For me, AraabMuzik’s Electronic Dream is one of the most important and indispensible records to come out of 2011, and it will no doubt divide audiences into two very polar-opposite camps.

AraabMuzik, to put this record into context, started out making beats for The Diplomats guys like Camron, who did the track I Used To Get It In Ohio. You can find some of his work on the Dipset Trance Party, which was a weird concept mixtape featuring rap producers from The Diplomats camp making trance. Another thing you should know about Araab is that he is an absolute wizard on the MPC – just a punch a few hits into YouTube and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

AraabMuzik – Streetz Tonight

By now you might be beginning to think this is not your typical dance record – and you’re right, it’s not typical at all. Musically, it sits somewhere between modern instrumental rap music’s sparse kicks, hard-ass snare and hi hat programming; and dance music – but in particular euphoric trance, hardstyle, diva house and a lot of sub-genres in dance that are quite reviled by many of us.

AraabMuzik – Golden Touch

Delicate this album definitely is not – it doesn’t pull punches, but that’s quite refreshing in a time when music has gotten a bit too serious. The melodies here are quite beautiful and definitely appeal to a guilty pleasure side of me – this is immediate music, not something to enjoy the subtleties of on a 2nd or 3rd listen (however, it is one of my most played albums this year). In this rap context, I actually enjoy all the pretty cheesy dance vocals. Araab doesn’t clutter the track too much with them, it’s all quite tracky for hooks sake and just when you think he needs to show some restraint, he does. The drum programming on this is next level too, AraabMuzik bodied it and you can’t help but be in awe.

AraabMuzik – Lift Off

Sonically, compared to the ultra-sheen of other studio-produced records, you can’t say it’s well produced in the traditional sense. It has a real (audio-hijacked from YouTube) charm about it, though this bit-crushed aesthetic is what sets it apart. Too often, there is unnecessary hype and emphasis on sound fidelity, but the best music for me always has to have that grit. Ideas and how you execute them are the most important thing.

AraabMuzik – Electronic Dream

AraabMuzik has really pulled off something remarkable with this record – marrying hard rap drums and huge, big room breakdown trance anthems; and something a bit vulgar with some really haunting, and moving, synthlines.