"Forever" (SOLAH) announced: pre-review of an upcoming liquid album

A liquid drum & bass album announced at SOLAH. What to listen to as a priority, and the specific criteria we will judge it on when it drops.

The announcement

"Forever" arrives at SOLAH. Album format, liquid drum & bass, with the presence of the voice as the main instrument. For those unfamiliar with the subgenre: liquid is the branch of drum & bass that emphasizes melodic harmonies, basslines that are rounder than rough, and often - but not always - vocals. It's the part of the genre that has produced the most coherent albums in recent years.

What you'll hear when listening

Even before receiving the album, four specific criteria on which a mental pre-listen aligns.

The voice as an instrument, not as a feature. Too many liquid albums fall into the trap of vocals that seem "added" last, like a pop topline. A complete album integrates the voice from the start - sub melody and vocal melody co-written, not superimposed.

Coherence without monotony. At a constant 174 BPM, the mood variation must come from the harmonic palette, the choice of percussion, and the breathing between tracks. An album that stacks liquids at the same tempo and tonality cancels itself out.

One or two club tracks. Pure liquid album can quickly turn into café background music. One or two tracks that hold up to the sound system preserve the dancefloor anchor.

A format exit. The tracklisting must be thought out - the first track should set the mood, the last should leave a mental image.

What we don't want to hear

Overproduced vocals, auto-tuned to the point of betraying the human voice. Drops recycled on all tracks. A lack of sub - a liquid without serious sub is a disguised chill house track. A "big name" feature that doesn't integrate into the palette.

Provisional verdict

Pending. We will deliver the full review upon release, with continuous headphone listening followed by club listening on speakers. The album format is judged in both, not in one.