The New Zealand brothers Barton and Hayden Strom are at it again. After being placed as a runner up in the Beatport Music Award for ‘Best In Their Game’, the boys started work on the fourth Antix album to be released one again on Iboga Records. Antix has always been known for their sublime trance and progressive house, but this album steps beyond the mark they have set with previous albums. They spent a long time in the studio with this one, and it shows. This is their most polished-sounding work to date.

Cavalier is a two-CD set, with number one being all new tracks and the second CD featuring remixes from the likes of Dousk, Jamie Stevens, Tim Richards, Djuma Soundsystem and Joel Armstrong. Unfortunately I could only get my hands on the first CD, but if it’s anything to go by, the remixes would be a worthy addition to an already great album.

The CD is set out as one continual mix; the tracks are indexed separately, but you will miss the change in song if you’re not paying attention. They seem to melt from one song to the other in a seamless transition. Antix has said of this approach: “We wanted it to be something special, a new chapter in our lives. We realise with the introduction of digital downloads most people will be able to purchase the tracks as singles, so we crafted the CD as one continuous edit, so the listeners have something that they can take away with them on a holiday or on a long car journey.” They have achieved what they set out to do and then some; this album is an auditory journey that you don’t want to end.

The first track The Hoard is a 10-minute masterpiece. As any great start to a journey should, it sets the pace and establishes a mood. The second track Manta leads you down a welcoming path, getting you comfortable and into a rhythm. Lost & Found is the first unexpected turn, with the voice of Mark Ridout lending an indie edge.

Following that is the title track Cavalier, which follows on so smoothly you barely feel the turn that takes you on the next part of the journey. A fork in the road leads you to Under The Shade, which builds beautifully to Lost and Found, another showcase for the voice of Ridout. Box Of Birds is my favourite part of the album, as I can see a bit of the anime classic Akira on the way (listen out for the sample; it will surprise you).Like all great stories, this winds down and stops somewhere truly spectacular. Take the journey with Antix and you will become a fully trained Cavalier.

Cavalier is out now on Iboga Records.