[Album Review] Eric Prydz – Opus

Pure gold is what Eric Prydz has delivered time and again to his fans. Regarded with the status of ‘”messiah of dance music” by many, the Swedish producer’s twenty years of career hasn’t been an ordinary one as he settled up benchmarks for musicians around the world with his incredible, eccentric and unbeaten path. The last year being exceptionally pleasing for fans as Prydz released loads of original productions with majority under his Pryda alias and a few under his Techno alias, Cirez D, this one is turning out to be even bigger and better than ever before.

Ten years in the making, Eric Prydz’s much-awaited debut artist album and perhaps his most significant contribution yet, ‘Opus’ finally landed last Friday and is creating massive havoc just as anticipated. A double-disc release, Opus contains 19 original tracks from Prydz; a mixture of few of his old records, ethereal IDs, and well arranged unmarked material. It isn’t actually the first album from Prydz as the master released his 3-disc partially mixed series Eric Prydz Presents Pryda in 2012, but marks his first-ever album under his own name.

Opus kicks off with Prydz’ highly popular number ‘Liam’ that was formerly known as a Pryda record and gained proper recognition after serving an intro number for his Essential Mix Of The Year in 2013. Starting off with a reeling synth harmony until sound layers feather in, it provides for an incredible opening to the album. With a similar pattern, ‘Black Dyce’ slips-in drums and synths redolent to that of 80s, while a striking change in the melody would simply take any listener down an unanticipated road. Surrounded on both ends with a recursive drum pattern, ‘Collider’ is favored by a warming piano riffs in the breakdown.

The aural journey of Opus continues with ‘Som Sas’ that features possibly a newest Pryda snare you’d have ever heard of before. ‘Last Dragon’ by far goes for a highlighting record on Prydz’ LP as it consists of simple yet uplifting chords that you’d want to play in high spirits. ‘Moody Mondays’, the first vocal number on Opus features The Cut and provides for an almost Depeche Mode-like vibe to an already rather 80s dashed approach. The incontestable glooming with its factual lyrics deliver an extra punch to the number, making it one of our top favourites.

Catching good light and attention is ‘Floj’ on disc one with layered arrangement of chords delivering a euphoric sequence. Next up, ‘Trubble’ comes with a swirling melodic push as its reflected synths give it more of a belligerent connotation. Disc one approaches the end with ‘Klepht’ as it takes things to darker sides with a deep hypnotic bass line gently altered by a sweet yet acidic pattern in the background. ‘Eclipse’ wraps up session one with a transcendental note as it starts off and graduates with yet another wicked bass line. The main melody glimmers out of the elements of the trippy atmosphere until it returns back to the beginning point.

Eric Prydz’ second disc of Opus starts with his tribute to the ultimate world party destination Ibiza. ‘Sunset At Cafe Mambo’ will take you down the blissful and dreamy memory lane of paradise with Prydz’ creative process in full action. Following the sublime sounds is Prydz most recent collaboration with Rob Swire for ‘Breathe’. With an unlikely association, Prydz uplifts listeners through this vocal number. A very short three minute extract of ‘Breathe’ would barely be able to calm your popish desires. We certainly wish there was more of it like other tracks on the album. What follows is ‘Generate’, a track that we had been hearing in Prydz’ live sets since 2014. Undoubtedly a masterpiece of a production, ‘Generate’ brings intense eargasm to the ears.

We continue with ‘Oddity’ which is an eight minute Prydzian journey, one that we were craving to go through lately. The second longest cut on the album after ‘Opus’, it’s a gaping and even more intellectual of a production, just enough to effortlessly get you lost into its brooding sound. Definitely our top favourite on the album! The reworked version of ‘Mija’ with its charming, cinematic breakdown flawlessly surpasses the original which first appeared on Pryda 028 in 2014. Although a rendition of an old Prydz beauty, ‘Mija (Re-scored)’ easily manages to stand out in the album. ‘Every Day’ needs no description as it’s been one of the biggest commercial hit and creates a sweet nostalgia among all the new material.

The original mix of ‘Liberate’ similarly stands out as another production that was made public earlier than others. Pushing the long and a rather heavenly voyage of musical prowess, ‘The Matrix’ uplifts the progressive atmosphere with its sonorous calmness. Eric Prydz’ full-length album ends in a grand fashion with the aptly titled title track ‘Opus’. A track that exhibits larger than life moments of his career as he puts his best efforts and by par the finest of his skills with embodied layered buildup of his style marvellously. A nearly indescribable musical showpiece, ‘Opus’ ends Prydz’ LP that took ten-years in the making.

Getting finer and finer, year by year, being a top-notch classical composer, and incorporating his masterpieces into his live shows of remarkable art-of-production, Eric Prydz has shown the world that he is the king when it comes to defining the sound of electronic dance music. Out now via Virgin Records, you can purchase Opus off iTunes!

Top 5 #Bangin Tracks of Opus:

1. Oddity
2. Moody Mondays
3. Trubble
4. Last Dragon
5. The Matrix