Skip to main content

Activa's 'Origins' Album Arrives This Month

Activa's 'Origins' Album Arrives This Month

Arriving a full decade after his last LP (2011’s ‘To The Point’), ‘Origins’ - releasing Oct 1, is the third album from UK artist Rob ‘Activa’ Stevenson.



On the surface ‘Origins’ origin story is a relatively straightforward one. “Its main theme, states Activa is to re-represent the music I grew up with. Throughout ‘Origins’ production I always knew I wanted the release to work in a dual capacity. Both as a traditionally laid out artist album, that someone could move in & out of as their mood takes, but also as something that could be experienced mixed, as a start-through-finish one. The structure of that version on the release is highly representative of the music compilations I listened to, and was inspired by in my youth”, Rob says.



This though is only half its story. It’s the motivation behind the motivation that makes ‘Origins’ that much more intriguing (and arguably even unique). Essentially, for Stevenson the album is something of a do-over - a go-around or perhaps even ‘a second run’. Contextually, Rob’s production career began after the trance space race had already been won - its ‘moonshot’ certified. To a degree he was caught in its second substantial producer wave - a time when enthusiasm & access were skyrocketing.



Rob is the first to admit that he wasn’t immune to this. As with many, production values weren’t always in step with quality. It’s something that sticks regularly in the gut of many an artist – both inside the genre and out. Unlike others though, it was something that he couldn’t get past and felt compelled to address. Rather then than remix/re-master his tracks of old, he decided to record an album that tonally had its head in the heyday game, but with production capabilities 20 years more progressed and finessed.



Throughout ‘Origins’ production, Rob was ruthless in his excising anything remotely ‘2.0’ in terms of sound, effect, technique or – heaven forbid – trend-chase. “I feel that progress is only really progress if things actually get better, he says, and I’m not sure that’s always been the case with trance. As a genre, it often moves far away from what it used to be - at times becoming a near caricature of itself”. Hence, Rob allowed nothing of that nature to dilute or pollute this singularly heritage-focussed album. Imagine perhaps a long-player with all of PvD’s punch, Sasha’s savvy, Ferry’s feel and Armin’s acumen, which has lain unheard – almost time-capsule-like - to this day. If you can, well you’re not a million miles from ‘Origins’.



Over the course of the year Activa’s lit a trail to the album, which has run through spring, summer and into the autumn. It’s already delivered us instrumental brilliance like ‘Polestar’ & ‘Into Pieces’, and spellbinding vocal numbers including the ‘Return To Life’, ‘Fall In’ and its current single, ‘Stranger’ w/Jennifer Rene.



While Rob shares the stage with many a singer, ‘Origins’ is as notable for being largely absent of co-producers. Across its 15 tracks, only Orkidea, Rolo Green and John Dopping make appearances, and that’s something Rob ascribes to the nature of the release. “To have had many other co-production hands on something this personal”, he says, didn’t make much sense to me” So that side of things has been kept tight. That has opened the gateway to instrumental cuts like ‘Fade From View’, ‘Anamara’ and ‘Journey Home’ - ones that, had they been produced back in the day, would’ve long since have passed onto classic status.



“Just don’t call this ‘a redemption arc’, quips Rob. It just a right place, right time, but above all a right skill-set opportunity to address a few early production wrongs!” he concludes.



‘Origins’, Activa’s 10-years-in-the-waiting third artist album, is available now to buy (on CD, vinyl & download) or stream here: Activa - Origins



Listen to Origins by Activa.




Activa – ‘Origins’ tracklist:
01. Activa - For Emily
02. Activa & Lo - Leave A Light On
03. Activa & Rolo Green featuring Julie Harrington - Reach Out
04. Activa & Orkidea - Z21 (Activa’s ‘Origins' Mix)
05. Activa - Let Them Know
06. Activa - Fade From View
07. Activa & Shelley Segal - Fall In
08. Activa - Journey Home
09. Activa - Anamara
10. Activa & Shannon Hurley - Return To Life
11. Activa - Into Pieces
12. Activa & John Dopping - A Future Memory (Activa’s ‘Origins’ Mix)
13. Activa - Polestar
14. Activa & Jennifer Rene – Stranger
15. Activa - Epilogue





activamusic.com
facebook.com/activamusic
instagram.com/activaofficial
twitter.com/activamusic
soundcloud.com/activa_official



blackholerecordings.com
soundcloud.com/blackholerecordings
facebook.com/blackholerecordings
twitter.com/BlackHoleRec


https://streamlinemusicblog.com/2021/10/06/activasoriginalbum/

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

80's Music Stars Then and Now

Hey everybody! Let's take another magnificent walk down Memory Lane!...This time a little bit further as we take a look back into 80's music stars then and now. StreamLINE presents a stunning collection of photos of some of the biggest names that dominated the 80's music scene and how they're doing today : 80's Music Stars Then and Now. It's always refreshing to see your favorite artists of the past maintaining well and still going strong whether they're still releasing music and touring or not. Whether you grew up on these artists, watched their rise to fame in the 80's or are an avid fan of these artists' music, these photos will conjure up a lot of memories. 80's Music Stars Then and Now Hey everybody! Let's take another magnificent walk down Memory Lane!...This time a little bit further as we take a look back into 80's music stars then and n... The MUSIC MARKETPLACE, by FIRST ICON Music Resources & Miscellaneous This site contains...

Elly Kace releases 'Nothing I See Means Anything'

NEWS PROVIDED BY: GORYL RECORDS Elly Kace has announced the release of a new album titled 'Nothing I See Means Anything', due out on 19 November 2021. The album will feature 11 tracks. The single promoting the latest album is 'Are You Ready,' which is set in a melancholic mood. All 11 tracks are in a similar vein, so if you are looking for songs that can move you, this album is definitely for you. The artist herself is inspired by stars such as Björk, Kate Bush, and Lady Gaga, which certainly sets the bar high and Elly Kace will have to face many comparisons. Additionally, it can be said that each of these songs writes its own story. We can look forward to seeing which track will be the next single to promote the album. This will probably turn out in the near future. For now, it remains to add the single 'Are You Ready' to your playlists and support the artist. https://soundcloud.com/ellykacemusic/01-are-you-ready-revised-album - www.ellykace.com - www.facebook....

StreamLINE Music Review : Pixellay - Talk to Me (EDM / Electro Pop)

Pixellay is a 17-year old rapidly emerging electronic music producer, songwriter, DJ and remixer out of Birmingham, Alabama. The young sensation whose real name is Landon Friedman, possesses a dynamic creativity that is driven by his passion for both music and technology. These coexisting passions help Pixellay formulate a distinct sound and production catalog teeming with a variety of vibrant EDM, electronic pop, future house, and tropical house tracks. Pixellay continues this formula of success on his latest release titled "Talk to Me". "Talk to Me" is a lively EDM, electro pop track that carries all the elements of an electronic infused song that is sure to resonate with music listeners across the globe. The production is stupendous as Pixellay creates a radiant soundscape that displays his musicianship and keen ear for sound design. The instrumentation jumps out at you with an impressive blend of rhythm and melody yet has a potent, bold presence. The dazzling in...