Stel – Last Night on Earth review

Artist: Stel
Title: Last Night on Earth
Label: Moodmusic Germany
Genre: Deep House
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Download

After a break to concentrate on the Wiretappeur project with collaborators Kruse & Nürnberg, Stelios Vassiloudis returns to Moodmusic as Stel to drop his latest offering, “Last Night on Earth,” packed with two originals and remixes from Manik and John Dalagelis.

Last time out on Moodmusic, Stel gave birth to “The Nail That Sticks Out” which not only became a hit itself but also spawned a killer remix from King Roc. Continuing the feel, “Last Night on Earth” broods with all the depth, tension and drama of its former. The title track lays down a driving 4/4 house beat over the top of some hazy atmospherics and FX. As the track builds, airy, hypnotic snyth pads begin to take hold, propelling the listener into the depths of another dimension. It’s the kind of track that will leave you in reflective thought as you dance away to its rhythm.

“Look Left Turn Right” is a groovier affair, letting the infectious, bouncing bassline lead the way. Catchy synths and exact hi-hats add to the hermetical sense of this spacey house number. Between these two originals, Moodmusic serve up two separate remixes of “Last Night on Earth”. First up is New York producer Manik, who gets the Roland out to morph this into a Chicago, Chez Damier-esque house track. Keeping all the depth, Manik’s approach also enables him to bring in some extra warmth here. Stel’s partner in Died Audio, John Dalagelis, is on hand for the other remix. Techy in its core, this remix ups the tempo and adds some bigger beats whilst never compensating the deepness.

Review: Tom Jones