Album Review: Paradise by MStyle & DJX – A Hardcore Journey Worth Taking
If you’re into the raw energy of hardcore and electronic music, Paradise by MStyle & DJX is an album that deserves your attention. Released in 2015 under Upfront Hard Records (UK), this record dives deep into the realms of hardcore and happy hardcore with a relentless vibe that sticks to your ribs. It’s not perfect, but it’s got character—and sometimes, that’s all you need.
The title track, “Paradise,” kicks things off with a bang. It’s one of those tunes where the beat grabs you by the shoulders and shakes you awake. The melody has this uplifting, almost euphoric feel—typical of happy hardcore—but what sets it apart is how crisp the production feels. You can tell MStyle & DJX weren’t messing around when they crafted this banger. There’s something about the way the synths soar over the pounding kick drums that makes it unforgettable. It’s like the audio equivalent of standing on a cliff at sunrise, wind whipping through your hair. Cheesy? Maybe. But damn if it doesn’t work.
Then there’s another standout, though I won’t name it here because part of the fun is discovering it yourself. Let’s just say it leans harder into the darker side of hardcore. The track slams with distorted basslines and breakbeat patterns that feel chaotic yet controlled. It reminds me of old-school raves back in the day—sweaty, loud, and unapologetically wild. Tracks like these are why people still flock to warehouse parties even when mainstream EDM dominates the charts.
What keeps this album from being just another forgettable release is its balance between nostalgia and innovation. Sure, it borrows heavily from classic hardcore tropes, but it also brings enough fresh ideas to keep listeners hooked. At times, the transitions between tracks feel a bit abrupt, as if the duo couldn’t decide whether to go full-on euphoria or gritty aggression. Still, these minor hiccups don’t detract too much from the overall experience.
One thing that struck me while listening was how Paradise manages to capture both sides of the hardcore spectrum—light and dark, joy and intensity. It’s kinda poetic, really. Like life itself, right? Or maybe I’m reading too much into it after spinning the album five times in a row.
In the end, Paradise isn’t gonna reinvent the wheel for hardcore fans, but it doesn’t have to. Sometimes, all we need is music that gets our blood pumping and lets us escape for a little while. And honestly? That last track leaves you feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck—in the best possible way. Who knew paradise could hurt so good?
