This review covers the progressive trance track Hydra – Affinity (Original Mix).
This track was released in 2003 as a single.
The track starts with a kick with an added effect. A click then starts to come through. A clap, synth, and high hat joins the track. From there, another synth starts to fade in. After a reverse cymbal, the bassline joins the track. An effect and another synth joins the track. A choir-like pad joins the track. A snare roll makes an appearance and the track hits the drop.
A clap and the choir-like pad is left. An added synth string pad joins the track as well. The other remaining synth sticks around as well. The main synth then starts making appearances. A fast distance effect makes a few subtle appearances as the main synth melody fills out. Another effect or two makes a brief appearance. The kick, clap, and high hat joins the track after. Another synth joins the track.
After a snare roll, the track fills out with the other missing elements. Large parts of the track then drop out, leaving the kick and a few synths. The main synth melody drops out and two others take over. The rest of the drum kit joins the track. After a minor cymbal crash, the choir-like synth pad joins the track. The synth string pad fades in.
After a small snare roll, the main synth melody rejoins the track with the drum kit dropping out. Another snare roll makes an appearance and the rest of the track returns as the main synth melody continues. Another synth fades in slightly. The fast distance effect then appears periodically.
Parts of the track then drop out including parts of the main synth melody. A cymbal crash makes an appearance and parts of the drum kit start to fade out. The pads are already dropped out by this point. A reverse cymbal then leads the track out.
For me, the main synth melody does sound pretty nice. The subtle fast distance effect does add a bit of texture to it as well. So, there is a nice pleasant overall sound throughout.
The way it is produced is pretty nice. Those other elements do add a nice dynamic sound throughout.
While this track is a nice chilled out track, I’m not hearing anything that makes this track stand out in any particularly strong way. Maybe that was the intention, but it also comes off as a bit basic in overall sound.
Overall, it’s a decent track. It has a nice main synth melody and the overall construction is quite pleasant. At the same time, it’s hard for me to get overly excited for this one. So, a decent one that isn’t bad.
Score
7/10
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
