Steve 'Flash' JuonWhen I think of araabMUZIK I think of The Diplomats/DipSet. That’s it. Before reviewing “Electronic Dream” I never really had any other thoughts about him beyond that. He was just the in-house producer for Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Hell Rell, and so on. Of course he’s more than that — I’m just admitting I didn’t know more about him than that. I had never even stopped to consider what araabMUZIK would sound like if he wasn’t providing the backdrop for a New York based crew of emcees.
As it turns out he sounds radically different. “Electronic Dream” lives up to its title from the moment you press play. It may not even qualify as rap music, but he got famous as a rap producer and the name of the site is RapReviews, so we’re exercising editorial leeway in covering this one. “Golden Touch” sounds more like a club/disco/dance track than hardcore rap. That’s not a diss. The drum beats are hard and crispy. The layered synths and samples sound airy and breathless. The singer’s vocals at the beginning and the end sandwich it all together perfectly. Remove that intro and outro and this could easily be background music for a boss fight in a big budget video game.
“Make It Happen” is a little closer to something I could hear Juelz Santana spitting on but still manages to be radically different. There’s an undercurrent of tension that rises as the song goes on, and just when you think it’s about to peak he pulls you back from the climax and goes back to work. It sounds masterful and I honestly wish it was two minutes longer. Then again that would keep us from getting to the “Lift Off” that the prior track had been building us up for.
Make no mistake about it — on “Electronic Dream” araabMUZIK is on his EDM shit. I’ve never personally experienced a rave and I’m too old to start but “Lift Off” is the kind of music I picture in my head at one — a packed warehouse full of sweaty (high) people with flashing glowing neon lights all jumping, swaying and grinding to the beat. A voice keeps informing us “you are now listening to araabMUZIK” as if we needed a reminder. It’s not necessary. This is an artificially constructed world of synthesizers, drum machines and bass that is entirely his vision.
It’s almost comical to have a song called “Feelin’ So Hood” on this release when it would be hard to be any further from it. You might as well be walking around in cyberspace. Strap on your VR helmet and turn this song on, then tell me I’m wrong. While EDM is not my first nor last choice for something to put on during a work day (or when the working day is done), “Electronic Dream” can get some respect and might even be good background music for modding video game consoles. Yeah, that’s the vibe here. This music has the pulse and heartbeat of someone who is a gamer but wants to think outside of the box the company sold you. I respect you araabMUZIK. Job well done.