Against All Ødds – Higher Ground [Astral Records]

Astral Records rounds out a successful third year by welcoming Against All Ødds to the label for his debut EP. Hailing from Israel and previously known as Mimram, Against All Ødds emerged in 2022 on the strength of past releases via Freegrant Music, Timeless Moment and Parquet Recordings. The Against All Ødds production moniker was introduced to the world via Darin Epsilon's Perspectives Digital as part of the label's 'Around The World' compilation series. Immediately recognized for his astral take on melodic house and techno, the Jerusalem resident would go on to record projects for Beatfreak, Lost On You, Panda Lab and UV Noir, in turn earning praise from the genre's premiere tastemakers. Now, capping off a strong year, Against All Ødds debuts on Astral Records with 'Higher Ground', alongside a remix from Grigoré.

Much lauded for his melodic sound, Against All Ødds continues to explore that narrative on 'Higher Ground'. Wrapped within a DJ friendly intro are punchy beats, pulsating basslines and a myriad of orbiting effects. The Israeli's storyboarding takes hold as astral arps, ethereal vocal fragments and crunchy melodies converge, carrying with them a sense of anticipation and emotion. The main break expands the vocal narrative, as operatic phrases steal the air amidst glowing atmospheres and buzzing tones, eventually giving way to a thunderous drop and exhilarating peak time finale. The companion piece 'Empire' continues the energetic mood set by its predecessor and lands with a smooth hypnotic nature. Possessing a mesmerizing undercurrent, Against All Ødds blends entrancing vocals and pyrotechnic stabs over club-effective grooves and effervescent effects, creating a mature no frills arrangement leading into the second act. Its transcendent appeal builds further across a dreamy break, where ghostly vocals and emotive tones converge, perfectly setting up a tension-filled build as a vortex of noise gives way to a colossal finale.

The release concludes with Grigoré making his label debut with the lone interpretation of 'Empire'. Since making an impressive debut via Lane 8's This Never Happened in 2021, Hungarian artist Grigore has gone on a two-year creative swell. Beloved for his melodic sound, Grigore would record standout projects for Diynamic, Odd One Out and Renaissance across the next two calendar years, while also returning to This Never Happened, which has become his primary home. Now, as a favourite of global tastemakers &ME, Solomun, Rampa and Yotto, Grigoré makes his Astral debut with a gorgeous take on 'Empire'. Carrying a confident club energy from the start, Grigoré's colourful sonics, airy vocal fragments and emotionally resonant hooks blanket a tight yet groovy framework. With a deeper energy that could win over even the most discerning of fans, it's a journey that becomes heartfelt across the break, as melodies and vocals unite in a whirlpool of textural bliss, making for a sure fire dance floor weapon.

Buy: https://tinyurl.com/37mva5sn

Release Date: 22-12-2023

Release Promo: http://releasepromo.com

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