Vocal Trance

Vocal Trance: The Melodic and Emotional Side of Trance Music

Vocal trance is a subgenre of trance music that blends the uplifting energy and melodic structures of trance with emotional, often ethereal vocals. Known for its soaring melodies, euphoric drops, and poignant lyrics, vocal trance is designed to evoke strong emotions in its listeners, making it one of the most beloved styles of electronic dance music (EDM). The combination of driving beats and heartfelt vocal performances creates an immersive and often cinematic experience that has captivated fans around the world.

For those who love electronic music but crave an emotional connection through lyrics and melodies, vocal trance provides the perfect balance of energy and feeling, offering tracks that are both danceable and deeply moving.

What is Vocal Trance?

Vocal trance emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s as a subgenre of trance music, characterized by its inclusion of vocal elements, often sung by powerful, emotional female vocalists. While instrumental trance focuses on building energy through hypnotic melodies and progressive rhythms, vocal trance adds lyrical content and human emotion, making it more accessible and emotionally resonant. Tracks often feature uplifting chord progressions, melodic arpeggios, and a build-up leading to euphoric drops, with the vocals serving as the emotional core of the track.

The genre typically follows a mid-to-high tempo range (around 128-140 beats per minute), allowing for fast, energetic beats while maintaining the space for melodic development and lyrical storytelling. This combination of driving rhythm, euphoric melodies, and heartfelt lyrics makes vocal trance both a staple of dance floors and a popular choice for personal listening.

Key Characteristics of Vocal Trance

Soaring Vocals: The defining feature of vocal trance is the presence of powerful, emotional vocals. These are often sung by female vocalists with ethereal, haunting tones, though male vocalists are sometimes featured as well. The vocals add emotional depth and a narrative element to the track.
Uplifting Melodies: Vocal trance is known for its uplifting, melodic sound. Tracks often feature bright, euphoric chord progressions and catchy lead melodies, giving the music a sense of elevation and emotional release.
Progressive Structure: Like other forms of trance, vocal trance follows a progressive structure, with tracks slowly building in intensity over time. This gradual progression leads to a climactic drop, where the energy of the track is fully unleashed.
Euphoric Drops: Vocal trance tracks are often centered around a euphoric drop, where the music peaks and the vocals either soar over the melody or take a brief pause, allowing the instrumental elements to drive the energy forward. This creates a sense of catharsis and release for listeners.
Lush Atmospheres: Vocal trance frequently incorporates lush, atmospheric soundscapes, created through reverb, delay, and other effects. This adds depth and space to the track, making it feel expansive and immersive.
Emotional and Poetic Lyrics: The lyrics in vocal trance often deal with themes of love, longing, hope, and self-reflection. The poetic, emotive nature of the lyrics enhances the emotional experience of the music, allowing listeners to connect on a personal level.

The Origins of Vocal Trance
Vocal trance originated in the late 1990s, emerging from the broader trance movement that was dominating the European dance music scene. Trance music, with its focus on soaring melodies and hypnotic beats, was already known for its euphoric and uplifting qualities, but the addition of vocals brought a new layer of emotional depth to the genre.

Pioneers of the genre, such as Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, and Above & Beyond, helped define the vocal trance sound by collaborating with talented vocalists who could deliver powerful, emotive performances. These collaborations resulted in iconic tracks that balanced the energy of trance with the emotional pull of lyrics, helping vocal trance become a distinct and popular subgenre in its own right.

In the early 2000s, vocal trance reached mainstream success, with tracks like Delerium’s "Silence" (featuring Sarah McLachlan) and Motorcycle’s "As the Rush Comes" becoming crossover hits that introduced the genre to a wider audience.

Popular Vocal Trance Artists and Tracks
Vocal trance has been shaped by many talented producers and vocalists over the years, each contributing their unique sound and emotional storytelling to the genre. Here are some of the key figures and tracks that define vocal trance:

1. Armin van Buuren
Armin van Buuren is one of the most influential figures in trance music and has played a pivotal role in popularizing vocal trance. His track "In and Out of Love" (featuring Sharon den Adel) is a vocal trance classic, known for its emotional lyrics and uplifting melodies. His collaboration with Trevor Guthrie on "This Is What It Feels Like" also became a major hit, showcasing his ability to blend trance with heartfelt lyrics.

2. Above & Beyond
Above & Beyond (Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness, and Paavo Siljamäki) are known for their emotional and melodic take on trance music. Their vocal trance tracks, such as "Sun & Moon" and "Thing Called Love" (featuring Richard Bedford), have become anthems of the genre, blending uplifting melodies with deeply emotional vocals.

3. Gareth Emery
Gareth Emery is another leading figure in vocal trance, known for his melodic productions and collaborations with vocalists. His track "Concrete Angel" (featuring Christina Novelli) is a standout in the genre, combining a powerful vocal performance with a driving trance beat and euphoric build-up.

4. OceanLab (Above & Beyond)
OceanLab is a side project of Above & Beyond, focusing specifically on vocal trance. Their album "Sirens of the Sea" is a vocal trance masterpiece, with tracks like "Satellite" and "On a Good Day" (featuring Justine Suissa) showcasing the perfect balance between emotional vocals and melodic trance production.

5. Dash Berlin
Dash Berlin (Jeffrey Sutorius) is known for his energetic and emotional take on trance, often featuring vocalists in his productions. His track "Waiting" (featuring Emma Hewitt) is a vocal trance classic, known for its heartfelt lyrics and powerful, uplifting drop.

6. Delerium
While Delerium is more of an ambient and electronic music project, their track "Silence" (featuring Sarah McLachlan) is one of the most iconic vocal trance tracks of all time. The remix by Tiesto turned the track into a trance anthem, with McLachlan’s haunting vocals perfectly complementing the euphoric build-ups and drops.

The Appeal of Vocal Trance
Vocal trance has a broad appeal due to its emotional depth and melodic beauty, making it a favorite among both dance music fans and those looking for a more introspective listening experience. Here’s why vocal trance continues to resonate with listeners around the world:

Emotional Connection: The combination of powerful vocals and emotive lyrics creates a strong emotional connection for listeners. Vocal trance tracks often deal with themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, allowing fans to connect deeply with the music on a personal level.
Uplifting Energy: Like other forms of trance, vocal trance is designed to uplift and inspire. The euphoric melodies, soaring vocals, and energetic drops create a sense of euphoria and release, making it perfect for both the dancefloor and personal listening.
Cinematic Atmospheres: Vocal trance often features lush, atmospheric soundscapes, giving the music a cinematic quality. This makes the genre perfect for those who enjoy immersive listening experiences, where the music feels expansive and transportive.
Accessible and Relatable: The addition of vocals makes vocal trance more accessible to a wider audience. The lyrics provide a narrative element that listeners can relate to, while the melodic structure makes the music easy to enjoy, even for those who may not be familiar with instrumental trance.
Timeless Sound: Many vocal trance tracks have become timeless anthems, thanks to their powerful melodies and emotional resonance. Whether played at festivals or listened to at home, vocal trance has a lasting appeal that transcends trends in electronic music.
Vocal Trance on Internet Radio
For fans of vocal trance, internet radio stations dedicated to the genre offer a continuous stream of uplifting, emotional tracks from both classic and contemporary artists. These stations feature a mix of vocal trance anthems, new releases, and deep cuts, providing an immersive listening experience for those looking to explore the best of vocal trance.

Tuning into a vocal trance station is the perfect way to discover new music, enjoy timeless anthems, and connect with the emotional depth and energy that defines the genre.

Vocal trance is a genre that perfectly blends the uplifting energy of trance music with the emotional power of vocals, creating a sound that is both euphoric and deeply moving. With its soaring melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and progressive structures, vocal trance offers listeners a journey through sound and emotion, making it one of the most beloved styles of electronic dance music.

Whether you're on the dancefloor at a festival or relaxing at home, vocal trance provides the perfect soundtrack for moments of joy, reflection, and emotional release. Tuning into internet radio stations dedicated to vocal trance is an excellent way to explore the genre, discover new tracks, and experience the timeless appeal of vocal trance.