ILLENIUM is back with a pair of brand-new singles, “Refuge” and “Ur Alive,” out now via Republic Records.
The bundle format is worth noting since the tracks appear on streaming platforms alongside “In My Arms,” his recent collaboration with HAYLA. Whether an album is on the way remains to be seen, but it’s a safe bet considering ILLENIUM “has tirelessly been working in the studio crafting his most ambitious project to date,” Republic said in a press release shared with EDM.com.
ILLENIUM’s latest original music marks a fascinating evolution for the beloved producer, who has spent years perfecting the art of making festival crowds weep through soaring bass drops. “Refuge” and “Ur Alive” find him trading his signature melodic bass theatrics for anthemic house music, a compelling departure for the Grammy-nominated artist.
Anchored by Norma Jean Martine’s crystalline delivery, “Refuge” builds like a Christopher Nolan dream sequence as ILLENIUM’s hypnotic production swells like vapor. Meanwhile, Martine stuns with aching lyrics about finding solace in the arms of a loved one after careening through “dark clouds” that threaten to break her.
“Ur Alive” finds WYLDE lamenting the lost freedom of childhood, questioning why we’ve forgotten the simple pleasure of sun on skin. The track’s repeated reminder to slow down and remember you’re alive is a welcome one, beautifully cutting through the euphoric sheen of ILLENIUM’s production.
You can find Refuge / Ur Alive on streaming platforms here.
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Spotify: spoti.fi/2XO5NxG
