REVIEW: Ferry Corsten – WKND

Artist: Ferry Corsten

Genre: Trance

Label: Flashover Recordings

Release Date: February 24, 2012

Rating: 9.3 out of 10.0

Introduction:

A Dutch phenomenon Ferry Corsten celebrates his 20 years in the EDM scene by delivering his fourth studio album WKND on February 24^th, 2012. The album incorporates important collaborations with artists such as Betsie Larkin, Armin van Buuren, Aruna, and JES who have already imprinted their importance of contribution in the Trance scene. Corsten's legacy began in 1991 by producing hardcore gabber and eventually expanding to clubhouse and trance music. In the 20 year’s worth, Corsten accomplished to create his own record label Flashover Recordings in 2005, and coin his concept name L.E.F. eventually releasing a second solo album under the same title. Corsten hosts his own one hour “Corsten's Countdown” music podcast since 2007 delivering the finest tunes on the market. He has also used more than a dozen aliases from which only one is still used – Gouryella, while abandoning the rest. Now it's time to turn the page and enjoy his latest release WKND.

Review:

WKND, Ferry's fourth studio album, begins with “A Day Without Rain” featuring vocals by Ellie Lawson. Her soothing voice, soft bass-line, and ambiance give it a chillout feel; it is definitely the tenderest track on the whole entire release. Released as the first single in 2011 is “Feel It”, which has a hardcore beat and a tingly cool down in the middle make it the ultimate dance floor killer.

“Ain't No Stoppin'” is the most recent and fourth single release (January 30^th, 2012) featuring male vocals done by Ben Hauge. Perfectly filled with hardcore bass line and catchy synths, while running at only 3:20 minutes, the track is over before you know it.     “Don't Be Afraid” is an instrumental tune that is lacking a quicker build up throughout the beginning, it takes too long to start. However once it starts, it becomes very powerful filled with a weaker beat, but superb harsh leads. It has somewhat of a Euro feel, and very comparable to older Ferry tracks.

NYC based vocalist Betsie Larkin takes a part on a collaboration with Ferry Corsten “Not Coming Down” in which she proves that nothing will tear her down. Softer tune than the previous one for sure, including a beautiful piano melody accompanied by her sweet vocals. During the piano solo, it'll make you forget you're in fact listening to a trance song, until it'll blow up with a steady beat. “Brute” is a monstrous track coming from two legendary Trance gurus – Ferry Corsten and Armin van Buuren. “Brute” has already released as the third single in September 2011, it has became a favorite of many people including a massive buildup, hardcore beat, bouncy bass, and relaxing cool off while layered with catchy effects, this will get your blood pumping.

Introduced in September 2011, “Live Forever” is a collaboration with the multi-talented, EDM's fine Los Angeles based vocalist Aruna, who has stamped her importance within the Trance Family. Her divine vocals are luxuriously added to the progressive track, that has occasional synths popping out at different levels, while the main synths are creating the tune. The combination of lyrics, effects, vocals, and dreaminess make this a mesmerizing experience. It is my favorite track on of the album, as any Aruna collaboration is.

“Let You Go” featuring Sarah Bettens is more of a dance style track rather than trance. It has a very bouncy beat, sweet vocals, but lacks the trance-iness. It is something that would most likely be played on the radio. The most controversial track as well as the second single released in 2011 is “Check It Out”. It is debatable for Trance fans, as it may sound more mainstream. Personally, it does maintain its progressiveness, with great bassline. I feel it may be more appealing as an instrumental track.

“Love Will” featuring Duane Harden, has a great piano riff with an occasional part of a soft Drum'n'bass drum beat. It's not very progressive but it’s more danceable with soft synths accompanying the vocals.

Another favorite this album is “In Your Eyes” featuring JES. Her luscious vocals are included in this heart warming love tune. It maintains a soft progressive beat with a dreamy ambient background. It is a sweet track that awaits dedication to any significant other.  A refreshing tune “Walk On Air” featuring Pierre In The Air and Amba Shepherd, is a very bouncy and happy kind of a creation. The effects of synths and beats make it very colorful and juicy.

The newly announced instrumental “Take Me” was played on Corsten's Countdown 240 on February 1^st. It’s filled with a deep bassline, driven by strong leads, but lacks variety throughout. Last but not least is “WKND” after which the album has been titled. It has a slower tempo than the previous energetic release. The iTunes version of WKND offers a bonus track titled “Sunday”, it will not be available on the physical copy of the release.

Ferry Corsten's album WKND offers an exceptional variety of vocalists and a wide array of sounds. Compared to Ferry’s previous three albums it stays true to Ferry’s sound and is consistent with his quality productions through the years yet reaches out to a broader audience. Select features may not be as diverse; particularly a few of the instrumentals however the vocal tracks offer stupendous quality. Among the best tracks are most definitely “Live Forever” featuring Aruna, and “In Your Eyes” featuring JES. Revealing a few of the tracks in advanced as singles decreased the factor of surprise to some extent but still left me excited to hear the full album upon completion. WKND is due for a release on February 24^th, 2012.