Is Danny L Harle's Cerulean a Nostalgic Tribute or a Missed Mark?
Cerulean, a project that's been billed as Danny L Harle's debut album, is a curious and intriguing endeavor. While it's not his first venture into the music scene, having released Harlecore in 2021, Cerulean stands out for its ambitious guest list and unique musical direction.
The album features an impressive roster of artists, including Clairo, Caroline Polachek, PinkPantheress, and MNEK, among others. This collaboration reflects Harle's rise in the pop production world, having worked with notable acts like Florence + the Machine and Dua Lipa. However, the real intrigue lies in the musical influences that shape Cerulean.
A Journey Back to the Early 2000s
At its core, Cerulean draws heavily from the pop-trance and Eurodance music scene of the early 2000s. This era, marked by BBC Radio 1's playlists and the success of Clubland, serves as the primary inspiration for Harle's latest work. He presents this influence with a serious and earnest tone, almost as if paying homage to a bygone era.
Harle himself describes the album as his "message," hoping it will be well-received. The press release adds an intriguing layer, suggesting Harle is exploring an artistic connection between the Renaissance composer Monteverdi and the Y2K club bangers of Eiffel 65. This ambitious claim sets the stage for a unique listening experience.
The Influence Debate: Eiffel 65 vs. Monteverdi
While the impact of Eiffel 65's Blue (Da Ba Dee) is undeniable on tracks like Laa, Te Re Re, and Island (Da Da Da), the influence of Monteverdi is less apparent. This raises the question: Is Harle genuinely drawing from a diverse range of influences, or is he playfully toying with our expectations?
Tracks like Laa and Island (Da Da Da) seem to straddle the line between homage and parody. The former features a hook reminiscent of Darude's Sandstorm, played on synthesized panpipes, while the latter blends trance with accordion, creating an unexpected fusion. Are these intentional nods to the past, or a tongue-in-cheek take on early 2000s bangers?
An Earnest Salvage Operation?
On the other hand, tracks like Azimuth, featuring a stunning vocal performance by Caroline Polachek, suggest a more sincere approach. Azimuth feels like a love letter to the music Harle grew up with, blending pop-trance and melodramatic hard rock influences reminiscent of Evanescence. The result is a unique sound that could easily fit into a modern-day Eurovision entry.
The album also includes beatless instrumentals, ranging from lengthy pieces to interstitial tracks. Teardrop in the Ocean, for example, skillfully transitions from ambient to intense, showcasing Harle's ability to create atmospheric moments.
Missing the Pop Hook?
Despite its ambitious nature, Cerulean lacks the undeniable pop melodies and hooks that defined the early 2000s bangers it draws inspiration from. Tracks like N-Trance's Set You Free, Fragma's Miracle, and Ultrabeat's Pretty Green Eyes had an instant appeal that could disarm even the most skeptical listener. Cerulean, however, relies more on nostalgia and the unique collaborations it presents.
A Divisive Experience?
The appeal of Cerulean will likely be determined by how fondly one recalls the early 2000s pop scene. For those who view it as a golden era, Cerulean might be a delightful trip down memory lane. For others, it could be an intense and sugary experience, leaving them with a sense of involuntary gritting of teeth.
So, is Cerulean an earnest homage or a poor imitation? That's for you to decide. What do you think? Is Danny L Harle onto something, or has he missed the mark? Let's discuss in the comments!
