Witching Hour (song) explained

Witching Hour
Cover:Witching_Hour_Rezz_Cover.jpeg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Rezz
Album:Certain Kind of Magic
Genre:Midtempo bass
Label:Mau5trap
Producer:Isabelle Rezazadeh
Chronology:Rezz
Prev Title:Drugs!
Prev Year:2017
Next Title:Hex
Next Year:2018

"Witching Hour" is a song by Canadian electronic music producer Rezz, released by Canadian record label Mau5trap on 4 June 2018 as the lead single from her second studio album Certain Kind of Magic.

Background and release

On 1 June 2018, Rezazadeh announced that her second studio album was titled Certain Kind of Magic and was to be released on 3 August and two singles were planned to be released in June.[1] She announced that the first single was to be released on 8 June, though she later notified that the single was to be released four days earlier. It was released as a digital download as the album's first single on 4 June 2018.[2]

The song was released as part of Rezazadeh's second studio album titled Certain Kind of Magic released on 3 August 2018. It was the first track on the album, which also includes seven other songs.[3] [4]

Critical reception

"Witching Hour" was well received by most critics. Your EDM's Matthew Meadow wrote that the song was a "stellar introduction to the new Rezz sound on the album", describing it as a mix between her usual style with an "invigorated drive and purpose". Amanda Kennedy of Dance Music Northwest stated that the song has "the indescribable Rezz feel", noting the songs ricocheting percussion and dark synth lines.[5] Writing for Relentless Beats, Grace Fell wrote that the song stayed true to Rezazadeh's style, noting it as "deep space bass, alien-like sounds, and a hypnotic essence" and describing the song as mystical and haunting, yet comforting at the same time.[6] Michael Cooper of Dancing Astronaut stated that the song acts as proof that that "[Rezz] isn’t slowing down one bit", noting the song for its "spidery, skittering percussion and reverb-heavy synth lines to set a fitting ominous mood."[7] EDMTunes Matt Sierra noted the song's drop as comparable to her other tracks, writing that it isn't "something easily describable."[8] Writing for EDM Chicago, Marisa Mackowiak described the song as a "satisfying, perfect blend of Rezz-sounding, spooky, textured hypnotic bass and ominous synths."[9] Erik Mahal of EDM Sauce praised the song, writing that Rezazadeh had "once again taken some of the best qualities of the best and but her own signature spin on it."[10] Billboard's William Selviz wrote that the song follows Rezazadeh's "hypnotic and trippy" style, adding that the song features "haunting sonic elements prime for Halloween hours." Writing for Noiseporn, Jeanette Kats praised Rezazadeh's song production and style, noting the songs "signature ominous melody leads into heavy-hitting drums and an upgraded dose of sound design."[11]

Release history

RegionDateFormatVersionLabel
Worldwide11 June 2018Digital download"Witching Hour" - SingleMau5trap
3 August 2018Certain Kind of Magic[12]

Notes and References

  1. News: BREAKING: REZZ Reveals New Album & Teases First Two Singles. 2018-06-01. Your EDM. 2018-07-21. en-US.
  2. News: REZZ Unleashes Lead Single from New Album & It's Better Than I Hoped. 2018-06-04. Your EDM. 2018-07-21. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614043837/https://www.youredm.com/2018/06/04/rezz-drops-first-single-from-her-album-witching-hour-four-days-early/. 2018-06-14. live.
  3. News: Rezz Shares Tracklist & Lead Single 'Witching Hour' Off Newly-Announced Sophomore LP. Billboard. 2018-07-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20180721103440/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8459108/rezz-witching-hour-new-song. 2018-07-21. live.
  4. News: It's "Witching Hour" As Rezz Abducts Us For A Dark Twisted Sonic Adventure. EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. 2018-07-21. en.
  5. News: Rezz Drops Haunting Single, Witching Hour' from Upcoming Album. 2018-06-11. Dance Music NW. 2018-07-21. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180721103440/http://dancemusicnw.com/rezz-witching-hour/. 2018-07-21. live.
  6. News: REZZ Casts a Spell with 'Witching Hour'. Fell. Grace. Relentless Beats. 2018-07-21. en-US.
  7. News: REZZ unveils the sinister 'Witching Hour' - Dancing Astronaut. 2018-06-04. Dancing Astronaut. 2018-07-21. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143436/https://dancingastronaut.com/2018/06/rezz-unveils-sinister-witching-hour/. 2018-06-12. live.
  8. News: [LISTEN] Rezz - Witching Hour - EDMTunes]. 2018-06-05. EDMTunes. 2018-07-21. en-US.
  9. News: REZZ Drops New Single "The Witching Hour" EDM Chicago. Mackowiak. Marisa. 2018-06-04. EDM Chicago. 2018-07-21. en-US.
  10. News: REZZ Drops First New Single Off Forthcoming Album And It Is SPOOKY!. Erik. 2018-06-04. EDM Sauce. 2018-07-21. en-US.
  11. News: REZZ Reveals First Single from Upcoming Album, "Witching Hour," Four Days Early. Noiseporn. 2018-07-21. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180721103441/http://www.noiseprn.com/2018/06/04/rezz-reveals-first-single-upcoming-album-witching-hour-four-days-early/. 2018-07-21. live.
  12. News: REZZ shares details surrounding sophomore album, 'Certain Kind Of Magic,' out August 3. 2018-06-01. Dancing Astronaut. 2018-07-21. en-US.