Oliver Heldens has my attention. The Dutch (surprise!) producer/DJ is just 17 years old but not only does he have my attention, he’s got the attention of guys like Pete Tong, Tiesto, Tommie Sunshine, and Hardwell. In fact, it’s the very influential Pete Tong who introduced me to Oliver Heldens, by showcasing the forthcoming track “Gecko” due out December 30th on Tiesto’s Musical Freedom label. In retrospect I had actually heard Heldens’ work before: when Tommie Sunshine came to Boston’s Prime Nightclub a couple months back, he opened with a remix of Disclosure’s “White Noise” that I couldn’t put my finger on. It turns out that remix was a bootleg produced by none other than Tommie Sunshine & Oliver Heldens. I’ll admit that listening to some of Heldens’ older work I’m not 100% sold, as a lot of it hovers in the realm of Big Room House. But it’s easy to see Oliver Heldens has a lot of talent and once he starts to solidify his sound the sky is the limit.
When I speak of solidifying his sound, I mean a sound that pulls from Heldeep Mixtape 1 which dropped earlier today. The mix is equal parts funk, Electro-House, Indie Dance, and so much more. Most notably, the mix opens up with Oliver Heldens’ remix of Martin Garrix’s “Animals” and it’s probably the most refreshing take on the track I’ve heard yet (it doesn’t sound much like the original at all – and that’s okay). After that it’s right into Heldens’ “Gecko” and then a slew of other tasty treats both new and old.
Pete Tong and all the others may have told you first, but I’m here to call Oliver Heldens as a true breakout artist in 2014.
*Tracklist after the jump!*
Tracklist:
1. Martin Garrix – Animals (Oliver Heldens Remix) [Exclusive Premiere]
2. Oliver Heldens – Gecko [Out Dec 30th @ Musical Freedom]
3. Tchami – Promesses
4. My Digital Enemy – Deep Down Inside
5. Justin Martin – Don’t Go (Dusky Remix)
6. Disclosure – What’s in your head
7. Rene Amesz – Dextro
8. Sick Individuals vs. Alesso ft. Nadia Ali – Chase Pressure (Zack Edward Edit)
9. Kaskade – Atmosphere (Chocolate Puma Remix)
10. DBN, Dohr & Mangold – Tromp It
11. Nicky Romero – Camorra
12. Bingo Players – Devotion [Heldeep Classic]
13. Tchami x Janet Jackson – Go Deep
14. Disclosure – F For You (TEED Remix)
15. Foamo – Running
16. Hot Natured featuring Anabel Englund – Reverse Skydiving (Shadow Child Remix) vs Let’s Jack
17. Gregori Klosman – Funk it
18. Merk & Kremont – Zunami
19. Bingo Players, Apster, Vato Gonzalez Vs Tujamo & Plastik Funk – Who Dip Badman (Mashup)
20. Azzido Da Bass – Rawk (David Puentez Remix) [Heldeep Banger]
21. Dannic & Sick Individuals vs Nicky Romero, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano – Jack to the Sound of the Blueprint (Henry Fong Mashup)
22. Oliver Heldens vs Zedd ft. Foxes vs Hardwell & W&W – Juggernaut Clarity Jumper (Shockstorm Mashup)