In A Dream

With dance and EDM moving so vividly into the mainstream of popular music, the genre is further being pushed to its boundaries by those artists that have long laid claim to the synth pops and blips that have paved the trends.

One such act that has often gotten props for his innovations on behalf of the genre is The Juan MacClean. Their latest release is "In A Dream" and John MacClean, better known by his "MacClean" moniker, delivers on a pulsing 9-track setlist of pure House and EDM joy!

Though The Juan MacClean has famously mastered the media of harsher more deliberate dance-punk, EDM defines this latest offering, which blends organic instrumentation (beautifully textured guitar licks and classic disco 808 syncopation) with some lush and progressive sounding House, which is making a revolutionary return to a contemporary club scene. It's no surprise that his collaborations with vocalist Amy Douglas (aka Peach Melba) have propelled him into the mainstream dance consciousness.

The intro to "In A Dream" sets the tempo for the entirety of the album, which relies on a very nostalgic journey into 80's dance, Euro-pop and is even slightly reminiscent of the legendary Giorgio Moroder. "A Place Called Space" explodes with a rebellious guitar and a shimmering vocal edit that fades into the depths of the "after hours" scene willingly pushing the highs of atmospheric sounds that transport the listener to else-worlds, then easily segues into the House-punchy "Here I Am."

The hyped-up beat factory feel of the album continues cathartically into the rest of the setlist. "Love Stops Here" is a more pared down offering, but it nonetheless revels in a repetition that is intoxicating and is an electronic dream to behold. Another standout is "A Simple Design," which has an '80s feel that propels its unique appeal with Peach Melba's vocal emotion guiding the album into its conclusion on the moody "The Sun Will Never Set On Our Love." With its bubbly blips and whistles, it's a feast even for those suffering sensory deprivation.

"The Juan MacClean: In A Dream" is available now on all platforms including digital download for $9.99 on DFA Records.