When I heard that Joris Voorn mixed a new Global Underground set, I immediately hunted it down. As soon as that first melody opened up, I prepared for an epic release of beats. Other than a bass drone, nothing came. Track two began, and again, no release.
While there is a ton of innovation within electronic dance music, the genre is pretty straightforward: a kick drum, hi-hats or handclaps, some low end, a melody. There are a lot of safe bets in this style of music, and GU mixes are among the safest. I was confused.
Turns out, I missed that parenthetical The Exclusive Originals. This is a 38-minute catalog of originals that Voorn used in the mixed set. His soundscapes are a bit new agey but they create a mood you can get lost in, whether you’re actively listening or letting the sound simmer in the background. This isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re looking for a tried-and-true GU mix, but there’s beauty in these tracks.
And for what it’s worth, Voorn’s GU#43 mix isn’t nearly as predictable as I expected. It’s closer to an old Orbital record than an old GU record, and it’s worth checking out.
Released: January 22, 2021