The year of Prydz is now full steam ahead and nothing you can do will stop the man. Since March Eric has performed at Ultra (twice), Spring Awakening, EDCLV, and Tomorrowland. He has dates at Creamfields, SW4, and his massive Madison Square Garden show queued up and also has released not one but two podcasts. The hype surrounding the progressive house king has been building ever since word got out about a new Pryda EP. With previous masterpieces like “Power Drive” and “Mirage” expectations are justly high for an artist of this caliber. As we quickly found out, this four track EP (set for release 8/4) is up to the task and then some.
“Mija” represents tried-and-true Eric Prydz at his best. The delicate synths serve as a perfect opening track for the EP, yet hit hard enough to be a go to track at any live show. It doesn’t surprise me that Eric chose this track to have the responsibility of being the first song off the EP. It’s made picture perfect to kick off a live show and it’s in line with the polished style we have come to expect from the legendary producer.
From the very beginning of “Origins” you’re greeted by a familiar vocal sample used in previous tracks by the Swede. A slow, methodical build all lead to an explosive drop at the 1:30 mark that’s guaranteed to hit harder live than when sitting at home listening on your computer. As usual you can hear the complexity of each finely tuned sound and the layers Prydz puts into his work. This may not be the standout track from the EP, but it is another gorgeous piece of music from the Pryda factory.
Now on to my personal favorite track off the EP. “Backdraft” has a trademark haunting, dark vibe from the very beginning that has become the standard for Eric’s productions. That transition at the :23 mark is so smooth you won’t even realize Prydz just dropped it as hard as anyone could. This will be a guaranteed crowd pleaser at the late hours of the night when things start to get weird. It’s because of these unorthodox tracks we have come to love his work so much.
Closing out the EP with “Axis“, Prydz seems to reach back for some inspiration on the sound with this one. Introducing a melody very reminiscent of “Pjanoo” (I’m not going to complain) makes this one stand out from the rest. Upbeat throughout, it keeps the melody for a cheerful spin on a classic. When paired with the opening of “Mija”, this serves as a great farewell to the work of art we just got through listening to.
All this latest offering from Prydz does is reinforce what we already knew about him. Expertly produced tracks are the norm for this man and it’s what everyone has now come to expect. If you haven’t gotten your ticket already for his MSG date I highly recommend grabbing yours before it sells out. We can only keep our eyes open and pray he embarks on a new tour in the near future, and with all the recent activity I wouldn’t put it past him.
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