Hardwell presents Revealed, Volume 1

Hardwell’s label series, Hardwell Presents Revealed, tends to double as a showcase for the biggest unreleased tracks from the Dutch DJ’s sets, and Vol. 10 is no different. His eagerly awaited “Old School” ID, a fan favourite from summer 2018, finally gets unveiled here as “Retrograde”, an epic affair for cascading synth stabs with a decidedly classic feel; also making its first official appearance on record is “Drop to the Floor”, a commanding slab of big-room rave infused with dancehall deejay chat. Notwithstanding the gentle takeoff of the opening “Being Alive”, an example of Hardwell at his most melodic, the 80-minute set taps into peak-time energy from start to finish: The Middle Eastern reeds of Tiësto & SWACQ’s “Party Time” are an unhinged highlight of the first half, while an exclusive new mix of Maddix’s “Invincible (Till the Day We Die)” offers a tougher take on a melody-soaked progressive anthem. And lest anyone think Hardwell left his hardstyle roots behind, the set wraps up by pushing both the kick drums and the tempo into the red.