Danny L Harle's 'Cerulean' is an album that defies categorization - billed as a debut, yet sharing more in common with his 2021 release 'Harlecore', which marked his ascension into the big leagues of pop production. One notable difference lies in its guestlist, featuring an impressive array of artists such as Clairo, Caroline Polachek, and PinkPantheress.
The weighty presence of these collaborators weighs heavily on the album's sound, with Harle drawing inspiration from a bygone era - specifically, the late 1990s and early 2000s pop-trance scene that dominated BBC Radio 1 at the time. Tracks such as 'Laa', 'Te Re Re', and 'Island (Da Da Da)' are unmistakably of this era, with their reliance on catchy hooks, synthesized beats, and an air of carefree nostalgia.
However, it's difficult not to feel a sense of irony in Harle's attempts to revive a musical genre that was often associated with cheesy Eurodance and the likes of Eiffel 65. The artist's own words suggest a sincere desire to pay homage to his musical influences, but it's hard not to view this as smarmy self-indulgence.
The album does contain moments of genuine charm, particularly in tracks such as 'Azimuth', which features Caroline Polachek on vocals and blends elements of both pop-trance and gothic hard rock. However, these moments are often overshadowed by the sheer weight of nostalgia that permeates the record.
Ultimately, 'Cerulean' feels like a love letter to a bygone era - one that may appeal to those who fondly remember the days of Cascada and Kelly Llorenna, but is unlikely to win over those unfamiliar with these musical styles. It's an experience that is both sugary and intense, guaranteed to elicit strong reactions from listeners.
The weighty presence of these collaborators weighs heavily on the album's sound, with Harle drawing inspiration from a bygone era - specifically, the late 1990s and early 2000s pop-trance scene that dominated BBC Radio 1 at the time. Tracks such as 'Laa', 'Te Re Re', and 'Island (Da Da Da)' are unmistakably of this era, with their reliance on catchy hooks, synthesized beats, and an air of carefree nostalgia.
However, it's difficult not to feel a sense of irony in Harle's attempts to revive a musical genre that was often associated with cheesy Eurodance and the likes of Eiffel 65. The artist's own words suggest a sincere desire to pay homage to his musical influences, but it's hard not to view this as smarmy self-indulgence.
The album does contain moments of genuine charm, particularly in tracks such as 'Azimuth', which features Caroline Polachek on vocals and blends elements of both pop-trance and gothic hard rock. However, these moments are often overshadowed by the sheer weight of nostalgia that permeates the record.
Ultimately, 'Cerulean' feels like a love letter to a bygone era - one that may appeal to those who fondly remember the days of Cascada and Kelly Llorenna, but is unlikely to win over those unfamiliar with these musical styles. It's an experience that is both sugary and intense, guaranteed to elicit strong reactions from listeners.
! The way he blends pop-trance and gothic hard rock on tracks like 'Azimuth' is pure genius 
. I love how he's paying homage to his musical influences, it's clear he's a true fanboy 
. But at the same time, I can see why some people might find it cheesy 
. The album's nostalgia trip is definitely a wild ride 
! If you're into that sort of thing, 'Cerulean' is a must-listen 
. It's like a sonic blast from the past, and I'm here for it 
!
. It just feels like a bunch of artists trying to be nostalgic for the sake of it. Like, Danny L Harle's got some talent, but this album is all about cashing in on the 90s and early 2000s pop-trance scene. And honestly, that scene was pretty cheesy 
. I mean, who needs Eiffel 65? It's like he's trying to be a caricature of himself or something... the irony just isn't there for me 
. Don't get me wrong, some tracks are alright, but they're not enough to make this whole album worth it. Maybe fans of that era will dig it, but for everyone else, it's just a sugary nostalgia trip 
. I mean, the guestlist is straight fire 
. Like, I get it, we all love a good nostalgic trip in our music, but when it starts to feel like a caricature of itself... 
. One minute you're vibing with 'Azimuth', and the next you're over here thinking "uh, no thanks" to 'Laa' 
. It's like Harle's caught between his love for nostalgia and making something truly new. Anyway, I'm curious - what do you guys think of 'Cerulean'?
danny l harle is like a genius or something! i mean the way he collabs with clairo & caroline polachek is like, pure magic 
but at the same time i get what you're saying about it being kinda cheesy & nostalgic... like, i can see why some ppl would think it's smarmy self-indulgence 
but for me its all about that retro vibe 
i dont know anyone who'd say its overrated tho lol what do u think??
, but sometimes i feel like he's trying too hard to be retro cool 
. i mean, i love clairo and caroline polachek as much as the next guy, but some of these collaborations just feel like a bunch of musicians getting together to have fun 
. don't get me wrong, tracks like 'azimuth' are super catchy and stuff 
. I mean, how hard can it be to make something new when you're collabing with legends like Clairo and Caroline Polachek? It feels like he's more interested in getting nostalgic brownie points than actually pushing the genre forward. And don't even get me started on the title... Cerulean sounds like something a try-hard would name their album 
. I guess if you're into that sorta thing, go for it... but for me, this whole vibe is just too sugary sweet 
It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those of us who grew up in the 90s & early 2000s, this album is like a warm hug from our musical past 
.
. But for others? Maybe not so much. I'm a fan of his vibe tho!