Nu-disco is perhaps one of the most underrated subgenres in the world of EDM, compounded by the fact that the genre’s arguably most prominent artist, Televisor, remains largely unheard of. Sleepless Nights frontman AA Wallace may just be able to turn those tides with his remix of Moncton artist Belinda’s (aka Lisa LeBlanc) “It’s Not a Game, It’s a Lifestyle.”
Aiming to “shift the paradigm from an early evening bonanza dance party to an after-hours full card blackout,” AA Wallace hits the mark without a doubt, stacking Belinda’s track with enough bells and whistles to make an expensive locomotive jealous, all while injecting the tone with a light pinch of energy.
The opening to the remix is among its strongest points, jumping right into some fun-loving percussion and guitar-esque synths with more funk than a 1970’s period piece starring Daft Punk. The latter component continues to be a stand-out throughout the track, and is utilized conservatively, but not too scarcely.
Wallace’s source material isn’t a particularly busy tune, perhaps to highlight Belinda’s high-energy belting, and it seems that the Nova Scotian’s rendition honours that trait. Anytime we hear Belinda’s invigorating vocals, Wallace pairs it with a small-but-mighty acid synth that dips and tips in pitch as the song goes on. It doesn’t quite steal the spotlight from Belinda’s voice, but it does the job of filling in the relatively-empty space that the original tune had; a smart decision by Wallace.
Appropriately, Wallace’s talents are at their best as they close the tune out, making for a finale as grand as the nu-disco genre can muster. By combining the old tune’s encouraging send-off with a maelstrom of groovy string synths and an acid synth now on steroids, all wrapped up in a snappy-yet-clear pattern, Wallace gives a satisfying send-off to Belinda’s funky anthem.
There’s something very meticulous about the way AA Wallace crafts his work, and his latest remix proves that, in an artist’s line of work, it’s never a game; it’s a lifestyle.
Wallace will be releasing a new single of his own, “Save You,” on September 25, 2020.