This review covers the progressive trance track Hemstock & Jennings – Mirage (Of Hope) (Orig Mix).
This track was released in 2001 as a single. It was released along with the Chilled mix.
The track starts with a kick and a synth effect. An additional synth effect makes an appearance and a bassline joins the track. After another round of the brief synth effect, an additional percussion or two joins the track. A sweep makes an appearance and there’s an additional percussion with reverb applied to it. An additional bassline joins the track that has a slight 303 sound to it. A high hat then joins the track. After an effect, a choir joins the track. This is layered with a synth string.
A brief kick drill makes an appearance and parts of the drum kit drop out. The kick itself gradually fades out. After a boom, a vocal element makes an appearance backed by a pad. The vocals continue with a synth string. Another boom hits and the vocals drop back a bit. The synth string fades in some more. A sweep makes a brief appearance and the drum kit returns. The vocal element drops out and the synth strings take over.
From there, the vocal element continues in a non-lyrical manner. The vocal element then drops out and a synth melody takes over. A synth effect makes an appearance again and the drum kit drops out. A second synth melody takes over for a brief moment before the synth effect makes another appearance. The drum kit continues for a bit, but is then lead out by another round of the synth effect.
A different drum kit then takes over as the vocal elements return. A boom makes an appearance and the drum kit drops out, leaving the vocal element. A synth string gradually starts to fade in. The vocals drop out after a boom and the synth strings largely take over. A snare roll gradually fades in. A sweep makes an appearance before the drum kit returns. The vocal element also returns as well. The vocals then drop out as the synth melody takes over again. A brief kick drill then hits.
Most of the track drops out, leaving just the synth melody. After an effect makes an appearance, the drum kit and bassline then returns. A synth effect makes an appearance and parts of the drum kit drop out. A sweep makes an appearance and the bassline drops out. A small cymbal crash makes an appearance and the kick drops out. A synth effect makes an appearance and then leads the track out.
One thing that stands out to me is the synth strings. They really add a nice amount of emotion to the overall track.
The second thing I notice is the vocals. They don’t seem to have lyrics in particular, but rather, follow along with a borderline orchestral style sometimes heard in neo-classical and movie scores. They sound great here.
The synth melody really helps cap off this track nicely. There could have been more variation in the notes, but it still sounds very nice.
Overall, this is a very solid track. It has a lot of elements worth listening to. It’s got a great vocal element, nice synth strings, and a pretty solid synth melody. Definitely a recommended track in my opinion. A very solid one all around.
Score
7.5/10
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
