Albums | A Sense of Wonder by Dan Sieg

Posted by JT on November 8, 2014

A Sense of Wonder is an album entirely dedicated to our generation of lovers, adventurers, and dreamers. It is an album that inspires, musically narrating tales of victory and defeat caught in between simple moments and complex realities. It is an album that innovates, as Dan Sieg demonstrates he’s unafraid to play with our emotions by experimenting with both the uplifting and dark sides of progressive trance. He reminds us that curiosity doesn’t always lead to a sense of discovery – it can bite you right back. Released by the titan’s of progressive trance and house, Silk Royal Records, A Sense of Wonder can be commended for defining “Progressive Trance,” as it is truly a work of art.

Dan Sieg hasn’t always gone by this moniker. He paved his path into progressive trance as Dan & Sam (Sam Wilkinson) and after showcasing the timeless “Walls” with sensational vocalist Maxx Hennard (an XM Electric Area 52 favorite), the floodgates had opened. Dan couldn’t slow down. He released over 30 originals and remixes in the past year, all in lieu of perfecting A Sense of Wonder. Indeed, Dan’s 17 years of musical endurance, which started with guitar at age 8, is vividly displayed in the depth of the chords here – every pluck, bass line, build up, and transition is strategically placed to create this front to end masterpiece.

Every track has its story. Some are the product of empty nights filled with endless streams of thought, others a reflection of friends and memories made in unexpected circumstances. The album starts with the uplifting “Iris” and permeates the path for the journey we are about to begin. A Sense of Wonder plays with our emotions, bringing us summertime sadness with a track like “Gloom,” and then elevating us back to cloud 9 with “Erko.” He even curates a rendition of techno with the clever “Techbruary,” a track that took me completely off-guard when first blessing my speakers. The album has received support from artists of all kind, with “Welcome To The Alley” being showcased on Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy episode 99. A Sense of Wonder concludes with “Horizons,” a progressive track that soundscapes all five senses to attention. Dan Sieg has become imprinted permanently as a progressive trance guru with this glorious release, so be prepared and grab a parachute, because grounding yourself is not an option.

A Sense of Wonder on iTunes
A Sense of Wonder on Beatport