The final step of the ritual has been finalized. No, no, we’re not summoning demonic spirits from the netherrealm. Instead, we are celebrating the debut album of the High Priestess herself. Sara Landry had a whirlwind of a year, becoming the face for Hard Techno and women empowerment in the scene. With her witchy and intense vibes, Landry invokes her magnum opus Spiritual Driveby. Now available on her label HEKATE Records, the album has already wreak havoc all over the world.
Spiritual Driveby
The Texas native DJ takes you on a wild and delicious ride from beginning to end. The album begins with the ambient track ‘devotion 396hz‘ that includes the vocals from Sara’s personal hypnotist, Restorative Hypnosis. Then, let mayhem begin. The album follows a journey into a sexy underworld, which includes the lead singles ‘Prisoner’, ‘Heaven’, ‘Pressure’, and ‘Because they want our Seat’. The entire opus is a collaboration with incredible producers, including Shlømo, Mike Dean, Nico Moreno, Alt8, LEGZDINA, Alex Farrell, and more.
However, the true essence of the LP lies within the rest of the tracks that were not as heavily marketed. ‘Veni Vidi Vici’ is an absolute banger. Aaron Hibell, UK DJ known for his incredible Trance-influenced tracks and versatility helped craft this track alongside a choir singer. The elite Latin Vocals and the runs add such an ancestral eerieness to the track, which influences the vibe of the album. ‘Speaker Freaker’ features Diøn, and its distorted synths fill each dancefloor and festival with vigor and euphoria.
As someone that has seen ms. Landry live four times this year, the way she is able to embrace the entire album on her sets in a way that every single sets feels unique, new, and fresh, speaks highly of her skills to create pristine atmospheres on each set. Moreover, the album is a big F*** You to people that doubt and challenge her success, her audio-engineering, and production skills on mysoginistic attempts to discredit her. Nevertheless, the album’s purpose is to represent that sense of unity on the dancefloor through intense beats and dark melodies.
Up Next
As usual, Sara landry continues to aim higher and higher on her goals. Major milestones for the High Priestess include headlining the mainstage at Tomorrowland in Belgium, being the first DJ to bring Hard Techno to that platform. We also have to recognize Charlotte de Witte for being the first Female Techno DJ to close out that stage in 2022. Furthermore, Landry started her HEKATE takeovers in LA and Tennessee. Let’s not forget she was the first artist to host a two-day Hard Techno event at The Caverns. With multiple tracks topping the Techno charts on Beatport, Landry is just starting to warm up.
In a couple weeks, we will return to III Points to catch yet another filthy Sara Landry set in Miami, as she makes her return to EDC’s Cruise EDSEA for her second year in a row. November will be packed as Landry embarks in her Veni Vidi Vici tour. After an incredible Arc Music Festival show, Sara will invade Radius in Chicago for two nights of mischief. Her power will also influence Dallas and Denver. Then, she will head down to South America to culminate the tour in Lima, São Paulo, and Santiago de Chile.
It might sound whimsical to always use mystical references when we speak of mother Sara. It serves a purpose, though. There is a reason why she has established such a wonderful following. Her music, and her craft, have managed to bring people together and channel different emotions through hard beats. This has resonated with a major audience, allowing her sound to become more mainstream, even when Hard Techno is still such a niche genre within EDM.
Spiritual Driveby receives the EDMTunes seal of approval, due to its high-octane, emotional, and cathartic value. Kudos to her and her team.
