Danny L Harle's latest album Cerulean is an enigmatic release, defying clear categorization as a debut or not. The album boasts a distinguished guest list featuring prominent artists like Clairo, Caroline Polachek, and PinkPantheress, reflecting Harle's stature in the music industry as a seasoned producer. Notably, his previous debut album, Harlecore, shares some similarities with Cerulean, particularly in its reliance on early 2000s pop-trance elements reminiscent of BBC Radio 1 and Eurodance music that defined Clubland.
Harle's artistic vision is often at the forefront, as he aims to convey a meaningful message through his work. He draws inspiration from an array of sources, including Italian Renaissance composer Monteverdi and the Y2K club bangers of Eiffel 65, though it remains unclear how these influences are genuinely utilized on Cerulean.
However, some listeners might perceive the album's attempts to draw connections between seemingly disparate musical styles as a bit heavy-handed. Tracks such as Laa and Island (Da Da Da) contain hooks reminiscent of other songs from this era, which can make the overall experience feel somewhat shallow or formulaic.
On the other hand, certain tracks like Azimuth showcase Harle's ability to blend different styles effectively, with its unique fusion of pop-trance and Evanescence-esque melodrama. The inclusion of cinematic strings and atmospheric instrumentals adds depth to the album, though some listeners may find it inconsistent in terms of pace and texture.
Ultimately, Cerulean's appeal relies heavily on personal nostalgia for 2000s pop culture. For those who fondly remember the heyday of Eurodance and Trance Nation compilations, this album might be a dream come true. However, for others, the experience may feel overly sugary or intense, bordering on annoyance.
Harle's artistic vision is often at the forefront, as he aims to convey a meaningful message through his work. He draws inspiration from an array of sources, including Italian Renaissance composer Monteverdi and the Y2K club bangers of Eiffel 65, though it remains unclear how these influences are genuinely utilized on Cerulean.
However, some listeners might perceive the album's attempts to draw connections between seemingly disparate musical styles as a bit heavy-handed. Tracks such as Laa and Island (Da Da Da) contain hooks reminiscent of other songs from this era, which can make the overall experience feel somewhat shallow or formulaic.
On the other hand, certain tracks like Azimuth showcase Harle's ability to blend different styles effectively, with its unique fusion of pop-trance and Evanescence-esque melodrama. The inclusion of cinematic strings and atmospheric instrumentals adds depth to the album, though some listeners may find it inconsistent in terms of pace and texture.
Ultimately, Cerulean's appeal relies heavily on personal nostalgia for 2000s pop culture. For those who fondly remember the heyday of Eurodance and Trance Nation compilations, this album might be a dream come true. However, for others, the experience may feel overly sugary or intense, bordering on annoyance.
... all them collaborations with big artists seems suspiciously staged, like he's tryna build a cult following or something 
... and have you noticed how many references to old-school Eurodance music are in there? feels like he's tryin' to recreate the same vibes for our nostalgia-obsessed generation 
... but at the same time, some tracks are actually pretty fire 
... i guess we'll just have to wait and see if this is all part of his plan for world domination 
, but some of those influences can feel a bit forced? Like, Harle's trying too hard to connect the dots between different styles and eras, you know? It's like he's taking these iconic sounds from the past and just slapping them onto his track. Don't get me wrong, it's still got that nostalgic vibe goin' on, but for some listeners, it might come off as a bit too sugary or try-hard 
.
. The way he blends different styles and textures is like magic 
. It's all about finding that balance between nostalgia and innovation, you feel?
. Like, can't we just let the songs breathe a bit? The guest features are fire though 
, but if it feels too formulaic, I'm outta here 
. Can someone please just create a Spotify playlist with the best 2000s pop-trance tracks and leave Cerulean alone? 
. Like, I get why Harle drew inspiration from all those old-school pop-trance vibes – they're undeniably iconic. But at the same time, I can see how some of that nostalgia might come across as a bit too on-the-nose for others... it's like he's trying to make everyone feel like they're part of this retro club 
. Still, the fact that he's taking risks and trying new things is definitely something to be appreciated 
.
! But sometimes I think he leans too hard into nostalgia, you know? Like, I get it, 2000s pop-trance is fire 
, but does he have to make the whole album feel like a greatest hits compilation? 
It's just a bit too much for me. On the other hand, tracks like Azimuth are straight fire 
. Maybe I'm just being harsh, but Cerulean feels like it could've been more cohesive if he'd found a better balance between old and new.