TuneLab
Simon Doty at Splendor
Anjunadeep Explorations 2023
Another Anjunadeep sunset, another collective sigh as a perfect piano chord hangs in the air. We're here, as always, chasing that specific blend of melancholy and euphoria that Simon Doty has down to a science. The Splendor stage at Anjunadeep Explorations 2023 in Albania provides the backdrop: think golden hour, a gentle sea breeze, and a crowd united in a state of earnest, unironic bliss. Doty's mixing is a masterclass in melodic house precision, holding a steady 127-128 BPM groove largely in the open, optimistic key of 12A, with strategic dips into the more introspective 3A and 3B.
The energy balance is quintessential Anjunadeep: a warm, rolling low-end (0.59 avg) forms the bedrock, while melodic mid-frequencies (0.33 avg) weave the emotional narrative, with just enough high-end sparkle (0.07 avg) to keep the soundscape crisp and defined. His transitions are smooth and harmonically intentional, building energy through layered arpeggios and subtle key modulations rather than brute force. For the crate diggers, this Simon Doty live set is a goldmine. The opening salvo, Krystal Klear's 'Endeavour', is a driving, retro-futurist anthem that sets the cinematic tone.
Alan Fitzpatrick's 'Brian's Proper Dun One' brings a welcome dose of bass-heavy, tech-house swagger to the proceedings. The deep, hypnotic pull of Kollektiv Turmstrasse's 'YAP' offers a moment of sublime, drifting introspection, while Dennis Sheperd's 'Infinity' provides a trance-tinged, soaring peak. Doty's own remix of JODA's 'Closer' showcases his talent for emotive vocal hooks, and the percussive thrust of Marc Marzenit's 'Perron' (Wehbba Remix) keeps the rhythm section compelling. The journey is a beautifully constructed arc: from the expansive beginnings of 'Endeavour', through techier detours and emotional highs, culminating in the heartfelt, hands-in-the-air finale of his own collaboration with My Friend, 'Am I The Only One?'.