TuneLab
Awakenings 31.12
Ici Sans Merci
The 'Awakenings 31.12' set from Ici Sans Merci is a deep, groovy counterpoint to the festival mainstage frenzy, a New Year's Eve session built for intimate rooms and sustained, head-nodding immersion. This is the sound of the after-afterparty, where the focus shifts from spectacle to sublime, unshakeable groove. The vibe is warm, intimate, and subtly euphoric, perfect for that moment when the sun is about to rise and conversations turn to whispered track IDs. Technically, it's a masterclass in deep and tech house, locked at a steady 127.7 BPM that feels both propulsive and relaxed. The harmonic foundation is the versatile 12A key (10 tracks), with shifts to 4A and 7A introducing soulful and melancholic flavors.
Energy is profoundly low-end dominant (0.77 avg), with lush, rounded basslines and soft kicks creating a cushion of sound; mids (0.14 avg) are reserved for subtle melodic whispers and vocal snippets, while highs (0.08 avg) add just a touch of air. The mixing is slow, dubby, and deeply musical, allowing each track to fully unfold its narrative. For the diggers, 'Fade - All I Got (Chris Fortier 20yr Dub)' is the perfect, timeless opener, all warm pads and skipping hats. 'Namatjira - Abdominal' offers quirky, percussive funk, and 'Jonny Calypso - Teenager 2K15' is a slice of nostalgic, filtered house. 'Darbinyan - Canyon' brings a progressive, melodic depth, while 'Gullen & Anders.
- Nostaw (Mondkrater Remix)' is a modern deep house gem. 'Robbie Rivera - The Main Room' is a classic, driving reminder of house music's roots, and 'Eelke Kleijn - Transmission (Joris Voorn Remix)' provides the set's emotional, chord-heavy peak. The journey is a smooth, descending arc: it starts deep and atmospheric, builds to a gentle, melodic climax, and winds down with the playful, vocal-led bump of 'Jodie Harsh - My House' as the closing track.