TuneLab
Nils Hoffmann |
Live at Anjunadeep x Printworks London 2022 ( @NilsHoffmannMusic )
Printworks London on an Anjunadeep day: a cathedral of industrial rave where we all pretend we're not emotionally compromised by a piano riff at 127 BPM. Nils Hoffmann takes the stage, and immediately we're in that familiar, bittersweet territory where every synth pad feels like a memory you're trying to reconstruct. The vibe is all soaring steel girders and laser-cut light, a crowd of us united in our willingness to have our hearts gently broken by a four-on-the-floor kick. This live set is a textbook example of melodic progressive house, cruising at an average BPM of 127.5 with a harmonic foundation often in the wistful 5A key. The energy arc is a steady, uplifting climb, using subtle modulations into 8B and 6B to add depth and tension.
Hoffmann's mixing is clean and narrative-driven, layering emotive melodies over propulsive basslines while carefully managing the mid-energy balance to avoid saccharine overload. It's a masterclass in building emotion without resorting to cheap drops. The tracklist is a treasure trove for Anjunadeep devotees. The opener, 'Uncomfortable Dream' by Songs To Your Eyes, sets a haunting, downtempo mood before the engine starts. Thomas Schumacher & Victor Ruiz's 'Apollo' injects a dose of driving, peak-time techno energy.
Solid Stone's 'Remember Me' is a classic, hands-in-the-air moment of pure progressive bliss, and Nils Hoffmann & Ben Böhmer's 'Second Sun' serves as the crystalline, emotional centerpiece. Deep cuts like Ebe's 'The Prodigal Son (Etienne Cruze Remix)' and Maxs's 'Messico E Nuvole' showcase a keen ear for hidden gems. The journey starts with the dreamy intro, builds to the euphoric climax of 'Breathing' with Ben Böhmer and Malou, and gently descends into the reflective closing of Nils Hoffmann's own 'Reflections'. We came for the beats, but we stayed for the therapy.