Life has been, in my experience, a bunch of waiting followed by an explosion of things just short of what I can’t handle.
For reasons that escape me, I’m listening to music again tonight.
Bringing me back to trance, which is pretty much notorious for going absolutely nowhere for four to five minutes before finally losing the plot for several bars ahead of getting to the point.
Look: I love the genre, but you really have to be invested to put up with it, as I’ve learned from friends. They want tracks done by the time the foreplay is just beginning; I’m rarely interested in something that doesn’t run at least eight minutes.
But, you see, here is the parallel to my life, and why I think trance attached itself like a fungus: devoid of direction, followed by complete collapse before triumphantly being assertive in major (usually … some trance is in minor past the breakdown, and that’s certainly for a certain mood).
It’s always wait, wait, wait, oh fuck, shit went off the rails, and oh, look, here’s a solution. I don’t know a better way to describe trance.
Maybe that’s why it speaks to me so deeply. I don’t need lyrics – make me feel.


Since we’re doing a trance-off, here you go:
Sou Kanai - Metroscape (Original Mix)
Solarstone - I Found You (Giuseppe Ottoviani Mix)
Matthew Dekay vs. Akatishia – Time to Think (Forward Mix)
Sunny Lax - Mique (Original Mix)
I’m going to add this. I’m not a fan of hard trance, but holy shit, the release when it breaks down. Super 8 and Tab - Nino (Extended Mix)
I can’t wait to share a short list when I have the time! Life has been quite hectic (in a good way). I was able to listen to some of these without interruption and I’m into it/inspired to share some tracks when I can, especially since you invoked a Trance-off! Feels like I barely have time to listen to music for enjoyment. Lately I’m just pulling up a lo-fi hip hop radio station for ambience, but I miss being able to pay attention to and enjoy music without constant distractions.
The anime girl with the cat and coffee that inexplicably stays warm and never runs out?
That’s the one! It’s a reliably decent playlist, and she’s a good study buddy.
I want that coffee mug. Mine always run out.
Also, a cat would be nice to have again.
While I can’t help with another cat, may I drop some sick beats here for you?
I really enjoyed the ones you shared! (Also, since I haven’t forgotten about the Trance off, here are some of my favorites. Some liberties were taken as a number of these border on house, techno, or EDM):
https://soundcloud.com/aboveandbeyond/thing-called-love-above-beyond?in=aboveandbeyond%2Fsets%2Fthing-called-love-4 (you’re gonna see A&B a few times in any of my lists)
https://soundcloud.com/picschmitz1/kaskade-on-your-mind-pic-schmitz-remix
https://soundcloud.com/ferry-corsten/feel-you-1
https://soundcloud.com/meduzamusic/lose-control?in=latin-music-553710987%2Fsets%2Flose-control-meduza-becky-hill
https://soundcloud.com/aboveandbeyond/were-all-we-need-3
https://soundcloud.com/aboveandbeyond/above-beyond-pres-oceanlab-satellite-original-above-beyond-mix (and the other OceanLab song that I love:) https://soundcloud.com/aboveandbeyond/on-a-good-day-4
https://soundcloud.com/ikeaharov/atb-its-a-fine-day (lots more ATB I like that you’ve probably heard)
https://soundcloud.com/tiesto/walking-on-clouds (can’t get away from some of his songs, they’re too nostalgic)
https://soundcloud.com/morganpage/morgan-page-sultan-ned-shepard (a nod to many decent artists in one song)
https://soundcloud.com/avoure/aura (the bass just carries so graciously)
https://soundcloud.com/moonrushremixes/now-youre-gone-remix (I listened to Basshunter ironically at first and then came to really enjoy his music. This is a decent take on the original!)
https://soundcloud.com/muppen05/jadore-hardcore-limpanz-remix (I really like the original, and this one is good too, but it’s more hardcore than trance)
https://soundcloud.com/lautsprecher-music/omnibus-featuring-katie-2?in=lautsprecher-music%2Fsets%2Fomnibus (probably more techno than trance, but nonetheless, a classic that deserves another go)
https://soundcloud.com/koba-aus/above-beyond-feat-richard-bedford-sun-moon-koba-bootleg (I was going to share the original A&B track as a special favorite of mine but this one surprised me. I didn’t think anyone could dare tread upon the original. This is a fun take!)
https://soundcloud.com/coldplay/paradise-ti-sto-remix (always thought this was a weird combo but I keep coming back to it)
https://soundcloud.com/darude/feel-the-beat-original-mix (no way this was 26 years ago…?)
Bonus albums that are not trance but I’ve loved for a while: https://soundcloud.com/littlepeoplemusic/sets/mickey-mouse-operation ;
and this one – more people should know about Axel Thesleff. This one is usually on repeat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g-Kjep9eQI
Enjoy!
Have you seen A&B’s live set at the Hollywood Bowl? It’s acoustic but never fails to bring me to tears.
Oh good God, when “We’re All We Need” came on, that was it for me! Thank you for this! Part 2 links coming soon after I finish this.
I envy you that this is your first experience of it.