Created over the span of two years, Balance 032 marks a creative high point in the career of Madrid-based artist Henry Saiz, and this marks his third appearance for the hallowed compilation series. Spread over an expansive three discs, it has given him the space to curate a truly stunning odyssey of creative expression, one influenced by everything from AI to his recent ADHD diagnosis.
As ever, he has gone above and beyond to ensure that the mix is crammed full of exclusive, unreleased material, with nearly 75% of the music included, both from himself, and many of his favourite producers and collaborators, from unknowns through to household names like Röyksopp. “Since I’ve done two Balance compilations already, I didn’t want to repeat myself” he says. “My first, ‘Balance 19’, was very important for my career and I knew people would be comparing it with this new one, so I put a lot of effort into it to make it more attractive and to be able to gain more control in the final product sound-wise.” – Henry Saiz Created in Ableton, which he uses for his DJ sets due to its unlimited creative functionality and precision (“I get bored easily with CDJs”), the mix makes great use of many effects, layerings, and production techniques to enhance the beautiful sounds that lie within.
Part 1 takes a freestyle approach to find a sweet spot between home listening and club warm-up vibes, all woven together through a narrative about the connection between the past, the future, the reinterpretation of old concepts, and AI. “I used a lot of AI techniques to add creativity to the songs, from cloning vocals to generate atmospheres, to creating grooves using text-to-music always like a tool in order to add to, and not to replace human creativity. Ideally, we will work with AI as a co-pilot also in the studio to make boring technical process faster and focus more on what really matters: ideas to bring our human experience into the music form.” – Henry Saiz
Packed with symbols and messages, its changing tempos span the creepy vaporwave intro of Hal Incandenza’s ‘I Know What You Are’ – setting the tone perfectly with an AI voice telling a human “I know what you are, I know where you come from” – through to chugging electronica, dubby grooves, Indian rhythm, Balearic spoken word, sparkly breakbeats and teases of the clubbier sounds that await in the next disc. The euphoric climax of Saiz’s rework of Swedish duo Genius of Time’s recent release ‘Sunswell’ is the perfect bridge into the next mix, a whirling firework of pretty melody and spine-tingling arpeggiation. The breadth and surprises of this first disc would have made it a standout piece of work on its own, but of course that’s never enough for Saiz.
Part 2 leans towards the sounds of Henry Saiz in club mode, beginning with the warm blanket of sumptuous Milio’s ‘Dew’, building gradually and flitting between the deep and the soaring. From lush progressive house to the heavenly breaks of Brassica’s epic ‘Celestial Suspension’ through some truly staggering new psychedelically tinged material from Saiz, it’s a mix packed with magical melody. The disc crescendos with the shimmering riffs of Henry Saiz & Imalgi’s ‘Kickboxer’ (released as a single on 13th October to mark the Balance 032 announcement), where synths are made to weep digital tears, and the stunning liquid breaks and heartfelt vocals of Moonlight Wolves ‘All I Need (Third Son Remix)’. As ever, all is not what it seems in his sets, with heavy editing making these truly unique versions.
“People try to Shazam my sets and usually don’t get the ID because of all the heavy editing I do while I play. Lately I learned this hyperactivity and need for challenging projects that motivates me comes from my ADHD. So, I guess the DNA of my sets would be coherent eclecticism but also a melodic journey that changes and evolves straight to a climax.” – Henry Saiz
The final chapter of this sprawling compilation explores the increasing tempos of the current era, expanding Saiz’s DNA into new territory while maintaining all the classy elements of his sound.
“The current vogue for faster tempos may be due to the constant stimulation we get from technology and how we process information nowadays. My DJ style has become faster because the world is going faster. My DJ sets are now moving through 110 to 140 bpm territories. I didn’t enjoy much music with faster BPMs a few years ago because it felt very overwhelming and had too many elements, but now people are producing music that works great at faster speeds because they have less elements and a groove that works that way. As long as the track takes you somewhere and makes you feel something through melody, that’s what counts for me.” – Henry Saiz
A deep and spacey feel early on with plenty of dubby touches gives way to meatier sounds, psychedelic tones woven into the heavier rhythms as the tempos gradually creep upwards and elements of trance abound through a flurry of Saiz exclusives. A grandstand finish is guaranteed by way of his incredible chugging-based rework of Moonlight Wolves’ ‘Mantra’, the light dreamy beauty of Henry Saiz & Somfay’s ‘To Steal a Star from The Night’ and the intense synth overload of H. Haze’s ‘La Fuerza’. A perfect end to a truly remarkable body of work.
You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Selene’, his collaboration with Damabiah exclusively on When We Dip, and read the full interview we had with Henry. Enjoy!
WWD: Hey Henry, thanks for speaking with When We Dip! Where are you currently chatting with us from?
My pleasure! I’m on the terrace of my house, enjoying the sunset, listening to Balearic chill-out, sipping on a delicious coffee and tasting some cannabis that I’m curing. 🙂
WWD: Congratulations on Balance 032! How would you best describe the three separate mixes?
Thanks! I would describe them as a summary of my approach to production and mixing as a DJ. The first CD is more experimental and stylistically free. The second is my usual DJ style, eclectic but mostly within the realms of melodic house. The third CD goes in a more contemporary and futuristic direction, closer to the territories of experimental techno and trance.
WWD: It’s great to hear so many of your own productions, especially unreleased tracks, across Balance 032. What is your favorite track on the whole of Balance 032?
Impossible to choose one! Each serves a purpose within the mix. I have some favorites like Somfay & Henry Saiz ‘To steal a star from the night” or my remix of Genius of Time and their incredible track ‘Sunswell’.
WWD: When We Dip has premiered your collaboration with Damabiah ‘Selene’ from Balance 032 today. Please tell us a bit about that track and how the collaboration with Damabiah came about?
Damabiah is one of the first producers we signed at Natura Sonoris and is responsible for many of the label’s classics; he has incredible talent. We hadn’t worked together in a long time, and naturally, we started talking again, and it felt right to collaborate as in the old times. The result is fresh, as if no time had passed!
WWD: We hear that AI has influenced Balance 032. How do you predict AI will develop for the music industry over the coming years? Are you fully embracing AI?
Really, anything can happen; I don’t rule out a catastrophe, but it could also lead to an evolutionary change for the better, who knows. As a curious and creative person, I prefer to use these tools to push the limits of my possibilities as an artist, not letting AI do all the work. This way, the fun isn’t lost, and creating art remains something organic and technical. The use I’ve made of AIs so far has been positive and is helping me do things that were simply impossible to conceive before. These are strange times; every week some advancement breaks the rules of what we believed was possible. Let’s say I prefer to ride that wave and try to master it rather than letting the inevitable technological tsunami drag me.
WWD: Besides your own mixes, what is your favorite guest mix of all time?
I don’t have a specific one, and unfortunately, I don’t have much time to listen to others’ sets. In the past, I was inspired by going to clubs and experiencing it live. But I’m a big fan of James Holden’s sets and the Late Night Tales series.
WWD: What top tips would you give to newer DJs when they are compiling a guest mix?
Mix harmonically, create an interesting storytelling, and try to use music that nobody uses or in a way nobody does.
WWD: It looks like you had a fantastic ADE last month! What were your highlights of this year’s event?
It was truly incredible, fun, and inspiring. My highlights were being able to present my own cannabis strain with the Royal Queen Seeds brand, opening for my favorite band Royksopp at the DGTL festival, and the boat party with Rodriguez Jr and Elli & Fur. And above all, seeing so many friends and sharing moments of connection with them.
WWD: What can people expect from Henry Saiz in 2024?
A lot of music and possibly a new album as Henry Saiz. In addition to my new album with my alias H.Haze, which is one of the best things I’ve done musically.
WWD: You have a very busy touring schedule. What has been your favorite venue or festival to play at? What is your dream booking?
My favorite country is Argentina, hands down, and I’m loving playing there with my party series Mirage. You can check the videos of the full shows on my YouTube channel; the energy is insane! My dream booking? Mmm, I guess touring with The Weeknd.
WWD: When you’re not touring or in the studio, how do you like to relax?
I love relaxing in the studio making music! But if I have to choose, I’d say in nature, walking, spending time with friends, connecting through psychedelics, learning new things…
WWD: Thanks for speaking with When We Dip, Henry!
Thanks to you!
Release Date: November 17th, 2023. Buy Here
Henry Saiz: Facebook // SoundCloud
Damabiah: Facebook // SoundCloud
Balance: Facebook // SoundCloud