James Bellew has been making electronic music for over two decades, starting his journey in the late 1990s when trance was hitting its stride. Based in Drogheda, Ireland, he’s one of those artists who understands the genre from the ground up, having witnessed its evolution firsthand. Bellew’s influences range from big names like Tiesto to more independent artists like Christina Novelli, and you can hear both the commercial sensibility and the underground spirit in his work. Working from his home studio, Bellew draws inspiration from the golden era of trance while maintaining a modern edge.
“The best comebacks aren’t about reinventing yourself, but remembering who you always were.”
“Didn’t See It Coming” feels like a proper return to what made trance music special in the first place. Recorded and produced entirely in Bellew’s home studio, the track has that personal touch that’s often missing from today’s more commercial EDM releases. The production draws heavily from 1990s trance, but it’s not a nostalgia trip; rather, Bellew is applying those classic techniques to create something that works for modern ears. The arrangement follows familiar patterns, but the execution is what makes it stand out.
Where Bellew really shows his experience is in the layering. The synth work references classic trance sounds without feeling like a direct copy. There are these subtle chord progressions that hint at the productions from the ’90s, but the sound design is crisp and contemporary.
Bellew proves that taking a break doesn’t mean losing your skills, and “Didn’t See It Coming” stands as solid evidence.
Muse Chronicle 
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