The ritual’s final step has been completed. However, we’re not calling upon dark spirits; instead, we are celebrating the debut album of the astonishing Sara Landry, who has rapidly emerged as a key figure in the Hard Techno scene and a symbol of female empowerment. With her enchanting and powerful energy, Landry unveils her magnum opus, Spiritual Driveby, now released through her label HEKATE Records, and making waves around the globe.
Spiritual Driveby
This Texas-born DJ transports listeners on an electrifying journey from start to finish. The album opens with the ethereal track ‘devotion 396hz’, featuring vocals from Sara’s personal hypnotist, Restorative Hypnosis. Then, the pandemonium commences. The album guides you through a sultry underworld, spotlighting lead singles such as ‘Prisoner’, ‘Heaven’, ‘Pressure’, and ‘Because they want our Seat’. This body of work represents a collaboration with outstanding producers, including Shlømo, Mike Dean, Nico Moreno, Alt8, LEGZDINA, Alex Farrell, and several others.
Nevertheless, the soul of the album is encapsulated in the lesser-publicized tracks. The standout track ‘Veni Vidi Vici’ is a real crowd-pleaser. UK DJ Aaron Hibell, celebrated for his exceptional Trance-influenced sound, collaborated on this song alongside a choral singer. The vibrant Latin Vocals and stunning runs add an ancestral eeriness, enhancing the album’s atmosphere. Furthermore, ‘Speaker Freaker’, featuring Diøn, propels dance floors and festivals into a state of euphoria with its distorted synths.
Having witnessed Sara Landry perform live four times this year, her ability to integrate the entire album into her sets makes each experience feel unique and fresh, showcasing her incredible talent for creating captivating atmospheres. Additionally, the album acts as a resounding rebuttal to skeptics who doubt her success and try to undermine her audio-engineering and production skills through misogynistic tactics. Ultimately, this album aims to embody the spirit of unity on the dance floor through powerful beats and haunting melodies.
What’s Next
As always, Sara Landry continues to elevate her ambitions. Noteworthy achievements for the High Priestess include headlining the mainstage at Tomorrowland in Belgium—the first DJ to showcase Hard Techno on that stage. We must also acknowledge Charlotte de Witte for being the inaugural Female Techno DJ to close that stage in 2022. Additionally, Landry initiated her HEKATE takeovers in LA and Tennessee and was the first artist to host a two-day Hard Techno event at The Caverns. With numerous tracks climbing the Techno charts on Beatport, Landry is just getting started.
In just a few weeks, we’ll see her again at III Points for another electrifying Sara Landry performance in Miami, alongside her return to EDC’s Cruise EDSEA for a second consecutive year. November promises excitement as Landry embarks on her Veni Vidi Vici tour. After an unforgettable show at the Arc Music Festival, she will rock Radius in Chicago with two nights of exhilarating performances. Her influence will also touch Dallas and Denver, before heading to South America to conclude the tour in Lima, São Paulo, and Santiago de Chile.
It may seem whimsical to invoke mystical themes when discussing the remarkable Sara Landry, but there is a purpose behind it. Her music and artistry have succeeded in fostering a sense of community, translating various emotions through powerful beats. This has resonated with a vast audience, pushing her sound toward the mainstream, despite Hard Techno’s niche status within EDM.
Spiritual Driveby receives the EDMTunes seal of approval for its high-octane, emotional, and cathartic essence. Congratulations to her and her exceptional team.
