I’m not afraid to admit when I am wrong.
A few weeks ago, I made the claim that Ferry Tayle would have the best set at a USC event of all time. However, when I made this claim, I failed to remember that Aly & Fila have a new album in the works and are set to perform at Lucky 2017. While Ferry Tayle will no doubt have an incredible set, I think the creative direction Aly & Fila are taking is one that will make their set even better.
Last weekend at the A State of Trance 800 festival in Utrecht, Aly & Fila debuted many new tracks from their new album as well as new music that artists on their label, ‘Future Sound of Egypt’ have also been tinkering with this winter.
Ruben de Ronde was able to interview Fadi (Fila) who even gave a shoutout to their upcoming Seattle event.
Ruben: Future Sound of Egypt is really blowing up, you have your own stage at Tomorrowland, there’s more festivals coming up, can you share some with us?
Fadi: We’re actually doing a [FSOE] stage at Lucky, in Seattle, it’s a really big festival there. And we’re doing Tomorrowland, another stage. We’re trying to do a few more from, like, the big festivals in other regions, and that’s going to be other than the FSOE club nights and also the FSOE 500 celebrations.
Ruben: What are you going to do with the celebrations this year? Because you’ve already had the temple, the pyramids, what’s coming up?
Fadi: It’s gonna be crazy this year, because we’re gonna celebrate from June until New Year’s Eve, so it’s gonna be six months of just celebrations and we’re gonna do a very big tour, we have a lot of surprises about venues and something really special, not done before.
Ruben: This is going to be combined with your album coming up?
Fadi: Of course, our album is coming, hopefully, by the end of June. It’s amazing, and I’m playing some new stuff from it tonight, and all the set will be mostly ID’s tonight.
Of the 17 tracks played in this set, Fadi played an astonishing 14 new tracks! Some names have been revealed, but for the most part, these songs are so new that they are only referred to as ID.
How many times have you heard an artist play an entire set of unreleased tunes?
You can find the full set here, but if you don’t have time to take an hour long journey through trance, check out my favorite tracks from this set.
— Track #7: Aly & Fila – ID (19:30) —
I love when synths seem to dance back and forth with one another, and with this new ID, you can tell it could be made only by the masters themselves: Aly & Fila. With angelic sighs, and a symphony of synths, hands raised in the air, you’re sure to shed a tear when this drops at Lucky. So many levels of bliss are achieved as this track progresses onward towards the drop, and once it finally makes it, you are left in a state of heaven.
THIS IS REAL TRANCE.
— Track #9: Factor B – Something Like a Cure (26:50) —
Another one of my favorites from this hour of ridiculous energy is thought to be a Factor B track in the works. I like how the energy resets with a soft piano, followed by layerings of synths that eventually give you an unbelievable eargasm. A nice pre-drop release of beats sets the tone for the real drop which will send you passed the stratosphere.
— Track #10: Ahmed Romel – ID (30:33) —
Angelic choruses on this track coupled with soft and plucky synths, followed by a triumphant drop, make this something incredibly special and unique. It starts with much harder vibe, and once the melodies are layered on top, it is truly magnificent. Ahmed Romel is without a doubt a master at his craft.
–Track #14: Aly & Fila – Beyond the Lights (39:02)—
From psytrance to an old school vibe- this song starts with a ridiculous transition then everything dropping out to leave a lone piano, full of emotion. A chorus of unique electronic horns takes over then triumphant, old school synth takes center stage. If that weren’t enough, here’s another layer- a perfect blend of euphoric synths and bumping beats. This is what makes trance so magical to me, such a massive sound can be created.
— Track 17: Aly & Fila ft Super8 & Tab – ID (Heaven) (52:47) —
I have to say, this is the best track I’ve ever heard in my entire life. I’m not kidding! I have listened to this song at least 50 times in the last few days; I even woke up yesterday morning with the melody in my head. I wish I knew the lyrics but I can only make sense of the chorus, and it is extremely inspirational.
“Heaven, now I know that we are here. Heaven, this time I know the heart can heal”. A message I think most of us can sympathize with if you’ve ever become jaded from heartbreak.
The vocalist, Ana Criado, has a perfect voice for trance and sounds like an absolute angel. The build and drop of this song paint such a pure and incredible audioscape, inspiring electronic daydreams of sheer happiness without a care in the world.
I still have tears in my eyes thinking of the way she sighs during the build-floating above the clouds in a trance utopia until the duo amps the energy right up to deliver a 10/10 drop that really takes it to another level.
The first time I heard this set I was so disappointed it was over, I didn’t know what to do with myself other than start from the beginning and listen again. I’ll shamelessly admit I’ve had this set on a loop and will undoubtedly listen countless more times in preparation for Lucky.
Hearing this in earbuds as I’m doing daily tasks such as driving or working, and being brought to tears is one thing…but being in a crowd of thousands of people who are all feeling it with deep in our hearts and souls is bound to be one of the greatest moments of my life.
USC has booked some solid headliners, but Aly and Fila are a pair that is sure to give you serious feels unlike any other. I know it would be inspirational to the average person as well.
With instant gratification being the norm in not only popular dance music of today, but of western culture in general, trance is an exception to the rule. The drops in trance tracks are unique because so much time is spent building up to them, making a release of energy that is a breath of fresh air.
It’s the feeling of being above every issue, every care, every anxiety you’ve ever had and living truly free, even if it is only for a brief moment. Aly and Fila are not a performance to miss at Lucky 2017.
