The electronic dance music scene has exploded in the last few years. Hundreds of new artists are emerging every day, and with a scene as competitive as EDM it’s a miracle some of them make it to the top. But what is even more impressive is a man who’s climbed to the top, and stayed there. For 20 years, to be exact. A man whose tracks are emotional, unique, and downright flawless. His versatility and ear for perfect melodies combined with his incredible skill and ability to produce tracks that appeal to the masses but also to the underground, make him one of the most sought after artists in the world. A mogul in the music industry, a titan of trance, the one and only Ferry Corsten. The February 24th release of his latest album WKND will be sure to delight his current fans and undoubtedly attract countless new ones to Ferry’s brilliant work.
With countless releases under his belt and three previous albums, we asure you that Ferry Corsten is stronger then ever, and still at the top of his game. Never one to settle for less, Ferry delights listeners with a full length album complete with tracks that can get an entire festival moving, or provide the perfect soundtrack to a weekend roadtrip, or inspire and illuminate thousands of people to the magical melodies that comprise electronic dance music. WKND has everything an EDM album should. It is unique, it is expertly produced, and it is emotional, full of tracks that will undoubtedly make any listener itching to hear what comes next. In a scene where many artists often start to sound the same, Ferry has yet again embraced his own sounds and showed us that once again, he deserves his spot at the top.
We were lucky enough to receive the promotional version of WKND a few weeks ago, and we fell in love with it immediately. This album is going to be huge and we know you will enjoy it just as much as us. We are happy provide a quick breakdown of the 14 songs that make up WKND!
A Day Without Rain featuring Ellie Lawson - A perfect way to start the album and so far our favorite song from WKND! Floaty and light with beautiful lyrics that can sooth the soul or start the day off right.
Feel It - Utilizing a sample from classic house anthem Can You Feel It, this single from the album is a powerful tool to get any club floor moving.
Ain’t No Stoppin’ featuring Ben Hague - Another recent single from WKND, high energy that brings a great feeling, it will be hard to get these words out of your head. This song is great for anything, driving, studying, a party, or your next set!
Don’t Be Afraid - A progressive house song with captivating build up and intense break down. Powerful enough to bring a beautiful sense of urgency, this song will take your mind away from the everyday life and back to those massive shows.
Not Coming Down featuring Betsie Larkin - Ferry and Betsie come together an create the perfect song to put us up in clouds, a great song for the dreamers. At this point the album you will surely be in a higher state of mind and the cares of the world melt away.
Brute with Armin van Buuren - A song that has already made a name for itself as well as being included in our top trance songs of 2011. Brute is nothing less then what you would expect from a collaboration of two of electronic musics best producers of all time. This is an anthem that will ring throughout the clubs, festivals, and your headphones for a long time.
Live Forever featuring Aruna - “Turn up the lights, turn up the bass” couldn’t explain the feeling this song gives better then with those lyrics. The words contiune to truly represent how EDM and music makes us feel, like we could live forever! This is the song we expect to be hearing the massive crowds sing this upcoming festival season, and already has us eager to get back to those places we all love.
Let You Go featuring Sarah Bettens - A great song for any time of the day, add it to any playlist and it will fit in great. Yet again very catchy lyrics that you’ll be singing in no time.
Check It Out - Yet another single from the album, and the most energetic song from WKND. Simple and very catchy lyrics along with a driving beat and powerful melodies, this song is bound to make you want to get up, jump around, and dance like we did!
Love Will featuring Duane Harden - This song has everything, powerful melodies, captivating bass, up-beat drums, and great lyrics. No need to classify or limit it one genre it’s well rounded and will move your emotions along with your body.
In Your Eyes featuring JES - By now you should know when you see JES featured on a track with a producer such as Ferry Corsten the result is something truly amazing. A deeper track for the album that provides great contrast as well as being a song all on its own.
Walk On Air featuring Pierre In The Air & Amba Shepherd - Yet again we are up lifted and undoubtedly walking on air, another song that can only be best described by the lyrics within it. “Give me your faith, I’ll give you a reason.”
Take Me - Another very deep track, lower bass and melodies to start with a very up lifting second half. Possibly some of the most interesting sounds throughout the album, soothing and intriguing all at the same time.
WKND - The title track and rightfully so, yet another one of our favorites that rises above even amongst as amazing tracks as these. A track that truly displays how talented Ferry is still to this day. This song embodies the whole album and closes it out in the best way.
The first time you sit down to listen to WKND we suggest that you put you headphones on and play it straight through. Its organized very well and like any great album should be heard as a whole. There will also be bonus track on the iTunes verison of the album titled Sunday, we haven’t heard this song yet but we anticipate to fit well into this already great album. Leading up to the album’s release, Ferry Corsten spoke with Remix Nation.com about his 20+ years as a successful DJ, producer and artist, and about what makes him tick.
Collective: On WKND, you collaborate with so many talented vocalists, including JES and Ben Hague. Was it difficult to find time to get in the studio and work with all of them considering your busy show schedule?
FERRY CORSTEN: It was pretty hectic to find time to be in the studio, but in the end, I think it was really worth it. Everyone I worked with was really professional, and that was something that made it a lot easier, too.
Collective: You also had a chance to work with good friend and fellow trance icon, Armin van Buuren, on “Brute,” which has already had great success. How was it being in studio with Armin?
FERRY CORSTEN: It felt really good to be in the studio with Armin since we know each other for a very long time. We started from scratch and we didn’t know what the track was going to be like in the end, but it felt really natural to work together. Of course, I always learn things when I work together with other artists as we all have our own ways in creating tracks.
Collective: Was there anything major you changed about how you worked in the studio with this album compared to your previous three?
FERRY CORSTEN: Nothing particular, really. I tried to be in the studio as much as I could and just went from there. I never have a ritual while I’m in the studio. I like to do whatever I feel like doing while I’m there. The only thing I did on purpose this time was to start each track with a lower bpm, since dance music is dropping its bpm overall.
Collective: How involved were you in the writing of lyrics for this album?
FERRY CORSTEN: Most of the lyrics were written by the vocalists themselves. However, I did have a clear vision of what I was looking for: positive vibes. I’m really proud of the result of all the vocal tracks. On WKND, I have different genres and different kinds of vocals. There are some really happy and some more melodramatic tunes on there. The WKND album is almost exactly split in half with songs that have vocals and those that don’t.
Collective: How important do you think it is for a full-length trance album to have a good mixture of both?
FERRY CORSTEN: I think it is more important to have vocal tracks than non-vocal tracks on an album. Vocal tracks give something to the people which they can connect and identify themselves with. Of course, non vocal tracks are important, too, as the melodies come out more in these and I’m a big fan of melodies.
Collective: Now that the album is finished, the WKND tour dates are coming together and you’re playing almost constantly right into the summer again. Any major shows in particular that you’re looking forward to?
FERRY CORSTEN: I will start with a “Full On Ferry” world tour that will also include a WKND showcase. I just hope to see all my fans out there having a good time!
Collective: In 2011, the U.S. scene grew tremendously, and EDM has moved fully into the spotlight. What do you think were some big reasons for this strong growth?
FERRY CORSTEN: I think it is because the whole mix between house / electro / trance melodies and pop really took over in the U.S. Collaborations with pop artists and dance producers are very popular in the U.S. right now.
Collective: Who are some of your favorite up-and-coming trance and electronic artists?
FERRY CORSTEN: I think that Arty is doing really well for himself, and I hope to see more of him in the future. Also, Rafael Frost, who is an artist on my own label, Flashover Recordings, keeps amazing me with his sounds.
Next week we will be seeing Ferry Corsten at Beta Nightclub on the eve of the WKND release. Find all of Ferry’s tour dates and information here. All photos provided by Flashover Recordings, and a huge thank you to Ferry Corsten and Emily Tan. For more information, please visit www.ferrycorsten.com.
