Solaris Heights "No Trace"

Originally getting their start on the now defunct house label, Paper Recordings, which was home to Crazy Penis and a warmer, deeper sound; this latest single from Solaris Heights is radically different from their Paper Recordings past. “No Trace” was picked up by dance heavy weight label, Renaissance and this track certainly has all the flavor of the “what’s old is new again,” retro club movement.

Solaris Height’s original vocal mix of “No Trace” brought me back to the sounds of 80’s synth-pop nostalgia. The bassline and vocals are very much in vein of Corey Hart’s seminal classic, “Sunglasses At Night.” Digital effects have been placed over the vocals, giving them a robotic, yet dreamy quality that goes hand in hand with the deep, bouncy bassline. It’s the kind of tune that might not make an immediate impact but after another couple of listens, begins to seep into your subconscious.

The Popof Remix brings up the tempo and chops up the vocals to give this version more of a traditional “dub” feel. With most of the vocals now gone, the melody is what remains as it swirls amidst layers of echo effects and massive synth lines. Perfect for the people who don’t care much for 80’s male vocals in their house tracks. However, in my opinion, the vocals add to the appeal of the track and without them, you’re left with a rather bland retro house tune that is hard to differentiate itself from the pack.

The Quigley Pacemaker Vox mix turns the track even deeper by beefing up the bass, giving “No Trace” and almost (gasp) tribal feel. The main vocals are back in this version and they work well with the slower tempo. Of all the three versions, this one is probably my favorite as its slower speed could work well in a variety of different sets. The added instrumentation also builds up the intensity of the track, really encompassing the listener in an 80’s soundscape.

This is the kind of track that very deftly utilizes its vocals for massive effect. Some people prefer their tunes vocal free but in this particular case, when the vocal is absent, the track loses much of its main appeal. The original and especially the Quigley Pacemaker Vox mix realize this and as a result are stronger versions. Be warned though, if the current revitalization of 80’s electro doesn’t grab you, then this is not the tune for you.