Agen Wida Explained

Agen Wida
Cover:File:Agen_Wida_Joyryde_Skrillex_Cover.jpeg
Alt:White bold text saying "Agen Wida" with two red thin texts saying "Joyryde" and "Skrillex" in front of a black background with the Owsla logo coloured red.
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Joyryde and Skrillex
Genre:
Label:Owsla
Chronology:Joyryde
Prev Title:New Breed
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:I'm Gone
Next Year:2019

"Agen Wida" (stylised as "AGEN WIDA") is a song by English DJ and producer Joyryde and American record producer Skrillex. It was released on 19 October 2018 by American record label Owsla.

Background and release

On 1 October 2018, Joyryde posted a teaser image on Twitter with the caption "I've never done this before... I'm ready now", later confirming a collaboration with American producer Skrillex titled "Agen Wida", planned to be released on 19 October, alongside the confirmation of his debut album Brave and its release date as 30 November.[1] On 8 October, Skrillex posted a photo on Twitter, showing the collaboration being played in iTunes and later released a video teaser of the song on Instagram.[2] [3] [4] [5]

The song was released on 19 October 2018, more than a year and a half after Joyryde's previous song "I Ware House".[6] As of 8 January 2019, the song has accumulated over 4 million plays on music streaming service Spotify.[7]

The song was planned as the first single of Joyryde's debut album, Brave, which was due to release on 30 November 2018.[8] [9] The album was later delayed for an unknown amount of time due to "mostly technical reasons" such as "video deadlines and material clearance things."[10] On 22 February 2019, Joyryde released "I'm Gone" as the debut single from his album, meaning that "Agen Wida" would not be featured on the album. "I'm Gone" was released by Hard Recs, a record label owned by American music festival brand Hard.[11] [12]

Critical reception

"Agen Wida" was well received by most critics. Koury Angelo of Billboard described the song as "some special kind of gnarly", further writing that the song opened "with a solid, danceable beat, ramps fast with tribal hand drums and wild monkey caws, sinks its teeth with undeniable funk only to blow your mind with absolutely untamed beat bangs by 1:17." Writing for Nest HQ, Molly Hankins called it a long-awaited collaboration between Joyryde and Skrillex, calling it a "supremely satisfying, industrial garage-house track not for the adrenaline fatigued." Bella Bagshaw of Dancing Astronaut noted the song as having a "jungle-themed savour", writing "With its spontaneous tempo switch-ups, offbeat vocal contortions, and delectably danceable four-on-the-floor framework, the collaborative delivery behind "Agen Wida" is a lesson in organic chemistry."[13]

Several electronic music reviewers and critics praised the fusion of Joyryde's and Skrillex's respective styles. Complex's Joshua Espinoza called the song as a "solid showcase of the DJ/producers' respective styles", stating "orchestral swells, energetic bass line, and insane trap drops provide a unique sound that is equal parts aggressive and infectious."[14] Writing for EDM.com, Nick Yopko described the song as a product of "Skrillex's astounding sound design and Joyryde's fresh approach to bass music", further writing "Skrillex's iconic chopped vocals alongside Joyryde's futuristic bass house sound creates an intense, fluctuating groove that will keep listeners on their toes."[15] EDM Sauce's Erik Mahal noted the song's blend of the style from both artists, stating "In Joyryde's signature style of bass house, and Skrillex's out of the box production techniques, "Agen Wida" is the perfect synthesis of styles from its creators."[16]

Luca Lush Remix

On 19 December 2018, American DJ and remixer Luca Lush, released his remix of "Agen Wida". The remix was self-released by Luca Lush for free as a digital download via his Soundcloud, with the producer commenting in the track description "did u know that the time machine in doc's DeLorean from Back to the Future was actually just the world's first vape. happy holidays from ya boy."[17] The remix was released shortly before Luca Lush's Another Life tour, beginning in January 2019.[18]

Ria Qi of Noiseporn noted Luca Lush's experimentation with the remix, describing the second drop as a mix of jungle house and drum and bass elements and calling his remix as a showcase of his "complete disregard for genres."[19] Writing for RaverRafting, Chad Downs commented on the perspective of the remix, noting its display of "filthy hybrid-trap drops and fast-paced drum and bass rhythms", finalising his review with "Luca Lush's take on "Agen Wida" is sure to receive as much applause as the original."[20] Run The Trap's Omar Serrano described the remix as one that would fit into Luca Lush's "energetic sections of his live sets", noting the remix as proof that Luca Lush could "truly produce in any genre."[21]

Release history

RegionDateFormatVersionLabel
Worldwide19 October 2018Digital downloadOriginal releaseOwsla[23]
19 December 2018Luca Lush RemixSelf-released

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Skrillex Teases 'Agen Wida' Collaboration With JOYRYDE. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20181019030646/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8478988/skrillex-teases-agen-wida-collaboration-joyryde. 2018-10-19. live. 2019-01-23.
  2. Web site: Skrillex Shares Official First Listen for Forthcoming Joyryde Collab [VIDEO]]. Powell. Karlie. 2018-10-16. Your EDM. en-US. 2019-01-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20181017021947/https://www.youredm.com/2018/10/16/skrillex-joyryde-agen-wida-teaser-listen/. 2018-10-17. dead.
  3. Web site: Skrillex teases JOYRYDE collaboration, 'Agen Wida'. 2018-10-08. DJ Mag. 2019-01-22.
  4. Web site: Skrillex Teases Upcoming JOYRYDE Collaboration, "AGEN WIDA". 2018-10-09. Run The Trap: The Best EDM, Hip Hop & Trap Music. en-US. 2019-01-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20181009184555/https://runthetrap.com/2018/10/09/skrillex-teases-upcoming-joyryde-collab/. 2018-10-09. live.
  5. Web site: Skrillex reveals JOYRYDE collab, 'AGEN WIDA'. 2018-10-09. Dancing Astronaut. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20181009215332/https://dancingastronaut.com/2018/10/skrillex-reveals-joyryde-collab-agen-wida/. 2018-10-09. live. 2019-01-23.
  6. Web site: JOYRYDE & Skrillex's 'Agen Wida' Will Take You to the Urban Jungle: Listen. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20181107072307/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8480761/joyryde-skrillex-agen-wida. 2018-11-07. live. 2019-01-22.
  7. Web site: 'Agen Wida' Is The Latest Festival Banger. 2019-01-08. Dance Music NW. en-US. 2019-01-22.
  8. Web site: The Industrial Beast "AGEN WIDA" from JOYRYDE and Skrillex Is Finally Upon Us. 2018-10-19. Nest HQ. en-US. 2019-01-22.
  9. Web site: Skrillex & Joyryde's Highly Anticipated Collab Is Finally Here And It Was Worth The Wait. Powell. Karlie. 2018-10-19. Your EDM. en-US. 2019-01-22.
  10. Web site: JOYRYDE's Debut Album Will Not Release This Friday As Planned [DETAILS HERE]]. Meadow. Matthew. 2018-11-27. Your EDM. en-US. 2019-01-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20181128051923/https://www.youredm.com/2018/11/27/joyryde-pushes-back-debut-album-release-due-to-technical-reasons/. 2018-11-28. live.
  11. Web site: WATCH: JOYRYDE Drops Debut Single "IM GONE" From Album On Newly Minted HARD Recs. Meadow. Matthew. 2019-02-22. Your EDM. en-US. 2019-02-27.
  12. Web site: JOYRYDE Announces Lead Album Single "I'm Gone" Will Be Out Friday. Sunkel. Cameron. EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. en. 2019-02-27.
  13. Web site: JOYRYDE throws album roll out into gear with Skrillex riding shotgun on 'AGEN WIDA'. 2018-10-19. Dancing Astronaut. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20181019085613/https://dancingastronaut.com/2018/10/joyryde-throws-album-roll-out-gear-skrillex-shotgun-agen-wida/. 2018-10-19. live. 2019-01-22.
  14. Web site: Skrillex Joins JOYRYDE for New Single "Agen Wida". Complex. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20181105205144/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/10/skrillex-joyryde-new-single-agen-wida. 2018-11-05. live. 2019-01-22.
  15. Web site: Skrillex Returns with New JOYRYDE Collaboration AGEN WIDA. Yopko. Nick. EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. en. 2019-01-22.
  16. Web site: Skrillex Returns With The Long Awaited Collaboration With JOYRYDE - 'AGEN WIDA'. Erik. 2018-10-19. EDM Sauce. en-US. 2019-01-22.
  17. Web site: LUCA LUSH finally releases his flip of 'AGEN WIDA'. 2018-12-19. Dancing Astronaut. en-US. 2019-01-22.
  18. Web site: Luca Lush Breaks the Mold in Flip of Skrillex and Joyryde's "AGEN WIDA". Staff. EDM com. EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. en. 2019-01-22.
  19. Web site: Luca Lush Reimagines Skrillex & JOYRYDE's "AGEN WIDA". Qi. Ria. 2019-12-19. Noiseporn. en-US. 2019-01-22.
  20. Web site: Luca Lush Flips JOYRYDE And Skrillex's Collaboration "AGEN WIDA" RaverRafting. 2018-12-21. RaverRafting We Are The Scene. en-US. 2019-01-22.
  21. Web site: Things Get Intense On Luca Lush's Remix For "AGEN WIDA" By Joyryde & Skrillex. 2018-12-19. Run The Trap: The Best EDM, Hip Hop & Trap Music. en-US. 2019-01-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20181219183646/https://runthetrap.com/2018/12/19/luca-lush-agen-wida/. 2018-12-19. live.
  22. Web site: Skrillex Chart History. Billboard. 2019-02-08.
  23. Web site: AGEN WIDA - Joyryde & Skrillex. Sierra. Matt. 2018-10-19. EDMTunes. en-US. 2019-01-22.