressive style, his collab with the singer marks a change in tempo and energy, with driving percussion providing the backdrop for Audrey’s angelic vocals and euphoric melodies.

7/10