Lifebuoy by Nianaro & Upfly: A Trance Odyssey You Didn’t Know You Needed
Let’s cut to the chase—Lifebuoy isn’t just another trance album. Released in 2014 by Ukrainian duo Nianaro & Upfly under Club Family Records, this little gem feels like a time capsule from an era when EDM was still trying to figure out if it wanted to be cool or just too much. Spoiler alert: this album lands somewhere delightfully in between.
First up, we’ve got the Lifebuoy (Original Mix). This track hits you like that one friend who insists on dragging you to a rave at 3 AM—annoying at first but oddly unforgettable once you’re there. The beat builds slowly, teasing your eardrums with shimmering synths before exploding into a euphoric drop that screams “dance like nobody’s watching” (even though they totally are). It’s not groundbreaking, but damn if it doesn’t make you wanna flail around your living room like nobody's business. I mean, who needs dignity when you’ve got basslines like these?
Then there’s the Lifebuoy (Allion Remix), which takes the original and gives it a cheeky twist. If the OG mix is your reliable party buddy, the Allion Remix is its rebellious cousin showing up uninvited with glow sticks and questionable dance moves. The remix leans harder into electronic textures, adding layers of complexity that feel both fresh and slightly chaotic. Honestly, it’s the kind of track that makes you wonder if Allion had one too many energy drinks while producing it—but hey, sometimes chaos is exactly what you need.
What sticks with me about Lifebuoy isn’t just the music; it’s how unapologetically extra it feels. In a world full of polished, cookie-cutter tracks designed for Spotify playlists, this album reminds you that trance can still be weird, wild, and wonderfully human. Plus, coming from Ukraine—a country better known for borscht than beats—it’s proof that great music doesn’t care where you’re from.
So, would I recommend Lifebuoy? Absolutely, especially if you’re into trance or just looking for something to blast while pretending you’re starring in your own neon-lit movie montage. Just don’t blame me if your neighbors start filing noise complaints.
Oh, and here’s a random thought to leave you with: if this album were a person, it’d probably be the guy at the club wearing neon sunglasses indoors. Annoying? Maybe. Memorable? Definitely.
