My dear readers, it is an honor once again to lift the veil on one of the greatest artists ever, the legendary, incomparable, and irreplaceable DJ Cards. Calling such a phenomenon “an artist” is tantamount to doing him a great disservice because he has truly redefined the world of electronic dance music in a way that has nothing to do with temporary flashes of brilliance but rather with the consistent fire burning in the heart of a legend. There is something unique about the architecture of the musical universe created by DJ Cards because he knows how to create music that sends shivers down your spine with every sound layering on top of each other. A glance inside my own secret place of music, and it will become clear that his presence has been steady and unwavering from the very first day I discovered him. This is not just music for listening but rather an anthem which has become my life soundtrack and that I have no plans of stopping playing. And there is the chillingly perfect atmosphere created by “Grab That Fall Feeling,” the invincibly energetic “We Rise (Stadium Hype Song),” the hauntingly deep “Between The Lines (Slowed)” and the euphoric “Lose It In The Lights,” which have all left their mark on my mind as an outstanding masterpiece. But now it’s time for the genius to come back with his new single “Forward,” which has been released on the 5th of June, and which yet again proves that DJ Cards stays at the highest point of electronic music. Let’s get immersed in the details of this newest movement.
This track makes no bones about wasting any time whatsoever in capturing your senses from the onset, using a rising and prismatic synth-pop melody which sounds as if it is physically materializing before your eyes and ears. The composition is exemplary in creating suspense—lead lines twist and turn around and become more intense and brighter as each second passes by, developing a suspenseful momentum that draws you in towards the edge. Then comes the arrival, the beat drop occurs in an electrifying fashion, such that the entire transition leaves a lasting impression on one, as there is nothing gradual here but rather a sudden and decisive change in the composition. The result is that you find yourself immediately hooked into an irresistible foot-tapping intro right from the start.
“The Lawyer Who Drops Beats” is back, and with “Forward,” he has done much more than create another dance floor filler because now he has created an amazing trance odyssey that resonates with something within the soul of every human being. Taking inspiration from the overwhelming momentum and perseverance in times of trouble, this is music that can feel like an inspiring message for everyone who finds themselves at a crossroads right now. This album is driven by the theme of perseverance – a reminder that despite everything left behind in the past and all difficulties that we might have had to overcome until now, our only way is forward. It is a call to release ourselves from those chains and turn towards the future with an iron determination to move forward and see where life will take us.
Based upon soaring, crystal-clear melodic lines, a driving rhythm, and an environment that is simply euphoric in nature, “Forward” conveys the precise feeling of shedding all doubts behind and heading towards the horizon with absolute confidence. The track is a perfect marriage between the cinematic splendor and the sharpness of trance, creating an incredible balance of reflection and sheer inspiration. What truly stands out about this song is the lack of embellishment by the artist; where most contemporary electronic music relies on lyrics to convey feelings and meaning, the artist behind “Forward” uses the music itself to carry the message. The song becomes a narrator, taking the audience on an incredibly crafted trip of building suspense, intense relief, and unstoppable optimism. If you are driving alone into the night, reflecting on everything that has happened during your day, or if you are basking in the beautiful glow of a summer festival as the sun sets, this song is the perfect fusion of technique and emotion.
It is an example of artistic intention when a performer succeeds in skipping any need for one single sung word and relies on the visual code of the cover art as an anchor for the listener’s journey through the music. In an environment where it is so noisy that it is hard to hear any voices, DJ Cards proves his outstanding commitment and sophistication in his attitude towards his listeners. By combining the instrumental track “Forward” with an impressive image of a solitary wanderer who walks along a long curving road, he presents a true guide for his story. The picture of this man who is so strong-minded that he keeps his eyes on the distance without looking back at the way that was left behind is the true reflection of the music energy. This is not just any kind of track, but an elaborate composition wherein every element, from the sweeping synthesizers to the visual representation of perseverance, is coordinated with the rest to make sure that we are not only made to listen to the message behind the song, but also feel the message.
Indeed, it is a privilege to watch the path of DJ Cards and witness the phenomenal project that is masterfully created by Michael Cardamone from Philadelphia. With each new release, the man proves his position among the best artists in the world’s electronic music scene and crafts melodic pieces that feature beautiful and uplifting melodies, catchy hooks, and amazing landscapes that are so easy to get lost in. “Forward” is not yet another piece in the portfolio of DJ Cards; it is evident proof of how great the artist has become. In fact, there is something very special about this particular release that will stay with me for some time after I listened to it. I am deeply moved by the sincerity of the message that the artist has delivered to us with his song. He gets better with every new release, and he creates masterpieces with amazing precision and dedication. I am eagerly waiting for what is going to happen next in the career of DJ Cards.
Stream “Forward” on Spotify
