If you’re a fan of Indie Dance and House music, get ready to hear the name Altered States a lot over the next few years. Today the Sydney-based producer released Altered States – Universal Children, the debut single track from the upcoming album of the same name, and it’s a release that is both mesmerizing and uplifting in equal measure.
Like many particularly memorable songs, Altered States – Universal Children has some unusual elements, starting off with a highly distinctive orchestral introduction that uses soaring electronic strings to create drama and grab listeners’ attention. This carries on for about 20 seconds – giving us a chance to become truly intoxicated by the rich sounds and melodies – before a groovy, uplifting House beat comes into play and changes the mood of the track almost completely. Accompanied by swirling synths and a simple but hypnotic bassline, the irresistible beat transforms Universal Children into a flavourful slice of summer, pleasing both Indie Dance and House fans simultaneously. Indeed, the track’s bright, vibrant feel makes it a perfect choice for the first single from the album, with the artist himself accurately describing it as “a nice upbeat track to get you out of bed in the morning [to] look at the sun rays”.
Also adding to the balmy, uplifting vibes of Altered States – Universal Children is its vocal samples, a series of ‘oohs’ followed by lyrics which are virtually imperceptible, but which nonetheless fit well with the feel of the track on account of their exuberant delivery. Combined with the track’s danceable beat and gleaming ripples of synth melody, these samples elevate the track into a sure-fire feel-good hit for the summer. Expectations are subsequently high for the rest of the tracks on the album from which Universal Children is taken, although if this lead single is anything to go by then they will also be shining examples of Indie Dance and House music that continue to, in the artist’s own words, tackle the “exploration of the mind and space”.
