It’s time for a track highlight! We’ve noticed New Era by Netherlands-based producer Ahrix has been getting some love recently. Check it out here!

Ahrix, aka Arjen, is a music producer from the Netherlands. More than deserving of an artist highlight, he has been skilfully making music since 2011. Inspired by Norwegian producer K-391, Ahrix created his first track, Nova. Now with over 62 millions streams on Spotify alone, Nova has become a firm favourite with content creators all round the globe. Due to this, we are stoked at Synchedin to feature Nova in our catalogue of awesome royalty free music!

Originally producing tracks of an electro-house nature, Ahrix has since stated that he is aiming at moving away from this. Seemingly wishing to span genres, the goal of combining as many influences as possible has become the priority. Ahrix cites such influences as Porter Robinson, Madeon and Anamanaguchi. 

New Era is a powerful track with heaps of atmosphere. Soft and emotive keys open the piece, with beautiful vocals acting as an ambient precursor to dramatic pounding drums. This epic opening is topped off with layers of strings, creating a cinematic or game soundtrack-esque feel.

Just as you settle into what feels like the completion of the building of texture, Ahrix throws you a curveball. An electronic drum track overtakes the acoustic drums, and futuristic synth replaces the rhythmic strings. Suddenly you are transported to a completely different world of modernity, whilst the fundamental and recognisable elements of the track are retained.

A genre-spanning song of two sides, the return of sensitive piano, war-like drums, and orchestral accents reminds the listener where they have come from. As the tension builds, so too does the suspense created by the shortening rhythms of the electronic drums. For a final time, the track plunges back into synthesized melodies and a computer-steady beat. Cleverly considered pauses allow glimpses of the string section, before the track abruptly but decisively halts. This sudden ending serves only to support the idea of a determined and forceful new era that knows exactly what it’s about.

To keep up to date with everything Ahrix is doing, check out his Instagram, SoundCloud and YouTube profiles!