EP REVIEW: Be Different – Stoneface & Terminal by Richard Granholm

When an electronic music artist releases a full-length album, it is an opportunity for them to explore their creativity beyond the established sound of the usual club-oriented singles. Stoneface & Terminal have done just that with the release of their long-awaited album “Be Different“, their second album since 2007’s “Wide Range”.

While there are a handful of club anthems on here, much of the album explores diverse percussion, deeper sounds, and ambience. As I thoroughly enjoyed this whole album from start to finish, I’m going to give you a quick rundown on each track.

Visitors: The album opens healthily with a slow build, complete with acoustic drums and a floating piano line.

Sonus: The dance rhythms begin, featuring a gritty bassline and an 80’s-style synth over top.

Let You Fall: Amurai’s smooth voice introduces this melancholic track, with a big supersaw leading into the melodic drop.

Travellers: A gorgeous tune that melds trance with tech house, and even a dash of big room. This one is ripe with funky percussion and grooving basslines.

Be Different: Sean Ryan’s breathy voice fits perfectly for this subdued, melodic track.

Deepressure: The percussion is real with this one – you’ll immediately feel like you’re listening to the Blue Man Group, and it’s amazing.

Alive: A euphoric melodic trance track that opens with bird sounds and cheerful synth pads.

For You: A more ambient mix of the club hit (previously reviewed on this site). Ellie’s vocals are still as beautiful as ever, with the main melody now over a half-time drum beat.

Skyfall: A dance floor hit for sure; it sounds to me like there is influence from other notable trance artists.

Electric Rain: The album takes a break here with calming rain and a bongo groove.

One Heart: Ana Criado is stunning as always on this one. It is worth mentioning that this really reminded me of Above & Beyond’s acoustic album – could we seeing one from Stoneface & Terminal in the future?

Yuma: Though beginning softly, this song quickly brings the album back to the club with a fantastic big beat that screams Stoneface & Terminal.

We Own the Night: The production duo puts a unique new spin on an older song using deep rhythms and synth stabs.

Stuck in a Loop: The popular Stoneface & Terminal vocoder finally makes an appearance in this one. The song starts deep and slowly becomes an epic melodic tune.

Caligula: This one also starts with a deeper sound – but then some very thick and gritty chords emerge with a simple, yet memorable melody.

Scuderia: The album ends with a beautiful orchestral finale; strings, drums, and vocal edits give way to a calm, piano-rich soundscape that slowly fades away.

If you haven’t guessed already, I am in love with this album. I recommend listening to the whole thing through at least once – it’s important, since all the tracks are mixed together in some way to add to the experience. Stoneface & Terminal’s Be Different is out now on Euphonic Records, and you can buy the album right here on iTunes

Check out Yuma, one of my favourite tracks on the album

Full tracklist:
1. Visitors
2. Sonus
3. Let You Fall (with Amurai) [album mix] 4. Travellers
5. Be Different (with Sean Ryan)
6. Deepressure
7. Alive
8. For You (with Ellie Lawson) [album mix] 9. Skyfall [album mix] 10. Electric Rain
11. One Heart (with Ana Criado) [album mix] 12. Yuma (with Ronski Speed and Synthea) [Stoneface & Terminal album mix]
13. We Own the Night (with Kyau & Albert) [Stoneface & Terminal album mix]
14. Stuck in a Loop [album mix] 15. Caligula
16. Scuderia [album mix]

LINKS:

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Richard Granholm – EDM TOR