DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ - Makin' Magick II

WE LOVED IT, LET'S LOVE IT AGAIN

She did it again. The princess of House has graced our most humble presence, as she has every year since her origin in 2017. DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ is unfathomable. A robot, capable of love, designed to churn out heartfelt hits. It's the only logical way to process such a work ethic, one that's inundated with passion, vigor, and infatuation. Like her past works, Makin' Magick II adheres to a strict formula seemingly plucked from the most innate of human emotions. If you've tried anything before - most likely the breakout Charmed - and weren't a fan? This won't change your mind in the slightest. For DJ Sabrina's commitment to her schtick, one engorged with Teen Drama samples and boilerplate dance grooves, finds comfort in these hallowed, school halls. If criticism were to be valid, it be here, in the rudimentary reproduction. Predatory in its chintzy euphoria, like a reality show oozing good vibes only (I'm looking at you, Great British Bake Off). Makin' Magick II's for those who let their imagination run wild, on a dance floor built for one.

I'm not going to spend much time talking about any of the 22 songs here, for their distinction amongst DJ Sabrina's past work is minimal, and for there's two epiphanies I'd like to discuss instead. When Boards Of Canada released the treasured Music Has The Right To Children, they did something fascinating. Electronic music, for arguably the first time, gained sentience. Memories, nostalgia, melancholy, all human emotions previously unheard through collections of 1's and 0's. Then Burial came along, asserting a self-awareness to isolated nights for city life. Drawn to clubs, only to physically distance himself from entering, his unmistakable brand of Future Garage redefined the limits of what was possible with a computer. Though treacherous, I'm prepared to declare DJ Sabrina the next iteration in this evolution. It dawned on me whilst lost in the ecstasy of 'Being Alone,' this dualistic sentiment. Fearless, and with an outwardly-awkward persona, DJ Sabrina has asserted herself onto the dance floor without a friend, or foe, by her side. This is House music for introverts, or, more accurately, House music for those who can't escape the self. Constantly thinking, constantly hoping, wishing, praying, to dissipate just this once. 'Being Alone' is the pinnacle of such a concept, proud and triumphant in spite of the growing concerns festering inside. Musically, the stunning and elaborate evolution is one of DJ Sabrina's best, but the proud embrace of human frailty truly defines the song's greatness, revealing in tow, DJ Sabrina's entire modus operandi.

This song, and namely its retro-enamored music video, led me to the second revelation; whether a true representative or not, DJ Sabrina should be at the forefront of Vaporwave's lost transformation. The hyper-realized aesthetic, niche and exhaustive, the 90's infatuation, even the cinematic emotions that tend to pinpoint a single moment in time, soaked in nostalgia (for her; prom night). All these facets are compulsory aspects of Vaporwave, the only missing piece is the Ambient that tends to consume the whole. But even that's replaced with monolithic House so brain-dead, so routine, that one could draw parallels to Brian Eno's infamous quote on the genre he founded: "it must be as ignorable as it is interesting." DJ Sabrina fits that description impeccably.

Okay, fine. As this is a review on Makin' Magick II, it must be discussed. It is DJ Sabrina's most consistent work, bar none. Interesting, considering her least consistent work was released on the same day (The Other Realm). Discussing that album will open up an entirely new discussion, which I'll avoid for now. By my estimates, there's only two songs that miss the mark; 'Be Ready' and 'One Day.' The former is far too repetitive and nauseating, draining all the Future Funk life out of those eight unnecessary minutes. There's a reason CHANCE デラソウル works in the bite-sized. And as for 'One Day,' the longest track, a tame build-up and some of DJ Sabrina's most clunky sample work (Imogen Heap 'Hide & Seek' doesn't fit at all) leads to a dissatisfying payoff where true intent is muddled.

Contrasting against those are a slew of magnificent hits, like 'Spirit,' 'Airplane Song,' 'Lose Myself,' 'Each Time,' 'I Guess You'll Find Out,' 'Wheels In Motion,' 'I'm Still High,' 'Being Alone,' 'Can't Help Myself Tonight,' 'Miss Me,' 'Satisfy,' 'Princess,' and 'Back 2 Back.' Whew. Like an invasive leech, these songs instantly resonate and then proceed to grow inside you. Dominated by samples and an intricate palate, Makin' Magick II revels in glory. Certain experiences, like 'I Guess You'll Find Out' and 'Can't Help Myself Tonight,' evoke DJ Sabrina's debut - which this is tenuously connected to by name only - with adorable vocals oozing conscripted idealism. "Keep on pushing harder" the voice cries out on standout 'Princess,' as if DJ Sabrina herself's calling to her past to fight through the tireless devotion. More interestingly, certain songs like 'Each Time' and 'Back 2 Back,' find the producer growing as a force to be reckon with. The former especially, which is likely DJ Sabrina's most impressive House song to date, relying not on the bewitching aesthetic that's guided her hand thus far, but rather genuine, Trance-oriented accessibility. The sample that gifts the song it's moniker is absolute perfection.

Though, to be fair, this advanced expression is few and far between. But clearly, I don't care about that. For DJ Sabrina's fascination lies in the maudlin spirit that gushes from every crevice. Unmatched in ambition, with a level of commitment that'll likely never be topped, DJ Sabrina is an icon for outcasts. A voice for those who rarely get that voice out. A conduit for everyone's freedom to express. Fans of hers couldn't be luckier.