Trance music has always been a genre deeply connected to nostalgia and emotion, and few artists understand this better than Craig Connelly. The UK-based producer and DJ has long been a mainstay in the scene, delivering powerful melodies, uplifting anthems, and emotionally charged productions. Now, with his latest venture CIRCA96, he embarks on a mission to recapture the essence of dance music’s golden era. The Here 4 U / Perfect Moment EP is his first release under this new alias, and it’s an ambitious statement of intent.
Craig Connelly’s career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of authenticity. With releases on top-tier labels and a string of trance anthems, including the legendary Black Hole and This Life, he has solidified his place among the genre’s elite. CIRCA96, however, marks a turning point. Speaking about the project,
Craig explained: “I wanted to create an opening EP to my new project CIRCA96 which is 100% integral to my core beliefs about dance music, its origins, and the direction I wanna go in the future. When I was in school, we didn’t have genres or BPMs, we just called everything ‘Dance Tunes.’ It was more than just a sound—it was a culture. Our whole identities were defined by the music we listened to and the places we went. I want to bring back that feeling of belonging. I want to bring back ART to dance music in a time when it’s all about marketing. This is what CIRCA96 stands for.”
With this philosophy in mind, Here 4 U / Perfect Moment takes us back to a time when trance was more than just a genre—it was an experience.
“Here 4 U”: Craig describes this track as “a culmination of everything I love about dance music, but made like nothing I have done before.” And it shows. At 143 BPM, Here 4 U is an energetic, hypnotic journey that leans heavily into classic trance influences. The driving bassline, warm analog synths, and evolving melodic soundscape create an immersive listening experience. What’s most striking, though, is the production approach—Craig deliberately avoided the ultra-bright, overcompressed “wall of sound” often heard in modern trance. Instead, he focused on raw emotion and attention to detail, making this track feel like it could have been lifted straight from the mid-’90s.
“Perfect Moment”: Slowing things down to 136 BPM, Perfect Moment embraces a more progressive flow. This track leans into its euphoric build-ups, spacious pads, and intricately layered melodies, creating a lush atmosphere that’s both uplifting and introspective. It’s a track designed to transport listeners, evoking that classic hands-in-the-air moment synonymous with trance’s golden age. While Here 4 U is the peak-time club weapon, Perfect Moment is the blissful, end-of-the-night anthem.
With Here 4 U / Perfect Moment, Craig Connelly—through CIRCA96—has successfully crafted a love letter to the roots of trance. This EP isn’t just music; it’s a statement. It challenges the modern-day norms of commercialized dance music and reminds us why trance became such a powerful movement in the first place. CIRCA96 isn’t just about reviving a sound; it’s about reviving a feeling. And if this debut release is any indication of what’s to come, trance fans have a lot to look forward to.
⭐️ Rating: 9.5/10
🎧 Perfect for:
- ✔️ Trance lovers craving that nostalgic ’90s vibe
- ✔️ Late-night club journeys and festival sunrise moments
- ✔️ DJs looking for melodic, emotionally driven set pieces
With CIRCA96, Craig Connelly is bringing back the soul of trance, and Here 4 U / Perfect Moment is just the beginning.
Artist: Craig Connelly, CIRCA96
Track: Here 4 U / Perfect Moment EP
Label: Higher Forces Records
Release Date: January 31st, 2025
Get your copy here: https://lnk.fuga.com/circa96_here4uperfectmomentep
Connect with Craig Connelly:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craigconnellymusic
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/craig_connelly
Connect with Higher Forces Records:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/higherforces
Take a listen to Craig Connelly – Here 4 U here:
Take a listen to Craig Connelly – Perfect Moment here:
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