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Exploring Jake Major’s “Amsterdam Tapes, Vol 1”: A Retro-Futuristic Dive into Trance and Dance Music

Amsterdam Tapes, Vol 1
Amsterdam Tapes, Vol 1

Jake Major is a young artist whose sound belies his age. At just 19, the Newcastle-based musician has already carved out a distinctive niche in the electronic music world. His style, which channels the synth-heavy sounds of iconic 1980s artists like Jean-Michel Jarre, Giorgio Moroder, and Vangelis, is tempered with a fresh, forward-looking edge. Though his roots lie in nostalgia, Major blends his influences with a contemporary touch, offering something uniquely his own. For someone so young, his music taste spans decades, drawing inspiration from a wide spectrum of electronic genres, from the pioneers of the 70s and 80s to the euphoric trance and dance of the 90s. The result is a sound that feels at once retro and futuristically new—a perfect match for his first major project in the trance/dance world, “Amsterdam Tapes, Vol 1.


With his debut EP in this genre, Major ventures into trance and dance music and explores vocal-driven tracks, marking a departure from his traditionally instrumental work. “Amsterdam Tapes, Vol 1 “shows a maturation of his sound, experimenting with synth textures, heartfelt lyrics, and an unapologetic embrace of the 90s rave scene. Major’s attraction to Amsterdam as the thematic backdrop for this EP is no accident. The city’s reputation as a hub of trance and electronic music deeply resonates with Major, whose connection to the city is more than artistic, it’s personal. Some of the songs on the EP were written during his visits to Amsterdam, imbuing the tracks with a sense of place and capturing the spirit of the city’s vibrant nightlife.



The opening track, “These Pills of Lust and Longing, immediately sets the tone for the EP, invoking both a sense of euphoria and melancholy. The track harkens back to the heyday of 90s trance music, with its pulsing synths and hypnotic beats. Lyrically, the song explores themes of escapism and fleeting love, with references to drug use that subtly critique the reckless abandon often associated with rave culture. The line “I don’t care if it’s laced” takes on a darker meaning, underscoring the consequences of seeking out dangerous highs in the pursuit of fleeting joy. The track’s atmospheric quality, paired with its provocative lyrics, sets the stage for the emotional and musical journey that follows in the EP.


Next up, “Euphoria Peloria” continues this exploration of altered states, this time with a more organic synth palette that enhances its dreamlike quality. The title, which plays on the term euphoria, is a nod to cannabis culture, specifically referencing an idealized, perfect strain of weed. The track’s lyrics, tinged with a sense of longing, narrate a relationship caught between the haze of intoxication and the blissful release of surrender. “Euphoria Peloria, Light and inhale the glory,” Major sings, capturing a moment of pure escape, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. The imagery here is potent, evoking an otherworldly connection between the narrator and their lover, drifting away from the mundane and into the realm of possibility.


How Can It Be?” shifts gears with a gritty, Eurodance vibe that contrasts sharply with the previous tracks’ ethereal quality. The lyrics speak to the loneliness and emotional turmoil of the protagonist, who wrestles with feelings of alienation and desperation. “How can it be? I’m alone, and there’s no way out,” Major sings, his voice drenched in a sense of vulnerability. Yet, as the track progresses, the mood changes, transforming into an anthem of resilience. The juxtaposition of hopelessness and defiance mirrors the complex emotional landscape of youth, a theme that resonates deeply with Major’s journey. The production, reminiscent of 90s dance compilations, is energized and driving, and the raw emotion in the vocal delivery makes this track stand out.


Vigilante, a reimagined version of an earlier composition, brings a darker, more cinematic element to the EP. Initially written at age 16, the track has undergone significant transformation since its first release, with Major adding new elements like a spoken word section and a rich synth brass arrangement. The song’s narrative takes the listener into a dystopian world, where a vigilante figure watches over a crime-ridden city. The character’s sense of purpose is encapsulated in the lyrics, which are as much about heroism as they are about the solitude of the vigilante’s life. The synth brass section, which didn’t appear in the original version, adds a layer of intensity, helping to immerse the listener further into the futuristic, noir-esque world Major has created.


Finally, “Amsterdam Tapes, Vol 1” is a captivating fusion of past and present, a vibrant celebration of the rave and trance cultures that have shaped Major’s sound. His ability to blend vintage synth influences with modern dancefloor energy speaks to his versatility as a producer and songwriter. What stands out the most in this EP, however, is Major’s growing prowess as a vocalist. Each track tells a story, and while the lyrics explore themes of love, loss, escapism, and self-discovery, they do so with a sophistication that exceeds his years. As Major continues to develop as an artist, it’s clear that “Amsterdam Tapes, Vol 1 is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting musical journey.


For more, follow Jake Major on Spotify, Soundcloud and YouTube



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