Not all of Defqon.1 is trying to break your sternum. There’s a whole melodic wing of hardstyle built for the moment the sun comes up and you decide you love everyone in the field. Cheesy? Completely. I’m not above it. Three for the soft hour.
1. Da Tweekaz - Sunrise
Da Tweekaz are the costume-wearing kings of the big melodic singalong, and Sunrise is them doing exactly what they do best. You will hate yourself a little for how much you enjoy this. Lean in anyway.
2. Devin Wild - Silent (Left The System)
Devin Wild does the emotional-anthem thing without tipping all the way into schmaltz, mostly. Silent has a melody that lodges in your skull for a week straight. Last year’s me would be annoyed about it; this year’s me hit repeat.
3. Atmozfears & Galactixx - Alive
Atmozfears basically wrote the euphoric-hardstyle rulebook, and pairing with Galactixx on Alive is him underlining the whole thing. Massive vocal, gut-punch build, arms-up payoff. Sue me, it works.
Bring water and zero shame.