Big Wild - Superdream


Big Wild
Superdream
2019
Spotify

Big Wild aka Jackson Stell has been quietly making a name for himself in the electronic music scene for a bit now. This new record Superdream however is his first LP, and comes with a lot to prove. Can He recreate the early success He's had as EDM's lights slowly begin to fade? The answer is probably yes, but not because He is doing something with EDM, but more because He isn't. His early remixes fell somewhat in line with what people were doing in Electronic Dance Music a few years ago yet signing with Odesza's label meant that Big Wild had a chance to stretch beyond the limits of the genre. His music never really fit that mold anyway, He plays his own basslines, He often sings his own hooks and his music just has another experimental gear that puts him beyond his other electronic counterparts. "Pale Blue Dot" for example starts off like many of the other Odesza-y tracks that have become popular since their rise to fame, but then shifts into something totally different and exciting. The swelling bass and vocal used as horn sounds are simply wonderful at creating a big bold track that could open any live show perfectly. His music sounds more like The Knocks than it does Skrillex, big and exciting disco sounds blasted through a modern lens. The album feels like it could go anywhere or do anything, but dance remains constantly at it's heart.

I was expecting something a hell of a lot more genric when this album came out, it seemed like maybe Big Wild's moment had passed but He has made a real case that his moment is now. There are so many great surprises tucked around every corner of this record like on "Purple Sand (My Home)" where the hook is just a person whistling, something you don't often find in EDM. Tracks like "She Makes Magic" begin with a single thought or one line of music and then expand and grow into something really magical to listen to. His music feels entirely uplifting, leaving you with these good vibes after each an every track. If happiness was the aesthetic Big Wild was trying to curate He nails it here. There are some moments that drag a bit like the intro to "Heaven", but Big Wild somehow finds a way to bring it all back around every single time. It feels odd calling this a debut with all the music Big WIld has put out at this point but you really could not ask for a better first album. Don't sleep on Big Wild, He may just be the Hero EDM needs right now.

7.9 out of 10

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