Remix module

(Sept - Jan 2025)

Brief: To create a remix of a track from War of the Worlds, into an EDM style.

Summary:

The work is a remix of Jeff Wayne’s Spirit of Man from War Of The Worlds in a techno style. The reasoning for the choice of this track, out of the album, was first listening to the track, it had potential to develop into a successful remix. This is because it contains rich melodic and thematic content. It features lots of distinctive motifs, dynamic shifts in mood, and contrasting vocal styles. For example, the highlighted section from Figure 1 (below) shows a section of the final remix. It shows the selected vocal lines from the song, which were chopped to create a rhythmically interesting, layered texture for a buildup. Overall, to develop this remix into an EDM remix, suiting the brief.

The song chosen offered a lot of creative material to work with. There were opportunities for reinterpretation and difference in emphasis. The layered instrumental sections had potential for memorable hooks, making it seem remixable. For example, the highlighted sections in Figure 2 shows some of the chosen motifs taken from the original song. They were formed into loops which are essential for creating an EDM remix. These loops offered the rhythmic, structural and energetic momentum, necessary for a danceable track.

The remix could be deemed as a successful remix as it has been remixed into an identifiable style of electronic dance music. It is identifiably in the Techno House genre with its features of heavy percussion, synth stabs, tight and layered percussion, breakdowns and build-ups, short vocal chops, risers and drops, and a BPM of 130. The remix focus on enhancing the danceable elements of the song, with added beats and electronic effects to make it more suited for EDM genre, such as the riser in Figure 8. The remix emphasises parts of the original track that make it identifiable as a remix of the original track, ‘War Of The Worlds (Track 7) – The Spirit of Man’, such as motifs, vocal chops and risers (created from the original track). These features add emphasis to the remix. Emphasis is key to a successful remix as it adds audience engagement, and a riser could be viewed as a feature that enhances emphasis. Overall, the remix is clearly in the EDM genre, mostly fitting into the Techno House genre, featuring elements of emphasis and excitement that lead to a successful EDM remix.

Comments from marker: (Sept - Jan 2025)

‘I think the piece shows creativity and a willingness to engage with interesting ideas.’

‘The build up to 1:45 is particularly nicely executed, as is the lift towards 02:01 – both give a sense of excitement and bring in new instrumentation for the listener.’  

‘The three-note stab is a classic recognizable feature of the piece, whereas some of your other choices are less classic elements and you have done an excellent job at maintaining recognizable elements and bringing hidden elements to the foreground.’