Leaderboard

I agree, I think this album is more back to basics. And shows that Goa doesn’t need to have thousands of layers. It’s a good tradeoff, so more creativity and focus can be on harmonies/melodies instead. And regarding style, I think it’s good that the genre is varied. Since the Goa Trance style originated out of many different genres. A fusion of styles, so we might’ve become overly used in more recent times, that this genre should always include some rather specific elements. That can certainly lead to a stagnant genre over time.

Give this album a chance! Don’t go in expecting the same type of Goa Trance we’ve been expected to hear these days. I think Suntrip and Afgin did a brave thing here by trying something unexpected. And in the process show that there are many facets to this genre. Which of course becomes evident just by browsing the Suntrip catalog. Which to date has managed to become a sprawling library of different Goa styles. This album showcases that not everything needs to be about maximal layer density, and that there is ample room for exploration of older styles and fusing of genres. In the end this approach provides a wider range of tonal expression.

Afgin uses goa sounds but the whole album just sounds trance, not goa. For me this is just another attempt at copying Astral Projection but without sounding psychedelic or subtle, it is too mellow, too happy and in your face, cheesy. The best Astral Projection tracks are the ones that are bit darker and have a real psychedelic texture. By the way the bassline is every track is too weak compared to the kick. Probably why it sounds flat to me. Not my cup of tea and to be honest this is a style I never liked but it seems popular among the younger people in the scene. I doubt fans of the 90s will like this sound.