By looking past conventional boundaries and exploring the opportunities that lie beyond, Ruben de Ronde is a shining example of how something ‘Different’ leads to something greater.
On his third solo artist album, the globally renowned Dutchman and Statement! Recordings head balances high-end tracks with a number of exclusive creations. Take your pick from ‘Lucky Penny’ with Elevven, ‘Gold’ starring Roxanne Emery, ‘Trinity’ battling FUTURECODE or any of the several exclusives; Ruben de Ronde’s biggest statement (!) yet is immersed in out-of-the-box thinking, making for a collaborative album in every sense and confirming that ‘Different’ is not a dirty word.
The unique production values on ‘Different’ are suggested on ‘The Hardest Part’, which starts out with an old-school riff, twiddling notes and a some messing around with plugins. It’s viewed and commented on in real time by Ruben de Ronde’s Twitch following, as a mixture of music tutorial and fan-rewarding, all-access insight. One vocal from HALIENE later – in the right place at the right time – and Ruben de Ronde had a completed weapon ready to parade at sets the size of Ultra Music Festival in Miami.
Electronic Family favorite ‘Shadow of Us’ – the official anthem for the biggest outdoor trance festival in Europe – sees Ruben de Ronde express telepathy with the L.A. based duo Elevven that even he can’t explain, souping up a previous archive production with the assistance of singer-songwriter and hitmaker Matias Lethola. The deeper, more chilled ‘Gold’, featuring Roxanne Emery’s gospel-like tones, listens to the album’s individuality and moves ‘Different’ away into the shaded outskirts of the dance floor.
Ruben de Ronde: “‘Different’ has been in the making for about two years. The biggest difference from the ‘My Story’ album is that I have very much involved my subscribers, viewers, and followers on video streaming platform Twitch in the creative process, from the very first beat until the final effect and melody. By being open and transparent with everything that I do in the studio, I have received tons of amazing feedback and tips along the road from viewers, and also have been able to educate others at the same time. I really feel that this album is a combined effort of everybody. I think this is the first-ever trance/dance album that has been produced this way, and I am mega proud of the result. While other artists might think I am revealing too much of my workflow, sound design and the music in general, I think sharing all of this in advance has only made producing this album more fun. It is indeed a ‘Different’ kind of way of sharing my music with the world.”
TRACKLIST:
1. Ruben de Ronde & HALIENE – The Hardest Part
2. Ruben de Ronde & Roxanne Emery – Gold
3. Elevven x Ruben de Ronde – Lucky Penny
4. Ruben de Ronde x FUTURECODE – Trinity
5. Ruben de Ronde & Jessika Dawn – Escape
6. Ruben de Ronde & Matt Fax – Baguette
7. Ruben de Ronde x Elevven x Lara – Shadow Of Us (Electronic Family 2019 Anthem)
8. Ruben de Ronde & Henrik Zuberstein – Guardian Down
9. Ruben de Ronde & Cari – Who Am I
10. Ruben de Ronde & Estiva – Horosho
11. Ruben de Ronde & Louise Rademakers – Games
12. Ruben de Ronde & Kimberly Hale – Here With Me
13. Ruben de Ronde & Evgeny Lebedev – Neverlost
14. Ruben de Ronde & Estiva – Donnie
‘Different’ is the third solo album from Ruben de Ronde, following ‘My Story’ and ‘From Sao Paulo to Sofia’. The Dutchman’s consistency has earned him his accolades from the scene’s top tier as he draws inspiration from musical styles across the board without straying too far from his signature progressive trance sound. The DJ, producer, and Statement! Recordings label owner has remixed Armin van Buuren, Cosmic Gate, and Above & Beyond, and graced the stages of Tomorrowland, Untold, Hi, Ushuaïa, Privilege, and Amnesia in Ibiza, Ultra Music Festival in Miami and Europe, and EDC Las Vegas, continually scoring more must-visit events.
