Sara Landry solidifies her role as the High Priestess of Hard Techno with the release of her stunning debut album, Spiritual Driveby.
From her tunes that drive forward relentlessly to her captivating stage presence, it’s become impossible for techno lovers to ignore Sara Landry. The past few years have seen this blossoming DJ and producer take control of the hard techno scene, winning over a growing number of fans who have become enamored with her dark, energetic soundscapes. Now, Sara Landry has channeled her underground meets avant-garde style of electronic music with the release of her debut album, Spiritual Driveby.
Spiritual Driveby isn’t just a collection of tunes from Sara Landry and her collaborators’ minds; it’s a full-on experience that goes beyond simply listening. Each carefully crafted track is placed to help energy levels rise and fall as you journey into the depths of the hard techno-fueled realm she’s created, urging you to move your body and tune yourself to the rebellious yet reverent duality its soundscapes bring.
Although Sara Landry’s sound has been deemed hard techno by many, and it’s certainly rooted in the genre, the flourishes of early hardstyle, neo-rave, and even a touch of trance present throughout Spiritual Driveby make the style all her own. For instance, the lead single “Heaven,” which saw her team up with Alt8, features twinges of bouncy kicks, synths, and vocals that uplift the mind and take you back to an era of raving when hardstyle was in its formative years.
Other previously released singles, like “Because They Want Our Seat” with Nico Moreno, “Prisoner” with Alex Farell, and “Pressure” with LEGZDINA, are more aligned with the fast-paced driving nature that has become a hallmark of Sara Landry’s productions. A deeper dive into the new tracks surfaces much of the same overall sound, but some serious standouts exist.
Those who want pure, unadulterated techno won’t want to sleep on Sara’s “Chaos Magicka” VIP mix, which is even more powerful than the original tune that landed in 2023. “Speaker Freaker” with DIØN is another gem for anyone on the hunt for a brooding atmosphere to envelope their mind. Meanwhile, tunes such as “Play With Me” with Shlømo and “Funk Em” with Alt8 feel like they have been ripped straight out of a bygone warehouse rave with their mind-melting rave stabs, vocal chops, and playful nature you only really find in the underground.
Conversely, Aaron Hibell‘s contribution to the album, “Veni Vidi Vici,” brings a cinematic moment you can’t ignore. You’ll find yourself placed straight into a scene with two opposing sides riding faster than ever to chaotically crash into each other on a battlefield, complete with a moment of solace before the action kicks into full gear.
A similar nature can be found on the title track, as Sara Landry teamed up with MIKE DEAN to close out the album with a hypnotic soundscape that booms forward but is filled with pensive piano keys and a rising chorus. As the track swells, its repeated vocal swings in pitch, and you can’t help but find yourself completely mesmerized as the seconds tick away. It’s an absolute mind-melter that’s sure to steal your soul.
Listen to Spiritual Driveby on Spotify or your preferred platform, and follow Sara Landry for updates on future releases and shows.
Stream Sara Landry – Spiritual Driveby on Spotify:
Sara Landry – Spiritual Driveby – Tracklist:
- devotion 396hz (with Restorative Hypnosis)
- Prisoner (with Alex Farell)
- Heaven (with Alt8)
- Because They Want Our Seat (with Nico Moreno)
- Speaker Freaker (with DIØN)
- Pressure (with LEGZDINA)
- Play With Me (with Shlømo)
- Funk Em (with Alt8)
- On My Mind (with Alex Farell)
- Veni Vidi Vici (with Aaron Hibell)
- Chaos Magicka (Sara’s VIP Mix) (with Godtripper)
- Spiritual Driveby (with Mike Dean)