The culmination of nearly four years in the studio with collaborators across seven cities, Michael Badal finally releases his debut album Now That We're Humanon Black Hole Recordings.
12 progressive house and trance tracks feature the vocal talents of Jan Johnston, Sue McLaren, Haliene, Ellie Lawson, Tiff Lacey, Lotte Kestner, Shanokee, and Zoe Sky Jordan, with co-writing credits by Plumb and Shift Four, each contributing to an atmosphere that celebrates the intimacy of life. These songs are about love, closeness, and our humanity, says the 25-year old LA native.I hope the album brightens the listener's day, if even for a moment, and helps them realize that life is beautiful.
Now That We're Human personifies what it means to be a producer in a digital age. Michael and his songwriters worked together strictly through Internet file sharing and he was only able to meet a handful of them in person throughout the duration of production. While electronic dance music can often be perceived as artificial or heartless, the album plays on the fact that even though the artists were never in the same room together, they were able to find common ground through their lyrics and songwriting and preserve the human element in music creation.
Tiff Lacey kicks off with Fairy Tale setting the pace for the record's emotional trip and Jan Johnston lends her legendary vocals to the tech trance track Unmissable. Lead single Human Beings with Haliene and Recapture with Sue McLaren reflect moments of human resilience, while Fly (Never Come Down Again) with Lotte Kestner is an uplifting, fast BPM track that will have you soaring. Blue Skieswith Shanokee infuses piano chords with fast synths and angelic vocals and Ellie Lawson captivates on Closer, a soothing progressive tune with undertones of Ibiza beaches and sunshine.
The four instrumental tracks on Now That We're Human provide an orchestral feel to the album, transporting the listener on an up-and-down voyage through feelings of euphoria, melancholy, longing and revelation. Closing out the album is The Room with Shift Four & Zoe Sky Jordan, a smokey, ambient epilogue with lounge-inspired vocals that leaves you ready to start the journey all over again.
