Album Review: Silent Strings by Kristof Herme
Alright, so let’s talk about Silent Strings, the 2010 trance masterpiece from Kristof Herme. Released under Ocean State Recordings in the UK, this album might not have blown up the charts like some of its peers, but man, it’s got that understated charm you don’t forget easily. The whole thing is pretty much Kris Fielding’s baby—he wrote and produced it all—and honestly, his fingerprints are all over the vibe. It’s one of those albums where you can tell someone really cared about every beat and melody.
The genre here is electronic, leaning heavy into trance and progressive trance. If you’re into dreamy builds, euphoric drops, and that floaty feeling only trance can give you, this one’s worth a spin. There are three tracks total, but I wanna zoom in on two that stuck with me for different reasons.
First up, the Original Mix of Silent Strings. Wow, just wow. This track is like that moment when you’re lying on your back staring at the stars, and suddenly everything clicks into place. It starts off slow, almost hesitant, but then BAM—it hits you with this lush wall of sound that feels both intimate and massive at the same time. The synths are silky smooth, and there’s this subtle bassline that sneaks up on you, kinda like when your cat jumps onto your lap outta nowhere. You know what I mean? It’s not trying too hard to impress; it just does. And yeah, maybe it’s a little cheesy, but sometimes cheesy works, ya know?
Then there’s the Jonny Attomic Remix. Okay, so if the original is chill stargazing, this remix is more like dancing under neon lights at 2 AM. Jonny takes the core of the track and cranks it up a notch—more energy, sharper kicks, and these glitchy bits scattered around that keep things interesting. What I love most about this version is how it balances familiarity with something fresh. Like, you still recognize the soul of Silent Strings, but now it’s wearing shades and looking cooler than ever. Honestly, this remix could’ve been my alarm clock back in the day—it would’ve made waking up way less painful.
As for the Derrick Clarcq remix… eh, it’s solid, but it didn’t grab me as much as the other two. Still worth a listen though if you’re a completist or just love hearing different interpretations of the same tune.
Reflecting on Silent Strings, it’s kinda wild how an album with only three tracks can leave such a mark. Maybe it’s because it came out in 2010, right before EDM exploded and changed the game forever. Listening to it now feels like stepping into a time capsule, except instead of old newspapers and dusty relics, you find pure, unfiltered emotion wrapped in beats. Oh, and here’s the random thought to end this review—this album reminds me of why we fall in love with music in the first place. It’s not about perfection or polish; it’s about connection. So thanks, Kris, for making something that still resonates over a decade later. Now go listen to it—you won’t regret it.
