Electronic music duo STAR SEED made their mark on Lost In Dreams with the breathtaking ‘Essence’ EP back in April.
Breathing new life into the project, they are now ready to reveal the 10-track Deluxe edition, an expanded release featuring an incredible VIP from the masterminds themselves, as well as remixes of a few of the featured tracks from KEPIK, Cafe Disko, Dreweybear, and Eyezic, coupled with the corresponding originals.
STAR SEED provides the perfect introduction to the reissue, saying, “We felt that it would be really inspiring to have our body of work ‘Essence’ re-imagined by some of our close friends, as well as a couple revamped by ourselves. All of the artists who worked on the deluxe release are always creating cutting-edge sounds and have such individualistic tonal aesthetics in their music that we felt they would truly embody a new feeling that would compliment the original project.”
Leading the charge, and rightfully so, comes STAR SEED’s very own VIP of “I’ll Be There.” The opening exudes a familiar feeling to the original, allowing Nina Sung’s impassioned vocal performance to act as a focal point. As an exhilarating synth pattern drifts in, the drums reach a crescendo before exploding into a laser-led drop that’s accented by vocal chops and punchy percussion. The new rework expands on the excitement by creating an energetic eruption of uncontained emotion.
Providing a new take on “It’s Just You,” KEPIK unveils an emotive offering. L.A-based singer-songwriter Nytrix’s captivating vocals drive the track forward, as the producer weaves a futuristic sonic tapestry. The initial drop blurs genres, flirting with elements of wave, melodic bass, and harder sensibilities. The result is a deeply moving yet heavy-hitting resolve. The whispered vocals and rock influence create a sultry and sombre sound, which gradually builds into the climax. The finale is a frenetic joyride that sees the tempo increase alongside the intensity.
Reflecting on their approach, KEPIK describes his take on the track by stating: “The original of “It’s Just You” was very dreamy and I wanted to take it up a notch to put my spin on it and evoke even greater emotions, especially with Nytrix’s powerful vocals.”
Resetting the vibe with a carefully crafted mellow mood comes Cafe Disko’s remix of “Circles.” The slowed vocals peel back a raw emotional tone that glides over the gentle pads and chilled soundscapes. Precision drum programming, rich low-end, and stirring keys bolster the track without distracting from the groove. Finding the perfect balance between restrained minimalism and dance-inducing drops, Cafe Disko completely reimagines “Circles.”
Cincinnati’s Dreweybear unveils a captivating remix of the Charity Vance-assisted “Daylight.” The new rendition carries the uplifting yet introspective aesthetic of the original while chartering new ground. The introduction and break offer a vast array of sonic beauty conjuring imagery of stunning sunrises across majestic horizons. The chorus section leverages distorted vocal chops, full-bodied bass, and a luminous sound that works well either day or night.
Closing out the affair comes a standout remix from rising Washington D.C talent Eyezic. The producer originally debuted on the label with his track “Slumber” alongside WAYN BRANDO on the ‘Gateway Vol. 4’ compilation. His rework ups the energy on “Falling,” featuring Netherlands-based singer-songwriter Zoe Moon. The track possesses an overlying ethereal feel that’s built around the mystical vocals, delicate melodies, and cinematic strings. The drops up the ante with an impactful juxtaposition against the aforementioned elegance. Haunting vocal bends float atop the drops while a dancey 4×4 backing and bubbling synths are intertwined.
Eyezic is bubbling with excitement as he shares how the track came together, “Noah and Drew [STAR SEED] hit me up and asked to be a part of this remix package and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have given my own little spin to what they had! I wanted to give my “ethereal” spin on “Falling” with Zoe Moon, with a faster 4×4 feel and make it feel like a journey and a perfect late-night drive kind of thing. Again, so thankful to have worked on something for my good friends!”
STAR SEED is a genre-blurring duo known for crafting experimental pop music that explores themes of nature, spirituality, and beyond. They’ve become a mainstay on Lost In Dreams, underscored by a performance at the second annual Lost In Dreams Festival. They have landed official remixes for The Chainsmokers, Nurko, and Trivecta, and garnered radio support from dance music royalty including ILLENIUM, Alison Wonderland, deadmau5, Zeds Dead, Gryffin, ARMNHMR, Jason Ross, and more. They’re also favorites among editorial playlists, having landed placements in Spotify’s New Music Friday Dance, Apple Music’s Melodic Bass, Future Dance Hits, and Amazon’s Fresh EDM, Bass Box, among others.
STAR SEED’s ‘Essence (Deluxe)’ EP offers an exceptional re-imagination of the duo’s latest EP. KEPIK, Cafe Disko, Dreweybear, Eyezic, and STAR SEED’s VIP breathe new life into the project while allowing its roots to shine through.
STAR SEED’s ‘Essence’ Deluxe is available on all platforms via Lost In Dreams Records.
